In the search for luxes, are we getting away from pocketability?

[MY]

I was initially drawn to LED lights because of their white light and pocketability. I know of a lot of people who like the ARC AAA but still carry Photons on their keychain because of size. While these people have a lot of different lights, it is the EDC light that gets used most of the time - - big lights that give off big light are just not practical for EDC. When I got the ARC LS W/123, it was too big to carry on key chain but just barely small enough to carry in my pocket without making a scene. This light is at the size limit for EDC. While I know that some people carry everything short of the kitchen sink in their pocket, I think that most people try to avoid the dreaded buldge.

Now the talk is about the new Surefire lights and how bright they will be. As I compared (as best as possible) the light to my ARC LS and other pocket lights, I realize that size has been compromised for luxes. While I think it is great that a light is brighter but not at the expense of size. I would think that for most people, light density is the most pragmatic aspect of a light. In this aspect, I would think that the ARC LS2/3 would be the ideal light for EDC.

My question is will people really EDC (on body) the new Surefires or will it just become another item in your toy arsenal?

 

[Lux Luthor]

I couldn't agree more. After all, you're light isn't any good if you don't have it with you!!!

 

[Tree]

I want ARC LS brightness in a photon size!!!

 

[ikendu]

Originally posted by Lux Luthor:
After all, you're light isn't any good if you don't have it with you

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">So true.

I've just switched from my red Photon II to the ARC AAA. I just wanted more light than the Photon II could give.

I'm not sure I really want it brighter (shocking!!!). The ARC AAA is bright enough to be useful in many, many situations but is also dim enough not to totally screw up your night vision. Plus...if it was any brighter, I'm sure it would have less run time and I wouldn't want that any shorter than it is.

 

[Tree]

That's where the dimmer comes into play.

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

I don't know about the LS3, since you have to carry more batteries. EDC implies some sort of official emergency/law enforcement or military personel, since the D stands for Duty. I am in none of those categories.

The LS3, 5 watt Luxeon at 3 watts is fine for tactical use, but not for civilian use. Not until a 2C pack comes out for it. Modded headlamp with 2D for LS1 - LS3, and 4D for LS3, would be very useful. I am going to further mod a Silviron Rayovac Adult 4AA modded for Arc LS headlamp, by placing an inline power connector, and using a 2D from a coleman peak 1 to add a battery pack option. When you need that extra runtime, you don't want to change batts all the time. A 4D could come from one of those Easter Seals headlamps, particularly the waterproof one.

If EDC is for the 'in case you need it' situation, then any small AA/123 LS based light will serve.

An expensive light should not be left in vehicle, as vehicle may be stolen.

I carry my Arc LS1 rev1 in 1AA configuration on an aluminum carabiner, which hangs from left front belt loop. My Infinity had this honor, till I turned on the LS. Now I carry an extra AA in a 2x3 ziploc in pants pocket. Didn't need to do that with the Infinity, but the its light output is quite dimm.

 

[DSpeck]

Just a note, Charles. The term EDC means "Every Day Carry". There is no particular LEO/Military/tactical connotation, as far as I ever understood it. Just means whatever you usually carry in your pockets, on belt or in briefcase/backpack.

 

[PsycoBob[Q2]]

[edit]Removed redundant statement[/edit]

I'm tempted to make a 5w LS headlamp with a belt-pack, so I can avoid those minor little problems involving making SMT regulators... and to let me use a 6v Gel-cell battery.

 

[ElektroLumens]

I always preferred big flashlights. You can tell by the mods I almost always do, which are big. My smallest light is a 3 AA battery pack, with a aluminum belt clip, and a Luxeon Star epoxied on it (PocketLux). I can carry it anywhere, just like a pager.

I don't like to carry large things like a pocket flashlight in my pocket. I know my opinion is different from most others on the CPF, but I thought I'd throw it in anyway.

Wayne J.

 

[brightnorm]

I agree that size escalation is a problem and that the worst light is the one you don't have when you need it.

I EDC the AAA Le and photon on my keyring. They are my backup lights. My primary EDC lights are almost always belt carried, but I like them as small and bright and long burning as possible. That's why in the past my two primaries were the ASP Taclite (Internal locking focus) and the Inova Classic or the UKE 2L. Then I switched from the ASP to the smaller, lighter and just as bright TACM III. I understand why some on this board downrate it, but with the proper lamp,(I select them individually)and with some small adjustments it is, along with the ASP the brightest and longest throwing 2x123 on the market. It outthrows any non turbo SF two or three battery light.

I only use lithiums for EDC except for the ARC AAA. Although I'm not in any uniformed service or security related field, I regard my EDC lights as "What if" lights as well as general use lights. That's why I carry spare btteries and lamps, and never have less than eleven or twelve hours of combined incandescent and LED on me at any time.

When I fly down to Florida later this morning (no sleeping unfortunately) I'll try a new primary combo. ARC LS 2AA (Lithiums) on my belt in a MiniMag AAA holster so tiny and light it makes my SF 6P holster look like a saddle. And an E2 Classic In my right rear pocket attached to my mini appointment book (No Dig. Assistant yet; too big, slow and heavy). The original E2 is a sleeker and smoother pocket carry than its more muscular successor. I cut out a little segment of the appt book cover so the E2 stays securely attached, but not visible in the pocket.

My absolute minimum EDC if it's really hot and sticky out is a UKE 2L carried together with an extra lamp module in a SF 6P holster. It's neat looking and smooth. I always carry two extra 123's in my cell phone holster. Of course I'm never without my AAA Le. So far there's nothing to equal its specific combination of virtues.

Brightnorm

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

Thanks for the correction, DSpeck. I was a Ham/ARES/Skywarn for many years, so My immediate thought was Emerg. Duty.

I still think in terms of emergency, disaster, natural disaster, longterm backpacking, etc. When I look at a light, this is how I evaluate it potential usefulness.

In terms of everyday usefulness and the 'just in case' situation, I carry my Arc LS as mentioned in my previous post above. So I gues you can say it fits the EDC qualification.

With the accessory mods I am getting, I think I will have to buy a couple more Arc LSes.

 

[MarcV]

There seem to be a lot of hams in CPF. Is it just them (us) who want the clickie switch for the LS so we can send Morse code?

..__..

 

[MY]

I am still interested in all the Surefire KLx buyers who are salivating at the chance for one of these lights. What are you really going to do with this light?

Hello, any Surefire wannabes out there?

Again, the Surefire light seems to be just too big to put into a pant pocket. For those who carry your light on a belt hoster, the Surefire's size may be acceptable. But for all the rest of us, I still say that it's size is too big for EDC practicle use.

Perhaps people on the CPF really don't care about EDC usefulness of a light but more at the WOW factor?

 

[GJW]

The WOW factor plays a huge part but I also feel that the E2 was designed for EDC.
It might be a bit big for a front pocket (and that's debatable) but it rides in a back pocket just fine.
I don't expect that the KL1 will add enough length to make a difference but the extended battery life will make it an EDC light definitely worth having.

 

[MY]

CJW - There is a difference between being designed for EDC and whether it actually can be EDC. If you are wearing anything but jeans, even the ARC LS/123 is noticably big. I have tried carring an E2 when I wear jeans and will say that it is quite uncomfortable, even in the back pocket. In the winter, when a person has a jacket, perhaps the E2 will work. Again if you don't carry it, you won't have it when needed.

 

[GJW]

Your backside must be a little more sensitive than mine.

My E2 is hardly noticeable in jeans and if I'm not wearing jeans then I'm wearing a suit with pockets galore.

 

[Erik Johnson]

My first post

I am rather new to the LED flashlight scene, but I am already addicted. I just ordered my first units, an Infinity Ultra & an Eternalight Elite X-Ray (yes, a bit expensive). For me, the only flashlight I would considering pocketing every day would have to be a flat item. Any sort of tube in my pants ought to be original issue equipment Perhaps an ARC AAA would work as a pocket item, but I wanted the LE version which is no longer available, and I didn't want step down to the standard version.

I very much want to get a SF with a KL1 or 3. It would not be a pocket EDC, but as an EDU (Every Day Use) item for walking the dogs at night. So for this use it is more important for a flashlight to fit well in my hand, not in my pocket.

Erik.

 

[hank]

Naah, or there would be more people urging higher tech combos, like asking the Techass folks to bring out a flat Ergo type light with an alphanumeric keypad and software so you could just type in your message and it would output the Morse on one color of LED, and a photocell so it could simultaneously receive a different color LED's signal, translate it and display it on a little LED screen or read it aloud via a little earphone.

N6VSB

 

[MarcV]

That's doable, but I'd settle for a reasonable facsimile of a speed-key (or even a straight key) and just a light-to-sound converter on that photocell. That way even hams could afford it!