Need advice for little light

F

fishbulb

Joined
Sep 18, 2001
Messages
1,196
I recently took an unscheduled headfirst trip down a flight of stairs in the dark. Seems it's sort of hard to see things when there is no light available. Because of this, I am considering getting a good flashlight for EDC.

I would like something that is small, bright, and reliable. I have no interest in using this light as an "impact device" or kuboton or anything like that so tacticality means squat.

As far as size goes, a mini-Maglite is too big, a Solitaire is too small and really isn't bright enough. I want to be able to toss the light in my pocket and forget it's there until I need it.

Obviously the brighter the better.

I have always heard great things about Surefires in general and the E2E in particular, but I think that their 1 cell lights are more the size that I am looking for. I'm also not sure if I want to end up with something that runs on lithium batteries, for reasons of cost and availability.

Any suggestions?

Unless there is a spectacular reason to spend more, I'm looking for something that costs $60 or less.
 
The Arc AAA is just what you need!

I carry an Arc AAA and Surefire E2e-HA. I love them both, but you won't "just forget" about the E2e, its just to big.
 
The only "forgettable" lights are the Arc-AAA and the CMG Infinity Ultra.
(I'm not including the Photons because they can't compete for brightness and use hard to find batteries.)
The Arc is smaller but the CMG has (slightly) longer battery life.
The CMG can also use a lithium battery to get longer shelf life (or pocket life in your case).

They're pretty equal in brightness so it's the size versus runtime that you have to decide upon.
 
Originally posted by GJW
They're pretty equal in brightness so it's the size versus runtime that you have to decide upon.
Click to expand...

Nah, he just needs to find out which type of battery he has more of. ;)
 
I have the Arc AAA on my backup keychain. What's on my primary keychain is a Princeton Tec Blast. I clip it to my belt and cary the keys janitor-style. Bright as a Mini-Mag with a whiter light. Uses standard AAA batteries. And waterproof.
 
I highly recommend the Arc AAA.

It's an awesome little light because of these reasons;
slightly smaller than the Maglite Solitaire, brighter than a Mini-Maglite, a tough as nails exterior HA finish, the convenience of using easy to find, inexpensive AAA batteries, waterproof up to 50 ft, etc., etc....
flashlight_1713_30881

You will not be disappointed with this one. ;) :D
 
Yes the Photon series are tiny and hard to find batts for, but I've had mine for 2 years and it has served me well. Not a ton of light, but enough to keep one from falling down stairs.

Put it on your keyring and you'll not notice it until it's needed.

Good luck
 
You didn't mention if there was a price issue... If price is no object, then you want an Arc LS. Its unbelievably bright, it can run on either 2 AA's for economy or a lithium if you want it drop in the pocket or on a keychain size. But on the other hand if price is an issue, I'd go with an Arc AAA, for a keychain light its much more than something to light up a keyhole, you really CAN see very well with it... and it runs bright for about 5 hours on a SINGLE alkaline AAA battery.


edit: OOPS, I noticed the $60 price limit after I wrote this!! :footinmou Ummmmmm.... you could go for a factory second LS for about that. :)
 
My vote would be for the Sure Fire E1E. It's small (much smaller than a mini - mag), so you'll be likely to have it with you when you need it, and it's bright (much brighter than a mini - mag). The light of the E1E puts the other flashlights recommended so far on this thread to shame.
 

Attachments

  • e1eha_full[1].jpg
    e1eha_full[1].jpg
    8.3 KB · Views: 200
Oh and i agree the E1E would be a good choice but might be to big. thats why i would reccomend the ARC AAA or LS.
 
For a light SLIGHTY smaller than a Solitare, but MUCH brighter, get an ARC AAA

For slightly larger, there is the Surefire E1 (the E2 is about the size of a Minimag) - another option would be the ARC LS with the 123 Battery Pack

A Photon III in white is just as bright as the ARC AAA for the first minute or so, but after that, the AAA is brighter, plus the AAA is waterproof and uses an AAA battery, where the Photon uses button cells
 
Originally posted by GJW
The only "forgettable" lights are the Arc-AAA and the CMG Infinity Ultra.
(I'm not including the Photons because they can't compete for brightness and use hard to find batteries.)
The Arc is smaller but the CMG has (slightly) longer battery life.
The CMG can also use a lithium battery to get longer shelf life (or pocket life in your case).

They're pretty equal in brightness so it's the size versus runtime that you have to decide upon.
Click to expand...

Are you sure? The Arc-AAA (which I had planned on getting) is listed as a 5 hour life. The CMG Infinity Ultra is listed as a 25 hour life. That's not "slightly" longer.
 
Everybody should have a Photon or two on their keys for this reason. They are cheap, tough, batteries can be bought at any walmart or walgreens, and you can always have it with you for emergencies. The blue, green and turquiose Photons will amaze you with their brightness when only used for short durations.

Now, for a light that you would actually use on a regular basis, an ARC AAA or a Streamlight Stylus give you a lot more runtime. I have a turq ARC and a green Stylus that I EDC. The Stylus is handier with its Surefire style tailcap switch, but the ARC is smaller and uses plentiful AAAs (AAAA batteries can present WAY more of a challenge to find than the wafer batteries used in the Photons).

My normal EDC lights:
- 3 Photons IIs (turq, purple and blue) split between my two keyrings
- Arc AAA turq with a Photon III Purple attached to it
- Streamlight Stylus, green
- one of the following; surefire E1, Surefire E2, Surefire E2 w/KL1

Danny
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top