What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You'd Absolutely Need?

What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

For me, it's three:

1) wide and bright (Hydra)

2) loooong throw (UltraStinger) and

3) keychain (Photon II, although that may change)...

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

Uh, make that FOUR -- I do need an EDC, too: Lambda Illuminator...or the Arc-LS...or...(I can't make up my mind!!!)

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

Hi, Mr. Bulk,

Absolutely need? For what? I find the first three are the ones I feel I need the most,although I may not use them the most.

<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>EDC long life, cheap to run, low brightness: Arc LE
<LI>EDC high brightness but small: E2e
<LI>Special application. reading light, doing stuff, repairs--headlight: PT Aurora
[/list]Those three are the basics that are a must-have. The next two are very important for me to have very handy:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>General looking, cheap to run, take out the trash: Lambda Illuminator
<LI>What was that noise outside: Currently Brinkmann LX but planning on adding a UKE SL6 to this category and I'll see which gets used more.
[/list]

There are other important lights for other members of the family. This list is limited to me. I have and use other lights but they're not needed. I wouldn't replace them if they went away.

Cheers,

Richard

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

For me:

1. ARC LS for EDC low light requirements.
2. E2 for EDC when more light is required.
3. PT Surge for a bright "utility" light.
4. M4 for the highest light requirement(s) i.e. blinding people.

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

Well it depends what I'm doing..

The right tool for the right job

But I guess if you really had to list them,
Arc LE
Arc SLS
E2
Maxabeam.... (yeah I wish)

YC

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

I only really need (and carry) four. Doesn`t stop me having over a hundred but what can you do?

Primary light- very bright, rechargeable. Currently the Surefire 9N. Optional T3 turbohead if I need a longer range, but I usually don`t as it`s too bulky to carry for a long time.

Secondary light- Bright, compact lithium powered as a backup to my primary, or as a supplement if I need more light. Currently the Surefire E2.

Tertiary light- durable, preferrably Lithium powered, mainly as a backup, and occasionally for use if the first two are just too bright. Currently the Arc-LS with "123" battery pack.

Close-work light, smooth medium-wide beam, not too powerful. LED preferred, as are cheap common batteries. Currently the Opalec Newbeam-Minimag.

You could add a fifth, a single-LED non-nightvision-wrecking keychain light for after dark navigation. This would be the Arc-AAA in turquoise, used for bathroom visits. I do carry an Arc-AAA on my giant keychain but it sees little use like that, it`s mainly there for torture testing if the truth be told. During my day-job I find a single 5mm LED light is not really bright enough. I often find myself in a basement or attic with no/little light- we often have to shut off lighting circuits to test the emergency mains-fail lights, and many attics have no lighting, but they still have smoke detectors that need a-testing....

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

An *excellent* question, and one I intend to answer with this: acronyms for the CPF

Let me know (on the acronym thread please) if you can think of any more that you've seen around and can't figure out. Thanks!

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

If I was going on a hike by myself...or any worst case senario i bring these.

1) Surefire E2 - intermittent bright light
2) Arc Cyan LS - emergency/backup light
3) Arc white LS (and/or)Lambda Illuminator - primary light
4) UKE Light Cannon - absolute long throw extended use light

Of course...i would cary an extra battery set for each light and a backup battery set for each battery pack for the Arc LSs.

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

I've got it narrowed down to between 10 and 15 so far, but I'm working on it!

Walt

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

For me, it's whatever I buy - that's the only way I can justify my ongoing flashlight purchases. I guess I'm just mentally weak that way.

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

1. Arc SLS It is all you "need". And my favorite light.

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

I have several EDC's depending on situation and season

Most common EDC:
1)INOVA X5 or UKE 2L primary lights for general/utility use:
2)Asp TACLITE/TRIAD or TACMIII for very long throw very bright light
3)AAALe for general closeup tasks including mouth-held
4)Photon II emergency light

Hot weather daytime EDC when wearing shorts and wanting the least encumberance:
1) UKE 2L or UKE Mini Q40 with lithiums: Primary and general utility light.
2 and 3: ARC and PHOTON as before

Hot weather nightime EDC
1) UKE 2L Primary
2) TACM III Long throw very bright (very light)
3 and 4 The above mentioned ARC AAA and Photon

Note: I always carry at least 2 spare 123's, plus a spare lamp/reflector assembly for the TACM III or the UKE 2L/Mini Q40, plus a spare lemp for the ASP/ In essence this is the equivalent to carrying an entire second light. I've also figured out a way to do that without taking up any "new" space.

The one light that I am never without is the ARC AAA Le

Brightnorm

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

If had to carry less than 5 lights with me:

- Techass Elite XRay (for versatility + long runtime)

- Arc-AAA White (compact reliability)

- Arc-LS (or SLS) w/123 pack (max LED light in minimum space)

- Legend LX (superb output+throw, focusability)


If had to carry just one, it'd be the Elite XRay.

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

Mr. Bulk,

Funny you should ask this as I am preparing to go on a trip and was trying to figure out which lights I can't leave home without.

Arc LE
Arc LS White 123 pack
Surefire E2

If I were going camping then:

Arc LS White 2AA pack (primary walk around light)
Eternalight XRay (backup)
Surge (bright ligth for when I'm headed into the water)
Black Diamond/PETZL headlamp (bright light for when I'm fishing and need both hands free)

Aloha

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

I'm sure we all could survive without flashlights but they do come in handy. A uke2l and arc aaa or infinity would be just fine. the 2l would be a bright backup light and the arc for everything else. But since im here at cpf of course I'm going to need more lights. for Incandesents I will just be using a 2l and hopefully ultrastinger if I like it. if the ultra fails I can just use the 2l. I was out of town helping a girl look for her dogs that ran off. A very long reaching light would of came in handy to help spot them from a further distance. for getting around the house or a keychain light the arc aaa is my favorite. im also considering the new x5 or the cmg reactor if its a luxeon even though I dont really need them.

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

Charlie:

Your on the wrong forum.

There ain't no such thing as a "minimum number of lights you absolutely need" here

Tom

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tombeis:
There ain't no such thing as a "minimum number of lights you absolutely need" here

Tom<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ha ha ha...

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

I'd have to add the Dorcy Lantern(s)for 'area' light when working under the sink or other tight quarters. I use both the larger (4D Cell) and smaller (4AA Cell)

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by yclo:
Well it depends what I'm doing..

The right tool for the right job
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree with what yclo said.

Two of my favorite lights are the Princeton Tec Surge, and the ARC AAA CPF LE. However, when I walk my dog in the evenings on the dirt roads that are nearby, and I know I am going to need a light, I do not bring or use either one.

I use the Lambda Illuminator , and the ARC LS 2, (both mounted on my belt with a nite-ize clip), and the Brinkmann Legend LX.

Re: What Is The MINIMUM Number Of Lights You\'d Absolutely Need?

I could probably get by with 1 light and I'd most likely keep my 4D Mag, it's much more versatile then any of my other lights.