EDC lights

[Roland the Headless]

I've seen the light (I know, poor pun) and decided I need to carry a flashlight with me all the time. I'm having a hard time deciding which one.

I have the following, some of which can be returned:
-LED Lenser P2
-Fenix E01
-Fenix LD01
-Fenix P1D
-Fenix LD10

My initial thought was to carry a LD01, and when I needed more light to bring an LD10 with me. I shied away from the P1D because of the difficulty of obtaining batteries out in the field. But then I thought, well if I made the P1D my EDC, no need to double up with the LD10.

However, after receiving the P1D, it is shorter, but that much smaller in diameter.

I know people are down on LED Lensers but I find the P2 to put out more light than the E01 and I strongly prefer a pushbutton to a twist top.

Another point is that with a clip, I can clip to the top of my pocket and a light doesn't take as much room as loose in the bottom of my pocket. So the LD10 doesn't really seem that much more burdensome than the P1D.

I'm not really interested at this point in looking at any other lights, so please keep the discussion focused on these.

So my questions are:

Is anyone EDCing the LD10? Does it seem a bit much to carry?

For people who carry something with more light than the P2 or the E01, how often do you come across a situation that the additional light is needed? If it happens, how often is it anticipated where you could have just brought an LD10.

How many EDC situations call for more light than the LD01? Examples?

Thanks in advance for comments.

 

[hyperloop]

i cannot answer your question about the LD100 as i dont own one, though i think it would apply to any 1xAA light. That form factor is not too much to carry, a lot of CPF-ers carry larger lights as an EDC, it's all about what you need.

For your other 2: It would all depend on the circumstances that you're in at the time.

For example, out fishing, the 14500 i had in my Jet I was a faulty cell, giving me THREE whole minutes of runtime, but i had my E01 with me and that saved the day as we had to walk back on a moonless night over a concrete breakwater with many holes in it. In that situation the E01 was ample light (you'd be surprised at how much light 10 - 20 lumens is when its very dark, try it in a darkened room and you'll see).

However if the moon had been out and if we needed to see further, then the LD01 would have been useful. I am assuming of course that the LD01 is running on NiMHs and not 10440s, on 10440s, the LD01 is a pocket rocket! but runtimes suffer of course.

Thus far, i'd honestly have to say i have not been in a situation (except for night cycling) where i would need more light than my LD01 could provide me, but if runtime is an issue then you would obviously need higher capacity cells and hence a bigger form factor. The LD01 puts out a respectable amount of light but runtime would be a whole lot less which is why i use mine as a backup light and not a primary light. My primary EDC light is usually the 1xAA light (whether LD10, D10, Jet I, Akoray K106).

I guess that is the reason i prefer programmable or multi mode lights so i can balance runtime with output. But we're flashaholics here, we can't just have one or two, i just checked and realised i have 3 on me and 3 more in my bag plus spare cells for all the lights AND a charger in my office for my RCR123s

lovecpf

EDIT: for EDC, i always have a light on my keychain which is with me whenever i leave the house, i either have my E01 or LD01 on it (lately its been the LD01, E01 relegated to bedside table duty) and i honestly feel something is missing if i am not carrying another light on me, if going to work, it's either my EX10 or Jet I v2.0 clipped to my office trousers, if over the weekend, casual with shirt tucked out, it would be my Jet III Pro ST holstered.

 

[berry580]

Depends what your needs are.
Around the house:
-Fenix E01
and
-Fenix LD01 OR Fenix LD10

If out somewhere where high output is more of a concern, then:
-Fenix P1D
-Fenix LD10 w/ 14500 (keep in mind max output is all you get with when with li-ion)

 

[Tom_123]

Is anyone EDCing the LD10? Does it seem a bit much to carry?

If you consider the LD 10 you may also want to take a look at the
47s Quark AA tactical.
It has a clip and a forward clicky, which for me is essential for an EDC light.
Both light are a bit bulky for carrying in a trouser pocket, or with a suit.
I carry my QAA in the briefcase most of the time.

I know people are down on LED Lensers but I find the P2 to put out more light than the E01 and I strongly prefer a pushbutton to a twist top.

Then maybe take a look at the Streamlight Microstream.
It's as bright if not brighter as the LL P2 and it has a forward clicky.

For people who carry something with more light than the P2 or the E01, how often do you come across a situation that the additional light is needed?

Personally, for my job I have many situations where I need a real bright light.
Mostly for checking dark places in buildings and the like.
That's where I use the QAA with 14500 batteries.

For private use like finding dropped things in the car or under the table,
BBQ, cinema, checking the PC and the like, the Microstream is all I need
in 90% of such cases.

hope that helps somehow
Thomas

 

[pjandyho]

For example, out fishing, the 14500 i had in my Jet I was a faulty cell, giving me THREE whole minutes of runtime...

I for one cannot understand why would someone planning on a fishing trip to be carrying only one battery. Sure, you do have an E01 but then it is not your main light. I would be carrying spare batteries for my main light if I were in your shoes.

Anyway, in answer to Roland The Headless, I cannot really comment on those lights that you have listed here because I don't own them. Reason being I don't really fancy small lights with lack of knurling on their body. Small lights are already hard to grip due to their smaller surface area and making them smooth is just a design flaw to me.

I ended up purchasing Nitecore D10 and EX10 for use as EDC lights. They are robust enough and has practical controls for one-handed operation. If throw is what you need, then I would suggest you look into other bigger models other than those you have mentioned.

 

[davidt1]

Dump the E01. Why have both the E01 and LD01 when the LD01 is more versatile and can be both lights? Low-lumen one mode lights are nearly useless. The E01 is annoyingly bright for dark adjusted eyes yet not bright enough for any serious use.

 

[Oddjob]

I have been trying to EDC smaller lights recently. I used to EDC larger CR123 lights but I prefer to pocket carry and they were getting cumbersome plus I don't seem to need that much light on a day to day basis. In the winter I'll probably leave a bigger light in my jacket but for now I am EDC'ing AAA lights. I say EDC the LD01 and throw a lithium in the E01 and put it on the key chain. The E01 can be a back up/spare carrier for your LD01. At night it is good to have something brighter with more throw so if I go out for the night I'll bring an extra light.

 

[hyperloop]

I for one cannot understand why would someone planning on a fishing trip to be carrying only one battery. Sure, you do have an E01 but then it is not your main light. I would be carrying spare batteries for my main light if I were in your shoes.

early days of flashaholicism, now i have spare sets of cells for all my lights with me, my EX10 + 3 spares, G2 with one spare set, Jet I with 2 spare 14500s, LD01 with 3 spare NiMHs i have learned my lesson.

let's not carry on with the multitool, paracord, first aid kit, pen, lighter, steel mirror etc

 

[Hack On Wheels]

For me, I EDC at least my C3 SS (1-AA or 14500) or my L2D, if not both. The 1xAA is great for slipping in pockets and with a 14500 it is actually brighter than the L2D. If I'm going casual and not expecting to need much light then I'll often go for this. However, if I'm carrying a bag/have more pockets/ will be needing light then I'm definitely carrying at least the L2D. More runtime, more reliable, etc.

1xAA is a great form factor for EDCing though, imo. I'm planning to get an bigger light like an 18650 based on for EDCing as well, but bigger lights might not always be as easy to carry. 1xAA with a Li-Ion will still pack a punch and have useable runtime, especially if you have some lower modes. Almost forgot, using the 1xAA light with a Li-Ion on high it will get pretty hot and quite quickly, so keep that in mind. Using one NiMH (eneloop is good) will not have the same max output but won't generate as much heat and you might be more likely to have a NiMH charger than a Li-Ion charger...

 

[pjandyho]

early days of flashaholicism, now i have spare sets of cells for all my lights with me, my EX10 + 3 spares, G2 with one spare set, Jet I with 2 spare 14500s, LD01 with 3 spare NiMHs i have learned my lesson.

let's not carry on with the multitool, paracord, first aid kit, pen, lighter, steel mirror etc

Well, it's always not too late to learn. I have plenty of spare batteries to ensure that my lights are always in the ready mode. You never know when you would need them. Anyway, with respect to the thread starter, I apologize for going out of topic here.

 

[hyperloop]

Back to OP's needs,

i would always have my LD01 with a freshly charged NiMH (i rotate my NiMhs in the light dependent on usage and all cells get a voltage check once every 2 weeks more if the light has been used often). That is the must have light.

then my EX10 is clipped to my pocket or one of my 1xCR123 or 1xAA lights. If i am carrying a bag i usually have 2 or 3 in there. Latest addition is my newly arrived solarforce L2 with stainless steel crenellated bezel and the DX MC-E drop in and Surefire G2 with 15w xenon.

That spare cells and other odds and ends makes up the basic load. You may never need all that light, but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it as is often quoted here.

 

[cbxer55]

I EDCed a Surefire U2 for over two years. Recently replaced that with a Olight M30. Some may consider either one too big, I have not had a problem with either yet.

I like the variable-output lights way more than single-outputs. Offers some flexibility to adapt to different situations.

The M30 is on 18500 rechargables, but I carry spare CR-123s daily, just in case.

 

[Roland the Headless]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm not really looking for specific light recommendations, more curious about different experiences.

For those that EDC an LD01 or similar light, have you ever had an EDC experience where you needed more light? Granted, when you go camping, fishing, etc., you're going to bring something more. But the rest of the time, is the LD01 enough? If it's not, can you give some examples of when you needed more?

Thx.

 

[Moonshadow]

At night even a few lumens can be extremely useful, but one situation where you'd need a lot lot more is during the daytime ! Sounds odd I know, but bear with me . . .

I quite often use a light for inspections, or for checking something on the car. On a bright sunny day things can be pretty gloomy under an inspection cover and a couple of hundred lumens to light up the inside comes in very handy !

 

[robvantour]

For EDC I prefer the LD10, it is small, uses AA's, and had a normal clicly.
The Fenix E01 is a nice keychain light, but the LD01 is actually a lot more fun.

 

[hyperloop]

well, i'm deskbound, but you never know. Blackouts arent fun, especially for those who do not have windows so its pitch black. The LD01 would be fine in those situations.

I use my LD01 when i need to connect cables behind the PC, its easy to just slip it off the keychain and hold it in your mouth and for looking for things that may have dropped into corners etc or in a desk drawer.

When i could REALLY have used it would have been back in 2007 when we were hit with earth tremors due to an earthquake in Indonesia, the building was swaying and we had to evacuate, believe you me, evacuating down an internal stairwell where the emergency lights werent working is no fun at all. That was when i realised the importance of being prepared.

 

[njet212]

If you're gonna use lights at your list, take the LD10. It's just met your requirement ( clicky, it does have installed clip for the newest version of LD 10 ). Actually if you're not gonna attach the AAA flashlight ( LD01,E01 ) you wont be need AAA flashlight. Because these AA flashlight ( LD10 ) will have more runtime and power than LD01. In fact these also multi-mode flashlight so you just could lumens based your need.
Btw hyperloop are you Indonesian?

 

[Cataract]

It really depends on qhat you need your light for

I've carried an L0D (LD01's ancestral equivalent) as a back-up for a year while working and it's been sufficient in pretty much every case. The only time I needed something brighter was when working in large machinery, in which case I've used an L2D now replaced by a Quark AA (comparable to an LD10) and then again, it was basically to point and tell that I needed that much more light.

For camping, I also found the L0D very suitable in just about every situation aside not blinding myself when stargazing in the dark for a long period of time and trying to identify the weird noises possibly caused by a skunk, at which point the L2D has most of the time been sufficient and should compare on high (107 lumen) with a P1D on turbo.

My E0 (again, the ancestor to the E01) doesn't get much usage outside the house, although it is a very pleasant not too bright light for hiking at night. I have much more versatile configurations now, so it sits on my night stand for navigation to the bathroom and finishing off AAA's that won't feed more hungry lights (and lasts for a surprisingly long time still)

In short, if you don't use a flashlight that often, the LD01 is a good friend to have and is still impressive, especially for it's size.
If you do need more light, either the P1D or LD10 are great choices and, unless you need to use it for over an hour, I would go for the most compact (which is also the brightest)
Anf if you DO use it a lot, then why not carry your LD01 as a back-up?
I've had situations where I had to work on machines for hours in a dark recess and my main light was dying from the previous day and so far the L0D has proven up to the task BIG time.

 

[pjandyho]

When i could REALLY have used it would have been back in 2007 when we were hit with earth tremors due to an earthquake in Indonesia, the building was swaying and we had to evacuate, believe you me, evacuating down an internal stairwell where the emergency lights werent working is no fun at all. That was when i realised the importance of being prepared.

Sounds like "fun" :naughty: I was not so lucky. So many times tremors have hit here but I don't seem to have experienced it, not to mention having the chance to evacuate buildings without working emergency lights. I am usually on a lower flow when the tremors hit so up till now I have no idea how it felt like.

 

[pjandyho]

Btw hyperloop are you Indonesian?

Nope, Hyper is from the same country as I am.