Why carry a flashlight?

Most everything I could think of has already been said. I will add that if you've never used a modern, decent quality flashlight- say $40 and up- you're really in for a treat. My little Fenix 1 AAA puts out a little over 100 lumens and that is a really useful amount of light for such a small package. If you're used to the old incandescent flashlights, or even the really cheap LEDs there's just no comparison. You can actually find what you're looking/where you're going/whatever with a decent light- and great battery life, too.
 
I carry one so if I somehow get into a bad situation I can strobe the person and hopefully they will be distracted enough for me to get away
 
Because it turns the wifey on when I'm the only guy in the room who was smart enough to have a flashlight, knife, multi-tool, nail clippers, etc.

I've helped several people find stuff they dropped under their seats at the movie theater.
 
My headchef is into flashlights, not sure of the brand...

we throw clubs on the weekend at the bar, so it gets very dark.

Perfect, now I have a solid reason to get a nice light :D
 
Just like knife collectors with our collections, it's easy to start with one... and before you know it, you own five, ten or more.
To the originator of this thread 'Knifetten', these types of flashlights are highly engineered mini powerhouses, all with different GUI's and many can actually help save your life besides putting light where there is none.
You can't walk into Home Depot, Rite Aid, CVS or even a local hardware store and find these lights.

Personally, the most I've paid for a light was $106.00 (Bayco Nightstick NSR-9914).
It's easy to want to go up in lumens, the highest I have goes up to 980 lumens and that's fine for me, as the higher lumen lights after 3 to 5 min. auto step down lower to stop them from overheating, they are however a lot of fun to use and in certain situations (security, night watchman) the high lumen lights are called for.
But for a simple EDC, I don't think spending "300.00" as mentioned is really needed.

My light systems with lumens and battery types:
http://s183.photobucket.com/user/silverspurr/library/Flashlights
 
Maybe he is very wealthy and 300 isn't a drop in a bucket.

I couldnt imagine 980 lumens, my 257 lumens is fairly bright...
 
HwangJino said:
Maybe he is very wealthy and 300 isn't a drop in a bucket.

I couldnt imagine 980 lumens, my 257 lumens is fairly bright...
Click to expand...

Try to imagine 'bob124's Fenix TK70 @ 2600 lumens, bet that's a he** of a lot of fun in the dark :D
I take my 980 out at night when I walk to the supermarket.
 
well i edc a 1aaa preon. and i use my flashlight honestly just as much or maybe more than my knife. while at work there are always dark places to find something. there is always something that is getting repaired ot rigged up until a repair guy comes so i use it all day long. and i also always have one of these with me

surefire fury - perfect size, weight, price, and my most common edc belt light or back pocket light while at work
klaurs st11 - nice for my pack when im not at work and its always in my car just in case i ever need a light. very throwy beam
olight m22 - such a beast for its size

all three are stupid bright for my uses. i usually use then on the 20-50 lumen settings they have. but a flashlight for me makes alot of lifes everyday tasks easier, more convenient and helps solve daily problems quicker.

just an hour ago after a very long shift i went to leave work. my car started fine being its almost brnad new. but my co workers car died. the alternator died. we figured out the problem quick, and made a quick list of tools he needs for tomorrow so we can fix it in the morning. if i didnt have my light i doubt using my cell phone screen as a light would yield quick results





-but if you havent edc'd a flashlight buy a cheap aaa one. throw it on your keys or in your pocket and im sure soon after it will find its home in your rotation
 
Today, amidst pouring rain and wind gusts, PGE lost power to almost 11,000 customers in Sherwood today, basically, the whole town. Lights were off for about a half hour. Of course, despite pouring rain, today is Oktoberfest at any traditionally-German Lutheran church. I was in the fellowship hall with about 150 people when the lights went out. It was nice that a couple of us had flashlights.
 
I like to pretend it's a lightsaber.

The HDS Rotary or Clicky are both great lights; I like the High CRI version.
 
Gollnick said:
Today, amidst pouring rain and wind gusts, PGE lost power to almost 11,000 customers in Sherwood today, basically, the whole town. Lights were off for about a half hour. Of course, despite pouring rain, today is Oktoberfest at any traditionally-German Lutheran church. I was in the fellowship hall with about 150 people when the lights went out. It was nice that a couple of us had flashlights.
Click to expand...

"It was nice that a couple of us had flashlights"
Click to expand...

That's why a light is indispensable being incorporated into ones EDC.
"if your not always prepared.. your never prepared".
Good thing you were.
 
I carry a NovaTac and have for years.
Some dont seem to like these, but my NovaTac has been dropped many many times and even though its now scuffed, it never failed me.
It throws out a decent light - starts on full and has a medium light level and also a low battery conserving light level for just finding keys on the ground in front of you or what ever. Strobe function also of course.
It does not eat a lot of energy. Parasitic drain seems neglible.
I like the light a lot and use it often. I carry it almost every day.
Comes in handy.

Stelth said:
I don't carry one during the day but I do if I go out at night.
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What ever works for you.
I often leave home not planning to return late. Even though I may not plan to arrive home late/after sunset, I sometimes do so - in that event its nice to have a flashlight.
 
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I carry a flashlight at night as well. I have run the light mady by Armytek. They make outstanding products and have a great reputation. I own Armytek Predator 670 lumens and happy that this light met all my needs. The price is not high, about $110. It's good for this well made light. Variety of modes attracts me because I can choose any mode I need (for home, walking, my car). It's multifunctional light. Duration is 1h 20min at 670 lumens and 155 hours! at 6 lumens. And effective range is 437 yards. I'm impressed:)

Armytek_Predator_XP_G2.jpg
 
HwangJino said:
I think some android phones already have an app built in.


It just says 'assisted light' and turns on instantly when pressed, nothing to open etc.
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It varies from phone to phone since most manufacturers customize the software. It is a great backup light for those days when you didn't bring the primary one for whatever reason.

How often do I carry a primary? I don't need a high power tactical light at the office so I don't carry one. I don't need one during the summer months when the sun barely sets anyway. I do need one when I am going off into the sticks, doing work in buildings with poor primary lighting or during the winter months. YMMV
 
o4tg said:
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.
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This plus I use it often throughout my day.

I really like my Sunwayman m10a. It has the best user interface that I've found on a pocket light.
 
I don't carry $300 lights, but I do carry one at work. I work in a warehouse. One of my jobs is as an IT tech. Often I have to work inside electronic equipment cabinets where there isn't a lot of light. Sometimes I have to get behind an piece of equipment and read S/Ns or M/Ns printed in .0001-sized fonts. A light comes in handy. My $15 Streamlight Stylus Pro rides nicely in a pocket sheath next to my Izula. Makes a nice work kit.

I don't carry one as part of a personal daily carry kit, but when I go to work I like to take the light and the Izula.
 
It gets used more then my pocket knife. In the last 24 hours, I've used my keychain flashlights (Energizer High Tech or Maglite incan Solitaire) to:
Illuminate the padlock on the side gate when taking out the trash
Illuminate the orb weaver spider and web (big damn spider with 6 ft diameter webs) just past the trashcans.
Navigate the toy minefield that's my living room. After dark navigation in anything other then steel toe'd work boots is asking to be hurt.
Check the door deadbolts without having to cross the aforementioned minefield.
Find the charging cord for my cell phone without waking up the wife.

EDIT:Other notable uses:
On the can when the power went out (no emergency lights in the bathroom)
Forgot to turn the porch light on
and the perrenial "Where's the pacifier?"

I've got additional flashlights for work and in the car, but since they're not on my person all the time, I don't consider them to be EDC.
 
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Clang! said:
It gets used more then my pocket knife. In the last 24 hours, I've used my keychain flashlights (Energizer High Tech or Maglite incan Solitaire) to:
Illuminate the padlock on the side gate when taking out the trash
Illuminate the orb weaver spider and web (big damn spider with 6 ft diameter webs) just past the trashcans.
Navigate the toy minefield that's my living room. After dark navigation in anything other then steel toe'd work boots is asking for to be hurt.
Check the door deadbolts without having to cross the aforementioned minefield.
Find the charging cord for my cell phone without waking up the wife.
Click to expand...

Same here, my lights get used more often x per day/night then my knife.
 
MVF said:
Most everything I could think of has already been said. I will add that if you've never used a modern, decent quality flashlight- say $40 and up- you're really in for a treat. My little Fenix 1 AAA puts out a little over 100 lumens and that is a really useful amount of light for such a small package. If you're used to the old incandescent flashlights, or even the really cheap LEDs there's just no comparison. You can actually find what you're looking/where you're going/whatever with a decent light- and great battery life, too.
Click to expand...

Very true. I use mine a lot while camping. Nothing like having a light that can fit in your pocket that can show you what kind of animal is 50 yards from the campsite. I also like mine because it looks like a mini light saber. :D
 
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