Newb here, reccomend me a smaller EDC

[crunky]

Hi guys, I don't know much about flashlights, but I need to get myself one. I'm looking for something pocketable, preferably with a pocket clip as well.
I want something with a low for indoor use, and a decent high that can be used as a spotlight. I'd like to be able to illuminate a fairly large area with the high, ie the side of a building or house, my backyard, etc.

I was looking at the Fenix pd10, but I'd prefer something cheaper to start with. thanks!

 

[qwertyydude]

Welcome to the abyss, just kidding. Since this is going to be a budgeted recommendation, I suggest first deciding on your form factor. What exactly means pocketable to you? I consider my P60 lights pocketable at 5.25" long with a head 1.25" wide. These are the most adaptable lights. Parts can be replaced easily and different modules used, multimode, different tints/colors, different reflectors for flood or throw or a combination of both.

I always suggest 18650. You can get some quality lights for cheap in 18650 and if you need run time they can't be beat. Before going the DX route try shiningbeam.com instead for the quality upgrades already installed.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-169/Romisen-RC-dsh-M4-II-Q5/Detail

My Romisen RC-M4 is my go to light for most things. And Shiningbeam has a nice two mode with no annoying extra functions. I'm not sure it's P60 but for a few bucks more the RC-2R4 is XP-G and will blow you away with light. But since you're new you'll probably still be blown away with the amount of light from "just a Q5". We're a spoiled bunch here when we can shame car headlights with a pocketable flashlight.

Basically you could do worse than a P60 light but get one and you can customize it fairly easily without having to mess with electronics since modules just drop-in. That way you're not stuck with a light that doesn't do what you want and not enough practice in modding to rip it apart to make it do what you want.

 

[entoptics]

If you "don't know much about flashlights", then you should stick to the following criteria for your first EDC light. Doubtless, it won't be your last light, but the following will ensure you are VERY happy with your first good light.

$50-$60 budget for a very bright, versatile, durable light.
$30 for a compact, reasonably bright, moderately durable light.

Keep it small if you really mean to have it in a pocket at all times.

Don't be consumed with lumen envy. 100-150 lumens is VERY bright in a lipstick sized package, and the difference between 100 and 150 isn't as big as you might think.

Stick with AA battery size, and go with a NiMH rechargeable chemistry. Universally available and efficient.

If you want to use it for ALL tasks, get something with a low mode below 5 lumens, preferably around 1 lumen.

Some good "standards" are...

iTP EOS A2
Quark AA (tactical or regular)
NiteCore D10/11
Fenix LD10
Romisen AA (dont know models)
NiteCore EZAA
Quark Mini AA
JetBeam BK135
Zebralight SC51

There's more, but those should give you a very good idea of what's available, and they span the "feature" list in most of it's combinations.

 

[joe1512]

Being a newb, you really don't want to worry about specialized batteries that will BLOW UP if you don't learn how to take care of them. Plus, they tend to cost a lot and are not useful for anything else.

Therefore I would stick with AA and AAA rechargables. Even if you dont have a charger, it is a good investment since you can use them for other purposes.

The itp A2 is a nice light. Its a 3 mode twisty so it wont come on accidently. Its used as a keychain light mostly. The A3 is a AAA sized with the same output but with less runtime of course. Anyways, it has a pocket clip and is 25 bucks! The downside is that it is only 85 lumens max. If you want more, you will have to pay and pay and pay, OR use CR123 disposable batteries bought in bulk online. Or use the specialty batteries.
I think this light will make you happy though.
http://goinggear.com/index.php?main...id=373&zenid=a3503e138c42f44e6658222abf74bc3d

Unfortunately, Romisen lights dont have many multimodes nor do they generally have clips. This is too bad because they have the cheapest quality lights.

So you'd have to jump up to a 50 bucks light...

http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_43&products_id=324

http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_18&products_id=1678
A 41 dollar light with simple user interface.

http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_18&products_id=909
Their standard 60 dollar light. I'd go with the 41 buck one!

 

[Gregozedobe]

My suggestion is to go quite small for your intial EDC light (you do realize that once you start here you WILL buy many more ?)

My number one recommendation is the ITP A3 EOS, these take AAA batteries (I recommend rechargeable sanyo eneloops 1.2v or primary lithiums 1.6v) These are currently available with a M/L/H sequence (old model) or L/M/H (new model). CountyComm also sell the Maratac variations which have knurling and will tail stand, but all are currently M/L/H (except for the more expensive Cu version).

This is a very small, light, versatile flashlight which will cover many needs. Even if you decide you want something more powerful later on, you will probbaly still carry this one all the time ( I do, and I have over 40 lights to choose from). They are very popular with CPFers for good reasons.

If you need longer run time then a AA or 123 light may suit you better (but will be a lot bigger and heavier).

 

[joe1512]

The thing I didn't mention was that you dont have tons of cheap choices for exactly what you want.

The itp A2 and A3 are really nice, but they are fairly low output and 2 years old.

Romisen has some pretty nice lights that are 1xAA and 2xAA but they have no clip and aren't really Every Day Carry (EDC), for about 25 bucks.

You can get some cheaper CR123 lights, but that requires disposable batteries that you really have to order online to get em cheap. Note that a 1xCR123 light will be about TWICE as bright as a 1xAA light due to its higher voltage.
A 2xAA light or 3xAAA one however can be just as bright as a CR123 one, except for the larger size being an issue.

 

[njet212]

Some good "standards" are...

iTP EOS A2
Quark AA (tactical or regular)
NiteCore D10/11
Fenix LD10
Romisen AA (dont know models)
NiteCore EZAA
Quark Mini AA
JetBeam BK135
Zebralight SC51

There's more, but those should give you a very good idea of what's available, and they span the "feature" list in most of it's combinations.

+1 for Quark Mini series. It's a good light to start with, also i'm considering this as high quality budget light. Go with the Quark mini CR123, it would put more bright than Quark Mini AA despite for some folks here CR123 is hard to get, but i still prefer CR123 over AA.