Flashlight/holster combo for EDC

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Navy87Guy

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I’d really like to add a handheld flashlight to my EDC - I think it’s an important tool to help eliminate confusion in nighttime situations. But I also don’t want to end up looking like I’m wearing Batman’s utility belt! I don’t wa t a gun light...I want something I can use with escalating a situation.

I'm looking for recommendations on a good light/holster combo (Holster for the light...not in combination with a gun) that provides good access, good illumination —but is fairly low profile/unobtrusive.

Am I looking for a unicorn...or does such a thing exist?

Thanks!
 
I wouldn't want my light attached to the holster because it would expose my gun every time I reached for it. I would want the light in my pocket or holster on my opposite side. I've found the Fenix E12 to be a great little pocket light with enough light for most daily tasks.

If I was planning to use my light in a defensive situation in the dark I would want it on my gun if that was feasible with my particular firearm.
 
I wouldn't want my light attached to the holster because it would expose my gun every time I reached for it. I would want the light in my pocket or holster on my opposite side.

No, I meant a separate holster for the light...not in conjunction with a gun. I want the light to be completely separate from my gun!
 
Honestly, Sportsman's Warehouse has a rack full of them. Go down there and find one you like.

Well, the nearest one is 410 miles away...but thanks for the suggestion.

I can shop on Amazon, too — but first-hand input from people who have used them Is why I asked one here.
 
Well, the nearest one is 410 miles away...but thanks for the suggestion.

I can shop on Amazon, too — but first-hand input from people who have used them Is why I asked one here.

Fenix usually puts one in with their lights. The only thing I don't like about them is that the belt loop is usually really skinny.

I have one that I bought at SW that has been on my duty belt for years but I don't know who makes it.

I would be willing to bet that if you looked at Bianchi accumold you would find something that would work for you

ETA:I guess mine is a Bianchi because this is it

https://www.qmuniforms.com/bianchi-accumold-open-top-light-holder?PMWTNO=000000000002649&PMSRCH=
 
I have good results with Fenix for the last six years. Instead of a belt holster, I use the pocket clip. It helps to run a line of stitching down the pocket to divide it so the light-tube slides into and clips on a pocket that fits well -- it won't twist sideways into the wide pocket. A pocket so divided still has room on the other side for one of any of the following: credit/business card case, a pocket knife, a multi-tool, a spare magazine, or a folded handkerchief. Both front and rear pockets can be so divided. I'm not a fan of cargo pants, but some work dungarees have narrow tool pockets lower on the leg and they can work very well for a knife with a clip or a flashlight with a clip. I used to carry a AAA-diameter light, but I changed to a AA-diameter light last year and although it's heavier and bulkier, I've become accustomed to it. Either size is adequate for illuminating dark situations, but the larger light is necessary if you want the option for it to be blinding-bright (1500-1600 lumens). The pocket light I carry now is as bright as the high-beams on my 4x4. Honestly though, I doubt I'd ever really need more than the ~100 lumens of my old single AAA light and that one served me fine for many years of near-daily use. I don't think there was a day I didn't use it for some little task because it was so handy. Maybe I'll start carrying both. Since they'd be in my trouser pockets and my cover garment is over even the pocket clips, I don't look like batman at all.
 
I’m looking for recommendations on both. ;)

My everyday light is a Fenix RC05SE. Apparently the SE is a special order for REI. It has the tail cap switch as opposed to a button on the side. It also remembers the last brightness setting that you used.

It's 4 inches long, just a little bit more than 5/8 in outer diameter. It has a clip but I can't really speak one way or the other about it because I never use it I just carry it in my pocket.

This is what Fenix has to say about it


The Fenix RC05 SE (Special Edition) rechargeable flashlight is built off the popular Fenix RC05. This special edition adds a tactical rear switch for on/off and momentary use. By adding the rear switch it transforms the light into our more popular two switch system, allowing the user to turn on from the rear switch and choose mode from side switch. All the other attractive features of the RC05 were kept like the innovative magnetic charging port. From a single 14500 rechargeable Li-ion battery (included), this flashlight emits a maximum 300 lumens a distance of almost 300 feet. This compact flashlight is very small and light weight, and its two-position clip allows you to easily clip it to your gear or onto your hat for hands-free use. The IP68 rating, which means it is both waterproof to 2m and dust proof, allows you to have light even in the harshest of environments. Small, lightweight and rechargeable, the FenixRC05SE rechargeable flashlight will be your go-to flashlight for camping, backpacking or every day use.The only issue that I have with it is that it's not strictly speaking usb-rechargeable.

20190928_001023.jpg


It recharges was a USB cord but that little copper thing on the side is a magnetic port that you just set the cord on and it recharges. The issue with that is that you have to use their cord.

However I carry this light at work every night I use it every night it's actually the main light I use at work and I've never had it died on me at work. I just put it on the charger when I get home.
 
Fenix UC 35 This is the light that I carry at work. It runs on 2 CR123s or a rechargeable 18650 battery but it IS rechargeable and it charges through a USB port which means I can recharge it with my phone charger at work if I need to. I've saved the price of the light over the last 2.5 year just because I've not had to replace the batteries

It has 5 brightness levels and a strobe (that I never use)

14 lumens
50 lumens
180 lumens
480 lumens
960 lumens

This light "remembers" the last setting you put it on so I keep it on turbo and step it down if I need to.

According to the website it will run an hour and a half on "Turbo but since I almost never leave it on full for more than a minute or two I usually only have to recharge it twice a week or so.

It's also regulated so it will run evenly until it hits about 30% charge then it steps down to the 180 lumens setting. It also light a red warning light to let you know it's time to charge.

Cost 89(ish)

http://www.batteryjunction.com/fenix...FYSAaQodB1UFGQ
 
My everyday light is a Fenix RC05SE. Apparently the SE is a special order for REI. It has the tail cap switch as opposed to a button on the side. It also remembers the last brightness setting that you used.

It's 4 inches long, just a little bit more than 5/8 in outer diameter. It has a clip but I can't really speak one way or the other about it because I never use it I just carry it in my pocket.

However I carry this light at work every night I use it every night it's actually the main light I use at work and I've never had it died on me at work. I just put it on the charger when I get home.

Thanks -- that's the kind of personal experience with a product that's very helpful!
 
The Fenix LD series is good for compact/lightweight pocket carry and good performance. I carried a little LD01 for many years. The LD02 is the closest current model. I bought a PD36R about 6 months ago for the higher brightness, but if I were buying now, I'd go LD30 - it's an inch shorter and lighter weight still with 1600 lumens. If you want something in-between those sizes, look for a deep pocket clip like the PD25.
 
I've been a security guard for going on 12 years and most of that time I've been working nights.

During that time I've been through a lot of different flashlights. The first light I ever had was one of those mini maglites that was issued to me by HSS.

The biggest issue I found with lights is having replace the batteries. I had a Streamlight scorpion that I think was 140 lumens that took 2 CR123 batteries. I think I paid $50 for it and within six months I had paid at least that much replacing batteries and my wife threw a fit every time I had to go replace them.

Then I found a Streamlight rechargeable in a junk pile at a utilities site. I think all I had to do is replace the charger and maybe the light bulb. I carried that light for a long time but it was only 90 Lumens and I wanted something brighter.

I set a criteria that I wanted a light that would fit in my pocket, was it least a hundred lumens and took a commonly available rechargeable battery.

I ended up with a Fenix E12. I paid $25 for it probably seven or eight years ago. It operates on a rechargeable double A battery and I finally retired it about 2 years ago because the tail cap started giving out. My wife didn't want to throw it away and she now carries it in her purse.

I replaced it with the RC05SE which is, I think, 300 lumens. And I paid $60 for it. And that light as I've said before is rechargeable in itself. So every couple days I go home from work, I put it on the charger and I'm good.

In between the time that I got the E12 and I replaced it with the RC05 I got the night rover job and I decided I wanted a good, heavy duty light that if I had to I could blind somebody with it. I ended up with the Fenix UC35. As I've said before I paid $90 for that light and in the five or sux years that I had it never had to replace the battery I generally recharged it twice a week and I'm sure that that alone has saved me the price of the light. About a year ago the USB charging port on that particular light gave out. I don't know what happened but it wouldn't charge anymore. I sent it back to Fenix under warranty. I don't even think they looked at the light. I think they pulled it out of the box, saw what it was, grabbed a replacement (which happen to be an upgrade) and dropped it in the mail. I don't think the entire turn around was more than a week.

During the time I worked as a night Rover I had the UC35 clipped my body armor but most of the time just for general navigation or if I wanted to take a look at a lock I used the E12. Even now most of the night I get by just fine with the RC05. The UC only comes out if I'm really concerned about something.

I know that most of this is has been repeated but the main point that I wanted to make is the amount of money that I've saved not having to replace batteries has really made the effective cost of the lights zero.

Again, for me that's a huge selling point
 
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I have two ways of carrying my flashlight, which is a 200 lumen Nebo Redline with defense bezel, adjustable beam, and strobe action on a double click of the on/off switch. I bought the light and the holster on ebay, where you can find a variety of light holsters. I suggest you search the Internet for a holster for (insert make and model of light.). I did that and found an ebay link. I use the Nebo holster when I am carrying IWB. When I am carrying OWB I use a dual magazine pouch with both a spare magazine and the flashlight inserted.
 

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Thorfire VG-15S. Probably the best EDC flashlight I have had for quite awhile. It measures 4 3/4" long and 3.75oz with an 18650 battery inside. Making it a very pocketable light. Advertised brightness is 1040 lumen but I would say it is closer to the 800-900 range compared to other light I have.
 
I've got a bunch of these. Starting at 250 lumens, and the final one I bought was 300L and only 7 bucks. Think Walmart was selling them out, but they were/are the handiest flashlights I've ever used. Just 2 AA batteries and bright as I ever need. I keep them in various places around the house and usually carry one with me. Their big 3C batt aluminum jobs are awesome. Got 3 of those, last of which was 700L. There's inexpensive stuff out there that's actually quite good. Had all of these for years.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Flashlight-250-Lumens/49840415
 
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