Best Flashlight for Everyday Carry?

[David]

I'm thinking of getting a new everyday carry FLASHLIGHT.

I just read this column about flashlights

http://www.crimezilla.com/2010/05/personal-safety-and-security-flashlights-and-emergency-lighting/

I was wondering what would be the best everyday carry flashlight?

 

[AStone]

Interesting that the standard names
aren't reviewed in that article.

Surefire, Nightcore, Inova, 4sevens ...

I'm reading.

 

[Brian Williams]

Simple, Inova X1

 

[basicblur]

Don't know how big is too big for ya for every day carry, but you might consider the Streamlight Night Fighter NF - 2 C4 LED Tactical Flashlight? I was so impressed with it that I ordered another to keep with my bed gun.

Things I was looking for:
1. Keep it simple (not multiple switch positions etc-no confusion in your time of need/stress?)
2. Ability to use with firearm (the ring-removeable if you don't like).
3. Dependability-Streamlight has a good reputation-some of this "cutting edge" stuff sounds nice right up to the point it quits working!

Maybe a little bigger than you were looking for, but just another option?

Optics Planet also has 5% off coupon codes easily found-just do a Google search.

 

[mfcmb]

go to dealextreme.com

item #16240. 2 CR123 batteries, hand-size, tail switch, good to 60-70 feet, excellent outdoor flashlight. $13.35

Item #19185. 1 CR123 battery, pocket-size, side button, put frosted scotch tape over the lens to spread the beam. excellent general-purpose and indoor flashlight. $11

Buy CR123 batteries online in bulk.

 

[seldomseensmith]

I've always been happy with my surefire E2D. Has 2 switch positions (low/high) and the high beam will burn a hole through yr retina. I figured it was the last flashlight I would ever have to buy.

 

[Visionairy]

Surefire E1B Backup. Compact, bright, comes with me everywhere

 

[gb6491]

I'm thinking of getting a new everyday carry FLASHLIGHT.

I've carried this little light for a little over six months. IMO, it's a very good combination of size/weight/output/run time/quality of build/availability of batteries. It also makes a nice back up for a larger light.
ITP A3 EOS LED Flashlight UPGRADE Stainless Steel Edition - 3 MODE - 80 lumens - 1xAAA
Here's a photo of mine:

It usually rides in my jeans watch pocket. It's been dropped from car engine height onto concrete and still runs as new. It's also done a wash and dry cycle with the same results
I did remove the chain that came with.
There is also a less expensive version of it here.
I think the stainless version handles wear better.

BTW, if you are going to buy online, let me put in a plug for Battery Junction (linked above): they are very good to deal with. LightHound.com, brightguy.com, and fenix-store.com are also top notch.

Regards,
Greg

 

[Onward Allusion]

Under $30 & comes with batteries

Rayovac ROUGHNECK Metal Flashlight, LED, 200 Lumens


http://www.thehighroad.org/member.php?u=830

David

Best Flashlight for Everyday Carry?

 

[greyling22]

I like the smaller lights to carry around. single AA or cr123 sized. I've got a nitecore, a fenix, and a target branded light. I really like the variable brightness options on the newer lights, though I find I pretty much only use max and min. pocket clip is a huge plus. the newish little AA LED lights will outshine and out throw a big maglight.

flashlights are not optics, you do not necessarily get what you pay for. on dealextrame there is a light branded Akoray that gets very good reviews over at candlepowerforums. fenix, olight, nitecore, 4sevens, are all good high quality high performance lights.

also, alkaline batteries do not do the new LED lights justice. use a lithium for lots more light.

 

[BAE984]

Second the vote for the little ITP. I have the aluminum version and it's been great on the keychain.

 

[bigfatdave]

I have a little streamlight microstream that looks a lot like that ITP above, except for a parkerized finish (or at least it looks like park)

http://www.google.com/products?q=streamlight+microstream

It takes ONE "AAA" battery, and I use it frequently but still end up changing the battery when I can't remember how old it is, I've never noticed a dimming or had it die on me.

MrsBFD has a two "AAA" version that is a bit brighter, but it doesn't have to fit a pocket, it lives in her purse next to a Victorinox Tinker SAK. Now that I htink of it, I don't know if she;s swapped those batteries since we got the lights last spring.

Another vote for a single-battery job, you want something that you'll never be staring at and wondering if you really need to find a spot for it.

I carry mine clipped onto the rear left pocket of whatever pants I'm wearing.

 

[bobelk99]

It may be a little late to ask, but what are your requirements in size, lumens and battery life?

 

[trickyasafox]

i've also had great luck with deal extreme lights- particularly the romesian ones

 

[GrandmasterB]

Romisen MXDL RC-G2 Cree Flashlight Black (1xAA) from dealextreme is an excellent light. I really appreciate using AA batteries instead of the more expensive CR123.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3607

 

[irishelcid]

+1 one for the microstream. that little light goes with me everywhere

 

[AStone]

The Microstream gets very solid reviews on Amazon.

So, here's a question: if this light is really that great for $17,
why would one pay so much more for Inova or Surefire?

I'm assuming the answer is lumens, extra quality and long term durability, but still ...

 

[4sooth]

Streamlight 4AA--been using one of these for two years. LONG battery life and virtually unbreakable. I've dropped it from 30 ft. up on top of a boiler and it skipped off pipes all the way to the ground--no damage. Great light.

 

[Sgt_R]

I purchased an Inova X5 back around '03 and have carried it pretty much daily ever since. It's bright enough for close work, has never failed to function, and I've only changed the batteries twice.

I was recently issued a Surefire 6P. I replaced the bulb with an LED, and now it's my new carry light. It's a lot brighter and probably a bit sturdier than the X5, but it's also a lot more expensive.

I also keep an Inova Microlight on my keychain. It's good enough for routine tasks, and cheap enough that if it ever fails I can just buy a new one.

R

 

[thebigc]

i have a surefire ed2 defender i like it i have had it a year or more i dont really remeber when i got it i have used it underwater.

beaten a peice of wood to see what the scaloped part does and it leaves quite the pattern in the wood with no ill effect to the light.

and it makes a handy beer opener in a pinch on top of being really bright i like it a lot its a shame its pricey and the batterys are pricey but its brighter than one of those big mag lights and is way better when im outside

 

[Sapper771]

I carry a Surefire Kroma (red,white, & blue option). It was not a cheap light, but I got mine for $100 less than what they were normally going for.
I like it because it offers me several options of colors and intensities. With the Kroma you can choose high red, low red, low white, high blue, low blue, and high intensity white.
The nice thing about the Kroma is that the high intesity white light can be activated immediately regardless of what other light mode your using.
The Kroma has a pocket clip which comes in handy for carry. It isn't the smallest, but I like it.

The High intesity white light is LED so it doesn't sap your battery life. The LED is great because you do not have to worry about it burning out, blowing out, or blowing from impact. I was running a Surefire G2Z in Iraq and had to replace four bulbs in a year, so the incandescents got old.

I have a Surefire E1e that has been a great light for its extremely small size.