What would you EDC using this specific criteria?

DieselDave

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What would you EDC using this specific criteria?

Non-tactical use only
Used an average of 30 minutes every day
Usage range of 1 foot to 30 yards
Indoor and outdoor use
Pocket or holster carry
You make under $40k a year
Your life does not depend on this light
You only get to carry one light

Don't forget, you are paying for the light, batteries, lamps and the total cost of ownership has weight against the idea of a dream light so don't automatically say E2E or ARC LS. Am I describing a handyman?
 
Uke 2L with lithium batteries or even cheaper and runs longer...Uke mini Q40. Uses the same lamp assembly at 6 volts and runs on 4aas with about 3.5-4 hrs run time.
 
You could try a Rayovac 4AA Camper at just under 3 bucks from Walmart. May not take all weather.

Or a Brinkmann LX at right at 20 bucks same source. I THINK it could handle the rain.

Or if you can find one a Princeton Tec 40. 4AA and rated to dive. Less than 20 bucks if you have a store that sells them close by.

Or a Pelican Mity Lite 2AA....
 
You could try a Rayovac 4AA Camper at just under 3 bucks from WalMart. May not take all weather.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I would love to try one of those. I have been to 2 Wal-Mart stores and my Dad has been to 2 as well with no luck. Don't need it bad, just another toy.

What about a Badboy 400 or similar? Initial cost is a little high for our subject but good carry, good power, don't know about durability.

When all the votes are in I will have an idea of what to suggest to the lumenly challenged that think two lights is too many.
 
The kicker here is the 30 yard requiremen! For every day use out to 30 yds (90 ft), I would have to choose the SL Stinger! It comes with rechargable batteries, that are good for full brightness for about an hour. For every day work usage the metal construction is a plus! Price is not all that bad at $70.

If not for the 30 yd requirement I would choose a AA Minimag modified with a Badboy kit and rechargeable batteries.
 
If you use any amount of 123's in other lights, then I would say an Arc LS. I run mine mostly on used 123's and get about one hour of good light. If not then I would say Mini Mag with Newbeam for handyman type work they work awesome and if you get some rechargeable AA's the operating cost of this light becomes very inexpensive.
 
I would say the Responder 4AA for the same reason as the PT40, but I like the rear clickie switch & some adjustability on the beam. It is improved with some WriteRite. The bulb that comes with it is really bright, or you can switch to rechargeables & a 3D pr base lamp. If you want a good LED, put in one of JB's great 3 or 4 LED creations. Ripoffs makes a nice holster for it too. TX
 
I agree with Roy, the 30yd deal puts a kink into things. Would the mini mags with drop ins reach out that far? If not for the distance almost any light would suffice. For handyman apps there's the Pal-Light. Rubber coated so it's easy on the teeth when you need both hands. Also that 30 minute run time would make me reconsider using 123 powered lights as you'd be changing out batteries quite often, otherwise the Scorpion would be great for you. Maybe an Impact or impact 2?
 
I vote for a mini-mag with Nexstar bulb. Some of these folks that are recommending 4aa lights must have missed the "pocket" carry part. I would also concur on the UK 2L light, although a few bucks higher.
 
How about Pelican's Versabright 1 or 2 2AA 6 and 8000 CP (advertised) , pocket, belt or hatclip, waterproof, rated for hazardous environment, adjustable angle head and beam, and $13.00 or $16.00 respectively. No I don't work for them, they make a good light for the money.
 
I agree with Roy also. For approximately $60, you could set yourself up with a badboy conversion kit, mini mag light to use conversion in and charger w/ 4AA nimh's and you're done. Go two nights easy per 2 batteries with no drop in brightness, then can charge them just to be safe. Carry the other two batteries with you as spares if you think you might be out for extended periods of time. The light probably "throws" enough to see what is ahead maybe 20 yards? I have two badboys on order and one of them is destined to be a gift for a family member in this exact arrangement. Bad enough to keep myself supplied with CR123's, don't wish to have to do the same for the family!
 
Originally posted by Bushman:
Uke 2L with lithium batteries or even cheaper and runs longer...Uke mini Q40. Uses the same lamp assembly at 6 volts and runs on 4aas with about 3.5-4 hrs run time.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I agree with Bushman's choices. The 2L is the smallest and at 2.6oz fully loaded, the lightest 2x123 light. The Mini Q 40 gives the same, or perhaps slightly brighter light for a solid 3-3.5 hrs + and can be fed very inexpensively with alkalines or rechareables. It is remmarkably small and light for a 4AA, only slightly larger than the Surefire 2x123's and at 5oz fully loaded actually lighter than any Surefire 2x123 except for the E2/E2e and G2/G2Z. Both it and the 2L are practically indestructible and fully waterproof. The slight imperfection of their beams when shined at a white wall becomes almost irrelevant when used in real life.

Even though the Tec 40 has a better beam it is more cumbersome because of its large bezel, and will not run as long or bright as the Mini Q 40.

Bushman, I hope you don't mind if I question your decision to carry only one light. A back up light gives you an option "in Case", and that's the whole purpose of a backup light, or any kind of bacup: security and options. Even the tiny ARC AAA will give you five hours of functional light. If you are determined to carry only one light, at least consider carrying a spare lamp and batteries.

Brightnorm
 
If you're going to use this thing 30 minutes a day, every day, you'll spend way too much on those silly 123 batteries. I'd limit the choice to rechargable, either streamlight or something that takes AA nimh.
 
Originally posted by Albany Tom:
If you're going to use this thing 30 minutes a day, every day, you'll spend way too much on those silly 123 batteries. I'd limit the choice to rechargable, either streamlight or something that takes AA nimh.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Couldn't agree more. Get a Streamlight Stinger. There are 5 models available...
 
Have to concur with the UKE 4AA or Stinger. Lithium batteries would be way too expensive, so alkalines or rechargeables are a must. The 30-yard yet pocketable requirements are a concern, but I think the UKE 4AA and Stinger should more or less meet the challenge.
 
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