Why do you EDC?

rwolfenstein

Enlightened
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Messages
255
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

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jan 30, 2009
Messages
120
Location
concord, ca
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

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 20, 2012
Messages
7,416
Location
Northern New Jersey
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

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jul 17, 2011
Messages
143
Location
MD
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

Enlightened
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
219
Location
Kentucky
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

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 25, 2008
Messages
2,912
Location
Cleveland,Oh
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.
 
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