Quickbeam
Flashlight Enthusiast
The one question I have received most frequently in the FlashlightReviews.com mailbox is "can you help me pick a light...?". But one question I noticed no one ever asked is "Which light do YOU use for (x purpose)?" This always surprised me, considering the number of lights I have (had) access to. Perhaps no one ever thought to ask it. Or perhaps no one really gives a darn! Well, I'm feeling chatty, so here goes!
After 6 years, over 500 reviews and a LOT of time, data, and analysis, exactly which of my lights do I actually use? For which purposes? Here they are, broken out by usage type. Hopefully this will help others when making decisions on which lights to use. Remember, however, that my selections were almost unlimited thanks to the review work I did, so if someone is on a budget they may not be able to have as many options.
EDC Formal: I have to wear a button-down shirt and slacks to work, so my EDC options are very limited. It has to be in a pocket. As a result, my EDC for quite some time now has been a Fenix L0D with a lithium AAA cell. This gives me the most options, plenty of light, and smallest possible size for carry in an office environment.
EDC Casual: When I go out on my days off or in the evening, I generally carry that same L0D in my pocket, along with a Fenix P2D in a small velcro-flap holster on my belt. The one cell 123A configuration provides a very small size along with a great shot of power if needed.
EDC Travel: When traveling on vacation or elsewhere I usually have my (now Aviatrixed) A2 in a minimag velcro-flap holster. This goes with me almost everywhere when traveling. Additionally I like to bring a high powered LED, which will probably be the P2D from now on. That L0D is still on the keychain in my pocket, though!
Water Use: If I need a dive light for dusk or cavern snorkling, the UK eLED Plus dive light has become my favored choice, powered by four Rayovac NiMH Hybrids. Plenty of light in a penetrating beam and works great underwater, while being relatively small and easy to handle.
Bedside: What about the bedside table? There I have an LRI Proton for low-light use. It's a bit of an overkill to have a Proton for just low-light use, but I love the variable output red LED. Also resting there is a Surefire C2 with the very bright Dealextreme SKU 1447 Cree P60 module for quick-grab "bump in the night" situations.
Automobile: In each of our cars I have placed a 4-D Maglight with a 4 cell MagLED module in each. Great kick-around lights with decent brightness, long runtime, and no big deal if it gets left by the side of the road.
Backyard Spotting: For the back yard I have a Surefire Dominator 10X. A 4-cell 123A light (Wolf-Eyes Rattlesnake) could have done this job as well, or a Streamlight Ultrastinger, but the 10X really kicks butt!
Nightime Walking: For this task I use a Microfire 10W HID with Li-Ion battery handle. I really enjoy this light. In fact, I've gone out and gotten just about all the options for it that I could find, including a spare bulb, 4-123A, and 8-123A battery handles. Next will be a nice Pelican case to put it in. It's a real keeper. Great for lighting up assorted nighttime vermin (aka roving bands of mischevious teens).
Household Use: Our utility lights for around the house are an Electrolumens 3-D LED and the Streamlight Strion. We use these for general kick-around use, finding the cat's missing toys under the fridge, fixing leaks under the sink, spotlighting bugs crawling across the carpet, etc.
Garage: In my toolbox I have a Task Force 2-C LED from Lowes, which is now difficult to find in stores. Plenty of light for working under the hood and practically immune to drops. This choice could have easily been the Streamlight Propoly Lux 4AA, but I don't mind beating the snot out of the Task Force.
Bug-Out Bag (BOB): And last, but not least - what about the household emergency grab-bag. You know - the bag you might grab on the way out if you had to emergency evacuate, or that you know always has what you need in a real pinch at home like a bad storm and you had to hunker down for a while? You may be surprised by my choices!
In there I placed two Princeton Tec Scout headlamps with SMJ LED drop-ins to replace the incandescent bulbs. I also added a pair of PT Sport Flares with SMJ LED drop-ins that can serve as long running area and signal lights or hand-held flashlights by removing the flare cone. Plus they have the added benefit of using parts that are interchangable with the headlamps. I've included a pair of the (now discontinued) PT Matrix 3-LED drop-in modules for backup if the SMJ's fail (these were recent acquisitions and were very difficult to find!) and for when very long runtimes are needed. Hanging on the outside of the bag is a Princeton Tec Xenon Aqua Strobe with a lithium AA cell for distress signaling and location.
That's about it! I have set aside a couple dozen other lights that I'm keeping pretty much for entertainment and enjoyment (shelf queens) and little else. Of course this leaves a lot of lights left over in storage boxes.... Hmmmm.... Anybody want to buy some lights real cheap?
Outside of the lights I use, here's a couple interesting points I decided to share:
There can be only one! (custom): If I could choose only one customized light, it would have to be my Aviatrixed A2. Hopefully Bawko will get his shop up and running again, because I want another Aviatrix module!
There can be only one! (stock): If I could choose only one unmodified light from a manufacturer, it would probably be a Fenix 2AA. These are the most versatile and best value for the price (in my opinion) and run well on cheap cells.
Most recommended to non-flashaholics: I think the most recommended light I have told people about who are not true flashaholics is the 4AA Streamlight ProPoly Luxeon. There is no reason I can think of that any average (and sometimes exceptional) user should be disappointed with this light.
So now I'm curious; What lights have you chosen for these purposes (that actually see use - not shelf queens)?
Enjoy!
Doug P.
(Here's the categories for cut-n'-pasting convenience. Ain't I a nice guy! )
EDC Formal:
EDC Casual:
EDC Travel:
Water Use:
Bedside:
Automobile:
Backyard Spotting:
Nightime Walking:
Household Use:
Garage:
Bug-Out Bag (BOB):
There can be only one! (custom):
There can be only one! (stock):
Most recommended to non-flashaholics:
Let's hear from YOU!
After 6 years, over 500 reviews and a LOT of time, data, and analysis, exactly which of my lights do I actually use? For which purposes? Here they are, broken out by usage type. Hopefully this will help others when making decisions on which lights to use. Remember, however, that my selections were almost unlimited thanks to the review work I did, so if someone is on a budget they may not be able to have as many options.
EDC Formal: I have to wear a button-down shirt and slacks to work, so my EDC options are very limited. It has to be in a pocket. As a result, my EDC for quite some time now has been a Fenix L0D with a lithium AAA cell. This gives me the most options, plenty of light, and smallest possible size for carry in an office environment.
EDC Casual: When I go out on my days off or in the evening, I generally carry that same L0D in my pocket, along with a Fenix P2D in a small velcro-flap holster on my belt. The one cell 123A configuration provides a very small size along with a great shot of power if needed.
EDC Travel: When traveling on vacation or elsewhere I usually have my (now Aviatrixed) A2 in a minimag velcro-flap holster. This goes with me almost everywhere when traveling. Additionally I like to bring a high powered LED, which will probably be the P2D from now on. That L0D is still on the keychain in my pocket, though!
Water Use: If I need a dive light for dusk or cavern snorkling, the UK eLED Plus dive light has become my favored choice, powered by four Rayovac NiMH Hybrids. Plenty of light in a penetrating beam and works great underwater, while being relatively small and easy to handle.
Bedside: What about the bedside table? There I have an LRI Proton for low-light use. It's a bit of an overkill to have a Proton for just low-light use, but I love the variable output red LED. Also resting there is a Surefire C2 with the very bright Dealextreme SKU 1447 Cree P60 module for quick-grab "bump in the night" situations.
Automobile: In each of our cars I have placed a 4-D Maglight with a 4 cell MagLED module in each. Great kick-around lights with decent brightness, long runtime, and no big deal if it gets left by the side of the road.
Backyard Spotting: For the back yard I have a Surefire Dominator 10X. A 4-cell 123A light (Wolf-Eyes Rattlesnake) could have done this job as well, or a Streamlight Ultrastinger, but the 10X really kicks butt!
Nightime Walking: For this task I use a Microfire 10W HID with Li-Ion battery handle. I really enjoy this light. In fact, I've gone out and gotten just about all the options for it that I could find, including a spare bulb, 4-123A, and 8-123A battery handles. Next will be a nice Pelican case to put it in. It's a real keeper. Great for lighting up assorted nighttime vermin (aka roving bands of mischevious teens).
Household Use: Our utility lights for around the house are an Electrolumens 3-D LED and the Streamlight Strion. We use these for general kick-around use, finding the cat's missing toys under the fridge, fixing leaks under the sink, spotlighting bugs crawling across the carpet, etc.
Garage: In my toolbox I have a Task Force 2-C LED from Lowes, which is now difficult to find in stores. Plenty of light for working under the hood and practically immune to drops. This choice could have easily been the Streamlight Propoly Lux 4AA, but I don't mind beating the snot out of the Task Force.
Bug-Out Bag (BOB): And last, but not least - what about the household emergency grab-bag. You know - the bag you might grab on the way out if you had to emergency evacuate, or that you know always has what you need in a real pinch at home like a bad storm and you had to hunker down for a while? You may be surprised by my choices!
In there I placed two Princeton Tec Scout headlamps with SMJ LED drop-ins to replace the incandescent bulbs. I also added a pair of PT Sport Flares with SMJ LED drop-ins that can serve as long running area and signal lights or hand-held flashlights by removing the flare cone. Plus they have the added benefit of using parts that are interchangable with the headlamps. I've included a pair of the (now discontinued) PT Matrix 3-LED drop-in modules for backup if the SMJ's fail (these were recent acquisitions and were very difficult to find!) and for when very long runtimes are needed. Hanging on the outside of the bag is a Princeton Tec Xenon Aqua Strobe with a lithium AA cell for distress signaling and location.
That's about it! I have set aside a couple dozen other lights that I'm keeping pretty much for entertainment and enjoyment (shelf queens) and little else. Of course this leaves a lot of lights left over in storage boxes.... Hmmmm.... Anybody want to buy some lights real cheap?
Outside of the lights I use, here's a couple interesting points I decided to share:
There can be only one! (custom): If I could choose only one customized light, it would have to be my Aviatrixed A2. Hopefully Bawko will get his shop up and running again, because I want another Aviatrix module!
There can be only one! (stock): If I could choose only one unmodified light from a manufacturer, it would probably be a Fenix 2AA. These are the most versatile and best value for the price (in my opinion) and run well on cheap cells.
Most recommended to non-flashaholics: I think the most recommended light I have told people about who are not true flashaholics is the 4AA Streamlight ProPoly Luxeon. There is no reason I can think of that any average (and sometimes exceptional) user should be disappointed with this light.
So now I'm curious; What lights have you chosen for these purposes (that actually see use - not shelf queens)?
Enjoy!
Doug P.
(Here's the categories for cut-n'-pasting convenience. Ain't I a nice guy! )
EDC Formal:
EDC Casual:
EDC Travel:
Water Use:
Bedside:
Automobile:
Backyard Spotting:
Nightime Walking:
Household Use:
Garage:
Bug-Out Bag (BOB):
There can be only one! (custom):
There can be only one! (stock):
Most recommended to non-flashaholics:
Let's hear from YOU!