xevious
Flashlight Enthusiast
I've been seeing a lot of questions recently about EDC (Every Day Carry) lights, mostly new people asking what they should get. Many of the posts lack detail to help define what light might be suitable for the person requesting assistance. That inspired me to put together a list of criteria. I didn't see much around, so this is my first stab at helping someone to define their EDC.
My idea would be that a person looking to get an EDC would copy whatever lines they wish from each section (usually one per section) and assemble their "shopping list" for EDC attributes. And then this could be used as a litmus test to help decide upon the flashlight they're looking for.
This is by no means definitive, so please feel free to suggest more. And to keep this from getting too dry, I've thrown in a few "extreme" selections.
Checklist for deciding on an EDC flashlight
1) How do you plan to carry it (size factor)?
[Feel free to modify answers and omit any questions that you can't answer right now]
My idea would be that a person looking to get an EDC would copy whatever lines they wish from each section (usually one per section) and assemble their "shopping list" for EDC attributes. And then this could be used as a litmus test to help decide upon the flashlight they're looking for.
This is by no means definitive, so please feel free to suggest more. And to keep this from getting too dry, I've thrown in a few "extreme" selections.
Checklist for deciding on an EDC flashlight
1) How do you plan to carry it (size factor)?
a) Front or back pocket
b) Shirt pocket
c) Belt clip
d) Jacket pocket, inner
e) Jacket pocket, outer
f) Wearable compartment (waist pack, back pack)
g) Laptop case or briefcase
h) It will never leave my hand--I plan to sew it on.
2) What are your battery restrictions or preferences with the EDC?b) Shirt pocket
c) Belt clip
d) Jacket pocket, inner
e) Jacket pocket, outer
f) Wearable compartment (waist pack, back pack)
g) Laptop case or briefcase
h) It will never leave my hand--I plan to sew it on.
a) High power, for driving the brightest lights
b) Any size, it doesn't matter
c) Common size, for easy replacement
d) Smallest size available
e) Rechargeable
f) Protected
g) Specific size, one or more (CR2, AAA, AA, CR123, etc.)
3) How often do you intend to use it?b) Any size, it doesn't matter
c) Common size, for easy replacement
d) Smallest size available
e) Rechargeable
f) Protected
g) Specific size, one or more (CR2, AAA, AA, CR123, etc.)
a) Occasionally -- just want a simple light readily handy
b) Often, for brief moments when a light is needed
c) Often, for multiple purposes
d) Often, anywhere from 10-XX+ minutes per day
e) My job demands that I use it every day
f) It's only for show--I don't plan to put batteries in it
4) For your purposes, how bright a beam do you require (given how you'll carry it)?b) Often, for brief moments when a light is needed
c) Often, for multiple purposes
d) Often, anywhere from 10-XX+ minutes per day
e) My job demands that I use it every day
f) It's only for show--I don't plan to put batteries in it
a) The brightest possible for my price level (see budget)
b) Very bright, but competitively priced
c) Moderately bright
d) Medium to low levels
e) Low levels mostly (Like Gizmo, I hate bright light)
f) I don't really care so long as it puts out light.
5) What beam pattern suits you best in an EDC?b) Very bright, but competitively priced
c) Moderately bright
d) Medium to low levels
e) Low levels mostly (Like Gizmo, I hate bright light)
f) I don't really care so long as it puts out light.
a) Confined spot with absolutely no spill
b) Spot with some spill
c) Spot with generous spill
d) Solid spill with some spot
e) I want to flood the place
f) I don't really care so long as it puts out light.
6) What kind of modes do you require?b) Spot with some spill
c) Spot with generous spill
d) Solid spill with some spot
e) I want to flood the place
f) I don't really care so long as it puts out light.
a) On and off (forward clicky)--anything more is too distracting
b) Two levels will do the trick
c) Three levels is my minimum
d) I want some levels and some strobing
e) I fiddle with flashlights--give me tons o' modes
f) Depends upon my mood--let me program it!
g) I don't really care so long as it works.
7) What kind of switch would you like?b) Two levels will do the trick
c) Three levels is my minimum
d) I want some levels and some strobing
e) I fiddle with flashlights--give me tons o' modes
f) Depends upon my mood--let me program it!
g) I don't really care so long as it works.
a) Tail cap clicky (forward)
b) Tail cap clicky (reverse)
c) I want to twist the night away
d) Side mounted switch, so my thumb barely moves
e) Squeeze please
f) A remote control
g) Whatever is most fashionable today
8) How rugged should it be?b) Tail cap clicky (reverse)
c) I want to twist the night away
d) Side mounted switch, so my thumb barely moves
e) Squeeze please
f) A remote control
g) Whatever is most fashionable today
a) I'll keep it sheathed whenever possible, so no worries
b) It can take some abuse and show it with dignity
c) Tactical ready--It's gonna get abused a lot so I expect some wear, but not too much
d) I plan to go diving with it, perhaps to about XX feet.
e) I'll likely drop it, drive over it, and smack it against concrete and expect it to still look fairly new
f) It should be capable of withstanding a thermonuclear explosion
9) How long a runtime do you need?b) It can take some abuse and show it with dignity
c) Tactical ready--It's gonna get abused a lot so I expect some wear, but not too much
d) I plan to go diving with it, perhaps to about XX feet.
e) I'll likely drop it, drive over it, and smack it against concrete and expect it to still look fairly new
f) It should be capable of withstanding a thermonuclear explosion
a) Runtime be damned--give me tons o' light as quickly as possible
b) Not important, as my use is sporadic and short
c) Respectable runtime, about 1-2 hours regulated to 50%
d) Very good daily sporadic use--let a month or two go by before changing batteries
e) Approximately X+ hours continuous on medium brightness
f) Approximately X+ hours until batteries are completely exhausted
g) I'll need it as a backup survival light, so a very long runtime on low brightness
h) Awesome runtime--can I go a year without changing batteries?
10) Do you have a budget for it?b) Not important, as my use is sporadic and short
c) Respectable runtime, about 1-2 hours regulated to 50%
d) Very good daily sporadic use--let a month or two go by before changing batteries
e) Approximately X+ hours continuous on medium brightness
f) Approximately X+ hours until batteries are completely exhausted
g) I'll need it as a backup survival light, so a very long runtime on low brightness
h) Awesome runtime--can I go a year without changing batteries?
a) Yes, I want to spend around $XXX (+/- $XX)
b) I will pay for good quality over cheap, but within reason
c) Surefire is a little bit of a stretch for me, but I still buy them
d) I'm supporting China's economic boom in flashlights
e) I don't bat an eye dropping cash for a McLux, Aleph, or Titanium Nautilus
f) What budget? My collection is over 50 lights and growing!
g) I'm only window shopping... for now
11) Do you have a brand preference? (if so, state the brand or brands)b) I will pay for good quality over cheap, but within reason
c) Surefire is a little bit of a stretch for me, but I still buy them
d) I'm supporting China's economic boom in flashlights
e) I don't bat an eye dropping cash for a McLux, Aleph, or Titanium Nautilus
f) What budget? My collection is over 50 lights and growing!
g) I'm only window shopping... for now
[Feel free to modify answers and omit any questions that you can't answer right now]
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