Wanted: Good EDC Flashlight

Bigbeed

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Nov 14, 2016
Messages
2
Hello all, first post here. I am looking for an EDC flashlight. I work outdoors on night shift and I'm tired of using my phone as a flashlight. I've had a few flashlights but they all went low, medium, high, strobe, etc. I want something that has different modes but I don't want to click 3 times to get to high every time and worry about passing it and going into strobe mode by accident. I'd like it to have a memory setting if possible so I can go into the last mode I used. I'd be using it in short bursts to check gauges and whatnot so I wont be using it at extended periods of time, but I don"t want to have to change the battery multiple times in a 12 hour shift. I would like to stick with 18650, 20700 or 21700 batteries as I am familiar with them and already have a bunch. I am familiar with electronics and soldering and I wouldn't be against building my own light but I'm not sure where to start. Below I've filled out the questions from the recommend me a light thread. Thanks for all your help in advance!

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light in person from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
__X__This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :)

____I don't know yet
____Up to $25.
____Up to $50.
____Up to $100.
__X__Up to $200.
____Up to $300.
____Essentially unlimited.


3) Format:

____I am not sure, please help me decide.
__X__I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
____I want a self-contained headlamp.
____I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.
____I want a mounted light (typically for a bicycle or vehicle)
____I want a lantern/area light.
____I want a portable spotlight (it may have an external power source).
____Other ____________________________________________


4) Size:

____MICRO - Keychain size.
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
__X__SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
__X__MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)
____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.
____I don’t know/I don't care.


5) Emitter/Light source:

__X__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

__X__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
__X__I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
__X__I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source).


7) What power source do you want to use?

____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
__X__I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
____I don't know/I need more information on power sources.

7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that plugs directly into the wall (literally with prongs built into the light)
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a light that snaps into a cradle (usually mounted on a wall)
__X__I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
____I don't care


8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).

____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
__X__I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
__X__I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).

__X__SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.


9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.

____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
__X__Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
__X__Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
____Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
____Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.

9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
__X__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
__X__Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
__X__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
__X__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)

10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).

____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
__X__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).




11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A “night-stand” light).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
__x__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
__x__Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don’t know.


12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):

____Any size switch will do.
____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
__x__I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).
____I want a remote switch (usually found on high-end bicycle headlights)
____I don't care.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__x__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
__x__I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode")
____I want SOS mode. (blinks in ...---... emergency pattern)
____I want a beacon mode. (Regular flashes at full power to show location.)
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
__x__Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s higher end flashlights).
__x__Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
__x__Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________.

15) Water resistance
____None needed
__x__IPX4 (Splash resistant)
__x__IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
____IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)

16) Storage conditions
__x__In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
__x__Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
____Other_________________________________________ ____


17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____“Hybrid” light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
__x__Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
 

Modernflame

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 27, 2017
Messages
4,383
Location
Dirty Dirty South
Since you're open to carrying it on a belt, I'd recommend the Hound Dog 18650 from Malkoff. There are only two levels of output, accessed by twisting the head of the light. No need to cycle through various modes to get the output you want. Plenty of power, lots of throw, generous spill. The package comes with an external charger and an 18650 battery. It's as tough as a bag full of wrenches.

On the negative side, there isn't a good clip option, but there are inexpensive holsters, such as the Maxpedition 5" flashlight holster. Moreover it runs on a lithium ion rechargeable cell. Nothing in this category is designed for the temperature extremes of vehicle storage. If you truly intend to store the light in a vehicle, you'll need something designed around primary cells.
 

Repsol600rr

Enlightened
Joined
May 7, 2016
Messages
351
Take a look at some of zebralights offerings. I have an sc64w hi on its way Which is 18650, plenty of brightness, programable to make one click whatever brightness you want pretty much, small and light weight. I havent used it yet, just their older sc52 and sc62 series, but there are threads dedicated to it and their other offerings here. Seems to hit all your points.
Edit: except tail switch. Dont know how important that is to you. The switch on these is easy to find and use though even with some gloves on.
 

MX421

Enlightened
Joined
Jul 15, 2015
Messages
656
Location
Texas
Since you're open to carrying it on a belt, I'd recommend the Hound Dog 18650 from Malkoff. There are only two levels of output, accessed by twisting the head of the light. No need to cycle through various modes to get the output you want. Plenty of power, lots of throw, generous spill. The package comes with an external charger and an 18650 battery. It's as tough as a bag full of wrenches.

On the negative side, there isn't a good clip option, but there are inexpensive holsters, such as the Maxpedition 5" flashlight holster. Moreover it runs on a lithium ion rechargeable cell. Nothing in this category is designed for the temperature extremes of vehicle storage. If you truly intend to store the light in a vehicle, you'll need something designed around primary cells.

Agree on the primary cell for glovebox use. From your lumens checks and your durability, i'd say the houndog might be more throw than you are looking for. Either a Malkoff MD2 or MDX would probbly suffice for you needs. Anything Malkoff is excellent stuff. I want a 18650 hounddog myself...:)

Surefire, Seraph, or even Solarforce are also tail switch light that are pretty durable (depending on the drop-in installed of course). Surefire is as tough as the Malkoff.

Take a look at some of zebralights offerings. I have an sc64w hi on its way Which is 18650, plenty of brightness, programable to make one click whatever brightness you want pretty much, small and light weight. I havent used it yet, just their older sc52 and sc62 series, but there are threads dedicated to it and their other offerings here. Seems to hit all your points.
except tail switch. Dont know how important that is to you. The switch on these is easy to find and use though even with some gloves on.
Also agree with Repsol on the Zebralights if you can get past the side switch (which i like better in certain circumstances), I feel naked without a Zebralight on me, although i don't think they are as durable as a Malkoff.

Other options are perhaps a Fenix PD series (either PD32 or PD35), These have a tail switch for light activation and the side switch for switching modes.

A friend of mine has a Thrunite that is very similar to my Fenix.

Lots of choices out there....
 
Last edited:

Bigbeed

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Nov 14, 2016
Messages
2
Hey all. Thanks for your suggestions. I did like the hound dog but tailswitch was important as I'll mainly be using this with gloves and I want to take any guesswork out of where the switch is.

I did some more digging though the forums here and decided to go with a pflexpro convoy s2+ with triple nicha emitters. It's part of their advance program flashlights and has the h17f driver so I can customize all the modes however I want.

https://www.pflexpro.com/Nichia-219-Triple-Flashlight-p/s2-nichia-3up-ap-r.htm

I'll post a review once I get it and I'll update after using it for a few weeks!
 
Top