Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
Disclaimer: I am the owner of Arc Flashlight. As such, you can expect me to have some bias about which light is good for certain tasks. However, I do spend a lot of time using and evaluating lights so I feel like I can comment on what makes a good EDC.
What makes a Good EDC?
First off, what is an EDC? It is an acronym for Every Day Carry. This is a light designed to be easy to carry every day.
Of course, first you have to be convinced of the value of carrying a light with you everyday. If you don't think you need a light ready to provide illumination whenever you need it, then the concept of EDC will have little value to you. We have countless letters/emails and verbal testimonies from people who have had the day saved by the fact they happened to have a light on them when an emergency occurred.
What features should an EDC have? I feel the most important feature is size. If you don't carry it every day then its going to do you little good. There are a lot of reasons for not caring a particular light like brightness, batteries, durability, water resistance, etc. But size is the number one reason. Now, the other features are important and there is a point where size matters less. For example, if you have two lights that are equally easy to carry but one is more waterproof, then waterproofness has become the determining factor.
I have talked to many people about the lights they carry. There are people who brag about the big lights they own (but left at home) and then there are the people who over and over tell me about the easy to carry lights that saved their hide. Therefore, I have learned to take this bragging with a grain of salt. Who drives a dragster to work everyday? Sometimes the use of flashlights takes on the nature of a sport (like hot rods). But unless that sport can do some honest work and matter at the most critical times then it is just a sport.
You guys should know me by now. I am very serious about the utility of a design. Yes, I have fun, but fun in helping people. As flashlight movers and shakers, I feel we have a social responsibility.
By all means, if it is a hobby for you, have a blast. But let’s call a spade a spade.
There are some lights on the market that are very popular with the average flashlight lover. But do they make a good EDC? Only you can answer that question. It is very easy: Do you carry it with you every day or does it sometimes get left a home. Why does it get left at home? Maybe it's not a good EDC but just fine for showing off?
Let’s look at the Surefire L4. To get 2 hours of full brightness, you need just 1 battery in the LSH but 4 batteries in the L4 (2 in the 65 minute light, 2 extra). You might think, "Ahh, I don't think I ever will be in an emergency where I need more than an hour of light!". But are you assuming your batteries in the L4 are always fresh? Maybe they only have 1/2 of their life left? You're going to have to whip out your Arc to finish it up. No problem if you don't mind lugging around a bunch of extra stuff every where you go.
Sure, the L4 is 3 times the brightness, but dead batteries are equally dark, no matter how huge the LED. And yes, both the L4 and the LSH have dim modes that last for 6 or more hours. But if you are counting on that for regular use, you might as well save some space and money and carry an Arc-AAA.
Besides the size, the L4 looses points in my book because it is not waterproof. The manufacturer only claims it is "weatherproof". A good EDC has to be waterproof, otherwise, stay away from water!
--
How about the Inova X5T (that "T" is for "Tactical")? The X5T is twice the size and weight while half the brightness of an LSH-P. The run time is longer, so that is a definite plus. But is it worth it? A similar size LSH-P system with an extra battery (then similar to the bulk of the X5) would provide 4 hours or bright, regulated light and over 12 hours of diminished lights. There is a point where the weight of the extra batteries you need to get a long run time is so much the light is left at home anyways. At that point, the long run is exactly zero when you need it the most. The X5T is a lot cheaper. You can buy 4 of them for the price of one LSH-P (but only carry one of course). And I do admit, the X5 does look cool. But cool is a fool when it lets you down.
I won't say much about the longer lasting LED (underdriven vs severe overdrive), the best regulation in the business, tougher finish, more ergonomic switch, etc.
Personally, I think the Arc-AAA makes the best EDC. But I do carry an LSH-P with me almost as much as I carry the Arc-AAA.
There are times when I think the L4 or the X5T is the best light to have. No contest. I am just saying I don't that they are the best bet for the task of EDC.
Well anyways, you know how I feel. But you are the guys that have to lug this stuff around. So what do you think? Do I make a good point or does it just not matter?
Sorry if I butchered any sacred cows or upset any diehard SF/EE fans.
Peter
What makes a Good EDC?
First off, what is an EDC? It is an acronym for Every Day Carry. This is a light designed to be easy to carry every day.
Of course, first you have to be convinced of the value of carrying a light with you everyday. If you don't think you need a light ready to provide illumination whenever you need it, then the concept of EDC will have little value to you. We have countless letters/emails and verbal testimonies from people who have had the day saved by the fact they happened to have a light on them when an emergency occurred.
What features should an EDC have? I feel the most important feature is size. If you don't carry it every day then its going to do you little good. There are a lot of reasons for not caring a particular light like brightness, batteries, durability, water resistance, etc. But size is the number one reason. Now, the other features are important and there is a point where size matters less. For example, if you have two lights that are equally easy to carry but one is more waterproof, then waterproofness has become the determining factor.
I have talked to many people about the lights they carry. There are people who brag about the big lights they own (but left at home) and then there are the people who over and over tell me about the easy to carry lights that saved their hide. Therefore, I have learned to take this bragging with a grain of salt. Who drives a dragster to work everyday? Sometimes the use of flashlights takes on the nature of a sport (like hot rods). But unless that sport can do some honest work and matter at the most critical times then it is just a sport.
You guys should know me by now. I am very serious about the utility of a design. Yes, I have fun, but fun in helping people. As flashlight movers and shakers, I feel we have a social responsibility.
By all means, if it is a hobby for you, have a blast. But let’s call a spade a spade.
There are some lights on the market that are very popular with the average flashlight lover. But do they make a good EDC? Only you can answer that question. It is very easy: Do you carry it with you every day or does it sometimes get left a home. Why does it get left at home? Maybe it's not a good EDC but just fine for showing off?
Let’s look at the Surefire L4. To get 2 hours of full brightness, you need just 1 battery in the LSH but 4 batteries in the L4 (2 in the 65 minute light, 2 extra). You might think, "Ahh, I don't think I ever will be in an emergency where I need more than an hour of light!". But are you assuming your batteries in the L4 are always fresh? Maybe they only have 1/2 of their life left? You're going to have to whip out your Arc to finish it up. No problem if you don't mind lugging around a bunch of extra stuff every where you go.
Sure, the L4 is 3 times the brightness, but dead batteries are equally dark, no matter how huge the LED. And yes, both the L4 and the LSH have dim modes that last for 6 or more hours. But if you are counting on that for regular use, you might as well save some space and money and carry an Arc-AAA.
Besides the size, the L4 looses points in my book because it is not waterproof. The manufacturer only claims it is "weatherproof". A good EDC has to be waterproof, otherwise, stay away from water!
--
How about the Inova X5T (that "T" is for "Tactical")? The X5T is twice the size and weight while half the brightness of an LSH-P. The run time is longer, so that is a definite plus. But is it worth it? A similar size LSH-P system with an extra battery (then similar to the bulk of the X5) would provide 4 hours or bright, regulated light and over 12 hours of diminished lights. There is a point where the weight of the extra batteries you need to get a long run time is so much the light is left at home anyways. At that point, the long run is exactly zero when you need it the most. The X5T is a lot cheaper. You can buy 4 of them for the price of one LSH-P (but only carry one of course). And I do admit, the X5 does look cool. But cool is a fool when it lets you down.
I won't say much about the longer lasting LED (underdriven vs severe overdrive), the best regulation in the business, tougher finish, more ergonomic switch, etc.
Personally, I think the Arc-AAA makes the best EDC. But I do carry an LSH-P with me almost as much as I carry the Arc-AAA.
There are times when I think the L4 or the X5T is the best light to have. No contest. I am just saying I don't that they are the best bet for the task of EDC.
Well anyways, you know how I feel. But you are the guys that have to lug this stuff around. So what do you think? Do I make a good point or does it just not matter?
Sorry if I butchered any sacred cows or upset any diehard SF/EE fans.
Peter
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