What jobs do people do that they need to EDC flashlights?

[Poppy]

One day in my windowless office the power went out suddenly and the emergecy lights did not activate. I pulled out my Microstream only to find out the battery decided it had reached it's end of life after 30 seconds. Pulled out a Klarus that kept turning off. (Tailcap issue solved later), then pulled out a brand new mini mag from my computer bag. Nothing. A bic lighter lit my way to a door I used to go get a Malkoff from my vehicle and returned to the dark office, tripped the breaker back to on and went about the rest of my day.

As I type this there are 3 on my person and 5 within 5' of me.

" battery ... reached it's end of life after 30 seconds."
That's one of the main reasons that I use and recommend rechargeables.
I frequently top mine off so that I don't run into a short run-time scenario.

About 4 years ago, IIRC there seemed to be a strong interest in "battery vampires" and it seemed that many were concerned with eeking out the last few joules of energy out of alkalines. Humbug I say Buy rechargeables, and top them off!

Gee Mr Bykfixer, it's hard for me to imagine you having and carrying THREE non-working lights. That must have been a while ago, cause I can't see that happening to you now.

Well, MAYBE now, I can see it... running around with centurion alkys. Light them up... tap them on the side, the tail, fiddle with the switch. Its gotta be fun, reminiscing like that. :thumbsup:

 

[bykfixer]

I have a few old Burgess and Franco lights that are pretty darn reliable. No flicker at all.
The Francos need narrow body'd carbon zinc cells and combined with juice guzzling #14 bulbs run time is far from great. But at 97¢ a pair it aint too bad.
But yeah, right many older lights require that tap, bump, thwack thing to stay lit well.
That Mag lit as soon as the power came back.(don't ya know I had it 6" from my eye, aimed at my eye when it turned on) It has worked flawless since.

 

[cerbie]

One day in my windowless office the power went out suddenly and the emergecy lights did not activate. I pulled out my Microstream only to find out the battery decided it had reached it's end of life after 30 seconds. Pulled out a Klarus that kept turning off. (Tailcap issue solved later), then pulled out a brand new mini mag from my computer bag. Nothing. A bic lighter lit my way to a door I used to go get a Malkoff from my vehicle and returned to the dark office, tripped the breaker back to on and went about the rest of my day.

As I type this there are 3 on my person and 5 within 5' of me.

That's one reason I like flashlights like a Malkoff, Surefire (now all Malkoff'd P60s), HDS, etc.. So much of the design effort went into making sure that kind of thing will almost never happen, be it from low battery, mild damage (or even major damage, for an HDS), or contact issues from out of nowhere. That, and good beam quality, make up for a lot of whizbang, IMO.

One day, long ago, my car wouldn't start, it was dark, and I only had a dim Arc AAA and 1st-gen Fenix (no bezel ring, loose threads, etc.--nothing like they sell now). The Arc worked, of course, but however much I like low outputs, a dark engine bay needs more light. The Fenix decided to start and then immediately go out (the switch needed oiling, IIRC). Fun times. Not the only time that torch acted up, either. I then learned of the wondrous Inova X5, which became my car/toolbag light starting the next week, right up until Illumination Supply started having regular runs of Nichia-equipped M61 modules.

 

[CelticCross74]

Opticianry. Finely inspecting prescription lenses with a low output light.

 

[Dingle1911]

I am a structural engineer who needs a light for inspecting the work I designed. I think I use my light more as a Dad when searching for dropped items or night time kid checks (yay moonlight mode).

 

[bykfixer]

I wonder what PK uses for an EDC...

 

[D6859]

I have also read posts of people stating that they carry 3-4-5 lights, and I also wonder WHY? I know some people are just excessive, but I figure that most of those who carry more than two, do so because of work. So I have been tempted to ask the same question as the OP, why SO MANY?

I'm packing my stuff for the first rock festival that I'm going to work on this summer. I was considering wether I should wear one thrower (Dobermann/Predator), or one flooder (EC4SW) or both one flooder and a thrower on my belt. Even though it's midsummer and the nights are really bright here, I like having the extra light with me. We are going to work long shifts and the posts that we work at vary from the stage to patroling in a car so I don't know what's waiting for me ... in the dark. I also carry my EDC in my trouser pocket because otherwise I would feel naked. It just has been there there "always", or at least more than 2 years every day now so I cannot be without it. I also have one backup light in my keychain - you've seen the picture in the selfie thread. So maybe having two lights on my belt would be excessive. Maybe I should just take one with me that I can borrow to a co-worker. And that flooder. And pack the thrower in my backpack.

 

[lightlover]

I wonder what PK uses for an EDC...

Umm - anything he likes?

Remember, he is a (THE) Maker_Of_Lights, so he just produces another pk Prototype ...

 

[tex.proud]

Occasionally I NEED a high cri light. Trying to pick out color codes in old phone cable can be difficult. This example isn't bad, but some really old cable it's next to impossible.

That looks like what I was into this afternoon. A high CRI definitely helps, and it doesn't have to be nighttime to need it.

 

[ChemicalKraken]

Besides every day use at work. I use daily for various tasks on my days off. Always in my pocket at the ready.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

I do electrical work. Usually, the lights in the building come on after I'm done working. So, yes, I need flashlights and headlights to work. Usually a high powered l.e.d. headlight, a backup flashlight or 3, and a Milwaukee 3000 lumen high CRI area light for task lighting. High CRI helps in identifying wire colors (critical for not screwing up equipment or getting electrocuted).

 

[Rstype]

Being a plumber plays really well into having to edc multiple lights. Have to carry three since I always have one or both co-workers asking me if I have a light. And they end up clipping them to their pockets and forget to give them back
A lot of dark basements or even under the kitchen sink is a dark zone.

 

[RUSH FAN]

I don't NEED to edc a flashlight, but find it very beneficial to carry one. I work in an office. With my eyesight getting worse as I get older, I find that I use my flashlight to illuminate print, etc.

 

[Father Azmodius]

Working is a manhole on a lead sheathed cable is an example of when I can use multiple lights at once . Thrunite scorpion with the head removed and a spark headlight.

 

[Sal74]

I drive a 5-ton truck delivering LTL (less than load) freight. Pre/Post trip inspections, checking for damages, and loading and unloading trailers. Sometimes trailers can be very dark places.

 

[besafe2]

Police officer.

 

[Treeguy]

I cut down trees and don't really need one at all except in the winter when we do emergency calls. (Gets dark at 4pm :candle Mostly for checking the ground to make sure we didn't leave anything on the job site. I keep a Rayovac Indestructable 2xAA in my bag for those occasions.

 

[Poppy]

I cut down trees and don't really need one at all except in the winter when we do emergency calls. (Gets dark at 4pm :candle Mostly for checking the ground to make sure we didn't leave anything on the job site. I keep a Rayovac Indestructable 2xAA in my bag for those occasions.

How often do you use that indestructible lantern?
Did it work out as well as you had hoped?

 

[redvalkyrie]

Broadcast Television and Film Producer as well as race car fab work. On the auto price side I use a light constantly. On the tv and film side, I use some thing that starts in a very low mode so as to not distract the crew or talent. Then, I need the same light to ramp up so I can escort talent off set.

 

[goldwing]

I'm in school for mechanics and believe it or not the lighting is not all that great. A flash light of any kind is helpful!
And consider EDC. You be delayed for some reason, and before you know it, it's getting dark.