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Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?

Offline alanmoortician

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Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
on: December 12, 2012, 04:06:31 PM
It seems odd to me, as my phone seems to be a good enough flashlight in a pinch. I was wondering if people who carry dedicated flashlights around everyday could tell me why they do so?


um Offline Mr. Whippy

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #1 on: December 12, 2012, 04:18:21 PM
In the summer, it's less essential.

In winter,

1. If I drop something in the evening, a flashlight is far more efficient in retrieving it if it's under the car.

2.  If I have to fix something in the back of a closet, under furniture, (or in my case inside a automatic waterer)

3.  Walking the dog on a leash on less than paved surfaces in the evening.

4. Going to the basement, rather than turning on a bunch of lights

5.  Working on motorcycles, tractors or cars after dark, it is much more efficient to have a flashlight or headlamp than trying to find a worklight that won't be in the way.

6.  (Again, specific to me) Looking for horses, dogs, cats, (freakin' raccoons) when they're not where they're supposed to be.

7.  Troubleshooting fencing, outdoor hydrants, burnt out lights at night

8.  Looking for the caps to tubes under the counter.
« Last Edit: December 12, 2012, 04:26:43 PM by Mr. Whippy »


cy Offline dks

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #2 on: December 12, 2012, 04:25:57 PM
1. My phone light is broken..

2. A small AAA torch on your keychain is much easier to use, brighter and you hardly notice it.

3. Lasts longer

4. Can be washed/cleaned if it gets dropped in dirt etc.

5. Less expensive and less likely to break if you drop it.

6. More gadgets is allways good!
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gb Offline AimlessWanderer

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #3 on: December 12, 2012, 04:41:00 PM
It goes dark at least once a day. Light has trouble bending into the back of cupboard and under/behind furniture for some reason. I'd rather risk dropping a light than my phone in a gearbox for inpection purposes. I like to have charge in my phones battery for phone stuff

The best selling point though really will be to carry one for a month, or even a week. You'll kick yourself for not doing it before  :tu:


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Offline alanmoortician

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #4 on: December 12, 2012, 04:59:35 PM
I think I will try it out, but it feels weird adding another device to my daily loadout. I mean, it does one thing. Its like carrying around a wrist watch . I guess I'm weary of it feeling cumbersome.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2


ca Offline Syph007

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #5 on: December 12, 2012, 05:01:05 PM
I felt the same way, but a fenix E01 on my keychain is useful and I never notice it there.

LOL I dont use a wrissmurfch either though! :D
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us Offline frugalscotty

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #6 on: December 12, 2012, 08:35:25 PM
I think I will try it out, but it feels weird adding another device to my daily loadout. I mean, it does one thing. Its like carrying around a wrist watch . I guess I'm weary of it feeling cumbersome.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Doesn't have to be cumbersome, many of the finest pocket lights are barely bigger than a triple A battery. You could always go with a Photon if even that seems too large.

Having a light in pocket has become as essential as a SAK for me. And used every bit as often.


gb Offline Millhouse

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #7 on: December 12, 2012, 08:39:18 PM
I have an ITP A3 on my keys. It is:

1. Much brighter, if required.

2. I can hold it in my mouth if I need to use both hands.

3. If I drop it, it's not that bad.

4. Instant light. On my iPhone, I have to launch the flashlight app.

5. A proper light is much easier and nicer to hold.
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us Offline stealth007s

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Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #8 on: December 12, 2012, 08:47:56 PM
1. The difference between a leader and a follower?¿? A flashlight!¡!


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gb Offline AimlessWanderer

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #9 on: December 12, 2012, 08:51:58 PM
I think I will try it out, but it feels weird adding another device to my daily loadout. I mean, it does one thing. Its like carrying around a wrist watch . I guess I'm weary of it feeling cumbersome.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2


You've just bought a Surge ... if you're wary of a cumbersome load you've just set off on the wrong foot  :D

A light doesn't have to be super bulky at all, nor does it need to be expensive. A Thrunite T10 is a relatively simple light which takes a single AA battery (A Thrunite Ti or Fenix E01 takes the smaller AAA), and any one of these would convince you that having a nice little light is well worth the extra few grams in your pocket. You could drop one of those on your keys, maybe even add a small SAK for moments when you've not got the big Surge with you.

If you have your keys to hand, you'll have a knife, scissors, light and maybe even a couple of decent drivers dependent on the SAK. Easy peasy .... and easy on the wallet too  :tu:


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ca Offline jzmtl

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #10 on: December 12, 2012, 09:13:03 PM
A flashlight can get dirty/wet/cold without any ill effect, can't do that with phone.


us Offline gustophersmob

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #11 on: December 12, 2012, 09:57:21 PM
I find myself using my light mostly at work in well lit labs, so I need a light with a bit of omph to overcome the ambient light to see things I'm inspecting.  Because of this, my phone is a non-starter.

I think how it works for you is going to be a personal decision.  Like others have said, though, I would get an inexpensive AAA light like the E01 or a photon and carry it and see.
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au Offline gregozedobe

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #12 on: December 12, 2012, 11:18:28 PM
If you are worried about bulk and weight get a very small coin cell light.  These are so small and light you really won't notice they are there.  Cheap: Fauxton or pinch light; better quality: Photon Freedom Micro with covert nose.

If you are in Australia (your profile doesn't show what country you are in) PM me and I'll send you a couple of fauxtons to try out (for free).
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ca Offline Grant Lamontagne

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #13 on: December 12, 2012, 11:48:00 PM
Does it get dark where you live?

That should be all the justification you need....

Def

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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #14 on: December 12, 2012, 11:54:57 PM
Smallest AAA light I have is the Fenix E05, great little keyring sized light.  I think all the good reasons for carrying a separate light have already been covered, but for me I much prefer to keep my phone battery life for making calls and playing Angry Birds. :D
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gb Offline nuphoria

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #15 on: December 13, 2012, 01:41:33 AM
I think Gareth just posted what I would. Although Angry Birds is not on my current time wasting app list! :D
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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #16 on: December 13, 2012, 02:24:46 AM
I think Gareth just posted what I would. Although Angry Birds is not on my current time wasting app list! :D
Not even the Star Wars version? :jedi:
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us Offline stax

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Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #17 on: December 13, 2012, 02:50:02 AM
No phone can throw more than a few inches


us Offline Heinz Doofenshmirtz

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #18 on: December 13, 2012, 02:51:31 AM
I'll echo what Nate and dks said, and I'll add a few things too...

I use my pocket light almost daily, and one of my headlamps at least two or three times a week. 

-for navigating around the house at night while my family is asleep,
-for extra light while I'm working on a project at my work bench,
-doing chores or housework when the lighting is poor or extra light is a help,
-for hiking at night,
-walking the dog at night,
-taking out the trash,
-bringing in the groceries,
-investigating the occasional 'bump' (more often a 'bang' or a 'crash'  :think: ) in the night,
-etc.

I carry a Preon 1 with a clicky switch and a Vic Executive in my pocket all the time.  Sometimes I'll swap out my Exec for my Squirt S4, my Vic Compact, or my new Yeoman.  Regardless, I always have a tool with a blade, scissors, a couple of drivers, and usually a nail file and a bottle opener.  That covers 95% of the small things I normally encounter on an average day. 

All told it's just a few oz. of weight and a ton of usefulness.  Well worth the space they take in my pocket.
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us Offline stealth007s

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #19 on: December 13, 2012, 02:53:17 AM
No phone can throw more than a few inches

I can light up my bedroom with my iPhone in flashlight mode.




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us Offline stax

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Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #20 on: December 13, 2012, 02:58:20 AM
No phone can throw more than a few inches

I can light up my bedroom with my iPhone in flashlight mode.




(Image removed from quote.)

Yeah, i came back to edit my post because I forgot about the flash that I never use because I carry a light.  Sooooo ... no phone can throw for more than a few minutes without killing your phone battery. Reason enough for me.


us Offline GNandGS

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #21 on: December 13, 2012, 09:52:40 AM
Phone lights depending on the phone can run a LONG time.  Its just an LED with a large phone batt behind it.  Yes it does use the batt but for the short periods of most use its great to have.

EDC for a light is like having a truck for daily driver.  Need it?  Not really.  Just for hauling the boat or parts or ladder etc once in a while.  Wanna swing by the yard for dry-wall on the way home?  Can do!  Handy!  The REAL value comes though when everyone else needs you and your truck.  :)

In the same way if you have a light handy it will be used by you AND by others around you.

Kinda like scissors on a multi tool. ;)


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #22 on: December 13, 2012, 10:02:38 AM
No phone can throw more than a few inches

Oh I don't know. I've had a good few yards out of mine when they've been misbehaving  :whistle:


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gb Offline nuphoria

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #23 on: December 13, 2012, 11:37:10 AM
I think Gareth just posted what I would. Although Angry Birds is not on my current time wasting app list! :D
Not even the Star Wars version? :jedi:

Oh dear... might have to rethink that now :ahhh
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au Offline gregozedobe

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #24 on: December 13, 2012, 12:21:22 PM
EDC for a light is like having a truck for daily driver.  Need it?  Not really.  Just for hauling the boat or parts or ladder etc once in a while.  Wanna swing by the yard for dry-wall on the way home?  Can do!  Handy!  The REAL value comes though when everyone else needs you and your truck.  :)

For me having a really small EDC light (eg fauxton) is like having $200 hidden in the "cunning kick" in my wallet.  It's so small and light I forget its there, until I need it - then I'm really glad I've carried it around all the time.  It's not enough for some special purposes, but really handy for most stuff.  And best of all, because it is EDC it is always there when I want it.
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Offline alanmoortician

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #25 on: December 13, 2012, 12:34:39 PM
Preon 1, Vic Executive, Fenix E01/E05, ITP A3, Thrunite T10, Fauxton, Photon Freedom Micro

Quite an intimidating list of flashlights for someone who knows nothing about them =\. Any other recommendations?



cy Offline dks

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #26 on: December 13, 2012, 12:40:33 PM
It depends on how big a torch you want.

for AAA size also at the tank007 E09.

Other lower cost brands to look into are romisen, Jetbeam, xtar, (maybe sipik, MXDL, trustfire, Led Lenser)

Have a look into the recent threads here and the review section for more ideas too.
« Last Edit: December 13, 2012, 01:22:31 PM by dks »
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gb Offline AimlessWanderer

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #27 on: December 13, 2012, 01:02:12 PM
Preon 1, Vic Executive, Fenix E01/E05, ITP A3, Thrunite T10, Fauxton, Photon Freedom Micro

Quite an intimidating list of flashlights for someone who knows nothing about them =\. Any other recommendations?

For a first torch, here's an easy list of choices  ...

Fenix E01 - AAA battery - Not super bright, but long runtime
Fenix E05 - AAA battery - brighter, but battery life is less
Thrunite T10 - AA Battery - has different brightness levels

(all those are twisties - twist the bezel at the shiny end to turn on/off)

Fauxton - Coin cell batteries - ultra basic keyring light (ok as back up IMO)

Any of these four would be better than relying on your phone, and none will break the bank - there are obviously a huge amount of other options, but it'll just make your brain hurt looking at them all and until you've tried a light or two you'll have nothing to compare it to so the stats won't mean anything. If you prefer a clicky light rather than a twistie, you're generally looking at a slightly bigger light. After a few weeks of using a little light, you'll have a better idea of what you'd prefer next (more/less lumens, twistie/clicky, clip/no clip etc)


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Offline alanmoortician

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #28 on: December 13, 2012, 08:27:46 PM
For a first torch, here's an easy list of choices  ...

Fenix E01 - AAA battery - Not super bright, but long runtime
Fenix E05 - AAA battery - brighter, but battery life is less
Thrunite T10 - AA Battery - has different brightness levels

(all those are twisties - twist the bezel at the shiny end to turn on/off)

Fauxton - Coin cell batteries - ultra basic keyring light (ok as back up IMO)

Any of these four would be better than relying on your phone, and none will break the bank - there are obviously a huge amount of other options, but it'll just make your brain hurt looking at them all and until you've tried a light or two you'll have nothing to compare it to so the stats won't mean anything. If you prefer a clicky light rather than a twistie, you're generally looking at a slightly bigger light. After a few weeks of using a little light, you'll have a better idea of what you'd prefer next (more/less lumens, twistie/clicky, clip/no clip etc)

Thanks. I think I'll look into that Fenix E05. I do like brightness.


Offline Styerman

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Re: Can someone sell me on EDCing a flashlight?
Reply #29 on: December 14, 2012, 02:50:39 AM
I only carry a cell when I'm on the clock , I hate the smurfing things ! On a job , my cell sits beside my tool box , calls go into voicemail . Guess I'm not important , an it's less stressfull that way !

OTOH , I use a flashlight all the time . Which would you rather drop off a man lift , your I phone , or a Mini Mag ?

Chris


 

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