EDC Flashlight?

Philadelphia Patriot

Philadelphia Patriot

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For those of you who carry a flashlight often, which brand and model do you carry? I have a streamlight polytac that I really like, but I am looking for something for pocket carry. I'm considering the streamlight protac 1aaa or stylus pro. I want something that takes AAA batteries and has a push tailcap.
 
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I like this one. It's inexpensive, durable, 2 brightness settings, good battery life and the on/off switch is in the back. I've bought then for most of my family. Only down side is the clip is not too secure. There are several variants out there of the same basic light. Mossy Oak, titanium color, etc. NOTE: Last ones I bought were 14 bucks on Amazon (black)


[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Inova-XSB-01-R7-Flashlight-Black/dp/B00NEJEL22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470139759&sr=8-1&keywords=inova+xs"]Amazon.com : Nite Ize Inova XS : Home Improvement[/ame]
 
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When I'm on uniform duty I typically have 3 to 4 flashlights on me if you include the M3 light on my G23. I carry a Streamlight Stinger on my duty belt, a Streamlight Microstream in my shirt pocket, and one of several Surefire E2's I own clipped in my trouser pocket.

I had a rookie deputy ask me with a smirk on his face when he realized I had several flashlights on on me, "hey Faulkner, are you scared of the dark?"

"Yep," I replied, "and when you've been around as long as I have you will be too."
 
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A few months ago I stumbled across a "NEBO REDLINE," it is a single CR123, has a removable pocket/hat bill clip, 3 LED brightness settings & strobe, you can adjust the focus, has a rear magnet and rear push button switch, comes with a CR123, and IT IS ONLY $15! I see them at mostly tool stores and a few outdoor stores. only 2.75 inches long and 5/8" diameter, and weighs approx. 2.5 ounces. I like to hold a small flashlight in my mouth to keep my hands free, the diameter is at the limit of comfortable. The magnet can do strange things to the teeth!. Two last features, the push button faintly glows in dark so you can find it. The "Redline" around the beasel, is translucent, so if on and set facing down, the line glows brightly to let you find it and know it is on.

Every time I find them for sale, I buy one or two to scatter in my equipment.

Ivan
 
I had good enough luck with this that I bought one for all my kids/g-kids that drive. It's small enough they carry it on their key ring.
I like the price, features, brightness, durability, etc, etc.
E05 Fenix Flashlight - Fenix Flashlights

ETA:
After re-reading your post regarding features, the EO5 doesn't have a button switch.
For most everything regarding torches and a good place to search/research is candlepower forum.
CandlePowerForums - The Front Page
 
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I bought this one about a year ago: E7 780 Lumen Rechargeable LED Flashlight (Close Out) | PowerTac USA

It's a little larger than most that have been listed but for me it fits very comfortably clipped into my left front pocket. It has 4 different brightness modes from almost no light at all to really bright. It also has what I call "seizure strobe" that is very disorienting to anyone downstream of it. My favorite feature is that it is rechargeable. The battery that came with it will last me 2 to 3 months easy before it needs recharging.
 
The dilemma with acquiring a flashlight will be all the knock-offs.
my SIL gave me one for a birthday present last week.

I am positive it is a knock-off, that is what he buys!! :D

The flashlight is a VIixit,,,
the 18650 battery is a "Ultrofire" 6800 mAh

In spite of all that,,, it does work,,,

I have not tried charging it yet,,,
I will probably check my home fire insurance before the first charge,,,
 
SweetMK said:
The dilemma with acquiring a flashlight will be all the knock-offs.
my SIL gave me one for a birthday present last week.

I am positive it is a knock-off, that is what he buys!! :D

The flashlight is a VIixit,,,
the 18650 battery is a "Ultrofire" 6800 mAh

In spite of all that,,, it does work,,,

I have not tried charging it yet,,,
I will probably check my home fire insurance before the first charge,,,
Click to expand...
Anything with "fire" in the name brand of the battery is generally considered....sub-par. If you have an intelligent charger that quits charging when they are fully charged however, it should be fine. But, I wouldn't leave it unattended while charging, i.e. overnight, or if I'm leaving the house. I might be overly cautious with it...but, that's just me.

To answer the OP: I carry a streamlight microstream ~$15. Solid, durable light with a useful double clip that can also attach to the bill of a ball cap. Uses a single battery, and fairly bright.

Also consider makes by Fenix and Olight. All have great offerings for EDC.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
 
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Nebraska12 said:
Anything with "fire" in the name brand of the battery is generally considered....sub-par. If you have an intelligent charger that quits charging when they are fully charged however, it should be fine. But, I wouldn't leave it unattended while charging, i.e. overnight, or if I'm leaving the house. I might be overly cautious with it...but, that's just me.

To answer the OP: I carry a streamlight microstream ~$15. Solid, durable light with a useful double clip that can also attach to the bill of a ball cap. Uses a single battery, and fairly bright.

Also consider makes by Fenix and Olight. All have great offerings for EDC.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I have an Olight s15r. I think it is a great light, but the switch is not located on the tailcap. If it was then I'd be all set.

Also I appreciate everyone's comments. Thank you!
 
I've been searching for a light for several weeks.

I ran into a retired Forest Service ranger in a nearby gun shop last week, and he gave me a lot to consider for being out in the woods at night (it's where I live so his words hit home).

My first criteria: Made in USA

He said, "SureFire," which I had already discovered, but his adamant beliefs in this quality, homemade light was convincing.

We talked about brightness. More isn't better. He carried four lights when he was working, the brightest was 600 lumens, and he often used a setting of less than 100 lumens. "You don't want to blind yourself," he said.

"A tailcap click switch is a must," he said, and he wasn't a proponent of the "flash" or "strobe" features.

Ok, so off I went to do more research. It's going to be a SureFire P1R Peacekeeper for me. I've had good luck with rechargeable Li-ion batteries in other devices, and I like the option of using the 123As as a backup.

I'm replacing a Maglite that takes 3 D-cells, so this will be like going from carrying an 8⅜" Model 29 to a 1⅞" Model 360PD.

I wish SureFire offered a pocket clip, but they're available from other companies.

Cheers,

Bob
 
Philadelphia Patriot said:
I have an Olight s15r. I think it is a great light, but the switch is not located on the tailcap. If it was then I'd be all set.

Also I appreciate everyone's comments. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Agree, prefer the push button over twist on; thus, the microstream. The same has bothered me about Olight. But, I may still get one eventually. Good quality for the money.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
 
My EDC is a Surefire Titan Plus.

AAA operated, Nickel-plated brass 3.3in body fits perfectly inside my jeans watch pocket. 15/75/300 lumen with a very wide, smooth and eye pleasing beam absent a hot spot Surefire calls "MaxVision" which is the same as the XC1 I use on my Glock 19. Surefire advertises the Titan Plus as a keychain light but at 2oz with battery is a bit heavy for that IMO.

I've got lot's of CR123 lights. They are good for walking the dog, emergency flashlight for the car and packed in get-home bag, but I'd never carry them all day like I do the Titan Plus. It get's slipped into the pants pocket every morning along with my LCP. Stays there till bedtime. I use it at home more than anywhere else. Reading the number on a credit card, looking at a small gun part... on and on. Never have to go find a flashlight no matter where I'm at.

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[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbpfZNTaQFA[/ame]
 
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Grayfox said:
I carry a Streamlight Micro in my pocket everyday. Puts out good light for its tiny size.
When I was working I carried the Stylus Pro in my shirt pocket.
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The Streamlight Mmicro has been a daily carry for 2 years....great little light ..... and like a J-frame its never left at home......................because it's too big or heavy!!!!

Larger lights are in the cars and around the house....... but the micro will always get me to a bigger light................... or LOL just take the dog out.... IIRC 35 lumens and a 40 ft beam.......or will light up a room enough to see what's going on.


Next up in size is the Maglite XL50 ...... 200/50 lumens....... 7/25 hours on 3 AAA batteries..... about the size of a role of quarters.....these are my "car lights"
 
nothing but surefire for me. I use em every night and can justify only the best... if I needed to justify anything.

I like the LX2 a lot and keep one on the nightstand and one in my pocket.

also have an old E2E incandescent.

most commonly I use an old M2 centurion that I converted to LED. it throws a wide beam and is best suited to checking for copperheads when I let the dogs out at night.
 
BAM-BAM said:
The Streamlight Mmicro has been a daily carry for 2 years....great little light ..... and like a J-frame its never left at home......................because it's too big or heavy!!!!
Click to expand...

Well that's just it. Gun guys typically like flashlights too, so it's not uncommon to get in a conversation about flashlights at the club. Of course the bang-zoom high output CR123 lights (I love em just like everyone else) always come up in conversation, but it's very rare that someone has one on them. Not much different than guns in that regard.
 
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