My first LED EDC light, suggestions??

[Tbrake12]

I'm new to the LED flashlight hobby... Looking for a high-quality EDC light.

1. I will carry this one in my front pocket at all times
2. must be not over 1" diameter, the shorter the better
3. decent runtime more important than super bright
4. bright spill/flood more important than burning spot
5. will mostly be used for close proximity (1-20 feet) walking/working/changing tire/woods travel during hunting, etc...
6. would prefer a click switch or click/twist combo, not as interested in twist-only lights.
7. the only time i might use a clip would be on my hat-bill.
8. "Made in USA" a big plus unless I can be convinced of quality/reliability, would like to be able to get parts in 10 yrs if needed.
9. white, warm, or yellow light is good, I can't tolerate blue or purple!! :scowl:

Thanks!

 

[Lighthouse one]

I have a Nitecore EX 10 that I carry edc-front pocket at all times. Good choice- there are others. Pick a multi- level light- so you can get extended battery life if needed.

 

[carrot]

You have a very practical list of requirements. You will find the McGizmo Ti Haiku XP-G perfectly matches all of these requirements. You can take off the clip but I think you will grow to like it. The clip is bezel-down, though, so you will not be able to clip it to your hat, but I do not think you will find this an issue in actual usage.

Being a McGizmo light it is highly modifiable if you are good with your hands, otherwise there are always people in the community who would be willing to modify, upgrade, or repair it for you should Don himself be unable or unwilling to do so.

 

[shortstack]

I really love my eagletac P10A it uses 1 AA has a hi and "low" which is basically a medium by turning the head of the light, has a lifetime warranty, has a dual clip which can be carried lens down but can "clip" it onto a hat.
http://eagletac.com/flashlights/p10a.html

 

[joshconsulting]

Pretty much anything in the Quark series meets your list, just pick the battery type you want. McGizmos are nice, if you don't mind spending $300+ for a custom-made work of art that could easily be lost as an EDC

 

[carrot]

I have been carrying a McG for 3.5 years now and I haven't lost it yet...

 

[joshconsulting]

I have been carrying a McG for 3.5 years now and I haven't lost it yet...

Some people can hold on to things, some can't. Hence why I EDC a $17 AKOray, a nice light with a HAIII finish and 200+ OTF 'high' output - and no sadness if I can't find it one day :twothumbs

 

[bluecrow76]

I don't own one, but I've been recommending the Quark line to family and friends. Just found out they have a 10 year warranty! Good luck in your hunt for the perfect EDC!

 

[Radiophile]

Some people can hold on to things, some can't. Hence why I EDC a $17 AKOray, a nice light with a HAIII finish and 200+ OTF 'high' output - and no sadness if I can't find it one day :twothumbs

+1

I switch between a few lights - AKOray K-106, K-109 , or Leatherman LGX200.

 

[Tbrake12]

Thank you all very much for the suggestions/ideas, I'm researching them right now! All these years I've been missing out... never knew how much fun these little flashlights could be!

I was surprised that there haven't been any Surefire suggestions, it was the first place I started shopping, I haven't used any yet though.

Can anyone tell me which lights put a small drain on the batts even when they are not being used?? I read about this somewhere.....

Thanks again.

 

[Dances with Flashlight]

Consider the Peak El Capitan, a twisty that has either a keychain post or an optional momentary switch. Offered in HAIII, SS, or Brass (or a combo):

Great performance from an XPG with any AA or LiIon 14500 battery. Choose a medium optic for a nice big, beautiful beam. Made in the USA.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=252121
​

 

[SuperTrouper]

This isn't made in the USA but I've found the Fenix P3D (yes you can still find them available at suppliers) fits most of these requirements.

I was looking around for ages trying to find an EDC with good runtime, and found exactly what I was looking for in the P3D. I don't know why the newer PD30 versions don't have the same 50odd lumens medium with a 13hr runtime, but I've found this mode is one that I favour personally.

The runtimes speak for themselves:
General Mode: 12 lumens (65hrs) -> 53 lumens (13hrs) -> 120 lumens (4.8hrs) -> SOS
• Turbo Mode: 215 lumens (1.8hrs) -> Strobe

I think Fenix lights are generally quite well regarded in the reliability department, please correct me if I'm wrong there anyone.

The light is also short considering it's got 2 C123A cells in at under 12cm.

 

[carrot]

Surefire is too easy to recommend when someone says "USA made". Challenge is more interesting.

They do make good lights though, and the E1B is a top contender for your requirements although Surefire tends to make throwy lights instead of really floody ones due to their tactical background.

 

[Zeruel]

8. "Made in USA" a big plus unless I can be convinced of quality/reliability, would like to be able to get parts in 10 yrs if needed.

Non-USA. How about this?

 

[The 8th Man]

I know you said made in US but that one leaves alot of good lights out of your pick list, I still carry my old trusty Jetbeam Jet 1 MKII, can't by those any more but I also carry a Proton Pro which has alot of great things going for it, nice wide clean beam and the option of a red led when needed. You can still find them out there too.

 

[Strauss]

You should really look into a Ra Clicky. They are amazing lights, bomb proof construction, and made in the USA! I absolutely love mine and carry it every day. It at the very least deserves a look, you gotta check them out.

 

[lrp]

What Strauss said!

 

[fixitman]

You didnt state a battery preference, but here are my favorites with conventional batteries that meet most of your listed preferences. The lights below are designed as EDC lights, so tend to be pretty small, and use twisty switches.

Quark MiNi AA. Its not a clicky, but the twist to turn mine on is only about 1/4 turn, and very smooth. Easily operated one handed.
Large spot, lots of spill, very nice smooth beam pattern. Very good run times for a AA light. Also pretty much the smallest AA powered light.
Does not come with a clip, but I put the clip from a Fenix LOD on mine, and works fantastic as a hat mounted light. The wide spot and bright spill are great for walking and working. Also has a couple of flashy modes that are "hidden" so you dont have to see them if you dont want them.

A slightly smaller and less expensive light would be the ITP A3 eos. Powered by 1 AAA battery, it is very small and lightweight, yet has decent run times. Again, a twisty switch, but easy one hand operation. This light has a strong following here on CPF. Comes with a reversible clip. Makes a very good hat mounted light. The beam is slightly narrower than the Quark MiNi, and not quite as bright, but very close. No flashy modes.

I EDC both of the above lights, and both are excellent hat mounted lights. The Quark is a little bit better. A little brighter, a little wider beam, and longer run times. It is also a bit bigger, but smaller than your listed requirements. You would have to get a clip for it, but a fenix or minimag clip should be easily modified to fit.

Another choice could be the ITP A2 eos, the A3's slightly larger brother. Takes 1 AA battery, similar in size to the Quark MiNi AA. I dont have one yet (its on order!), but will most likely have a narrower beam than the A2 or Quark. It also comes with a reversible clip.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

I think the Quark AA meets all of your requirements, except maybe the "Made in the U.S.A." one (I'm pretty sure 4sevens uses overseas manufacturers). It's a fantastic light though, and not too expensive, relatively speaking, even if my wife does still tease me about spending $50 on a flashlight.

And nobody else has mentioned it, but the 2nd generation AA powered LED Maglites are quality lights and a great value. They're twisty only, but they are made in the USA.

 

[Tbrake12]

I've looked at the Quarks and Nitecores alot online and I like the looks, size, features, etc... How are the light colors? Do they look blue/purple? I like the yellow side of white, I should go ahead and admit that I'm the purist type who sometimes prefers tape and vinyl to CD's :twothumbs

I looked at some Surefires locally today and I really liked the LX2 although it's really pushing it lengthwise for an EDC.... How can it do 200 lumens for 2 hours when the A2, L4, L5 only do 100-120 for 2 hours and use the same batts??:thinking:

Thanks!