What is the ultimate EDC flashlight?

K

komondor

Joined
Jul 2, 2001
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I was wondering if there were any good units out there I was missing. I use a small flashlight everyday for work. I was using a Surefire E2, but it was too bright for many close-up tasks. Don't get me wrong, the thing is amazing, and has many useful applications, but sometimes a "pocket beacon" is worse than no light at all. I then bought an Inova and the thing is amazing. It throws out just the right amount of light, and is bright enough for most small-flashlight uses. I love the fact that the thing will last for 20 hrs before 're-fueling.' The GE mini-gun head-on profile is classic, also. There is nothing to not like about this light, and it has become my EDC. I would, however, prefer the newer, lock out tailcap version.

So what other lights would you recommend along these same lines? Features must be: decent amount of light, but not too blinding; pocket size; long battery life (at least 10 hrs for a set of batteries); waterproof and very rugged. Is there really anything better than the Inova, considering these features? Or do I have to wait for the next generation of Luxeon Star LED units to arrive?
 
IU have an E2HA and an Inova X5T. I love both and if I could only have one I'd probably take the Inova. There
 
I have an E2HA as well as an X5T. Believe it or not there are certain things that I like better about the original Inova. The size is the most obvious thing. The X5T is bulkier and the tail switch is not all that exciting. I guess i was expecting the X5T switch to be like a Surefire, but I was dissapointed as it doesn't have nearly the tactile feel or positive switch action of a Surefire.

I hear that Surefire is about to release a KL1 Luxeon Star light source for the E2 series. That sounds like the perfect EDC light to me. Not quite the run time of the Inova or the blinding light of a Surefire when working in tight places. Like Goldilocks said...just right.

Look at the LED museum for a preliminary review.

Can't wait to see one.

jmx
 
i carry a inova X5t, a surefire E2e w/a TID installed, and a M3 for use outside,etc when i need a lotta light. of the 3 if i could only have one, would go w/the E2e, the X5t just isnt quite bright enough for me, at least, to be the only light. i must admit i do use the inova a lot.



greg
 
Originally posted by SIFU1A
i carry a inova X5t, a surefire E2e w/a TID installed, and a M3 for use outside,etc when i need a lotta light. of the 3 if i could only have one, would go w/the E2e, the X5t just isnt quite bright enough for me, at least, to be the only light. i must admit i do use the inova a lot.
Click to expand...

Plus, with the TID, it makes a nice impact weapon! :eek: :D
 
A SureFire E2 and an ARC AAA make a good combination. E2 for high output needs and, the ARC AAA on the key chain when a small light is needed or the blinding output of the E2 is too much.

With the ARC AAA LE as my constant companion in addition to the E2, I have considered upgrading the E2 to one of the Stremlight recharables which are a good light cannon for their size and bulk and, cheap enough to make battery expense a non-issue.
 
I used to EDC the E2e, but since receiving the X5T, the E2e has been relegated to the spare magazine pouch on my HD pistol holster.

X5T puts out enough light to see in small nooks and crannies (under the desk, checking out computer wiring, etc.) and plenty of light to work or navigate by in low light or complete darkness. I too found the E2e to sap too much energy for those kind of tasks, plus it is very bright. When i know I'm going to be outdoors at night, the E2e comes along.

If I'm just in boxers @ home at night, I use a Photon 3 (white) with a clip lanyard, clip it to whatever because it's so light and unobtrusive. I'm trying to justify one of the ARCs, but seem to have the light bases covered for the time being.

thus in summary, I'm sAYing for me the X5T is the ultimate EDC light. For ENC (every night carry, haha:o ) I'd have to give it up to the E2e for throw.
 
I have an ARC AAA and either an E1e or E2. I was putting off getting the X-5T, but from what I've heard so far, I'll add the KL-1 to the lights I have now.

My M2 is usually within reasonable reach with extra LAs and batteries in the daypack I use to carry all my "stuff".
 
*Streamlight Scorpion- for a blinding tactical light

*Surefire E1e- perfect for jacket carry, not too bright, out on the town light source

*Inova Microlight key fob- perfect for around the house at night, in the movie theater, finding a key-hole, etc. The green LED is very pleasant and doesn't hurt my eyes once I've established night vision.

I really depend on the E1e and Inova. They really offer a lot of light and are very battery conservative.
 
Perfect EDC?

The SureFire E2e-HA!

I have a KL1 for it, but prefer to use the E1e+KL1 because it's smaller and I use the E2e as is more often.

Al
 
Right now, there's no one answer for me for EDC. If I had to pick on light, it'd be an Arc LS. Brighter than the Inova, but not nearly so bright as the E2e. More importantly, unlike the Inova, the LS is regulated. That's spoiled me, unregulated lights are definitely second best, I'm tired of getting a few minutes of bright light followed by hours of increasingly and drastically diminishing light. Arc LS is the answer, man!

If I were to pick two lights, it'd be either an E2e or G2Z as the bright light (depending on whether or not I needed to use it with a firearm), and Arc LS or AAA as the less-bright light. I definitely hear you as far as the E2e being too bright for some purposes.

Presumeably, the Surefire A2 will be the one-stop answer, and hopefully very soon. But probably a high-$$$ answer as well.

Joe
 
Surefire E1 for close up work

I have a Surefire M2 inbound (for outdoors). I had an E2, but I wanted the beefier package.

The Inova X5 won't stand up well on work surfaces, so I prefer the stability of the Surefire's.
 
I like the E2e and the Inova X5T for EDC, along with the Photon that is on my keychain. On my dutybelt I have an M2, Tactical Vest has the M3 for the Glock along with a Streamlight Stinger.
 
Originally posted by Architect
Surefire E1 for close up work
Click to expand...

Architect: Just MHO, I dislike the E1. Even at just a few feet away, I find the narrow beam not all that useful, and it gets less useful the farther out you go (I know you said "close up", but not sure how close up you meant). The Arc LS w/ 123A pack blows the doors off the E1 as far as general usefulness, IMO -- Arc LS is almost as bright, much more useable beam, longer runtime, smaller package. Oh, and it's regulated, and you don't have to worry about replacing the bulb.

Now, change the E1 to an E1+KL1, and now you're talking! That might have all the advantages of the Arc LS, plus SF's tactical-style switch, plus the E1+KL1 is less expensive. I was going to sell my E1 until I heard about the KL1, now I'm thinking the two together might make my ultimate small, sub-30-lumens EDC light.

Joe
 
Well, I picked up an E1 here on the forumes for $30. I haven't seen anyone selling their ARC LS for anywhere near that, so my reponse was a included criteria that was not solely limited to the ideal.

When I say close up, I mean basically using around the house, poking into nooks and crannies, scouting around in the middle of the night when all lights are off. So, probably in the 6 inch to 5 foot range.

Unfortunatly, my E1 is just an E1 and not the enhanced version, so I will have to cycle through some more gear to do the E1e/KL1 combo.

At that point though, it is likely just as useful and cheap to just get the ARC LS since they are going for right at $100 at a couple of shops.
 
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