If you could only have one light.....

[Vemice]

Probably a Peak Logan 17500 in stainless.
Rather large and a bit heavy but with the adapter kit it will run on most popular batteries both alkaline, NiMh or lithium ion. This includes AA, AAA, CR 123, and 17500.
The one on the left.

 

[vicv]

Probably a Peak Logan 17500 in stainless.
Rather large and a bit heavy but with the adapter kit it will run on most popular batteries both alkaline, NiMh or lithium ion. This includes AA, AAA, CR 123, and 17500.
The one on the left.
View attachment 21048

Those are so industrial looking. They're cool!

 

[Megalamuffin]

Just one is a tough pick, and I can't think of a single light that exists which would be absolutely perfect on its own. Of what I have now I would probably pick my surefire E1D.

 

[orbital]

+

Really you need at least three lights:

Headlamp
Big output light
Pocket light


... thought about this for a while, so my 18500 powered RRT01 Raptor would be my 1 light.
Just a great overall light & a 18500 is the perfect size 'pocket cell'

 

[rdnzl]

I'm going to say this one. Nitecore TM28.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

The TM28 is a nice light. I've got a TM06s myself. I like the Tiny Monsters, but mine sometimes has problems discharging the batteries at the same speed on turbo. Lost a couple good 18650s that way. Not good to try unprotected cells in lights like that (using magnet on + end) and expensive to feed with protected ones failing. Plus it's a little big for fitting in my pants pocket. However, the E4K is as bright as my Tiny Monster, fits in a pocket, and has no safety or cell balancing issues since it runs on one cell. But yours will definitely beat mine on throw and brightness, continuous runtime on turbo, and even runtime on low. As long as you're okay lugging that thing around and have it on you when you need it. Remember the best flashlight for any emergency is the one you have with you.

 

[rdnzl]

The holster it came with works quite well for carrying it. It IS a chunk. I too have an E4K. I love that little light. It definitely is a small powerhouse light. And it DOES carry nicely in a pocket.

 

[Buck91]

If I could have only one light, I'd want something big enough to be functional, yet small enough to EDC should I choose.

I think I would go with an Eagletac D25A. It can run on AA, or Li Ion 14500.
Also, our friend @reppans taught us how to MacGyver it or a quark to run on a D cell, a C cell, or AAA cell with some tin foil, or paper clip and a rubber band, in an emergency.

Tell me more…

 

[Poppy]

Tell me more…

If I could have only one light, I'd want something big enough to be functional, yet small enough to EDC should I choose.

I think I would go with an Eagletac D25A. It can run on AA, or Li Ion 14500.
Also, our friend @reppans taught us how to MacGyver it or a quark to run on a D cell, a C cell, or AAA cell with some tin foil, or paper clip and a rubber band, in an emergency.

I tried putting this together, but my paperclips are serrated and kept snapping, so I used a piece of twist tie wire. Also... no rubber bands in the house, and the hair ties were a bit slippery. Bandaids, or tape could hold the contact wire to the bottom of the battery, and perhaps the head to the positive pole of the battery. Also little neodymium magnets can be used to hold things together.

 

[michaex]

@Poppy that's a neat trick shown using a vintage non-leaked alkaline!

 

[hamhanded]

Hmm. Only one light 4evah? Streamlight Protac 1AA, I wouldn't be terribly happy about it, but it's probably the best choice.

Small enough to pocket, large enough to get a good hold on it, 2-way clip, bright enough for most outdoor work, balance of throw and flood, tail stands (sort of), programmable modes, will run on alkaline, LFP, or primary AAA, AA, 123 sized cells.

 

[thermal guy]

I tried putting this together, but my paperclips are serrated and kept snapping, so I used a piece of twist tie wire. Also... no rubber bands in the house, and the hair ties were a bit slippery. Bandaids, or tape could hold the contact wire to the bottom of the battery, and perhaps the head to the positive pole of the battery. Also little neodymium magnets can be used to hold things together.

View attachment 33187

View attachment 33188

March 2008? You sir are a brave brave man😂😂

 

[Sabrewulf]

My answer is likely going to keep changing, but for now, it's this one.

Have one in the mail, nearly identical, but blue.
Also it will have 365nm UV leds as secondary.

 

[knucklegary]

@Sabrewulf, is that some (gnarly) Mil tire tread, turned photo upsidedown?