Why do you EDC?

[rwolfenstein]

It's so ubiquitous now they show people using smartphones as lights on TV and in movies all the time, and it's funny because it's true: art imitates life. I don't remember what people without flashlights did in the dark before smartphones had LED flashes for their cameras? I'm pretty sure I used to be able to see in the dark, that there was usually always some amount of ambient lighting, and I could access my dark adapted vision more quickly. No more.

TBH the only real spots where there is no ambient light is way out in the woods on a cloudy night. These days there is so much light pollution in cities, you can see basic things. The light just, helps.

 

[Raymond33]

I edc because I am a married gentleman who likes to ensure that his bride can clearly see the ground, especially if she is in high heals.
And, where I live, it pays to have a light strong enough to determine if the area is safe. No cell phone will adequately do either of those things.

 

[Poppy]

It's so ubiquitous now they show people using smartphones as lights on TV and in movies all the time, and it's funny because it's true: art imitates life. I don't remember what people without flashlights did in the dark before smartphones had LED flashes for their cameras? I'm pretty sure I used to be able to see in the dark, that there was usually always some amount of ambient lighting, and I could access my dark adapted vision more quickly. No more.

Prior to cell phones, many people still smoked. A lighted match, or cigarette lighter could act as a light for a few seconds.

I feel your pain, though. My eyes don't dark adapt as quickly as they once did either.

 

[bbrins]

I EDC things that I find a need for on a daily basis: flashlight, knife, pen... I work in facilities maintenance, so my flashlight gets used a lot, anything from searching behind someone's computer to find that usb cable that got pulled out, to crawling through a crawlspace or attic. Often times I'll carry out small tasks by flashlight rather than unlocking all the necessary doors to get to the light switch that I would need. For the last 10 years or so, I've been carrying either an Oveready bored Surefire 6P, or a Malkoff MD2, though lately it's mostly been the MD2 since I ran out of my stash of hard press switch boots and the 6P turns on to easily in my pocket with anything softer.

Although I do occasionally use the flashlight mode on my phone, I don't see it as a good option for most people. I have people handing me their phone on a regular basis to show me a picture of something wrong that they'd like addressed at work, or to help change some setting, and it is extremely rare for anyone to hand me a phone with more than 20% of battery charge. They might be able to find their way out of the burning building, but they aren't going to be able to call 911 once they get there.

 

[The Hawk]

It's so ubiquitous now they show people using smartphones as lights on TV and in movies all the time, and it's funny because it's true: art imitates life. I don't remember what people without flashlights did in the dark before smartphones had LED flashes for their cameras? I'm pretty sure I used to be able to see in the dark, that there was usually always some amount of ambient lighting, and I could access my dark adapted vision more quickly. No more.

You are correct. I have noticed that I have more trouble seeing in low light situations. It's probably due to my 65 year old eyes. I don't mind packing a couple flashlights though.

 

[jabe1]

I edc because I’ve been in too many situations where I’ve had to say “ if only I had…”
I learned from my father who always had a flashlight, knife, and some sort of heavy string or rope (about 10’) in his pocket. Early on, it was a 2aa side by side Duracell light in brown and orange, later a microstream.

Better looking at it than for it.

 

[TD-Horne]

I'm an Electrician by craft and a Firefighter / Medical Rescuer by avocation. The number of times that My AA Mini Maglite allowed me to do what I would not have gotten done without it is countless.

Tom Horne