New inexpensive EDC light?

J

Jive turkey

Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Messages
88
I have gone and lost my EDC light somewhere so I am in the market for a new one. I had a streamlight microstream it was a good light but I am looking for something with a little more output. This is definitely one of those things I don't know much about hence why I am looking for some kelp from the wise folks here on BF.

Ok so basics of what I am looking for:

LED (pretty much a given)

Approx 50 lumen +/- (can be much higher but not much lower)

Easily accessible Battery type (I would prefer standard AA or AAA variety but this is not super important for a good light)

Relatively inexpensive is also a pretty big priority($50-$75 CAD), gotta save my money for new sharp things.

Thanks in advance for the help :)
 
Check out the 4sevens Preon lights, AAA and you can get a kit which comes with a single and two battery barrel.
 
What do you usually use a flashlight for? Do you need spill, flood, throw? Do you prefer warm or cool light? How do you prefer to carry?
 
I think everyone should own a Preon II. It's within your budget, and it's got to be the brightest and easiest to carry EDC light you can buy. Get one! You'll love it!
 
Wow thanks for all the recommendations so far guys! Lots of stuff to look at.

YayILikePie said:
What do you usually use a flashlight for? Do you need spill, flood, throw? Do you prefer warm or cool light? How do you prefer to carry?
Click to expand...

As far as carry, I would prefer to clip to LF pocket. I am a repair and service tech for police, fire, ambulance and limo dispatch hardware/software so I can use it a lot some days under dashes and floorboards. I use it quite a bit in the office as well in our server room (very dim lights to keep things cool). That being said there are many days it doesn't see any use. Beyond that it is mostly for your average day to day stuff at home, retrieving things from behind the fridge/under couch, a quick sweep when the home alarm goes off and so on.

I use headlamps if I am bushwacking or hiking at night as well if I am doing any urban exploring so it probably wont see those kind of uses.
 
The 4sevens Preon II would be a nice substitution to the Microstream, though a tough larger. While the Preon lacks mode memory, it starts out low and works its way up higher, which I like. The small head makes it useful for indoor work, and the XP-G R5 emitter gives a nice, big hotspot. For the price, it's a very, very well made light.

For your price range, though, I would probably pick up a Quark AA^2 tactical. I recommend the tactical simply because it's nice to have two modes immediately accessible by simply rotating the head, though setting it takes a little time. Also, it's nice to have a moonlight mode that can last for roughly 30 days. I believe that the head also works with the single AA version as well, but you'd have to pick that up separately.

If you're interested in using P60 drop-ins, then the Solarforce L2I or L2R would be good choices. They both use common batteries, run on a modular system where, if you would prefer to use 18650s or CR123s, you just need to pick up different body tubes and tailcaps, and can interchange with Surefire 6P parts.

Judging from what you use your light for, I'd probably go with either a Preon kit, giving you the ability to choose between a single AAA or two AAA configuration, as well as twisty or clicky action, or a Quark MiNi AA. The XP-G R5 would do well in both these situations, though the MiNi AA is only available as a twisty.
 
I am looking at a lot of lights right now this is going to be more difficult than I thought. One question I have is what do you guys think of the Fenix LD20?
 
I don't have the mentioned Fenix light. I do have both a Quark AA and a Preon II. I do not have the Quark Mini. I suspect the Fenix is designed for "throw" with a pronounced hot spot. My Quark also has a strong hot spot. To me, the hot spot is annoying for indoor use. The nice thing about the Preon is it puts out a nice even wall of light that is perfect for your intended use. It technically has a hot spot but it flows gently into the surrounding spill. You won't notice it. I can't comment on the beam of the Quark Mini, but you'll love the Preon's beam for your stated use.
 
The LD20 is a nice light. I like the feature that, by rotating the head, you can have instant access to either a "turbo or strobe" mode, or a "low/med/high or S.O.S." mode, which can be useful when you need light quick. It has good runtimes, nice high, and a very quick strobe.
 
Oh right, forgot to mention the ITP A3 EOS upgraded version. These little guys are incredibly useful, inexpensive, three mode, single AAA keychain lights. The low is incredibly useful when trying not to disturb the sleeping, the medium is a nice all-around light, and the high is really neat. Runtimes aren't outstanding, but 50 minutes on high is still really good. For longer runtime, the A2 EOS would fit the bill nicely. I believe the aluminum versions use an XP-E Q5, whereas the stainless steel versions employ an XP-E R2 for added brightness.
 
Been carrying a Fenix L0D Q4 on my keys for a while now and its been a fantastic light. Only problem I've had is when I was sloppy and put way too much grease on the threads, had some flickering when it got on the contacts.

That said, if I didn't had the L0D already my 4seven's AA Mini (neutral tint) would be on the keys. Wonderful light... Output, runtime, and quality of fit & finish. Definately seems more robust than the little Fenix (but my L1Tv2 compares favorably... just a lot larger).
 
I bought an AKOray k-106 light and I don't carry my fenix P2D anymore now. It is $20 bucks and runs on AA size including 3.7v 14500 batteries. AA is bright but the rechargeable 14500 Trustfire batteries make it really bright and brighter than the P2D that runs on CR123.

The light also has a pocket clip which I like and has 3 programmable modes. It can be any brightness, different frequency strobe, or SOS and you can program each mode to be any combination of the 3. Like I said the light was 20 bucks and about 10 dollars for a charger and 2 batteries. Since they are rechargeable I can use it as much as I want and not worry about having to replace the somewhat expensive CR123 batteries.

I'm sure it isn't for everyone and they are made in China but so are Fenix and the Quark lights as well as many others. Once you have the battery and charger it's not a big deal to get multiple lights to keep in different places or give to all the family members. I don't always use my knife everyday but I use a light every day because it gets dark without fail. It is small enough I can always have it with me and it works great for my uses.
 
In that price range I would recommend the Surefire G2L. Output is great runtime is good and they are quite durable. I use one for work about daily. The cells are CR123 but the price is not bad if you shop around and buy them by the box of twelve online. I think they are starting to make rechargeable cells that work with these lights but I have no experience with these. Good light from a highly reputable company. -DT
 
I carry a Quark AA every day and have no complaints other than it really chewing through batteries if you use the max output frquently. But thats just me having unrealistic expectations.
 
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