I need a really good EDC flashlight

[gamedic]

Last night I was working 24 on the ambulance and ended up in Atlanta during the freezing rain and sleet that came through and coated everything. I was trying to make my way out of there when I ran upon a car wreck. The guy had smacked the guardrail hard and was sitting in the roadway in a blind curve. He was a sitting duck, so I pulled in front of him lit my ambulance up and called 911 (which by the way might I add is a futile gesture in Dekalb county). All those self absorbed Atlantans who didn,t want to be slowed down on there rushhour commute home just ignored the 14000 pound ambulance sitting in the roadway with its emergency lights on and everyone of them was hitting that same icy curve and making the pile of wrecked cars bigger. I took the c-cell Mag light out of the ambulance and walked around the curve in an attempt to slow traffic down. That was when I decided a Mag Light is not bright enough. Hardly anyone saw me waveing that light. I looked back at my partner who had the other mag light and I could barely see him. I want a bright compact flashlight I can carry in my pocket. I know the current LED lights are so much brighter than the old incandescent lights that even a single AA light would have been better than what I had. What kind of small pocket flashlights do you guys recommend?

 

[29aholic]

I have bought several Boker lights that are in the 200+ Lumens range. They are so hot that they will darn near melt the lense if you are not careful. The only downside is they use the CR123 battery which can be expensive, but they are great lights for the price ~$25.00

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I purchased one of these almost 10 years ago and it's the best flashlight I've ever had in this size. I can't recommend it enough.

 

[sipowicz]

I keep an ITP EOS A3 on my keychain...insanely bright on high and uses a single AAA battery. When i want something bigger, I have my Eagletac P20C2...amazing output also for it's size.

 

[justsumstuff]

I take my hat off to you for, for preforming a difficult job.
My only experience is one of those drivers. From my point of view, I notice colors, especially if it's moving, more than a white light. I loved the "red cone" the cops used to direct traffic years ago. I think it just attached to a regular flashlight. The moving color is what got my attention, and it was easy to see the directions I was given. At night, I can't see hand signals. Again, the "moving" light. bicycles, the flashing red light is visible much further than a reflector, & because it is flashing, I don't mistake it for a reflection. My 2 cents from the drivers side.

 

[Combat]

I was at the Sams store and saw a good deal on flash lights. Rocky brand, comes in a blister pack. Two flashlights with the batteries, triple A's. 200 lumens each. Very bright with 3 different modes for use. Best part only $29.95

 

[Stainz]

Surefire is US-made, unlike the other brands mentioned. A new value line, still Al cased, yields 200 Lumens plus from a pair of CR123's. The 6PX Pro, which I have, comes on first click at 15 Lumens - then 200 Lumens at the next click - $79 MSRP. No hot spots - warmer light than most - a great value. They make their own cells - and they have them for $21/12. Check local sources - LEO accessories suppliers - or Surefire directly.

Stainz

 

[m1gunner]

A box of road flares would be the only thing drivers would pay attention to in that situation.

Flash lights don't draw attention and aren't effective in illuminating a scene for anyone but the person holding the light.

Ever see the multi road work lights use around Atlanta for night road work? They do not slow drivers much if at all.

 

[bitstream]

Surefire is US-made, unlike the other brands mentioned. A new value line, still Al cased, yields 200 Lumens plus from a pair of CR123's. The 6PX Pro, which I have, comes on first click at 15 Lumens - then 200 Lumens at the next click - $79 MSRP. No hot spots - warmer light than most - a great value. They make their own cells - and they have them for $21/12. Check local sources - LEO accessories suppliers - or Surefire directly.

Stainz

Surefire also sells color filters that fit over the light, but can also flip up out of the way in a snap.

I've got a surefire. I went out in my back yard (live in the country woods) where it's pure pitch black. Lit up my old mag light, then hit the switch on the new surefire... The difference is stunning. The surefire lights up the trees behind the treeline and farther.

Surefire sells to a lot of Military and Police; they also sell to a lot of other first responder types such as EMT, Ambulance, etc. Go thru their inventory to see what fits you best.

 

[Texas Star]

Inova lights are very good, in my experience, and cost less than SureFire.

 

[ColdBlueSteel]

Surefire or Fenix.

 

[MR .44 Spl]

I like O-light brand myself. You can get everything from small pocket lights up to things that are just short of being light sabers.

Other good brands are Novatac, INOVA, Surefire, and Streamlight. Pelican also makes some pretty good lights.

Try this LINK They have pretty good selection and prices.

This guy does a real good job of reviewing a lot of different flashlights: LINK2

And of course you could always go talk to the real experts at Candlepowerforums.com

Good luck and thanks for doing a tough job.

 

[Bekeart]

Some brands now offer STROBE as an option.

Not sure if any of the strobing lights offer option of changing colors while strobing. (i.e. RED - RED - White - RED - RED ... )

Bekeart

One quart of furnace oil in a five gallon METAL bucket, plus one match, makes a flare that is almost impossible to ignore.

 

[sipowicz]

check out CandlePowerForums lots of info over there..and don't just look at lumens....you will find some lights boasting 200 lumens are no brighter than some that claim 80 or 90...all depends on how they rate them........

 

[The Highlander]

I love my edc light. It is a Surefire E2D LED. Don't remember the lumens, but it has two levels of intensity, I use the lower setting frequently for all kinds of stuff. It has the added function of a defensive weapon based on both ends being scalloped heavily. It has an attachment for a lanyard, if I ever find one I like.

No experience with other brands really.

I would like to have a larger, vehicle sized light myself. The big Surefires, and others, can get pricey. One day I need to spend on a light system instead of a gun.....but it probably will not happen anytime soon!

 

[CW Spook]

Try this one. It's even a Smith & Wesson:

Smith & Wesson Tactical Flashlight - Sporty's Pilot Shop

 

[shaggist]

I have an Ultrafire WF-105B that I bought off of Ebay to use in dark places at night. I am too old to run and too fat to fight, so I figured I could blind them and then have my fun. This thing has a 4-part CREE LED that supposedly puts out 900 lumens. I blinded myself with it by shining it in a mirror when I was checking the light output. It uses an Ultrafire 3.7 volt, li-ion, 3000 mAh, rechargeable battery, and has 3 modes-bright, dim, and strobe, and it probably overkill for light output. But, if it's not shining directly at you, it won't get your attention.

I would get a man-overboard pocket strobe light for situations as described above. They use 1 D-cell battery and the lens could be tinted red, blue, yellow, whatever with a Sharpie marker. They are very bright, flash, and are out-of-the-norm in high traffic situations, thereby catching people's attention.

 

[Sprefix]

Great Surefire....6PX Tactical....200Lumens

I recently purchased a Surefire 6 PX tactical for $62.00 and it puts out 200 lumens for two hours. The only thing I don't care for is the lack of a pocket clip. This light is VERY bright for its' size and they make a plastic(?) version for about ten bucks less. Just a thought.............Sprefix

 

[charlie sherrill]

I once spent most of a day on Spaghetti Junction in Atlanta. The I 20 racetrack around Atlanta is insane. If you want some real entertainment get a cooler and a lawn chair and set up on high ground. Be careful where you set up though. Some of the locals ain't real friendly.

 

[DOEBOY1]

I have 2 surefire lights one is an led bulb and the other is a chip. Yes a chip so bright you can see into the future it is a rechargible but the brightest light I have every witnessed also has a strobe I think it is a 120 lumen. My pocket light is a small 2 aaa battery light which I think is 20 lumens it has been dropped 1000+ times and dunked. No issues When its on its on but when the batteries go dead it is dead no warning that you are fixing to be in the dark. The extra expence is worth the chip you will not be sorry. I think the strobe will help also to get someones attention, if not throw it at them it should be tax deductible. I think I paid $120 something for mine. Doeboy