Do ya really need ?

[Styerman]

Programable levels , strobes ,pocketflamethrowers , do ya really need em ?

Personally , 35+ lumens (out the front , not at the emitter )from  a well done reflector or optic works for me. Hi an low is all I need. I care not if hi or low happens first , but it would be nice if it was reversable. I prefer my LEDs somewhat underdriven in the interests of long life. Its also nice to have a pocket clip. Ruggedness is a must , Ha III is a desirable feature. Long runtime in low ,and 1hr plus runtime on hi is a must. Other than that , who cares.

Just a few musings from an old codger.

Chris

[prime77]

I agree with you Chris. You just described the light I have been carrying for a while now, a Surefire E1L two stage. Awesome runtime and with the TIR optic has great throw.

[NutSAK]

I agree with you, 35-40 lumens is perfect for most uses.  However, there are times when I want much more, like when I'm spotting animals or trespassers in the yard.  There are also times when I want much less, such as in the middle of the night when my eyes are dark-adjusted or, as you mentioned, for long runtime.

The NiteCore D10 I've been carrying will run over an hour at 100 lumens, and over 40 hours at 3 lumens on one AA cell.  There are no extra "strobe" or SOS levels either.

[Gadget Guy]

All I really need is my Arc-P, but I do have a Surefire E2DL on order. 

[jock1]

For most of my  needs my 2AA led  Maglite more than does the job without blinding me so for the day to day stuff I would agree if my Maglite had a low mode it would never leave my pocket.But needs and wants are two different things so I will be ordering a nitecore D10 to play with ofr no other reason than I WANT ONE 

[Benner]

For most of my  needs my 2AA led  Maglite more than does the job without blinding me so for the day to day stuff I would agree if my Maglite had a low mode it would never leave my pocket.But needs and wants are two different things so I will be ordering a nitecore D10 to play with ofr no other reason than I WANT ONE 

When you do, please report back as I am hoping to order one soon.

[Mike D]

Programable levels , strobes ,pocketflamethrowers , do ya really need em ?

Personally , 35+ lumens (out the front , not at the emitter )from  a well done reflector or optic works for me. Hi an low is all I need. I care not if hi or low happens first , but it would be nice if it was reversable. I prefer my LEDs somewhat underdriven in the interests of long life. Its also nice to have a pocket clip. Ruggedness is a must , Ha III is a desirable feature. Long runtime in low ,and 1hr plus runtime on hi is a must. Other than that , who cares.

Just a few musings from an old codger.

Chris

You may not want it all the options that some lights provide, but some of us do.

A flashlight is like any other tool to me and the right one makes specific jobs much easier. Its no different then rifle selection when hunting, yeah I could kill a deer with my 22, but I much prefer my 280 for doing it cleanly and more efficiently. I also could skin the same deer with my farmer pocketknife, but the job is easier and faster with my leatherman klamath. I could give ya many more examples, but I think you get my point.

A flashlight is no different to those of us who need them for specific tasks. I have different lights for throw, spill, flood, survival, runtime, EDC, shooting, camping, night vision, protection, and a few more I'm sure I cant think of right now. After you own a light that works perfectly for what you need it for that old dim mag just doesn't cut it anymore.

In the same vein does a guy really NEED more then one multi tool??

[Styerman]

On any piece of what is potential survival equipment I believe in the KISS principle. Wombats gadgets ,an dingbats that need a USB hook up are not to desiable. I exagerate , but you probably get my point.

Chris

[NutSAK]

On any piece of what is potential survival equipment I believe in the KISS principle. Wombats gadgets ,an dingbats that need a USB hook up are not to desiable. I exagerate , but you probably get my point.

Chris

I believe in the KISS principle for survival equipment too, mechanically speaking.  However, there are MANY lights available that offer different levels and options that are simpler, mechanically, than a MagLite (for instance) and therefore are more durable.

[Styerman]

The lights I have found to best fit the model are the original.
McLux III PD , and the single cell Surefires. Sadly , with McGizmo now only making Ti lites , the old skool PDs are no longer produced. The new Ti lites are very nice , but out of my priceclass.

Chris

[NutSAK]

I certainly would carry a McLux if I could afford one. 

[jock1]

For most of my  needs my 2AA led  Maglite more than does the job without blinding me so for the day to day stuff I would agree if my Maglite had a low mode it would never leave my pocket.But needs and wants are two different things so I will be ordering a nitecore D10 to play with ofr no other reason than I WANT ONE 

When you do, please report back as I am hoping to order one soon.

Rodger old chap the order will be dependant on finances and may have to wait until my Bday in November but it will be mine cue evil laff

[Mike D]

I certainly would carry a McLux if I could afford one. 

I heard that..

I also tend to agree with the keeping it simple ideas on the survival gear, but there is this dude on CPF that's had the locator on his HDS blinking for two years on the same battery just to test it and see how long it will go. This test along with all the torture testing this light has seen sure changed my mind on what light goes in my pack when out elk hunting, and it sure isnt the most simplistic light I own.

[GMArthur]

I agree with you Chris. You just described the light I have been carrying for a while now, a Surefire E1L two stage. Awesome runtime and with the TIR optic has great throw.

I'm with you. The little surefire E1L has been the best little EDC light I've tried ( and I've tried loads ). I have the older single stage model as I don't really have a need for HI/Lo settings. The light gets used everyday, beat up at work, thrown across the room by my youngest son, and all it asks is for a battery every couple months. I've actually quit looking at new flashlights - although I keep an eye on the 6P drop-ins race.

[prime77]

I'm with you. The little surefire E1L has been the best little EDC light I've tried ( and I've tried loads ). I have the older single stage model as I don't really have a need for HI/Lo settings. The light gets used everyday, beat up at work, thrown across the room by my youngest son, and all it asks is for a battery every couple months. I've actually quit looking at new flashlights - although I keep an eye on the 6P drop-ins race.

Lately I've added a F04 diffuser to my two-stage E1L for flood as well as throw.

It makes the head a little bigger but still pocketable.

[Splat]

I've had my Fenix Digital L0D Q4 since last Christmas and I can't see a need for another EDC light. I gave my sister my ARC-P and she loves that. If, for some reason, I don't EDC a light I feel somewhat unprepared. It's come in handy too many times for me NOT to continue carrying it.

[DaveK]

Programable levels , strobes ,pocketflamethrowers , do ya really need em ?

Well, I don't have any of these things, and I'm getting by

I must admit that I'm becoming more and more tempted by these new fangled torches, but do I need them? Not really.......

[Splat]

Well, I don't have any of these things, and I'm getting by
I must admit that I'm becoming more and more tempted by these new fangled torches, but do I need them? Not really.......

That's what I thought.    Then I got my first keychain light; an ARC-P.  Now I find myself saying to friends and family, "You really should get a decent keychain flashlight. They're handier than you think." For their lack of weight and ease of carry, there's no excuse not to carry one, IMO.

[Teofilo]

Programable levels , strobes ,pocketflamethrowers , do ya really need em ?

Personally , 35+ lumens (out the front , not at the emitter )from  a well done reflector or optic works for me. Hi an low is all I need. I care not if hi or low happens first , but it would be nice if it was reversable. I prefer my LEDs somewhat underdriven in the interests of long life. Its also nice to have a pocket clip. Ruggedness is a must , Ha III is a desirable feature. Long runtime in low ,and 1hr plus runtime on hi is a must. Other than that , who cares.

Just a few musings from an old codger.

Chris

You may not want it all the options that some lights provide, but some of us do.

A flashlight is like any other tool to me and the right one makes specific jobs much easier. Its no different then rifle selection when hunting, yeah I could kill a deer with my 22, but I much prefer my 280 for doing it cleanly and more efficiently. I also could skin the same deer with my farmer pocketknife, but the job is easier and faster with my leatherman klamath. I could give ya many more examples, but I think you get my point.

A flashlight is no different to those of us who need them for specific tasks. I have different lights for throw, spill, flood, survival, runtime, EDC, shooting, camping, night vision, protection, and a few more I'm sure I cant think of right now. After you own a light that works perfectly for what you need it for that old dim mag just doesn't cut it anymore.

In the same vein does a guy really NEED more then one multi tool??

I agree with you Mike!

[NutSAK]

I admire both of your opinions, Splat and Dave.  I have an ARC-P and, it's all I need, but that hasn't kept me from collecting 20 or 30 other lights.   

[Nightshade]

Love the Mcgizmos. But, McGizzie doesn't make lights priced for the blue collar crowd anymore.      I have a brass Peak Rainier with a P4 emitter that is direct drive and I must say it is simplicity personified. AA tube, CR123 and RCR123 . It works with them all. And with minimal tools and solder experience, repair and upgrade is possible. Long live old codgers.

[NutSAK]

Peak does make some great, affordable, simple, durable stuff.  I have a brass P4 Pacific that I really like.