Why do a lot of you still carry a flashlight?

I must have 5 flashlights (at least) inside my work vehicle. I am not into really small flashlights as I loose them and many are expensive. Hence I use a two C-cell from Lowes as my most used flashlight. The batteries seem to last a long time and I keep a spare set with me. But usually at least one of the 5 probably works. :D If I had to change anything on that flash light model, I would prefer two settings; dim and bright.

I have the flash light app on my smart phone, but I seldom use it. I suspect it would drain the battery too quickly and I depend a great deal on my cell phone.
 
Mikali said:
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? :)
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It's a safety thing. Tactical lights are often bright enough to blind a person momentarily, and if you have one capable of strobe, they can downright disorient a person. I work in a place that requires me to carry a sidearm. A flashlight is a no brainer for this type of thing since a blinded person means I don't have to draw from my holster. I much prefer that my sidearm never sees action since it is an absolute last resort.

Here's a vid of my 4Sevens Maelstrom. It's programmable through a PC and charges via USB. I have it set up for max brightness only and no other options. I want it to light up as much as possible when I use it at night at work.

[video]http://instagram.com/p/tR0PmSmXS9/[/video]
 
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Thomas Linton said:
One is one; two is two; three is three; etc.
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Perhaps you were being sarcastic. But if not, what squid was referencing is an old gun adage. I meant that carrying two guns is better than one because if that one gun gets lost/fails/drops/taken, you're screwed.
 
Because I don't think a Harries Hold would work too well with a smartphone.
And, because I like flashlights and have at a minimum 3 on my person at any one time.
 
harkamus said:
Perhaps you were being sarcastic. But if not, what squid was referencing is an old gun adage. I meant that carrying two guns is better than one because if that one gun gets lost/fails/drops/taken, you're screwed.
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:confused:

What sarcasm? That's saying something you don't really mean, like "Honey, I love your new (GAG!) dress" or "Honest politician."

I am simply disagreeing with the so-called "adage" (or philosophy or principle).

I have seen this "adage" given various sources (Marines, Rangers, Seals, survivalists, "the military," Texas Rangers, SWAT, Clint Smith, and Nassim Talib.).

I have seen it explained as applying to all manner of gear - guns, knives, magazines (BANG!), compasses, match safes, flashlights, stoves, canteens.

And I have seen posters who obviously thought the "wiser," "faster," and "low drag" were actually telling them to have at least two of everything.

If the intent is to say that backup/redundancy is good, fine. Say it.

If the intent is to say you should have gear with multiple purposes, good. Say it.

I understand. Gear fails. S**t happens. What "cannot fail" still fails. (Murphy was an optimist.)

But "One is none" is about as useful as "The knife you have is the best for the job" vs. "You can only use the knife you have with you." One is senseless. One makes sense.

And I can only carry so much stuff.

And if one is none and two is one, you need three. Buit wait! Three is two and two is one and one is none. You apparently need an infinite number because infinity minus one is still not one (at first).

We had two armed robbers here in Ohio (Canton to be precise) who learned a couple of days ago that one is one. The gas station employee had one pistol. Society now has two fewer armed robbers. One was not none.

Here's a test. If I have a rifle and a pistol (both loaded) do those items represent: a) two weapons; b) one weapon; or c) no weapons? I have seen all three argued for as the correct answer. ("One primary? That's none.")


Return to your regularly scheduled programming.
 
For me its just a tool of the trade. A stage hand must have a multi-tool and a flashlight. A lighting tech must also have an adjustable wrench. So since I have to carry one anyway, it rolled into my standard EDC just because. In my new career move, to being an outdoor recreation/education type person, you better not be relying on a cell phone for anything if you want anyone to take you seriously. I'm also much more likely to have a working flashlight than a working cellphone. My phone is great, but a bit short in the battery department.

I don't need high-speed low-drag, I won't be blinding attackers, but I will be able to see where I'm going when I'm running the heck away, if it came to that. I also find that lots of people instantly get comfort from someone having a light when the lights go out. no one really trusts cell phone lights, so its nice to be able to help out.
 
Thomas Linton said:
:confused:

What sarcasm? That's saying something you don't really mean, like "Honey, I love your new (GAG!) dress" or "Honest politician."

I am simply disagreeing with the so-called "adage" (or philosophy or principle).
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Oh, my mistake. I just thought you took that saying literally, so I just wanted to explain what it meant. I totally agree with you though. I don't follow that saying. I already carry a firearm. I can't imagine carrying two on me. I deal with the weight of my full size, along with my keys, one light, mags, etc. I don't want to carry beyond that. The only thing I carry more of is a spare magazine or two, but that's more to even out my belt.
 
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Capt. Spaulding said:
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.
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If I'm not in afield or deployed I never carry a flashlight. I keep one in a kitchen drawer, one on my dresser, one in my car's console, and one in my desk at the office, but I almost never use them. A knife I carry as it gets used often.
 
The flashlight app is a wonderful invention, and allows millions of people to have a flashlight capability who would otherwise be in the dark or using their Bic as a torch.

But, given the small size and incredible power of the modern LED flashlight, I think it's worth carrying if you are serious about being prepared. Mine has come handy in numerous situations where a cellphone light would have been inadequate.
 
Well, we had some bad storms roll through today and the power went off through out the whole grocery store. Well, except for the one isle that I lit up...from the front of the store. I couldn't do that with a cell phone. Fenix E11 for the win. The back up generator came after about 30 seconds, which I expected. The power goes out way to often in that store.

Might have been a bad idea to shine a really bright light down an isle though. People don't usually enjoy having a bright light shone in the face. Thank God that that isle was empty.
 
My phone light is a back up to my flash light.

I am in the jail usually 5 days a week. The power goes out in the jail occasionally. In a jail, in a room with no windows, and no other source of light, I want a light that can both hurt some one's eyes, and also be turned down to last for days. The light on my phone is next to worthless. You can't set it down to free your hands. Too big to fit in my mouth to hold it in my teeth, and doing so would also turn the stupid phone app screen off.


I carry a small light. Single 123 battery. Fits in the coin/watch pocket, or with spare speed loaders, or spare mags and knives.
 
Smartphones were not designed to be flashlights. Not reliable in the rain or very robust. So when the chips are down and you need illumination, the phone is out of contention.



 
My iPhone 5c has a decent battery life but a few cons when it comes to a flashlight.
Have to open an app
Not waterproof
Not drop proof
Not too bright.
Did I mention not waterproof?

Also I carry a small 300 lumen flashlight(unknown brand found at a gunshow) but it's a nice pocket sized light that IF need be it can be an impact device, it is waterproof, bright as hell, and adjustable.
Also carry a small rayovac on my keychain just in case but I still get laughed at at work(work fast food so not the best place) but my flashlight(and knives which are deemed 'switchblades') have come in handy for many of the workers and managers there. So why carry a separate light? More for convenience and just to have a fail safe.
 
Just overall usability compared to a phone flashlight
-brighter
-can carry extra batteries
-phones are bigger (depending what light you have)
etc.
 
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