EDC Flashlight?

Retiring from law enforcement after 38 years on the job (majority on nights) I've had my experiences with all brands of flashlights. My favorite (and still constant companion) is the Surefire Executive Elite (E2E). Small, tail cap switch, and pocket clip. Uses 2 CR123 batteries and the Xenon (I think) type bulb . Maybe just me, but I like the softer light and seems to be more penetrating and not as glaring as the LED. Don't know if E2E is still available, but I believe it is in the LED model. Batteries aren't that high if you buy several at a time from Surefire or on eBay.
 
cndrdk said:
Retiring from law enforcement after 38 years on the job (majority on nights) I've had my experiences with all brands of flashlights. My favorite (and still constant companion) is the Surefire Executive Elite (E2E). Small, tail cap switch, and pocket clip. Uses 2 CR123 batteries and the Xenon (I think) type bulb . Maybe just me, but I like the softer light and seems to be more penetrating and not as glaring as the LED. Don't know if E2E is still available, but I believe it is in the LED model. Batteries aren't that high if you buy several at a time from Surefire or on eBay.
Click to expand...

Yep, I'm with you on the Surefire E2e. I've carried one for well over 10 years and it's been pretty much indestructible. I agree that the Xenon bulb is more penetrating (has more distance) than the LED's, but the trade off is the LED's do draw less battery power.

Surefire stuff can be pricey, but it's quality.

e2e.jpg
 
I've got a Surefire G3 with a Xenon bulb rated at 105 lumens for 60 minutes with 3 CR123 batteries. So ya use it a couple times and then you're not sure if there's much juice in it when needed next... just wasn't happy with it.

I upgraded the G3 with a Malkoff LED drop-in that has a regulated runtime of 12 hours at 100 lumens. One of my favorite lights now. And of course the economics are nuts. 12 hours with a Xenon bulb would consume 36 CR123 batteries. About $20 for a box of 12 Surefire batteries ... #not good.
 
Faulkner said:
Yep, I'm with you on the Surefire E2e. I've carried one for well over 10 years and it's been pretty much indestructible. I agree that the Xenon bulb is more penetrating (has more distance) than the LED's, but the trade off is the LED's do draw less battery power.

Surefire stuff can be pricey, but it's quality.

e2e.jpg
Click to expand...

the E2E is discontinued. ive had one forever also. I like to use it when grilling after dark as the incandescent light is more natural
 
I was in the same dilemma a while back. I was going to bite the bullet and buy a Surefire but could not find one in the size/brightness combo I wanted. I went with the Fenix PD25 and could not be happier. One CR123 battery four brightness settings plus the strobe.

One of the other things I like about it is it kinda tells you when your battery is going dead. Once the battery gets to a certain point, it will no longer change brightness settings.

I carry this in my pants pocket day in and out and have been running it over 1 1/2 years with no issues.
 
BAM-BAM said:
Got one on the way....................................and a Fenix E12 (130/50/8 lumens) 1AA battery...... 6.5 hours at 50 and 40 at 8
Click to expand...

The E12 is the flashlight I don't leave the house without. It's completely adequate to my needs when I'm not at work and 99% of the time when I am.
 
The tacticool crowd will toot their overpriced wares as being the best etc etc. I got an aluminum chasis 120 lumen not much bigger than the 2 AA batteries inside LED coleman flashlight. Its awesome works well has amazing battery life and hasnt ever let me down. I liked them so much i jave them all over my home. We are talking seeing spots if i flash your eyes bright.
 
Nowadays, it's a Surefire EB1 Backup. Yeah, I overpaid, but it's a solidly built, American made flashlight that takes only one CR123. Little sucker's got throw, too! :D

I opted for the one with the "tacticool" switch. Doesn't really bother me in everyday use.

5 lumens low, 200 "Surefire lumens" high. Plenty of usable spill. Works for me. :cool:

I also carry a spare CR123 in a delrin capsule as well. It's come in handy more than once.
 
CoMF said:
Nowadays, it's a Surefire EB1 Backup. Yeah, I overpaid, but it's a solidly built, American made flashlight that takes only one CR123. Little sucker's got throw, too! :D

I opted for the one with the "tacticool" switch. Doesn't really bother me in everyday use.

5 lumens low, 200 "Surefire lumens" high. Plenty of usable spill. Works for me. :cool:

I also carry a spare CR123 in a delrin capsule as well. It's come in handy more than once.
Click to expand...

Paid too much?

Eh... I consider quality LED flashlights of today a lifetime purchase. As long as a person understands what light they are buying, true runtimes and it fits their needs/wants, that's the measure of a purchase. Agonizing over the price of a quality flashlight and then buying something that isn't your first choice to save a few bucks... that's paying too much.
 
ChattanoogaPhil said:
Paid too much?

...

Agonizing over the price of a quality flashlight and then buying something that isn't your first choice to save a few bucks... that's paying too much.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Or as the old saying goes: "Buy once, cry once."

I only said what I did because my boss, who is and always will be Team Streamlight, thinks his chosen brand is a better value for the money. In some respects, he may be right, but I'm not a fan of tapping morse codes to access different functions.

$140 for a "mission ready" light with a lifetime "if it breaks, we fix it, period" warranty? I think I could've done a lot worse.
 
BAM-BAM said:
Got one on the way....................................and a Fenix E12 (130/50/8 lumens) 1AA battery...... 6.5 hours at 50 and 40 at 8
Click to expand...
Old topic, but either the E12 or LD02 are both excellent choices for anyone looking for a small pocket flashlight.

In my expirience, Fenix makes some really rugged and battery efficient lights. I've sent my E12 through the washing machine and few times and it hasn't skipped a beat.
 
Purchased this AAA UltraTac at Amazon last year. Comes with a rechargeable 10440 battery and a USB charge cap. Very bright, and very good quality for such a small light......around $30, depending on options.

For a larger light, Fenix makes the best full sized hand helds for the money, IMHO.

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Best-Small-Flashlight-Highest-lumens/dp/B01G34JCP0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1486088299&sr=8-2&keywords=ultratac+k18[/ame]

 
I don't carry one,but I have a few around the house. This little Fenix LD15 sits on my bedroom table and I have another one like it in my AWOL bag for when I travel. I epoxied a dime to it to prevent it rolling off the table; I could have used a penny but I thought a dime was more couth. I don't put battery operated flashlights in my cars, as the batteries tend to go dead on me. I have a L.L. Bean windup light in each car. One minute of winding gets it to maximum power and even a few turns of the handle will give you light for a little while.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1092.JPG
    IMG_1092.JPG
    75.7 KB · Views: 6
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T96T06Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame]
5 for $15.99. I have been through 2 surefires and a few others. I have used this style for 3 or 4 years now. I get an adjustable beam, 25 yard visuals, and 10 hours of use on a single AA battery. The minimum beam is smaller than my Pelican instrumentation light.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Kanewpadle
Illuminating
Replies
15
Views
1K
zeke
Z
J
EDC flashlight
2 3
Replies
54
Views
3K
madmikeb
madmikeb
Wheelgunner 642
Pocket-carrying a Spare Bodyguard 2.0 Mag?
Replies
10
Views
602
Wheelgunner 642
Wheelgunner 642
O
Ultra Reliable Sub-Compact 9mm
2 3
Replies
58
Views
2K
JFthunder
JFthunder
I
Pocket flashlights
2
Replies
31
Views
987
holo
holo

Latest posts

Back
Top