Looking for an EDC flashlight

FlaMtnBkr

FlaMtnBkr

Joined
Oct 20, 2004
Messages
4,704
I know flashlight threads come up often but I'm posting another one.

I am looking for a flashlight to EDC. I want something I can just toss in my pocket with the rest of the stuff and not think about and it not be uncomfortable. I have looked at candle power forums and flashlight reviews and just get overwhelmed. I have looked at so many beam pics and graphs everything is just starting to run together.

I am looking for something pretty small, preferably running on a AA or even AAA and have somewhat of a decent output. I would like a 2 hour run time but I know you cant have both run time and output. A type 3 hard anodization would be nice since it will most likely float around with keys and other metallic objects. I would like a clickie switch but not necessary and under $30 would be nice.

I am mainly looking for something that is small enough I will carry and be bright enough to be of use. When it is night I usually carry a river rock AA but it is too bulky to carry all the time (and I know its not that great).

So right now I am thinking of the fenix L1T, L1P, and the civictor V1. I like the L1T because of the 2 light levels and being able to add a L2T body. Can the L1P have a different body added on? I guess the fenix P1 would be nice but I would rather stick with standard batteries.

So I am asking what others think. Size, output, and runtime are the most important qualities in that order. I know there are tons of lights out there and I am sure there are many I don't know about so I'm trying to find what others like. All suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Ryan
 
I carry an L1T. Like it a lot. Inexpensive. reliable. Good output.

Very pleased with mine.

Phil
 
I bought myself a Pelican L1. Great, tough little led light. It's a little longer than a AA battery. I carry it with a bunch of other stuff. The other day I accidently put it through the washing machine. Didn't faze it. View it here:

http://pelican.divemar.com/docs/led1.html

I think I paid about $18 Canadian.
 
I would go with an arc aaa. I keep mine on my keychain and don't know it's there. Very good output for a small light, runs 5 hours before entering moon mode (extended dimmer mode) for delah hours. It's waterproof, HA3 coated and barely larger than the aaa powering it.
arcaaahk5.th.jpg
 
CR123 Lithiums are the AA batteries of the next couple decades.

The Fenix P1 is so much light in such a small package, that I occasionally find myself leaving my several Surefires, Streamlights and Inovas laying on the nightstand and just toss the P1 in my pocket. I will admit to even grabbing the P1 and leaving my beloved L4 sitting there! Even in my loosest shorts, the P1 doesn't feel like it's pulling my shorts down. It could only be better if there was a small tailcap switch, but only if it didn't make it bigger!
 
depending on how small ya want either a arc AAA, a fenix (one AA, 2 AA or the AAA version depending again on size needed) or a E1L or E2L surefire.

all of the above are top notch lights imho.
 
HAIII is hard to find under $30.

Go with a Fenix L1T, LightFlux LF1 or Jetbeam Jet-1 Mk.II. Feed with NiMH rechargables, but if want to go really crazy with brightness, feed the LF1 Jet-1 with protected 14500 lithium ion rechargables. You can get the batteries and charger from lighthound.com (don't forget the 15mm spacers). Out of all these the LF1 is the least expensive, yet includes both the 1AA and 2AA bodies. The Jet-1 is the most expensive, but also the most feature laden and probably the best built.

Peak make some nice AA/AAA lights (like the Pacific). They're not as snazzy or trendy as some other lights, but they're extremely well built, durable, and priced right.
 
I bought the L1P, was so impressed I got another!!!

Cheap, tiny, ultra bright and tough, batteries everywhere and dirt cheap......sh*t hot kit.

Need I say more???

Get it bought you can't go wrong for the bucks!!!
 
i have the L1P and really like it, i don't really notice it in my pocket (of course that might not be saying much)
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I am mainly looking for something that is small enough I will carry and be bright enough to be of use.
Click to expand...

Ryan,

You provide a lot of info regarding your 'ideal' parameters, but I wanted to ask if you anticipate using you light indoors or out, or both equally? I usually carry more than one light, but if I anticipated using a light mostly outside - such as navigating a dark parking lot regularly -- I would go with a brighter light. Of your list, the L1T is great for the reasons you stated - I like mine. It can be overpowering if you need it for close-up work, though, and I personally leave mine on 'high' at all times just because I keep less-bright lights on my person for close-up stuff (reading a document, looking at the back of a computer CPU, etc.).

If you anticipate being inside frequently when you use your light, the Arc AAA is a great choice, as is the (cheaper) Fenix E1 or L0P. I also heard on CPF that Fenix is introducing an Arc AAA clone to the US market soon, so that might be another good option.

If you reconsider CR123 batteries, I also vote for the P1 - it's the brightest small 123 light I've seen!
 
I also keep an Arc-P on my keychain. Its been very reliable for the work I do(copier tech), but not the best for anything outside nighttime activity. P1 is great at being a torch.
 
The ARC AAA rules. I have kept one in the change pocket of my jeans for years. Well...... Except for that year that I lost it in my front lawn. I later found it with a metal detector. Even after surviving the brutality of an upstate NY winter, along with my lawn mower during the other seasons, the flashlight was still in perfect condition.
 
I have 2 ARC AAA Ps and just ordered a camo ARC AAA from Tad gear.
IMO they are the best pocket lights out there.The AAA P will light up the whole side of my house at night.Its rated at 5.5 lums.
 
Thanks everyone!

I will check out the lights mentioned. I will probably use it some indoors, but mainly outside. I live on the outskirts of town and there are no street lights so it can get pretty dark.

I have a small cheap light on my keychain that runs on 4-5 watch batteries. I use this for up close stuff and it is suprisingly bright for how small it is.

I think the arc AAA might be to small for my needs but I will look into them further.

Anyone know how much difference there is in the L1T and the L1P? The L1T has the 2 level output but looks like it puts out a little less light than the the L1P. Any other major difference? Would one be better than the other? Can the 2 cell body be added to the L1P or just the L1T?

The civictor V1 looks interesting though. A little cheaper and it looks to have good ouput and runtime. It looks like it may not be regulated or at least not as well as the fenix lights. Anyone have a clue what type of anodization they have?

Sorry for all the questions, I know there are a lot of them. Thanks again for the replies!

Ryan
 
I also recommend the Arc AAA. I just got one and it's a really good EDC light. I think if you get it you won't be disappointed.

It is a wee bit smaller than I thought, compared to a Maglite solitaire, but that's also better as it makes less bulk in the pocket.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Anyone know how much difference there is in the L1T and the L1P? The L1T has the 2 level output but looks like it puts out a little less light than the the L1P. Any other major difference? Would one be better than the other? Can the 2 cell body be added to the L1P or just the L1T?
Click to expand...
The L1P has an R bin Luxeon 1, the L1T has a T bin Luxeon III. Which doesn't make much of a difference in brightness when powered by a single AA battery. However, the L1T has better regulation and longer runtime than the L1P. Initial output should be very similar (differences between examples can probably be attributed to the "Luxeon Lottery", because like computer processers, there's variations between each piece), but over a battery's lifetime, the L1T should stay brighter and longer. Even if you're looking at FLR's numbers, notice that although the L1P has a brighter initial output, it's down to 75% brightness in less than 15 minutes, while the L1T hits 75% closer to 45 minutes (with alkalines). Using a NiMH rechargable makes a huge difference, and the L1T way outperforms the L1P with a NiMH.

Fenix-store.com also sells spare bodies for either the L1T or L2T (at the same price, so you can save a buck and a half if you get the L1T light and spare L2T body). The L1T/L2T has the same head on both lights.

If you don't need the 2 stage, go instead (again, from fenix-store) with an L2P with the extra L1P body. Unlike the L1T/L2T head, the L1P and L2P use different heads. Putting an L1P head on the L2P body is a good way to fry your flashlight. However, putting the L2P body on the L1P head gives you slightly brighter, much better regulated flashlight than the L1P. Just look at the runtime graph.

The L*P and L*T bodies are not interchangable.

Or, ignore Fenix altogether and get the Lightflux LF-1, which includes both AA and 2AA bodies. Judging by the runtime graphs, the LF-1 has a superior converter/regulator. It's rare to see single AA flashlights with that flat of a discharge curve.

As for the Arc AAA, it's a great keychain light. Unnoticable on a keyring, yet immensely useful when you need it. The Fenix E0 looks very interesting too. Initial output is lower than the Arc, but it regulates much better, meaning that after a while the Arc will dim below the brightness of the E0, while the E0 is still going strong.
 
Wal*Mart presently sells a small ultra-bright LED flashlight for around $12. It's aluminum, uses a rear toggle switch, has a wonderfully tight beam, a tactical tether, and comes with belt-poach as well as snap-on red and blue filters for night vision and tracking respectively.
 
I have a Fenix L1T and an E1. Both are great lights. I'll carry the L1T if I know I'll be out at night. The E1, though, is my Every Day Carry All The Time. It's small and light enough that it goes unnoticed, and yet it's as bright as a "real" flashlight. With a lithium, you'll get almost six hours of regulated light. With rechargables you'll get almost three. Between the L1T and the E1, I think I like the E1 more. The L1T is brighter, has a "clicky" and two stages. It's a great light, but it's just so cool to have so much light in such a small package as the E1.

(Whatever you get, there's no reason NOT to have the excellent Photon Freedom on the keys as a back up.)

Scott
 
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