I used to use mag lites in the past, but with the small size of some very powerful lights the past 10-15 years, I find it hard to justify a large heavy light. If anything, I like the c size vastly more than the D size. They are thinner and easier to handle and stow. They are still much larger than needed.
My main suggestion is to not get one of "the best!", but to find a good light, and get several of them. Keychain lights are cute, but a slightly larger light will give quite a lot more light and run time in general. Handy, but not my first choice or line of defense. A dedicated pocket or sleeve in your purse may be a good place to keep a good light.
When buying batteries, buy in some quanitity, same for spare lamps. Running out of either is not good. Like gas, buy more long before getting close to being out. I'm usually about a year ahead on batteries and lamps.
Today, you can get some very high powered lights for very reasonable money. I got on the Surefire bandwagon about 15 years ago and have several. They arent in any danger of wearing out, so I just keep buying cr123 batteries. I buy a couple boxes or so at a time (12 per box?) from a guy that only sells lights and supplies. I keep the "spares carriers" (4 and 6 battery versions) in my vehicles, every day pack I may use, in my work tools, and around home, and a box or two of batteries in my desk. I carry a Surefire E2O in the leg pocket of my Carhartt pants every day and have never lost it that way, and have had a light on me in several very important moments. I did lose the light several times trying to carry it by the clip. Really bad idea. Not secure. At all. I found it each time, but a $100 light isnt fun to lose. Never rely on a clip to keep a light secure.
One pretty good light and several cheaper backups may be a good plan also. I keep one on me, one on the bedside table, another one on the bedside table, one in the kitchen, have one mounted on a rifle by the door, and have some small single cell AAA mini-mag lights around just because they are cheap and cute, and because I can. I can always find a light in seconds.
You may not feel you need a light that will go 500 yards, but it means its very bright. Bright isnt just for looking, it blinds anyone you catch in the beam if they looked at it. Brightness is a weapon. Thats one important aspect of a good light. None of mine have more than 120 lumens, but thats plenty to temporarily blind someone and give you several seconds to act without them being able to effectively see. I much prefer a small, really bright light to the old head smasher idea with the old heavy lights. Those lights are a pain in the wazoo to handle and deal with in comparison. The weapon aspect of a bright light more than makes up for the small size. Small means you can and will have it with you at all times.
My main suggestion is to not get one of "the best!", but to find a good light, and get several of them. Keychain lights are cute, but a slightly larger light will give quite a lot more light and run time in general. Handy, but not my first choice or line of defense. A dedicated pocket or sleeve in your purse may be a good place to keep a good light.
When buying batteries, buy in some quanitity, same for spare lamps. Running out of either is not good. Like gas, buy more long before getting close to being out. I'm usually about a year ahead on batteries and lamps.
Today, you can get some very high powered lights for very reasonable money. I got on the Surefire bandwagon about 15 years ago and have several. They arent in any danger of wearing out, so I just keep buying cr123 batteries. I buy a couple boxes or so at a time (12 per box?) from a guy that only sells lights and supplies. I keep the "spares carriers" (4 and 6 battery versions) in my vehicles, every day pack I may use, in my work tools, and around home, and a box or two of batteries in my desk. I carry a Surefire E2O in the leg pocket of my Carhartt pants every day and have never lost it that way, and have had a light on me in several very important moments. I did lose the light several times trying to carry it by the clip. Really bad idea. Not secure. At all. I found it each time, but a $100 light isnt fun to lose. Never rely on a clip to keep a light secure.
One pretty good light and several cheaper backups may be a good plan also. I keep one on me, one on the bedside table, another one on the bedside table, one in the kitchen, have one mounted on a rifle by the door, and have some small single cell AAA mini-mag lights around just because they are cheap and cute, and because I can. I can always find a light in seconds.
You may not feel you need a light that will go 500 yards, but it means its very bright. Bright isnt just for looking, it blinds anyone you catch in the beam if they looked at it. Brightness is a weapon. Thats one important aspect of a good light. None of mine have more than 120 lumens, but thats plenty to temporarily blind someone and give you several seconds to act without them being able to effectively see. I much prefer a small, really bright light to the old head smasher idea with the old heavy lights. Those lights are a pain in the wazoo to handle and deal with in comparison. The weapon aspect of a bright light more than makes up for the small size. Small means you can and will have it with you at all times.
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