What lights to take to Europe?

[newts]

I am going for a trip for 2 weeks and it's always a struggle to work out what to bring. I am leaning towards 2 of the Emissar D2, one with UV second emitter and one with red. These are small EDC lights that will do the expected jobs. And a small power bank for portable recharging.

On the other hand if I bring a larger light like a Wurkkos HD02 or Loopgear SK05 which can work as a USB-C PD power bank.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

Definitely want a light that will detect body fluids in your hotel room.
Probably also want a retina-burner for the criminal scum that infests the EU, since they won't allow you to defend yourself with an actual weapon.
Then also a normal utility light for normal illumination and power outages.
I wouldn't take anything too expensive, because 1. It could get stolen or lost, and 2. Being expensive, it will attract thievery and likely get stolen.

 

[Kestrel]

The only light I've lost in the past 15 years, was at a TSA checkpoint. :-/

Edit: I mean, misplaced not confiscated.

 

[PaladinNO]

Honestly, I would argue neither of those you list. As @IMA SOL MAN says, don't bring lights you will actually miss.
If the Emisar D2 (14500 form factor) takes your fancy, how about getting some Convoy T3's?

UV:

Convoy T3 purple UV 365nm AA 14500 flashlight - Convoy flashlight

Convoy T3 purple UV 365nm AA 14500 flashlight

convoylight.com

Red light:

red Convoy T5 flashlight,AA 14500 - Convoy flashlight

red Convoy T5 flashlight,AA 14500

convoylight.com

And for some power, just to throw something out there, the S21A:

Convoy S21A orange 21700 flashlight - Convoy flashlight

Convoy S21A orange 21700 flashlight

convoylight.com

Or S21E, with a jagged bezel (just in case):

Convoy S21E orange 21700 flashlight - Convoy flashlight

Convoy S21E orange 21700 flashlight

convoylight.com

Jagged stainless steel bezel for S21E S21B - Convoy flashlight

Jagged stainless steel bezel for S21E S21B

convoylight.com

I know for all my desire to bring some of my show-off powerhouses, I think what I would actually bring with me is something that does what I need them for, and can be easily replaced. For UV, the Convoy S12 would be fun, but it would be the Sofirn SF16 that would get packed.

 

[Lights and Guns]

Similarly to you, doing Europe for 2 weeks .. second time this year.

My go-to as far as lighting goes is a Malkoff hound dog 18650 head on a 21700 body, with a spare 21700 in a cell protector.

My 2nd light is an HDS rotary - NB 40, 200 lumen. With 4 extra extra cells in a cell protector.

I generally will EDC the HDS rotary, small and compact but extremely versatile and arguable one of my best edc lights considering it'll be able to provide you with the exact amount of light that you'll need for any given task.

The Malkoff usually stays in the room, in case of emergency, such as blackout or the like - I'd be grabbing that, the runtime on low on a 21700 is plenty, but if a situation calls for it I'd kick it into high and be able to illuminate an entire building if needed.

I think it's a pretty good bomb proof setup.

I'm also not afraid of losing them or having them stolen.

It's no different then being in the USA… I've also lived in Europe for multiple years before the EU was a thing… sadly Europe is not the same as back then 20+ years ago…the lack of immigration enforcement / open borders just because you have a passport from a country that falls under the "EU" banner was an absolutely terrible idea, it's certainly noticeable…

Anyway, enjoy your trip, there is still plenty of upside to visiting! …

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

I would avoid the crenelated bezels though, as 1. Getting it past the airlines and/or TSA may be a problem, you should check with them in advance (get any "okay" in writing, and take copies with you), 2. In self-defense prohibited nations like England, it may be illegal--considered an offensive weapon, and get you into legal problems, which no one needs, and especially a foreigner. I'd stick with the normal, "muggle-friendly" bezels. 🙂

 

[dc38]

The only light I've lost in the past 15 years, was at a TSA checkpoint. :-/

I have a policy to buy some more effeminate colors on edc items, as MOST of the individuals who'd steal gear won't even go within a couple lights years of a pink lighter.

As a kid, I picked up a basically pristine penknife that was glittery, hot pink, and said "princess" in that gaudy teen angst font. People always teased me for it, but a few of them realized why I carried it when I asked them if they would ever ask me for it, lol. Function over form, almost any day of the week.

 

[newts]

good ideas. thanks. I am swayed to taking a small pocket D2 and calling it done. I am not worried about crime or theft just carry and maybe trouser sniffing agency scrutiny.

 

[SCEMan]

I just returned from a 2-week vacation in Portugal (Lisbon-Porto) on the Douro river.
This is my default travel setup.

 

[newts]

I took 2 Emisar D2, one with the second emitter RED and the other one second is UV. this was perfect. small, easy to carry and poke into holes or at night camping. And the red one was great with the red glow for navigation in an unfamiliar room and red light for night trip to the bathroom. It was also handy to look for glass shards for a dropped teapot.

 

[NotRegulated]

For travel I usually bring a Streamlight PROTAC 1L-1AA . I can use my own supplied CR123's or any AA.
I also bring an Olight i3T (older version that uses one AAA).

 

[jon_slider]

Hope you had a great trip!

Emisar D2, one with the second emitter RED

that is my favorite travel light, big fan of the Red option:

there is a special request build option that allows the use of USB-C button tops:

 

[newts]

Hope you had a great trip!

that is my favorite travel light, big fan of the Red option:

there is a special request build option that allows the use of USB-C button tops:
View attachment 84650

Awesome! Yeh these are my favorites. I have 3 of them and 2 headbands similar to yours. I think one came with an Olight.

BTW I hacked the Auduril for it to better use disparate emitters as the stock firmware seems to favor tint mixing. For night vision I wanted to be able to go directly to the second emitter and not depend on different modes or setup.

I have 1 click = Main emitter ON. 1 hold = start at min. 2 click = second emitter ON, 2 hold = second emitter start at min. Once on the current emitter can ramp/step with 1-hold as expected.

GitHub - newts/noobnoob: Fork of Toykeeper anduril for separate emitter flashlights for a simplified usable UI

Fork of Toykeeper anduril for separate emitter flashlights for a simplified usable UI - newts/noobnoob

github.com

LMK if you are interested and need help programming. Hank sells the programmer about $15 I think that is a set of pins that touch onto those gold circles in your pic above. Or I don't mind doing it for you.

jv

 

[jon_slider]

congrats on your programming skills

Im OK w stock firmware for now.. I did turn off the three mixing channels..

The Skilhunt H150 headband definitely works well..