Specific EDC light suggestion

B

Brian.Evans

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Aug 20, 2011
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Hey Gents! I need your help again. On the recommendations of this forum, I bought a Fenix PD32 for carry at work or when I need a big light. I got two HiMax 2600mAh batts, Xtar charger, and the light for $90 shipped, which I thought was a pretty good price.

At work I will carry the PD32 and a leatherman wave. I want to downsize this for home carry and go with something like the leatherman Skeletool and a smaller light for EDC. I've looked at the Streamlight microstream. I've had one and I liked it. Any other suggestions? Anle to use a rechargeable battery is a plus. Just something small and lightweight. I don't need 300 lumens for my home life. Just something to check the kids at night and find stuff in the back of cabinets.

I would like to keep it relatively small, to match the slimness of the Skeletool.

Thanks in advance guys!
 
So far I have
1. Streamlight Microstream
2. Fenix LD01. I like the multi levels of this one. The mid and low levels are very useful and the high might be nice for short bursts.
3. Fenix E11 I like the UI on this one better than the LD01 but no low low setting.
 
for a 1xAA look at the zebralight SC51, for 1xAAA take a look at an Olight i3 or Titanium Innovations Illuminati CA1-AL.
 
I use a small simple light just like you say; check on the grandkids at night, avoid falling over the dog on a dark night, and looking under the car seat for dropped objects. Don't need eyeball searing light or multi mods that I don't use. Since last summer I've been using a Fenix EO1, and it's been perfect. Small, simple, reliable, and enough light to function by in an emergency, and good run time.

I tried a Streamlite Keymate, and I liked it, but it stopped working after a few months. Had to shake it to get it to work. Tossed it and got the Fenix and never looked back. The EO1 is almost the same size as my Case peanut.

I liked the Fenix EO1 so much, I went and bought another for the better halts purse, and a spare for me to keep in the sock drawer.

Carl.
 
I really like the Streamlite Microstream as well, and keep a Streamlite Stylus Plus in my briefcase, along with a Photon 2 on my keychain. Light really comes in handy when you need it!
 
I have a Fenix PD32 and LD01. For home use the LD01 would be good, or the E05 that costs less but still has pretty good output. The LD01 and such are good for EDC because they are very small, but if you could tolerate a little more size then I might suggest one of the similar models that uses a single AA battery instead of AAA.

I've had a selection of good LED lights for a number of years, and I bought an Inova X5 for use around the house. A lot of lights have good throw which is great for a lot of uses especially outdoors, but for lighting up a room, looking under the bed, etc. a light with more of a flood beam works better. And those things are very cheap too, but I don't know what you can find like that in the real small size.
 
Congrats on the PD32! Great light, and you have a good setup. My #1 recommendation would be the 4Sevens Quark Mini 123 or Cr2. If you want to go rechargeable, get the 123 model. Those are short and fatter. A little bigger diameter than a 123. If you want to go the penlight route, Preon 2 or 1. Those run AAA, so no GOOD rechargeables. Kinda depends on what you think is more comfortable. I prefer the Mini 123, but a lot of guys like the penlight better. Try carrying around a fat pen with a clip. If that feels comfortable, buy the Preon 2. If you want something short, go Mini 123.
 
Your second sentence doesn't make sense. Can you clarify it? The 123 vs the cr2 thing.


I saw the cr2 light! I was absolutely amazed! I'm just not sure how easy it would be to find cr2 batteries. I know they have them at walmart, but aa and aaa are everywhere! Now, if I can get rechargeable cr2s to run in it, I might go for them.
 
I've been carrying a Fenix L0D (1 AAA) for years now and couldn't be happier with it. Sure, I don't need or use the strobe or SOS but I do like having the 3 different light levels and on high the thing puts out an amazing amount of light.

I think they may have changed the model number, and I know I've seen a lot of recommendations for other manufacturer's versions of this light, but for EDC I don't think you can go wrong with this or one of the equivalents - takes up very little pocket space, puts out very useable light for many different situations, and really surprising (to me) battery life. I definitely recommend getting a light with at least 2, and preferably 3 levels.
 
I bought three of the Fenix EO1's last Christmas for me, my Wife and my Son. Now, mine is dead (yeah, of course I put new batteries in and tried to clean connections, etc ). My Son's is dead (I don't know if he put in new batteries but he didn't use it much) and my Wife's I think actually still works. I cannot recommend them anymore. I have an old Photon MicroLight that is tiny coin sized and it still works great to light the path and do all that little stuff. I also bought a $5 WalMart LED keychain light that works fine and has already proven itself more reliable than the EO1.
 
Sorry, I can see how that confused you. The Quark Mini Cr2 is smaller, but has no rechargeables that I have seen. It uses Cr2 camera batteries which can be purchased on Amazon. The Quark Cr123 is slightly larger(.3 in, I believe) and uses CR123 batteries. You can easily buy rechargeables for that light. Non-rechargable batteries are also very easy to find. If you want to be able to use rechargeable batteries, go with the 123 version. It is a tiny bit bigger, but batteries are much more convenient. Hope that helped clarify!
 
I have a Fenix E01 with lithium on the key chain, and in a generic slightly oversize multi tool case from a cop shop...Streamlight ProTac1L, single CR123 110lumen, along with a Leatherman Juice S2, a mini Bic will fit, but makes things hard to remove...additionally a section of hacksaw blade, firesteel, heavy needle, tweezers and safety pin are taped with clear tape to protect the contents from the saw blade
 
I've got a Fenix PD10 and Quark 123Ti as well as a Nitecore D10 I roll through as edc's. the two twisty's (fenix PD10, 190lumens & Quark 123Ti, 140 lumens) are nice and short, but powerful. My D10 is longer as it uses AA, but i like the fact that it has an electronic lockout. I do like clicky's a bit more than twisty's.

I've also owned a PD20, 190lumens and almost as short as PD10 just with a clicky. No lockout and it would always turn on when i had it clipped to my LFP. Another light I used to have here recently is the Fenix E11, that's a good one IMO, more flood than throw, clicky, and not expensive at all. Definitely need to get me another.

Here's the PD10 i'm carrying today.
7050983905_f4fb9fd30a.jpg
 
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