Why carry a flashlight?

Triforge

Triforge

Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
543
I've noticed that a lot of knife people also seem to carry flashlights, I can't figure out why. Can someone please explain this to me? also, what would be a good Flashlight in the $300- range? in case I get convinced to buy one :D
 
Im assuming there are law enforcement medical janitorial rescue etc people who actually use one nightly.

I however only use mine on late night dog walks, night hiking and camping.

I have a cheap fenix pd30 ($40-60?) But looking at 'chris reeve' quality and found a few brands. Only if I could actually handle them and fiddle so I can choose wisely, just like sebenzas.
 
Getting hit with 400+ lumens at night creates a universal reaction. When spotted in the eyes, it can take up to a minute to recover. I've also never seen a person who's immediate reaction wasn't to turn away. It's really a great defensive tool under some circumstances.

I have a few lights for work but don't EDC a light. I should, but after carrying around 20 pounds of stuff on me at work I look forward to having just a small pistol, knife, cell phone, keys, and a wallet.

Elzetta makes some good stuff. Surefire is quality, but they're a few years behind in brightness compared to everyone else. CR123 batteries are a monopoly too. Most of my light use is a 450 lumen 3.5 million candlepower spotlight since it's rechargable. You can get some insanely bright Chinese flashlights with rechargable batteries that are cheaper, brighter, and longer lasting than CR123's too. Sad to say, the most advancement in flashlights lately has come from China. Brands like 4Sevens, Klarus, Sunwayman, and Nitecore make some pretty insane flashlights and Surefire's only selling point anymore is that it's US made and arguably more durable.
 
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Even frodo carried a light.
[video=youtube;PIGbz9pU7yg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIGbz9pU7yg[/video]

You don't have to pay 300$ for a flashlight. Plenty of good ones to be had in the 20-100 dollar range. You need to decide how big of a light you are willing to carry, how bright you need it to be, what batteries you will feed it, and whether you want it to shine a concentrated light out to far away objects or to light up a large area nearby.
 
I always carry my Fenix TK70 when i walk the dog in the woods.

The new tk75 are in your price range for $195 @ 2600 lumens

q40t.jpg
 
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Another good use is when geo caching. You never know where you'll have to look.

Personally, don't see the need to EDC one.
 
If you carry one, you will see its usefulness. It is useful in a dark house, a garage, shed, and anywhere else you might need more light. Not to mention, at night, a flashlight is useful regardless.
 
Knifetten said:
I can't figure out why.
Click to expand...

The common thread connecting knives, MTs, flashlights and guns is that they allow you to manipulate your environment. The same people who carry a knife for that reason are likely to carry the other stuff.

Plus, you can't use your knife, MT or gun if you can't see. I was into lights before I got addicted to the other toys.
 
Olight T10 or Streamlight ProTac 1L are great for EDC.

Both use a single A123 lithium battery. A123 batteries are compact, powerful, don't leak, and can be stored in your car without concern for freezing. Basically rock solid reliability. You can't get that from AA or AAA flashlights.

SureFire flashlight are more durable (as in military durable) but are much more expensive, larger and heavier. A lot of people like Fenix too.

Keep it small, or you won't end up carrying it every day. I've carried one every day for more than a decade. You'll be amazed at how often you will use it.
 
even in daylight , having to fix something fiddley under a dash board or under the car can be a pita if you cant see in shadow especially contrasted against full sun elsewhere .
Id NEVER use my torch as a cudgel tho , even if it is big enough to take 6D cell batteries and guaranteed shock proof .
Only for seeing things with officer , only for seeing things with . ( repeat till it sounds legit )
 
Yes, a flashlight is a great tool to have on person just like your knife. Also, like knives, there are different models for different situations. No such thing as the perfect do it all. No need to spend $300 on a torch. You can get many quality models for $40 - $120. The $300 models are either customs or Surefires. As much as I think Surefire flashlights are great quality, they are overpriced for the performance you are getting IMHO. I do want one of their pistol lights, but damn they are so much other things higher up on the list.

Like knives, everyone's idea of an edc is different. Some guys like compact and small...some don't mind carrying a little bit bigger torch using a 18650 type battery for the performance and run time. Some like high lumen numbers, some want good low moonlight modes and optimum spacing between different brightness settings. Your call. If you decide to get one, let us know what your looking for and we will try our best to point you in the right direction.

Now my wife expects me to have it when it is dark and come into a situation that requires it. She thought I was crazy when I started edc'ing it at first. Now she knows better.
 
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Also, the most used flashlight ive ever had was a $5 LED keychain from a gas station. Lasted a few years til I broke it.

cannot find another one like it :(

It was the size of a quarter.
 
I carry a E05 on my keyring as well as a Spyderco Manbug FRN.

I work in the trades as an electrician and I don't carry a flashlight on my tool belt (theres one in my tool bag however) so sometimes when im in a pinch I'll whip the E05 out to look at blueprints or inside panels in dark areas. Works great... love the wide spread lens.

e05-black-__21424.1373918642.1280.1280.jpg
 
i have a few flashlights, but the fenix e11 is an inexpensive nice little pocket carry and it only runs on 1 aa battery. depends on what you need the light for but it's good enough for my needs. i'm all about easily accessible batteries these days.
 
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