my first EDC flashlight - thinking Fenix E05 - what do you suggest?

[sysbox27]

Hi,
I am new to lights.
Want to buy a flashlight for EDC. I am prepared to spend up to £40 but woud prefer to spend £20.
I would like an AA or AAA power source.

Seriously considering the Fenix E05 as seems perfect for my needs - but does anybody have any other suggestions for a better light?
What are Fenix like?
How about 4Sevens Mini?

(Also looking at the Fenix LD20 for in bag carry - again, any other suggestions?).

All suggestions very much appreciated! 
Many thanks to all for your help.

Kind regards,
G.

[mvyrmnd]

I had an E05, and it was a solid little light. I only swapped to a Quark Preon because it was available with a Warm High CRI emitter.

If cool tiny doesn't bother you, then go for it.

[dks]

Yes, E05 is good.
About as small as you can get with AAA, since you do not want to go for smaller cells. Small enough for a keychain.
Comes in some nice and reasonably hard wearing colours.

If you want to go for something larger, not for a keychain, then there are several  single AA, double AA, triple AAA options.
For example the Jetbeam BA20 is about $40, 2AA, Romisen has few too at around $20 or under.

It may be easier if you say whether you want a light for keychain or pocket carry.

Fenix, olight, Jetbeam, Romisen, Xtar and several others are solid brands.
There are also many other cheaper and some more expensive brands.

Short answer: Get the E05.

For your bag the options are endless.

[enki_ck]

First off, don't buy locally! Ever! Most of the lights are available from manufacturers or dealers with worldwide shipping and are a lot cheaper if you buy directly.

I would recommend the ITP A3 (now discontinued but still available) or the newer version of it, the olight i3 for the aaa option or ITP A2/olight i2 for aa. The newer have a great floody beam and three levels of output from 3 lumens to 70/80 lumens. They are both twisties, so if you want a clicky switch, the 47 preon has one available in the aaa, or maybe the fenix E11 in aa. Klarus also has some nice lights, the mi10 or the st10. 

[Pignut71]

Can't go wrong with the Fenix E05, great light for a keychain, decent run time, excellent flood. I would recommend them for sure.

Alternatively (but probably over budget, 47 preon 1). A bit bigger but does have adjustable output which I guess is nice to have plus what's already been mentioned above.

Regards, Jon.

[Lynn LeFey]

I was going to get a friend an E05 for his birthday, but the store I went to (which listed it as in stock) didn't have it, so I got him an E11 instead, and he loves it.

I got myself a 4Sevens Preon 1 and LOVE it. One of the few lights whose first output level is low, instead of high... which seems to be how they ought to be. I'm not a flashaholic though, so I don't have very high expectations. My only concern with the Preon is the fairly smooth outside finish and swist head activation may be hard to operate with cold/wet conditions. There are clicky endcaps available for it, and I'm considering the upgrade.

[Likeablefish]

Check out the fenix ld01 70 lumens ish and aaa powered, just a bit longer than an e05

[mvyrmnd]

One of the few lights whose first output level is low, instead of high... which seems to be how they ought to be.

Excatly! Where possible I get my lights built with "Start on low" and no mode memory.

[sergemaster]

Amici,
The Fenix 05 I am not familiar with, but I do occasionally EDC the Fenix E01 with positive results. It's size is one of the reasons I prefer it since it can function well with a McGizmo clip for key chain carry.

I also use a Streamlight MicroStream the little brother of the Streamlight Stylus Pro C4 and I have to say for it's size and ease of operation it is by far one of the best torches I have ever used on an EDC basis. 

It can also take quite a beating due to it's aluminum construction, ease of carry due to a clip, and the LED it throws out is again one of the brightest I have ever used, projecting up to 28 lumens output for up to 2 hrs 15 min run time using a standard alkaline battery.

This is the only negative thing to take into consideration is the short battery life you would encounter using a standard AAA alkaline battery.

 But this can be alleviated by simply upgrading to a Lithium battery and have constant LED power up to if not exceeding 5 hours.

Cheers,
Serge

[dks]

The E05 seems to last significantly longer on alkalines than on rechargeables, incidentally.

Weeks compared to days.

[mvyrmnd]

The E05 seems to last significantly longer on alkalines than on rechargeables, incidentally.

Weeks compared to days.

And even longer again on Lithium primaries. That and they won't leak and destroy your shiny new light.

[dks]

The E05 seems to last significantly longer on alkalines than on rechargeables, incidentally.

Weeks compared to days.

And even longer again on Lithium primaries. That and they won't leak and destroy your shiny new light.

they do not stay in long enough to leak.

[kreisler]

the best of the Fenix pocket lights (1xAAA) is the ldO1, it's also the most expensive (~32$ on ebay after 'Make An Offer'), list price is 52$ btw. i have it and i am very pleased with it. one could think that it is "longer than the competition" (Fenix E01, E05, iTP A3, etc) but i find it "as small", doesnt make any difference.

if you want to go cheap, the most popular 1xAAA light in the budget category these days is the (becoming legendary) Tank007 E09 flashlight, google it and you'll find a series of recent indepth reviews of it. In some ways it's a knockoff of the ldO1 with a shorter length and higher brightness on Eneloops.

Highly recommended by me too.