EDC flashlight

EDC Flashlights

For me, my favorite EDC flashlight is the Streamlight Wedge XT. Its just a bit smaller than the older Streamlight Wedge, but carries nicely in the left front pocket. I am a flashlight junkie and when I buy new lights I immediately remove the pocket clips. They are one of the ways to loose a flashlight. the XT is a great light, flat sided and very easy to carry. I gave my old wedge to my grandson, who is a fireman. I have been carrying the XT since they were introduced in the early part of 2024. Great light.
 
O Light makes one with a magnetic charging USB cord which I enjoy. I'll admit I hardly ever carry it as a minimalist. I have two young kids so I'm not really out past dark because I'm ready for bed when they are asleep. If you are out after dark a lot it makes sense, otherwise it becomes another thing that is left at home. Which is fine for me as I use it as a bump in the night light with my revolver.
 
I carry this,


Don't remember how much it cost but it's a good little light.

Used to get those from the supply vending machine at work. Probably have half a dozen around in the house and a couple in the car. Good, rugged lights that aren't super bright. I have a super bright flashlight and find it great for searching the woods but less than ideal for trying to light up delicate work.
 
I carried a Fenix for a long time. Then i got a Surefire Stiletto. The flat form factor is great, but getting a grip on it to engage the tail switch isn’t natural for my hands. Don’t know why.

Now I carry the Streamlight Wedge unless I know I’m going to need a light (staying at friend’s camp, out in the side-by-side, etc.). I have run the battery to zero by inadvertently turning it on in my pocket.
 
I've been using Streamlights for years. I EDC a little Micro-Stream in my left pants pocket every day. Puts out good light for its tiny size.
Back when I was still working, I carried a Stylus model in my shirt pocket just like a pen. Worked great for my needs.
Good lights and not very expensive.
 
I will probably get flogged for this. Maybe tarred and feathered. BUT when I carry a flashlight it is a 200 lumen Harbor Freight special. They are $7.99. I’ve bought them for as little as $4.99 on sale. Compact and bright. Pocket clip and tail cap switch. I could spend a whole lot more. BUT WHY????????
 

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I don't carry a bright light. I've been carrying the Microstream for several years. I keep a brighter light in my car but for a pocket light the Microstream fits my needs. I've carried cheaper ones in that size category but the switches don't last. I do use my little light a good deal.
 
I picked up a Streamlight ProTac (single CR123) about 10 years ago to replace a Fenix whose interface just didn't work for me. About 5 years ago it rolled off a table and the lens cracked. I called Streamlight and asked if I could buy a replacement lens. They mailed out a new light no charge.

I switched to rechargeable CR123s about a year ago. So far, so good.

My wife was wanting a new light. I brought home a couple of samples from a friend of mine that is a Fenix dealer. She picked not one, but two (one med, one large). The PD25R (med one) is pretty slick. USB plugs right in for charging. Tail clicky works great. Separate button to cycle through different modes. It is larger than my Streamlight, but Fenix has one the same size.
 
I like the 5.11 RAPID PL that uses 1AA for 190 lumens. I am not sure where people get the great idea of EDCing some ridiculous lumen count light that will destroy your night vision as soon as it redirects off anything remotely reflective. Probably the same people who think a 3-4 lb / .25 inch stroke striker trigger is perfectly safe too.
 
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Streamlight is pretty awesome. If wanting something more rugged check out Surefire, Cloud Defensive, or Modlite. I would not use a rechargeable "only" light. Power outages are a pain. "Dual fuel" batteries (something like a AA and a CR123 (or rechargeable batteries) is ideal. I also really like the Thyrm Switchback as an addition. Once you learn/practice with it, it's amazing!

It is just as easy (and cheaper in the long run) to carry a few charged spare 18650s as a pack of CR123. When they come out of the light they go on a solar panel. Two on the charger, two in the tool bag, two in the light. I've never run out of battery power.
 
I EDC a Nitecore EDC29. Perhaps a little bulky, though its the same length as the Streamlight Wedge and I think about the same size overall.

It goes from 15 to 1200 lumens with an intuitive interface that I don't trigger accidentally. It's got two turbo modes in the "signal passing spacecraft" range - one throw-y and the second adds flood emitters. Those last a short period before dropping off, with a handy graph to show when it's going away & when it's available again.

It's got a positive slide switch on the side near the tail to lock it. Very easy and quick to use, hard to switch off accidentally. That's an important feature after I set a couple shirts I really liked on fire with a different light. >_>

I've used it for positive target ID out at somewhere between 50-100 yards (past my tree, closer than the garage, no, that's not a coyote) as well as property inspection (looking for roof damage) and general "don't wake up the wife" nightstand use.

It's one of those rare things that brings me a little joy every time I use it. Which is a weird thing to say about a flashlight, but here we are.
 
I like the oddly named Olight Arkfield flashlight, and actually have a use for a flashlight with a laser. This is a nice flat design with a sturdy clip and easy charging - highly recommended.

Arkfeld Flat EDC Flashlight with Green Laser&White Light - Olight Store

I’m surprised you’re the only one who mentioned the Arkfeld. I learned about it a few months ago here on the forum in another thread and I already have one of the Olight rechargeable headlamps, so I know the quality. They sounded so intriguing that I went right to Amazon and ordered the pro model with natural light. Super bright and great at rendering colors accurately. I use the green laser and UV light fairly often also. Today at my outdoor range, I clamped the Arkfeld to a post at the firing line with a line level on it so I could properly place my target to make sure I hit the backstop. The green laser is bright enough to see in bright sunlight at the 25 yard line. Before I started doing this, it was hit or miss…I’d walk out there, put a couple staples in my cardboard, walk back..,too low. Go back out, raise it a little, walk back and check it…exhausting! With the laser at eye level, I get it right the first time. Fantastic little light that I highly recommend. Great flat form factor and brighter than a round body lithium rechargeable in the 1 1/4” thick range, so way easier to carry. My coworkers all got them after trying mine out.
I will probably get flogged for this. Maybe tarred and feathered. BUT when I carry a flashlight it is a 200 lumen Harbor Freight special. They are $7.99. I’ve bought them for as little as $4.99 on sale. Compact and bright. Pocket clip and tail cap switch. I could spend a whole lot more. BUT WHY????????
I actually love the HFT lights, especially the Icon ones. The folding light went on sale for 50% off once and I cleaned out the Port Charlotte, Venice, and Arcadia stores. Gave them to all my kids, son’s fiancée, and one to mrs tlawler. They hold a charge forever and all three light sources are very bright. Not really an EDC, tho…more of a tool kit or glove box light. But I do have a couple of the Braun rechargeable tactical lights and they are a great bargain.

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I have Fenex and Olights but I carry this everyday, everywhere, ACEBEAM Pokelit rechargeable. 550 lumens, $19.99 onsale today on Amazon. Just ordered number #4 to put in my golf pullover zipper pocket. The also offer the TAC 2AA EDC Tactical at 1600 lumens for $24.99 on sale currently.
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I have been carrying a flashlight for years, and my current carry is a Nitecore EDC23 on the weekends and during the week a Jetbeam E26 because it has a black light which I use for work. I'm a big fan of the flatter, wedge style lights, they carry better and flatter.
 
I've got 3 of the Streamlight Stylus pros. Take regular batteries, they're not going to blind anyone but they do put out a decent amount of light. There is always one in my pocket.
I can vouch for their outstanding customer service too. Any problem I've ever had they take care of it, no questions asked.
 

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