EDC Light?

[jzmtl]

I carry SF L1, simple two stage is enough for me.

[E. Danny]

When I do carry around a light, I got a Leatherman Monarch 500

[Airman]

fenix L0D with leatherman TTi and switch with P3d.My new TK10 sometimes inside my pack or flight bag.

[Leatherman123]

Jzmtl, I like the L1 a lot too! I think 65 lumens is bright enough for an EDC light.

[jzmtl]

It is, until I can crack the head and put a R bin cree in there that is. 

Unfortunately so far no luck with opening the head thou. 

[Mike D]

Thanks Mike. So would you say that if you had to illuminate something far off in the distance, the E1B would illuminate it better even though the Extreme is brighter overall?

Well Bucky after spending quite a bit of time shinning both of my lights at things both near and far last night, the Extreme is brighter everywhere and throws farther. The difference is not much, but is noticeable. Not only does it throw farther but the width of the beam is much larger side by side.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Bucky]

Thanks a bunch Mike.

[parnass]

Here are the lights I have been carrying daily:

Surefire E1L Cree dual level - the 45 lumen setting lets me see animals over 100 ft away when I walk in the dark and the battery lasts for several hours.   It is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.

Arc AAA-P DS for fun.

Arc AAA-P CS on a neck chain for emergency backup.

Today, I received a Peak 3-LED Matterhorn in stainless steel and will be carrying that instead of one of the Arcs for a while.

[ringzero]

What light do you EDC and why?

I carry a Maglite AA LED and a Solitaire on my keyring.  I got the AA LED on a clearance sale for $10 and the Solitaire was a free gift for completing a survey.  They are both reliable and the AA gives me the right amount of throw and flood that I need for work.  The Solitaire leaves some to be desired in the light department, but it was free and is much better than nothing.

MagLED 2AA and 3AA are both nice little lights (although the 3AA might be a little long for EDC) with good general purpose beams and economical operation.

Can't think of many lights that beat the AA MagLEDs for reasonable price, wide availability, and reliable lifetime warranty.  There are plenty of better lights out there, but they're either more expensive, not widely available, or both.

Mag 1AAA Solitaire is a great little light.  I have four Solitaires that are going on 20 years old.  All were carried a lot over the years on keychains and clipped to backpacks through all sorts of weather.  All of them look pretty beat up, but they all still work.  Classic, if rather dated, design.  Still a reasonable keychain light if it's all you have - Solitaire will usually get the job done.

My current EDC lights:
-generic white LED coin cell light on keychain
-Streamlight 2AAA Stylus Pro in shirt pocket
-Streamlight 2AAA Enduro Headlamps in briefcase and rucksack
-Streamlight 2AA PP LEDs in briefcase and rucksack
-Underwater Kinetics 4AA eLED Zooms in briefcase and rucksack

.

[tango44]

In my Car: PENTAGONLIGHT X3.
               SUREFIRE 6P

On me:      SUREFIRE E1B BACK UP
                SUREFIRE L1 (CREE)

I like the 2 stage L1 tailcap better than the E1B.

[scibeer]

Always have the little fauxton clones on my keyrings and I've been carrying the Orb raw or a modded Fenix l2p single cr123.

[hawkchucker]

Sure fire G2Led. Best light for me!

[edap617]

I still EDC my L2D Q5 and my alternate EDC is Coast LED Lenser 1xAA. Have to defer acquiring a TK10 in favor of a new camera.

[Dtrain]

I carry the Mini-Mags pretty exclusively.I know that there are better brighter lights out there,but the Mini's are cheap,durable,and bright enough to get done what I need.I carry two every night while at work.One with one of the batt's flipped as my spare in my back pocket.The other rides in my Niteieze ToolPockits.

Dtrain

[ringzero]

I carry the Mini-Mags pretty exclusively.I know that there are better brighter lights out there,but the Mini's are cheap,durable,and bright enough to get done what I need.I carry two every night while at work.One with one of the batt's flipped as my spare in my back pocket.The other rides in my Niteieze ToolPockits.

Dtrain

Dtrain, are you carrying incan MiniMags or LED MiniMags?

.

[Dtrain]

I have One MiniMag with the standard bulb,this is My Back-up Light.The Light I rely on for most of my work pre-tripping trailers,illuminating things while I make a quick repair,checking seal numbers,ect is another MiniMag with a Niteize Conversion kit installed.I am pleased with the Niteize LED.My battery consumption has gone down considerably,the difference in the brightness between original bulb and LED is not that bad.I have a second LED unit in one of my son's lights.For some reason that one is not as bright as the first one.The only thing that I did after plugging it in was to pull it back out a bit then put a couple of drops of superglue between the LED Module and the base on the flashlight.I have found that this keeps the module from coming loose when twisting the head of the light to the on position.

When I am dressed up a bit or have no need for what I normally carry during the week I wioll drop a Solitaire in my pocket to supliment my SwissChamp.

There are brighter lights out there in this size,but they are once again....

Cheap
Durable
Easily Replaceable/Serviceable

In my wife and I's bedroom I keep a 6 D-Cell on duty for blackouts,or Self-Defense .I keep a 2-D Cell in my car,my Wife keeps a Mini-Mag in her purse.

I like the AA's over the AAA Mini-Mag.Nothing against the AAA Mini,but it seems like the batteries go pretty quick,but the do fit in a shirt pocket quite nicely.

Unfortunatley,every time I pick one up for this purpose it vanishes or some other misfortune occurs.The last one I had slipped out of my back pocket while I was checking the slack adjusters on the truck I drive.I ended up backing over the rascal  :cry:before I realized it was gone.Even without a trailer hooked up my DayCab still pushes 5 ton or so.

I do not expect any flashlight to hold up to that

I might try one of the 3 AA LED Models from Maglight.It will not fit in my Niteize ToolPockits,but I figure I can jam it in a back pocket when out doing my thing then stash it in my bag when I am rolling.

Dtrain

[ringzero]

There are brighter lights out there in this size,but they are once again....

Cheap
Durable
Easily Replaceable/Serviceable
...
I might try one of the 3 AA LED Models from Maglight.It will not fit in my Niteize ToolPockits,but I figure I can jam it in a back pocket when out doing my thing then stash it in my bag when I am rolling.

I agree completely.  There are better, brighter lights available (Streamlight, Fenix, etc.) but they're not as widely available, they cost more, and they aren't as easily modable as the humble MagLites.

MagLites are plenty "good enough" for most people.

The MagLED lights are vastly superior to flashlights the vast majority of non-flashaholics are used to making do with.  Whenever I let a non-flashaholic borrow one of my MagLEDs they are always amazed by its performance.

Any reason for you not to try a MiniMagLED 2AA?  They're fairly decent IMHO.  The 2AA output isn't that much less than the longer 3AA MiniMagLED, but they're enough shorter to make for easy pocketability.  Plenty bright enough for outdoor tasks at close to medium distances.  And, their throw isn't bad at all - Mag knows how to design decent reflectors.

.
 

[NutSAK]

The only gripe I have about the AA MagLEDs is their regulation curve.  The regulation is flat, but when the batteries expire they do so VERY QUICKLY, and don't give the user a "moon mode" to work with while he finds replacement batteries.  This is fine for day-to-day use, but would be a very poor option in an emergency situation.

[ringzero]

The only gripe I have about the AA MagLEDs is their regulation curve.  The regulation is flat, but when the batteries expire they do so VERY QUICKLY, and don't give the user a "moon mode" to work with while he finds replacement batteries.  This is fine for day-to-day use, but would be a very poor option in an emergency situation.

I agree, but some people actually claim to prefer this style of regulation: flat output right up until a sharp cutoff.

There are often arguments over this topic on CPF, so I'd have to say it's a matter of personal preference.

.

[Dtrain]

There are brighter lights out there in this size,but they are once again....

Cheap
Durable
Easily Replaceable/Serviceable
...
I might try one of the 3 AA LED Models from Maglight.It will not fit in my Niteize ToolPockits,but I figure I can jam it in a back pocket when out doing my thing then stash it in my bag when I am rolling.

I agree completely.  There are better, brighter lights available (Streamlight, Fenix, etc.) but they're not as widely available, they cost more, and they aren't as easily modable as the humble MagLites.

MagLites are plenty "good enough" for most people.

The MagLED lights are vastly superior to flashlights the vast majority of non-flashaholics are used to making do with.  Whenever I let a non-flashaholic borrow one of my MagLEDs they are always amazed by its performance.

Any reason for you not to try a MiniMagLED 2AA?  They're fairly decent IMHO.  The 2AA output isn't that much less than the longer 3AA MiniMagLED, but they're enough shorter to make for easy pocketability.  Plenty bright enough for outdoor tasks at close to medium distances.  And, their throw isn't bad at all - Mag knows how to design decent reflectors.

.
 

That is an option.I have been reading about regulation and stuf.I guess that is why I carry a back up light.

I drive at night,and rely on my lights to keep myself and those who share the roads with me safe.

This is a really fascinating thread.

Dtrain

[ringzero]

There are brighter lights out there in this size,but they are once again....

Cheap
Durable
Easily Replaceable/Serviceable
...
I might try one of the 3 AA LED Models from Maglight.It will not fit in my Niteize ToolPockits,but I figure I can jam it in a back pocket when out doing my thing then stash it in my bag when I am rolling.

I agree completely.  There are better, brighter lights available (Streamlight, Fenix, etc.) but they're not as widely available, they cost more, and they aren't as easily modable as the humble MagLites.

MagLites are plenty "good enough" for most people.

The MagLED lights are vastly superior to flashlights the vast majority of non-flashaholics are used to making do with.  Whenever I let a non-flashaholic borrow one of my MagLEDs they are always amazed by its performance.

Any reason for you not to try a MiniMagLED 2AA?  They're fairly decent IMHO.  The 2AA output isn't that much less than the longer 3AA MiniMagLED, but they're enough shorter to make for easy pocketability.  Plenty bright enough for outdoor tasks at close to medium distances.  And, their throw isn't bad at all - Mag knows how to design decent reflectors.

.
 

That is an option.I have been reading about regulation and stuf.I guess that is why I carry a back up light.

I drive at night,and rely on my lights to keep myself and those who share the roads with me safe.

This is a really fascinating thread.

Dtrain

Try replacing your backup MiniMag 2AA incandescent with a MiniMagLED 2AA.  It should fit in your NiteIze pouch and basically anywhere else your old MiniMag 2AA fits.

If you use the 2AA MiniMagLED very much, it'll pay for itself eventually.  How?  In terms of cash saved not buying so many AA cells and never buying replacement bulbs.

.

[Dtrain]

Hmmm GrassHopper have much to learn from Masters of Illumination.

Dtrain

[jock1]

Hmmm GrassHopper have much to learn from Masters of Illumination.

Dtrain

I use a 2AA l.e.d Minimag for work and find it ideal it's bright but not blindingly so for use at close quarters it will light up an average backyard in this countryand I only need to replace the batteries every 2-3 months depending on use

[zepla]

Fenix lod-ce, fits nice in the sheat of my LM wave. Not much lights do, diameter and lenght wise. I do like all my EDC stuff in one package (safes time in the morning getting dressed ). And this little light gives enough light for my needs, not that expensive, nicely build, high and low settings and runs on a everywere avalible aaa.

[Dtrain]

Hmmm GrassHopper have much to learn from Masters of Illumination.

Dtrain

GrassHopper must be careful,if GrassHopper spoend lots of money on new EDC the Wife of GrassHopper beat him with EDC

What is the average price for the 2 and 3 AA Led for Mag.

Dtrain

[ringzero]

What is the average price for the 2 and 3 AA Led for Mag.

Dtrain

Amazon lists it for 18 to 22 bucks:
http://www.amazon.com/Instrument-Maglite-Flashlight-Holster-SP2201H/dp/B000HFBR1O/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1213977413&sr=8-5

Most of the big box stores (WalMart, Lowes, Target, etc.) usually have it for a price at the higher end of the Amazon listings, unless you catch in on sale.

But, I wouldn't mess with ordering a Mag online to save a few bucks.

A big advantage of Mags is that you can walk into any of thousands of stores all across the USA and just grab one.

Instant gratification.  Plus, if you don't like it for any reason you can easily exchange or return it.

.

[gafftapegreenia]

I EDC a 2 AA maglite. Mine is the incan. with a niteize replacement. Niteize makes two types of replacements. One is a single cell, and the other is a cluster of 3. I used the cluster for over a year, and recently upgraded to the single cell. The single cell is also a bit warmer than the cluster. It is such a great improvement that I'll likely carry my mag for a long time. Total cost of a mag + a single cell Niteize: $25. I do own a 2 AA magLED, and while the field is smoother than the niteize single cell, and the focus is a bit more adjustable, the length is just a bit longer than I would like. One cool thing Niteize makes is colored LED retrofits. These come in the form of the 3 cell clustered version, and are available in red, green and blue. I just got a blue one for backstage work, and the output is rather impressive for what it is.

I do want a Surefire, I know I want one that is LED with a high output and a compact package, nothing larger than a 2 aa minimag, I just can't decide/determine what I want.