Best flashlight for travel?

[mmace1]

Curious the opinions here. My current travel light is a Quark mini 2xAA. That said - always open to other suggestions.

 

[Outdoorsman5]

Mine are - Quark AA and Zebralight H51. Both use easy to find AA batteries.

The Quark AA R5, Regualar UI, deep carry pocket clip, with a 14500 Li-ion battery is my current edc and has been for almost a year. It's been an outstanding light, but I'm hoping the new Zebralight SC80 will be worthy of replacing my quark. Zebra's UI is the best UI around, and I'd like to have that UI back as my edc. If the SC80 is actually getting the new & improved switch (like the SC600) then it should be a good replacement.

The ZL H51 is my favorite jogging light / camping light / general use handsfree light, so it goes with me everywhere.

 

[pjandyho]

That depends on what your criteria is. For me, travel is no difference from being on home ground unless I am going to somewhere remote or with extreme weather. My favorite light is the HDS Rotary and even though it takes only CR123 type batteries it has never been a problem for me. I run it on 16340 and I have plenty of them. Packing a charger along goes a long way in ensuring I am able to charge up the batteries. When going somewhere remote I just pack along plenty of primaries because most remote areas don't have a B&M store selling batteries, and even if they do they charge a premium price be it AA or CR123. If I am traveling to an area with extreme weather conditions, it only make sense to carry along lithium primaries because they are much more stable.

 

[dosei-45]

My "travel" light is my "EDC" light...no reason to change lights IMHO. So currently it is a Sunwayman V20C and an Inova X5. An old Surefire 6z (with a XM-L drop-in) would be in whatever bag/luggage is with me (along with extra batteries). When Zebralight releases the H502 (or maybe the H602), it will replace the X5 in my EDC line-up.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

In my shaving kit resides a Zebralight SC30w with a few extra batteries for it and an 18650 for the SC600 or SC60w that stays in my pocket. On some occasions I pack my X10 as well. I have a nice little nylon carrying case that I bought at Lighthound.com for the extra batteries.

I've never had a need for a charger on a trip.

 

[Buckley]

My wife and I travel frequently. When we do, I carry my usual EDC, the IlluminaTi, in my pants pocket. But I also carry a Quark AA loaded with a freshly-charged 14500 into the (exterior) flashlight pocket of my Travelpro rolling tote. Inside the tote, with my cellphone and Ipad chargers, go 4 more freshly-charged 14500 cells in a plastic carrier from Lighthound. Knock on wood, none of these has ever caused a problem with TSA.

 

[snoop75]

Depends how you define "travel". I've been away from home for the past year, in various parts of the developed world, travelling for business and staying in hotels. I've taken my Fenix E01 (1xAAA) with me. Small, light, reportedly reliable and readily available battery type. This is enough to get me by for the type of travel I do. Had I been backpacking, or on a road trip - my choice of flashlight(s) would have been very different.

Whilst my E01 does the job I did get an itch for a simple, small, multi-mode light using a common battery type (primaries). So I've just ordered myself a Sunway M10A (1xAA). Anxiously awaiting its arrival.

Cheers!

 

[flatline]

If it's a short trip, I'll just take my usual EDC (high CRI HDS Clicky).

For serious travel, however, I usually use my Quark AA since AA cells are easy to find and, if lost, won't make me cry.

I've recently purchased a high CRI Peak Eiger (AAA lug body). It is so easy to carry and AAAs are easy to find, so it might become a travel light in addition to the 2 lights mentioned above.

--flatline

 

[davidt1]

My "travel" light is my "EDC" light...no reason to change lights IMHO. So currently it is a Sunwayman V20C and an Inova X5. An old Surefire 6z (with a XM-L drop-in) would be in whatever bag/luggage is with me (along with extra batteries). When Zebralight releases the H502 (or maybe the H602), it will replace the X5 in my EDC line-up.

I am like you. My EDC light is my travel, work, emergency light. And like you, I am also waiting for the H502(w). In the meantime my H51w does everything I could ask for in a light. I pocket carry the H51w and the Fenix E05 as a backup which hasn't been used at all. My H51w is my flashlight, headlamp, utility, and emergency light all in one.

Compact enough for shirt pocket carry.

Versatile enough for use as flashlight

Headlamp

shirt light; hat light

Desk lamp

Utility light; overhead light

Neck light

 

[Acid87]

I took a Surefire G2 w P60 led with me to Fiji and Oz. Very nice beater light which I didn't mind losing as I had a few back home. Took an sc1 spare case with me only went through one set of batteries.

 

[roadkill1109]

If you travel a lot and dont want to have to lug around a specialized charger for lithium ion batteries, stick with the AA's. Check out the Xeno E15.

 

[Double_A]

Curious the opinions here. My current travel light is a Quark mini 2xAA. That said - always open to other suggestions.

I have that light and love it. It's got to be the shortest 2xAA light around. Get yourself another as a backup and your done.

 

[B0wz3r]

I too use my EDC light as my 'travel' light. My main EDC is a ZL SC50w+ that I usually run on a 14500. I keep a 4 pack of L91's in my EDC bag in a powerpax battery holder. I have a Quark Mini-AA(nw) on my keychain that I run of an L91. I also have a Quark AA holster on the strap of my EDC bag that I put various different lights in to use for backup or other purposes. Right now I've been keeping my E03 in it with a 14500 as well. Haven't had any problem with TSA with any of it so far.

What is a complete drag though is that I have to put my Dragonfly 2 that is my pocket EDC knife, as well as my Swiss Champ, and my Endura 4 (both of which normally live in my EDC bag), into a checked bag... I don't really mind with respect to my SAK and my Endura, but without my Dragonfly in my pocket, I feel practically naked!

 

[kelmo]

Arc AAA in my pocket.

Tikka 2+ headlamp.

E2e with a twisty switch and a SC3 with a MN02 LA. I've taken this setup with me (all over the world) ever since I discovered this place.

I would consider my C2 w/M61L and a SC1 w/P60L. Pretty bullet proof and with the ability to replace the light engine if something went wrong. But I have never needed anything that bright traveling when not camping.

The L1 would be ideal. Single celled, plenty of runtime, and decent punch on high when its really dark.

kelmo

 

[Jrubin]

I too use my EDC light as my 'travel' light. My main EDC is a ZL SC50w+ that I usually run on a 14500. I keep a 4 pack of L91's in my EDC bag in a powerpax battery holder. I have a Quark Mini-AA(nw) on my keychain that I run of an L91. I also have a Quark AA holster on the strap of my EDC bag that I put various different lights in to use for backup or other purposes. Right now I've been keeping my E03 in it with a 14500 as well. Haven't had any problem with TSA with any of it so far.

What is a complete drag though is that I have to put my Dragonfly 2 that is my pocket EDC knife, as well as my Swiss Champ, and my Endura 4 (both of which normally live in my EDC bag), into a checked bag... I don't really mind with respect to my SAK and my Endura, but without my Dragonfly in my pocket, I feel practically naked!

Me too. Dragon fly, sc51w, and a wrist watch. If I have pants on, I usually have all with me

 

[skyfire]

for international travel i bring along my ZL h501w, and usually a AAA keychain light.

for domestic, i take my main EDC, which is a high CRI HDS clicky, or V10R Ti.

 

[Bicycleflyer]

I travel for work, I'm a Freight Pilot operating a B747 worldwide. I am required to carry a 2-D cell or "equivalent" flashlight.

I carry in my flight bag a Streamlight Sidewinder. Not the brightest or a great thrower, but it is good enough for my needs. I can pre-flight the entire exterior of the plane with it. I like that it uses AA batteries which seem to be more readily available than CR123s. It is small and compact. It's flat design wont allow it to roll away in turbulence. Most importantly it gets dim for use in the cockpit. The color LEDs also have their uses too. I just wished the blue LED would be replaced with a UV so I can inspect the sheets in some of the hotels we go to. But this light was designed for military use, not us civilian pilots

Everybody has different needs depending on what their job is and where they travel.

 

[B0wz3r]

I travel for work, I'm a Freight Pilot operating a B747 worldwide. I am required to carry a 2-D cell or "equivalent" flashlight.

I carry in my flight bag a Streamlight Sidewinder. Not the brightest or a great thrower, but it is good enough for my needs. I can pre-flight the entire exterior of the plane with it. I like that it uses AA batteries which seem to be more readily available than CR123s. It is small and compact. It's flat design wont allow it to roll away in turbulence. Most importantly it gets dim for use in the cockpit. The color LEDs also have their uses too. I just wished the blue LED would be replaced with a UV so I can inspect the sheets in some of the hotels we go to. But this light was designed for military use, not us civilian pilots

Everybody has different needs depending on what their job is and where they travel.

You should consider a Jetbeam PA40. Similar size as your Streamlight, but a whole lot more lumens.

 

[march.brown]

My EDC torches are all that are necessary when travelling , home or abroad.

My Car key-ring has an ITP-A3 titanium attatched and my house key-ring has an ITP-A3 stainless attatched ... The inside pocket on my jacket has an ITP-A2 clipped into it ... A couple of AA & AAA batteries are carried in hand luggage with extras in my suitcase ... AA's are also used in my MP3 player and alarm clock.

I carry a spare charged BX40 for my phone in my hand luggage plus the charger in my suitcase ... A charged battery lasts eight days if the phone is left continuously switched on ... On holiday , I switch the phone off overnight which extends the battery life.

My camera takes CGA-S007 batteries and I carry three fully charged spares plus memory cards in the hand luggage plus the charger in my suitcase.

My Wife carries a cheapy torch which uses three AAA batteries in her handbag and if necessary I have spares for it ... She also carries a spare fully charged phone battery and charger.
.

 

[ResQTech]

I am like you. My EDC light is my travel, work, emergency light. And like you, I am also waiting for the H502(w). In the meantime my H51w does everything I could ask for in a light. I pocket carry the H51w and the Fenix E05 as a backup which hasn't been used at all. My H51w is my flashlight, headlamp, utility, and emergency light all in one.

Nice post with great pics that really shows the versatility of the Zebralight! I too carry a H31 for hands-free use, as well as my good ol EX10 for general/low light, and a P20C2 as the "big gun". Finish off with a good supply of CR123's and all the bases are pretty much covered.