EDC Light

[bushmattster]

I trust my abilities to make good decisions based on proper research but I have little access to actual lights that I'm interested in. I like to read specs and look at pics, but I also realize the importance of actual street experience from longtime users. Put the two together and you rarely fail so here goes.


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)

____Less than $25.
____Less than $50.
__X__Less than $100.
____Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
__X__I’m flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
____Other, please specify ________


3) Format:

__X__I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Keychain size.
__X__Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source:

__X__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

__X__I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.


7) What battery type do you want to use?

__X__I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today’s most powerful lights)
____I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
__X__I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)
I would like a light that could use both but I'm flexible

8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

__X__I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
__X__I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

__X__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
__X__Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
__X__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
__X__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)Flexible on this one
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
The more runtime the better

11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A “night-stand” light).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
__X__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't care.
____I don’t know.


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).
____I don't care.
__X__I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__X__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
__X__Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________.


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____“Hybrid” light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
__X__Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
Again not a deal breaker, but I like pocket clips

Thanks, Matt

 

[rambo180]

Shiningbeam Caveman looks to be a real good light. 1 of 2 professional lights made by this company. I have the other (larger) one.

I don't think it has a pocket clip though, but it looks QUALITY, and well priced.

 

[Ezeriel]

Fenix LD10 or LD12

 

[reppans]

Wow... a very down to earth lumen and illumination range request - refreshing.

FourSevens Quarks and Zebralights are going to have to have the longest runtimes on their ultra efficient moonlight modes, and also low single digit lumen modes. Any light that will run an Alkaline AA should also run a lithium AA which will match CR123s for runtimes, shelf life and temp performance, albeit will have lower max lumens.

If you want to run both CR123s and AAs, both Sunwayman and Jetbeam have extension tubes, FourSeven Quarks have swappable bodies, and ZL SC80, probably the best design, has an internal spacer.

IMHO, SWM and ZL have the best build quality, while 4/7s has the best warranty and US based customer service and repair.

 

[Megatrowned]

I really like my Jetbeam RRT-0. I have the S2 version. Infinite control ring to adjust the brightness from barely nothing to max output. It will easily light up something 100 feet away, but it it also has great spill for using it closer up. And Goinggear.com has some of the S2 version on sale for well within your budget :twothumbs It will work on AA, or cr123's and Li rechargeables!

Oh, and if a good clip is important to you, Nitecore has one that is a direct fit for theRRt-0. It has to be one of the nicest clips I've seen (the RRT-0 does come with a decent clip).

 

[TweakMDS]

I've been edc-ing my EagleTac D25C Titanium with XM-L T6 neutral, very happy with that. I'm considering adding a Sunwayman V11R with AA tube to it, but not 100% sure on it. It's a very practical light to use, but the runtimes on the low end don't excite me too much. Still, I love the controls of not having to tighten or loosen the head with it. If you're ok with just CR123 (limited use + high portability) the nighteye eye10 looks fanastic as well, just like the Jetbeam RRT0 or RRT01.

The zebralights are very appealing too, but they all have something that's not perfect. The SC51 has pwm on 2 of it's levels, as well as some accidental activation. The SC80 fixes that but is a lot fatter than necessary and too long when just using CR123. Maybe one of the headlamps will suit your needs. I personally plan on also getting the H502d, but it doesn't have a real reflector, so basically a bare bulb effect.

 

[bushmattster]

Wow... a very down to earth lumen and illumination range request

I haven't found a good reason to need a crazy amount of lumens, even for camping and outdoors in general I almost never use more than 125 lumens from my PD30.(my favorite camping light)

I would like to hear from the big lumen guys. I feel that I may be missing something important.

How about the HDS edc lights? Worth the extra bucks? I'm not opposed to the extra money if I get something useful for it.

 

[fiberguy]

The Jetbeam actually sounds like a good suggestion. I recently ordered a Jetbeam because EVERYTHING I read about them seems positive. I figured I had to try one out for myself. Given what I've read, it sounds like it would fit your needs well, but I don't have the real world experience FOR MYSELF yet.. If you search around you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[reppans]

How about the HDS edc lights? Worth the extra bucks? I'm not opposed to the extra money if I get something useful for it.

Thats about the best you can do... I just wished Henry made something AA.

 

[bushmattster]

I just wished Henry made something AA.

That's another point I haven't brought up but should have. 123 or AA. For my wife it's 123(better performance IMHO) because she carries a purse and edc has a different meaning for her. I've carried a gun and knife for over 30 years(only ten years legally) and realize thinner(AA) is more carry friendly. I also like having a lot of *** behind my carry tools (123, full size .45, and the biggest blade legally posible)

It's a tough decision. If AA had better runtimes in a small package there would be no discussion. Maybe I should treat this as I do gun carry. Different light per situation. The bonus would be I get to buy another light :D

 

[bushmattster]

First I would like to say thanks for the good replys so far. Much appreciated. Lot's of good research material. There are so many lights out there, it helps narrow things down a bit for me.

Thats about the best you can do

That's cool and I will look into HDS more. The problem is I don't buy Rolex's or drive Mercedes(Hell,I don't even think I can sspell mersadeese), a good gshock and chevy pickup does me fine as long as they do their job without problems. I hate and will not have problematic things. If it means more cash than so be it.

 

[reppans]

It's a tough decision. If AA had better runtimes in a small package there would be no discussion.

As mentioned in my first post, lithium AAs (Energizer L91s) are going to have similar runtimes (self life, temp performance, leak resistance) to lithium CR123s - they have the same watt hr energy (3Vx1500mah = 1.5Vx3000mah). However the lower voltage does mean ~ 40% less perceived brightness on maximum, if that's important to you. AA Li-ion rechargeables have more runtime capacity due to the slightly larger volume of the AA cell and both Alkaline and NiMh rechargeable chemistries (both cheap, safe and widely available) are just additional options not available to CR123 users. I highly rank ease and available of back-up battery options in my runtime considerations, especially the ability cannibalization batts from other devices I carry, and go store-bought..... from anywhere. But YMMV.

 

[bushmattster]

reppans,Thanks for correcting me on that. I'm trying to process so much info I get confused sometimes. Battery backup availability is very important to me for an edc light also. Another reason to go AA.

 

[Lou Minescence]

There are a lot of recommendations here. Any one should be good. I think most of the lights will exceed your lumen and throw specifications.

For myself lumens are like horsepower in my vehicle. You don't have to run it wide open unless you choose to. It sure is nice to know it is there if you want it. Need it is another story.

I have the Sunwayman V10 & V11r with AA extenders. Great lights and I have never had an accidental activation.
My Zebralight and other side switch lights have all accidentally turned on during pocket or neck carry. I always lockout my Zebralight when I carry it.

 

[bushmattster]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the suggestions. I decided no single flashlight could satisfy all my needs (same with concealed carry handguns), so I purchased a Quark mini AA with Li-ion cells for most situations and will use my PD30 or Quark AA2 when size is less of a factor.

Matt