Best EDC

[Z06Pilot]

I have been carrying a Surefire E1e for 6 years now, I also have a Z2, and an HK UTL for my pistol. The E1e is nice to carry, but pretty dim, the Z2 is too big. What should I get? I like the L1 and L2 but they look a little bulky for the pocket. I am not familiar with any of the other brands that seem popular here, how do they compare for quality? I think the Fenix P2D Q5 looks really cool, as does the Nitecore. How would it hold up compared to Surefire? Why do Surefire lights have such low output compared to everyone else? Feel free to make other suggestions, I just want the best light I can put in my pocket (not the $500 Titan though.)

 

[Carpenter]

:welcome:

What are you going to use this light for?

If you want the EDC for multiple purposes, you should be looking at a multi level light. While many people are going to tell you to go Fenix or SureFire or any other of a number of different options, it comes down to what you can afford and how big you want for your pocket. People here custom make lights that cost hundreds of dollars that would fit in your pocket and are cheaper than $500

You mention the L1 as well as the P2D. These are both single CR123 lights that are multilevel. Either of those two would work for you. I personally would go with the L1 only because it has a pocket clip that allows the light to be clipped to your pocket and more ready available than just in the bottom of your pocket with who knows what else..

 

[robo21]

Welcome to the forum Z06Pilot!

I suggest the Novatac 120P. It outperforms the Fenix and it's fully programmable, very rugged, lifetime warranty, etc. Plus, like your car, it's made in the USA! For me I like the 120P much better than the P2D Q5. Beam quality is superior, UI is vastly better and you don't have to have strobe or SOS in the settings as you would with the P2D Q5. The MSRP on the 120P just went up to $189 but I know of one reseller who has them for $140 if you want one.

BTW, I pilot a Z06 as well :twothumbs

 

[cslinger]

I changed over from Surefire to HDS to now Novatac and couldn't be happier. Currently I use a 120T.

Chris

 

[MikeLip]

Novatac is shorter than the L1, but no thinner really. I carry an L1 for EDC, but I wear jeans all the time, so I can tolerate a somewhat bulkier light.

Have a really good, close , hard look at the new Photon Proton Pro! Not the multi-emitter one, the 2W Cree. Very small, adjustable output levels, lots of light. I have the 6 LED version, love it and have the Cree version in my sights

 

[rigormootis]

For a pocket light," I'm a big fan of my P1-CE.
Simple on/off, great QC, brass heat-sink, etc.

For my keys, I admit to using a Photon II or my old (~2003?) CPF-edition Arc-AAA.

 

[afraidofdark]

Hi Z, welcome to CPF!

You ask a question that gets at the heart of this forum, and you've mentioned two super popular lights with new Cree emittors: the L1 and a CR123 light from Fenix. I'll add to the chorus that will tell you to look at the Novatac 120 (P-Programmable, or T-Tactical). Any of these will be waaaaay brighter than your trusty E1E, or even the newer LED E1L.

Fenix lights are pretty well built, and mine hold up well. Probably not quite in the same category as Surefire, though. The Nightcore is a newer light, I don't know about it.

You ask about the low Surefire lumen ratings: Surefire is famously conservative here. They estimate lumens "out the front" accounting for loss at the reflector and lens. Fenix and many others will simply give the LED manufacturer's rating for the emitter at a given current.

I agree with you that the SF E1E is a sweet form factor. I mostly carry an E1E body with a Surefire KL4 head, and this works really well for me.

 

[Z06Pilot]

Thanks for all the great responses. Regarding the Novatac 120P, it looks like an awsome light, but I saw in the specs that it has a polycarbonate lens, is that comprable to glass lenses? I have a few small scratches in the pyrex window on my E1e, so I just want to make sure. Also, if they come out with a Q5 model, could you buy a new lamp or head for it?

 

[robo21]

You can buy a "UCL" (Anti-Reflective) glass lens for $5.49 at Lighthound. I haven't gotten any scratches on mine yet, when and if I do, then I will buy the UC lens. I think that the polycarbonate lens they use compares favorably with the UC lens for light transmission but this light was built for hard knocks (Military etc.) and they didn't put a glass lens in for that reason.

Also, I there are several people here on the forum that mod these lights. If you need a new emitter, you can always mod your light. I think after you see the beam you will be satisfied for quite a while however.

 

[tebore]

I know I love my HDS lights for EDC.

 

[robo21]

Here's another site with 2 different UCL lens choices:

22.8mm UCL $5.25
22.8mm UCL Longbow (whatever that is) $5.50

http://www.flashlightlens.com/item--UCL%AE-Lens--UCL_Lens.html

 

[qadsan]

The Novatac 120P is also my favorite EDC. It's not my brightest single cell 123 light, but it's my most versatile light and its smooth beam is nicely balanced between throw and spill. I like the way the switch operates as either a simply tactical momentary or locking the light on or a combination of both which you can quickly choose from with a simple click or click > press button sequence. I also like that I can choose my own presets from a wide range of adjustability and that I can quickly get to these presets with just a couple clicks. There are some cool options in this light that you just don't find in other lights and it really is very easy and quick to operate once you learn how to use it.

I also like its slight hour glass shape of the body which allows me to hold / operate it more securely than my other single cell lights. I still don't really know why some people don't like the stock clip because I find it very useful. It clips nicely to my belt or to a strap on our packs and the clip can be installed at either end of the light for even more versatility. While camping, I've even clipped the light to the bill of my baseball cap to use as a headlight which comes in handy while working on equipment, etc. Granted this light is pretty heavy for that purpose and I had to tighten the strap on my cap, but it was nice to have that versatility when I needed my hands free for other things.

If you don't like the stock polycarbonate lens, you can always buy a UCL lens from flashlightlenses.com or a more expensive sapphire lens from the Sandwich Shoppe for the McLux III PD since it also fits the 120P.

 

[Daylo]

I typically carry a Surefire L1 and/or a Novatac 120T. Both are great lights, the L1 is a bit big for EDCing unless the weather calls for a jacket. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[djblank87]

The NovaTac 120T was <------(Key Word) the best EDC light I have ever owned. The size, lumen output, levels were all I could ever ask for from a light.

But I had to send it back once due to flickering problems and then the replacement I had to send back due to level changing on it's own and flickering problems.

I held out on the second return and picked up a whole nother light that was for throw. Even with all the problems I had with those two I still wish I had one and will pick up another one very, very soon.

+1, 2 or is it three now for the NovaTac 120T

 

[robo21]

The NovaTac 120T was <------(Key Word) the best EDC light I have ever owned. The size, lumen output, levels were all I could ever ask for from a light.

But I had to send it back once due to flickering problems and then the replacement I had to send back due to level changing on it's own and flickering problems.

I held out on the second return and picked up a whole nother light that was for throw. Even with all the problems I had with those two I still wish I had one and will pick up another one very, very soon.

+1, 2 or is it three now for the NovaTac 120T

I haven't seen the "flickering problem" myself but the one other guy (Derek Dean) I know that had that issue got an immediate replacement from Novatac. They were going to send him the light even before he returned the defective one but he loved the beam so much he wanted them to wait until his return got there so they could match the beam - and they did! Talk about awesome customer service...

 

[djblank87]

I haven't seen the "flickering problem" myself but the one other guy (Derek Dean) I know that had that issue got an immediate replacement from Novatac. They were going to send him the light even before he returned the defective one but he loved the beam so much he wanted them to wait until his return got there so they could match the beam - and they did! Talk about awesome customer service...

I got mine threw lighthound, of course those guys are super in the customer service department but after two of them, I could not stand turning on the light and just placing it down and watch it flicker away.

I spoke with Derek many times via PM regarding my situation and he helped me a lot but in the end I had to let it go.

But like I said I regret that and I will pick up another one in January and hope it works out.

 

[robo21]

I got mine threw lighthound, of course those guys are super in the customer service department but after two of them, I could not stand turning on the light and just placing it down and watch it flicker away.

I spoke with Derek many times via PM regarding my situation and he helped me a lot but in the end I had to let it go.

But like I said I regret that and I will pick up another one in January and hope it works out.

Yes, Lighthound does have good customer service also. I understand why you miss your Novatac. If I had to give up all of my lights and keep only one, it would be the 120P without a doubt.