Large EDCs

[jrmcferren]

What is the largest practical EDC light. C-Cell range or is it AA Cell Range? I currently carry a AA Minimag right now, but in the future I may be working on Cable Television or Telephone lines and am wondering if a Mag 3-4 C is a viable option.

 

[Learjet]

Don't security guards and LEOs EDC 3-4 D cells? Doubles as a baton.

For those of us that don't need to whack anything, I'm not sure I see the point of anything much bigger than a small 1-2 cell light like the Fenix etc with modern day multi-level cree devices. For EDC anyway.

I keep the D's for blackouts or long burn applications.

 

[Sub_Umbra]

People carry what they need. I'm sure I'd be surprised at what some CPFers carry on a daily basis. At least we're lucky that we may carry much, much smaller lights today without taking the output and runtime hits that lights the same size would have suffered with just a few years ago.

 

[defusion]

I'd say about 3x CR123 is about the largest i would consider.
The 2 best options, IMO are 2xAA or 2xCR123, so choose whether you rather have a thicker or a longer body.
If you can carry it in/on a bag/jacket pocket/belt, you might go slightly larger, but in such a case i would consider 3xCR123 to be perfect.
I carry my surefire M3 everywhere in either a suit coat, jacket, or my backpack.
I do at least carry a 2AA LED in my pockets, i would not consider my M3 for pocket carry, but only because of it's bezel.

 

[GeorgePaul]

...am wondering if a Mag 3-4 C is a viable option.

The short answer is yes. You can certainly carry something like this. But why would you want to carry something this large? Modern LED lights offer long runtime and good brightness in a small (6-7" long or less) package.

 

[ScooterBug]

the smallest light that does the job i want it to is the one i will carry.

 

[ACMarina]

I'm with ScooterBug! I generally don't go with more than a single CR123 sized light these days..

 

[mdocod]

3-4 CR123 size lights are reasonable if you have some big pockets. 2C lights also fit in pockets pretty good as long as the head isn't huge (read: not a mag head)... like the taskforce 2C LED or it's cousin over at advanced auto.

 

[Patriot]

The M3, although EDCable is pushing the comfort boundry for me. I only carry it in higher risk situations. I prefer to carry 2x123 lights plus a small pocket light.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

Single AA for me,

 

[TigerhawkT3]

As most lights carry their cells lined up in a row, I'd say that 3xCR123A or 2AA is the largest combo one could comfortably EDC (and still pass for normal while wearing in most situations ). If there were a light that used something like four C cells lined up side by side, that might be doable. It's a little weird having something like a 4D Mag hanging from your belt, though. Trust me on that - I brought along my 4D MagLED the last couple times I went night fishing, and it felt funny walking around Safeway while carrying that monster.

Of course, these suggestions are for the "average" flashaholic (is that an oxymoron?). I'm sure some people feel naked without a 10MCP spotlight strapped to their back and a dive light in a thigh holster.

 

[Long John]

What is the largest practical EDC light. C-Cell range or is it AA Cell Range? I currently carry a AA Minimag right now, but in the future I may be working on Cable Television or Telephone lines and am wondering if a Mag 3-4 C is a viable option.

It depends on your tasks. In generally, a larger light features more brightness and/or longer runtime than a smaller one.
These days exists a lot of nice and small Led-lights but i.e. if you'll have to check Telephone lines from the ground in a foggy and rainy night it could be necessary to have a brighter light on hands.

Best regards

____
Tom

 

[LEDcandle]

If you are willing to carry a 3C sized, heavy-*** mag, carry a headlamp instead if you foresee yourself needing 2 hands to mess with the lines/cables. Then also have a 1 x 123a size (like Fenix P1) or 1 x AA light (like Rexlight, Jetbeam MKIIx or CL-E, Fenx L1DCE etc) as your EDC for other times you need a normal light.

Nowadays, the only 3 or 4 C/D sized lights I would carry around have to spew out at least 1000 lumens or more for it to be worth carrying And even so, I would not EDC them but only use them for specific tasks (like HID for spotting/patrol, flooding a worksite or photography etc... )

If I was a mechanic or lift repairman, a headlamp and 1xAA light (at most 2xAA for a little more brightness and runtime) would be my setup. And of course since I'm a flashaholic too, I would have my Draco slung around my neck for backup and maybe a 1xAAA light (Liteflux LF2 or Fenix L0D CE etc..) on my keychain.

 

[jumpstat]

Used to EDC a Mag 4D, that was due to work. Apart from its 4 cell length, the weight is also a factor. Those days, it sat underneath the car seat most of the time. The 2AA and 2AAA Mag much more manageable. Currently the largest I edc comfortably would be the L1, Its light though but just a tad long. 3/4" shorter it would be ideal.
I've got an SF M2/SW02 coming soon, and I intend to edc it, most probably in my pocket or on a dedicated holster, we'll see when I have it in my hands.

 

[TrevorNasko]

I think it really depends on the job but I would have to say that the biggest edc you can carry depends on your needs and body type. I once got an m6 (sf) years back and tried to edc it.... that didnt work out too well. It was too bulky for my body type. The largest i have been able to edc is an UltraStinger (and for i while i did just that). It was thin enough to be carried right against my body and not be noticed much.

That said, lights nowadays (even led) have reached size and brightness levels where you dont really need to carry a large light unless you want to. 2aa or 3x123 would be the largest i would edc nowadays.