looking for edc lumination advice

[Kmarr]

I'm new to the edc flashlight game.  Looking for a very small yet powerful LED edc light.  If I had a choice I'd put size before power otherwise my pockets would overflow!. 

steer me in the right direction! 

....pics with the light next to a multi for size comparison would be AWESOME

[Anthony]

Check out www.countycomm.com and look at their Maratac AAA and AA lights. 

Another affordable and reliable company people swear by is Fenix, and they've got dozens of choices.

[WH867]

Quark mini AA or Mini 123.  Fenix LD01.  ITP A1 EOS (123), A3 EOS (AAA).

My EDC  lately has been the Quark Mini AA. Fits in the side pocket of a LM sheath.  Good on AA.   Really bright with a 14500 rechargeable,  Will also work on a AAA if needed

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

If you want seriously compact, yet punchy, you'll need a Fenix L0D mate

[Magnus]

It really depends on what you mean by compact, some people think anything over a AAA light is bulky, personally I find a 18650 light fits in my coat pocket perfectly.

[John]

personally I find a 18650 light fits in my coat pocket perfectly.

Yikes! 18650 in the pocket, next size up car battery     

[Benner]

There really are loads of options so we need more info.  Any preferance on battery type or switch type?  Any idea of what budget?

[Gareth]

For trouser (pants) pocket carry I stick to AAA.  I'm a huge fan of my Fenix L0D, the more up to date version being the LD01.  Tons of light on High, but with a Medium and Low setting you'll also have long run time options.

While I also like my LM Monarch 300, being that bit longer does mean that you might notice it a little more in the pocket.

my review has some real world beam shots of both these lights and a size comparison.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,15406.0.html

[Styerman]

If you want top quality/ ruggedness , look at Ra lights . Novatac is also very nice and shares some Ra DNA . If you want to combine your EDC with a CCW piece , then look at the Surefire E1B . Basically "Tactical" lites give you the high level first , pure utilitarian stuff starts off in low .

At a lower pricepoint , Fenix and Nitecore have nice stuff , but not with the build quality or reliability of the above mentioned .

Next descision is battery type , basically AA , AAA , or CR123 . Cr123 is more expensive to operate , gives higher energy density , allows shorter overall length than the other types . AAA obviously gives a thinner profile , AA is cheaper and more common .

You will probably wan't two levels of light , hi for distance , lo for looking inside your daypack etc etc .

One AAA lite you shouldn't overlook is the Streamlite Microstream , Ditto the Leatherman Serac S2 - Fenix DNA , and a few Leatherman tweeks .

Chris

[NutSAK]

If you want top quality/ ruggedness , look at Ra lights . Novatac is also very nice and shares some Ra DNA . If you want to combine your EDC with a CCW piece , then look at the Surefire E1B . Basically "Tactical" lites give you the high level first , pure utilitarian stuff starts off in low .

I would suggest a Novatac or Ra with CCW also.  Program it however you want.

[Kmarr]

Wow Gareth, I saw your review with the beam shots and I am very impressed with the Fenix L0d.  I like the fact that it has different settings yet more compact than the Monarch 300. 

To answer some other questions-
Since I'm new to flashlight EDC(I am a light officianado but never carried one daily) I want to stick to a $25(30 max unless its a beast investment.  I've seen some edc lights that go for around $100 but I'm not up to that level yet.  Size wise I'd like something slim and short(like the fenix L0d for comparison) becuase I edc a sog powerlock and they might go in the same pocket. I prob wouldn't go above AA for now, AAA depending on the power it produces would be fine.

thnks for feedback

[Magnus]

personally I find a 18650 light fits in my coat pocket perfectly.

Yikes! 18650 in the pocket, next size up car battery     

It isn't as bad as it sounds in a coat or cargo trouser pocket. 

[ari6126]

If you want to go a bit cheaper, the Akoray K-103 is great light. Tons of punch. Pretty good quality and the price is great: $13.71 shipped (by shipped I mean shipped eventually).  http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.23994

[Kmarr]

ari6126- That is a pretty powerful light for the cost, should I be concerned about quality and durability if the price is that low?  I've seen others similar that go for $20 more.

Question- is the fenix ld01 like the mini mag in terms of the adjustable head/on+off switch? If I turn it on and keep turning, will the beam adjust?

ANOTHER question- I hook my wallet to my belt with a caribiner so I don't drop or lose it. Are there any good quality, decent power caribiner lights out there?

[Mr. Whippy]

There is no beam adjust on the Fenix LD01.  If you're interested in the LD01,  I suggest you look at the Maratec AAA.  It is about 1/2 the cost, is essentially the same LED source, is very sturdy and has a very nice finish.

An excellent bargain. (I give them as gifts).

[Gareth]

on the LD01 you tighten the head down to make the contact, unlike the Maglite Solitaire when you loosen the head.  Very confusing when you're used to the Maglite I can tell you.  

To answer the question: no, there isn't any focus on the LD01 nor most modern LED lights.

I'm not torch expert but I don't know of any high quality carabiner lights.

Mr. Whippy beat me to it.

[Blackbeard]

I like the LDO1, but it scratches when you remove/put on clip. Got mine for $30 on amazon about a month ago.

For about $10 less try the ITP A3 EOS, almost as bright as the LDO1

[Kmarr]

I took a look at the ITP A3 upgrade, very small and very bright for its size.

what are the pros/cons/tradeoffs of the following
maratac AAA
Fenix LD01
ITP A3 upgrade

[Blackbeard]

Maratac and eos are practically the same, but eos cant tail stand, which doesnt matter to me since I keep it on my keychain. Maratac will cost you more do to it being available from 1 dealer and shipping is high.

LDO1 is slightly brighter and longer, and looks like it can stand more abuse and water.

You really cant go wrong with the eos, and its about $20-$22 including shipping and discounts

[Kmarr]

I was thinking along similar lines. I like the fact that the EOS is small, light, cheap and its got the 1.5 lumen "nightlight" setting.  question is....where can I get a used one?

[Blackbeard]

Dont know, doubt anybody would want to sell theirs.

[Magnus]

ari6126- That is a pretty powerful light for the cost, should I be concerned about quality and durability if the price is that low?  I've seen others similar that go for $20 more.

It will come from china, other than that it is just cheap because you are ordering direct from china and not paying the mark up for a western brand.

[cerbera147]

I have not yet found myself in the Fenix market but have bought cheap lights from BestOfferBuy.com [similiar to DealExtreme].

I got a Romisen RC-A4 for about £9 delivered  I did a short review with pics here http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,17329.0.html

Basically it is quite small and takes a CR123A battery. Has 3 modes, Hi, Mid, Strobe with rear click switch. Max lumens 150.

To start off with flashlights I have found it to be really great and Romisen appears to have a good reputation  For the price you can't go far wrong Obviously the batteries to power this will be more expensive which leads to the discussion of rechargeable or non rechargeable 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That does seem like quite a lot of torch for the money

[Kmarr]

Anyone carry the ITP A2?  I just looked up the size comapred to an A3 and its actually not much bigger than the fenix l0d.  Now I just need the opinions of the EDCers