Why do a lot of you still carry a flashlight?

[jackknife]

When I had a smart phone, it seemed I spent more time charging it than actually using it.

My current phone, a basic flip top, can go 3 days without charging.

Still, it is no substitute for a real flashlight. My one cell AAA Fenix E01 cost about nine bucks, and I've used the same battery for about 2 months, maybe a bit more.

As I age, my once-superb night vision has rapidly declined, so a flashlight is helpful, even during the day, for those dark rooms and such.

Bonus rant re cell phones: for telling time, nothing beats a real watch!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

AMEN!

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

1. Practical--as many have punted out there are many daily, practical uses for a flashlight.
2. Necessity--when taking my dog out at night, or checking on little ones, or, or, or, and on and on a cell phone light doesnt cut the darkness enough for me.
3. Fun--there are a ton of affordable, quality lights out there. Some more affordable than others and some more practical than others. They are an enjoyable hobby that also serve a useful purpose.

Personally, I always have either a Steven Ku Quantum D2 or a MBI HF Ti flashlight around my neck on a stainless steel ball chain with a McGizmo clip.
For a primary light when camping or extended periods outdoors I generally also have a 4Sevens Quark 123 or an Olight S10 Baton in my pocket.

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

I carry a flashlight each and every day and it gets much more use than any knife or tool I carry. I also want something that I can access the light very fast and have a VERY bright light.

 

[jacktrades_nbk]

The flashlight on my phone will drain the battery quite fast,
Only a few days ago i used my E01 for more than 5 hours in an overnight camp, and there's still room for double or triple that time on the same battery.
If i didn't have that one, the phone would have been long dead, and as others have said, i could gather some wood in the forest while keeping the E01 in my mouth.
I like to have a real flashlight around, my E05 gets used quite a bit around the house, and the E01 is part of my edc kit.
My phone has a dedicated flashlight, produces about 6 lumens or so, and i do use it from time to time, but nothing beats a real flashlight.
I like them small, finger sized, with aaa batteries, so they don't take much space, and are very light. But when some light is needed, maybe in the middle of a park or forest, or a dark street, they can make a world of difference.

 

[NaturalMystic]

It's a number of reasons for me. I've been carrying small flashlights since the mid 80s or so, mind you back then they were the cheap plastic Eveready or Rayovac ones that held 2 AAs and had very poor ugly light. Growing up where I did in the Caribbean, power outages were not uncommon. As to the cel phone light vs dedicated flashlight question, I prefer to save my cel battery for actual phone usage, emergencies, etc. I carry 2 lights on me, a 4Sevens Mini MLR2 (1x CR2 twisty) and a Lumapower Incendio v3 (1x RCR123( with spare batteries in my EDC pack, and also keep a Fenix PD32 by my nightstand and PD35UE in my EDC pack. There are also numerous other single cell lights around my house. Heck even my soon to be 3yr old daughter has her own 1x AA EDC light that she uses now and then!

 

[Trapper92]

My microstream is pretty handy, single AAA. Don't know much about the Fenix lights but it sounds like they're pretty good as well. These are in my pocket everyday, usually with a little bit larger traditional knife like a Trapper or stockman, sometimes a SAK Tinker. IMO, the light is very small, lightweight, and bright. If it saves your butt once, it was worth all the pocket time.

 

[Mossyhorn]

A Streamlight Scorpion saved my life several years back.

 

[Trapper92]

A Streamlight Scorpion saved my life several years back.

You really never know what you're gonna run into when you walk out the door in the morning. Might as well have a few things that could come in handy.

 

[NaturalMystic]

A Streamlight Scorpion saved my life several years back.

The incandescent Scorpion along with my Surefire E1e and Streamlight 2 CR123 TwinTask were my 3 first "high-end" lights. I still have them all but haven't used them in years.

 

[Mikali]

After reading all your motivations I finally decided it was time for a good flashlight with me as well. Especially when walking the dog I have to admit it comes in handy. Thanks to all for your replies. (Btw I bought a fenix PD35 2014 edition).

 

[NaturalMystic]

After reading all your motivations I finally decided it was time for a good flashlight with me as well. Especially when walking the dog I have to admit it comes in handy. Thanks to all for your replies. (Btw I bought a fenix PD35 2014 edition).

LOL, nice choice on lights! I think you'll find after a few months of EDCing a light you'll wonder how you got by without one! I feel naked without my light, knife, phone, wallet and keys and usually even keep all on me when I'm at home. BTW welcome to the forum!

 

[mwhich50]

I don't own a smart phone.

 

[NaturalMystic]

I actually use my iPhone for other things more than making phone calls. I use the maps for navigation, Evernote (synced with my laptop and iPad) for accessing all my notes on the go, solitaire when I'm bored, weather, texting, email, camera, mp3 and video player, and so many other uses. Before I'd have to walk with my big old phone, my Palm PDA, camera, notebook, etc. I also have an app called FileApp on it where I upload all my emergency and survival notes (in MS Word, Excel and PDF). I've even got the SAS Survival Guide app by John Wiseman a well as several knot making apps. I think it's an indispensable EDC item now.

 

[CombatGrappler]

Ok, as I'm reading here on the forum I noted a lot of your guys EDC equipment includes a flashlight.
Now my very dumb question is; what are the arguments of still carrying a quality flashlight, as most smartphones have a flashlight build in?

At least three times now I've used my flashlight to help some fellas find their dropped cellphone in a pitch black movie theater. My little 5.11 ATAC A1 looked like the sun at noontime. The built-in flashlight in their phones sure didn't do them any good.

 

[muphasta]

I misplaced my Maratac copper CR123 the other day and have felt naked w/out it ever since.

 

[Error 404]

Btw I bought a fenix PD35 2014 edition.

Excellent choice. I have the older PD30 and I love it. :thumbup:

 

[555]

Ok, as I'm reading here on the forum I noted a lot of your guys EDC equipment includes a flashlight.
Now my very dumb question is; what are the arguments of still carrying a quality flashlight, as most smartphones have a flashlight build in?

I don't carry a phone most of the time.

 

[medusaoblongata]

Have you ever tried changing a flat tyre at night on a dark road with a cellphone?

I just had to change a tire Sunday night. Damn glad I had a real flashlight there.

If anyone hasn't been paying attention to the flashlight industry in the last 5 years or more, the currently available combination of size, brightness, runtime, and price is light years ahead of where it used to be. There's never been a better time to get a flashlight.

 

[muphasta]

I just had to change a tire Sunday night. Damn glad I had a real flashlight there.

If anyone hasn't been paying attention to the flashlight industry in the last 5 years or more, the currently available combination of size, brightness, runtime, and price is light years ahead of where it used to be. There's never been a better time to get a flashlight.

except for in 5 years from now, when everything will be brighter, cheaper, and smaller!

 

[Foolish Mortal]

I don't carry a flashlight, but lately I've been finding that I need one more and more!

My smartphone doesn't have a compatable flashlight app, so I have to turn on the video recorder to use the light!

Buying a quality little pocket light will definitely be one of my next purchases.