Why you carry an EDC... even if the light isn't an EDC

[D-Dog]

My NiteCore Extreme left for warranty work today (stripped screw holding clip was what helped me lose the light in the first place) , and as a result I could have easily gone without an EDC. However, I instead chose to carry my M20, even though it is slightly too long for normal EDC pocket carry.

I had 2 exams tonight and halfway through the second the lights all died. In a room with no windows, bright to pitch black is quite a transition. Almost instinctively I pulled out the M20 and switched it on, quickly cycling to max. The room wasn't super bright (it was a large lecture hall), however, it was definitely bright enough to see what you were doing. The lights came on about a min later, however, the professor still said thanks at the end of class

Thus, if you are debating carrying a light because it may not be totally "EDC material", carry it anyways. This was the first time all semester the lights failed in a class, however, I was prepared when I needed to be (even though it wasn't with the light I normally carry

 

[A/V Dude]

I carry 4 yes 4 EDCs 1-RaidFire spear, 1-Fenix TK 11 R2, 1-Mag Mini W Nite Ize IQ switch and LED, And 1-Zebra H60 Headlight. I use all 4 all the time (Crawl spaces and attics). The Mag Mini is my loaner light. :wave:

P.S. A 5th, The Fenix tk 40 is on the way.

 

[Bushman5]

I EDC at least 4 lights daily: TK11, P1D-CE Q5, Pelican LAPD 7060, Surefire 8AX Commander.

Use em all daily. even if i dont need to. I use em just because it fun. And now that i have finally crossed over to the 'guilt free lumens' side and gotten some hi end Tenergy 900mah RCR123's, that TK11 get used hourly.

 

[balou]

I had 2 exams tonight and halfway through the second the lights all died. In a room with no windows, bright to pitch black is quite a transition. Almost instinctively I pulled out the M20 and switched it on, quickly cycling to max. The room wasn't super bright (it was a large lecture hall), however, it was definitely bright enough to see what you were doing. The lights came on about a min later, however, the professor still said thanks at the end of class

Interesting that there's no emergency light in a windowless lecture hall.
Here at my university, the big windowless rooms have an always-on light which can't be turned off. Some idiot played once with the room controls (a nice, nerdy LCD screen with touchpad - two of them in every lecture hall). After 2-3 seconds the eyes adapted enough to safely walk around

 

[bullfrog]

Cool story and thread!

Four seems to be the magic number - my standard EDC lineup:

Ra Twisty 85-TR
E2DL (sometime swap with my E2L)
E1B
Glo-toob lithium green

EDIT: just checked my bag and forgot my petzl e+lite headlamp (I STRONGLY suggest all you guys throw one of these in your bags!)

and an Arc-aaa GS on my keys.

I keep all my stuff in a spec ops pack-rat organizer (along with my other EDC goodies) and just drop it into whatever bag I'm carrying - nice n easy

Living in NYC one really doesn't get too many chances to play (or need) a light outside - its never dark. Indoors and underground is another story.
I spend a few hours a day underground on the subways - my biggest "survivalish" worry (other than another attack) is them breaking down or losing power (which has happened three times now, not to mention the blackout in 2003 when I had to walk the tracks!).

I'm afraid of the mole people :candle:

 

[D-Dog]

I wish I could do cool stuff like that as I love underground stuff as well as caves There are steam tunnels at PSU but convincing the director of labs to explore them could take a while

4 would be a bit much for me in normal college attire (jeans and a T lol...) but 2 could work fairly well. (Could be my NiteCore ... who knows ) We will have to see as up until now I was just carrying 1 :shakehead

And yea... no emergency lights was rather strange. I think it was a full building power cut... All I remember was it going from nice and illuminated to pitch-black instantly while I was working on a derivation lol. Have to love to hate calc

 

[jp2515]

Four seems to be the magic number so far and I usually carry around 4 lights myself.

Surefire L1 (can we swapped out with 6PL or E2DL)
Fenix L2T
Streamlight Microstream
Fenix E01 on Keys

I carry so many as an just in case type situation. If the batteries go out on the CR123 lights, I can use the AA or AAA light (they are plentiful and everywhere).

Its the rainy season here in CA and there are chances the power could go out or the earth might shake again (knock on wood!)

 

[BlueBeam22]

Yes, I EDC lights that are many times larger than a standard pocket light (pocket light being a 1xCR123A, 1xAA, or 2xAA), because I prefer raw power and throw over small size. When I need a light that I can carry in my pocket, I carry my Dorcy 220 lumen LED rechargeable flashlight. Normally I like to carry lights on straps such as my AmondoTech N30. When I truly need something really small that doesn't show at all, I take my Olight Titanium Infinitum.

When I am just going on walks I will always carry my Mega Illuminator, which I also take on recreation and in the car.

 

[D-Dog]

wow... 4 lights all the time. I can't even fathom that lol. Perhaps 2 would work though. The Extreme for its decent throw and overall output and then a light which can output very low if need be for long periods of time while also having a decent high if the other light fails. Sounds more and more like a Ra is in my future

 

[jzmtl]

4 is okay if flashlight is the only thing you edc, but if you add knife, multitool and other stuff the size/weight add up quickly. I only carry two, a pocket one and a keychain one.

If I was in your situation thou I wouldn't take out my light unless it doesn't come back for extended period of time. Would've looked like a real idiot if lights come back on right after I turn on my flashlight.

 

[Bushman5]

Its actually pretty light, i dont even notice any weight. I carry a multi tool, multplie blades, pry bar, FAK, camera , spare batts, food, water in my Maxpedition Jumbo. dont even notice it there unless i;m running.

 

[D-Dog]

lol very true... but (I intentionally left this part out to enhance the story ) there were only 3 ppl in the room including my self and the professor I was coming from another exam so I arrived very very late. But you are right... time restraints on taking the exam aside, it would look pretty silly to whip out a high powered flashlight in a hall of random people. Then again... we are supposed to be flashaholics :nana:

 

[hyperloop]

Wow, i only EDC 2 now, a Lummi Raw NS and an LD01, with 2 spare cells for the Lummi and 1 for the LD01. Used to carry my 30mW green laser and a 15W 7.4v xenon in a hugsby b2 but decided that i didnt need that many lights on me or in my bag.

waiting for my jet I Pro IBS v2.0 to come in and that will start seeinf EDC duty along with the Jet II.

 

[WESBC]

I EDC a E2D, I plan to carry another, but my pockets are already full so I'm not really sure.

I read this somewhere or something similar: "You bring a raincoat when there is 50% chance of rain, but there is 100% chance darkness every night" Kind of corny, but it proves a point.

I'm never sure what time I get home, so it's nice to have a flashlight when its dark out.

 

[jumpstat]

Both my McGizmo Mule-Ti-PD and PD-S is my constant companion. They have helped me on many occasion.

 

[csshih]

DX X.V, SF E1L, and a couple keychain lights

 

[Zeruel]

If the light isn't an EDC, it's probably my back-up or for the cases when I need a brighter and/or longer runtime light.

 

[herbicide]

Another instance of the magic number here.

Nitecore D10 (on belt)
SF E1 lego (on belt)
Lummi Wee NS (around neck)
Fenix E01 (on keys)

 

[angelofwar]

Just In Case....nuff said...

Typical EDC's:
L1 w/ F04
C2L w/ FM 34

 

[Zatoichi]

Another instance of the magic number here.

Nitecore D10 (on belt)
SF E1 lego (on belt)
Lummi Wee NS (around neck)
Fenix E01 (on keys)

Hey, a local D10/E01 EDC'er. I'm not far away in sunny Carcroft. :wave: