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EDC flashlight help

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 8:11 pm
by cmgee67
Hello all looks like unexpectedly I'm in the hunt for a new edc flashlight. I've had fenix, four sevens, and streamlight and right now my current light the fenix LD-12 has been my edc light for the last two years. Today it finally gave up the ghost and I've been very impressed with it. I do wish it would have lasted longer but if you have seen what I put it through I think I got my money out of it. So that being said I have been out of the light game for a while because I haven't need a new one. I like to have at least 300 lumens and momentary on off without having to fully click it on. I don't care about strobe but different brightness levels are also a must because sometimes it can just be too bright. Thanks!

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 8:25 pm
by The Dude
It's not cheap but I really like my PK Knight from FourSevens.

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 8:38 pm
by Pawpaw
Fenix does make some great flashlights for a reasonable price.

I carry this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/205782 ... inum-black

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 5:40 am
by RoyGBiv

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 7:05 am
by Excaliber
Pawpaw wrote:Fenix does make some great flashlights for a reasonable price.

I carry this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/205782 ... inum-black
This is my preference as well. It's a great light with two modes they call tactical and outdoor with very well selected lighting features for each. The price is also very reasonable, and it can use either rechargeables or CR123A batteries.

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 7:56 am
by GeekwithaGun
Pawpaw wrote:Fenix does make some great flashlights for a reasonable price.

I carry this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/205782 ... inum-black
Do you use the rechargeable battery, if so how long can you go between charges?

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 8:16 am
by Pawpaw
GeekwithaGun wrote:
Pawpaw wrote:Fenix does make some great flashlights for a reasonable price.

I carry this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/205782 ... inum-black
Do you use the rechargeable battery, if so how long can you go between charges?
Yes, I use a rechargeable 18650 battery.

"How long" is a subjective question mostly because there is such a wide variety of batteries available. Generally, if you get a battery with a higher milliamp hour (mAh) rating, it will last longer. Also, which power level you generally use will have a profound effect on battery life. I keep mine on level 2 because I only need the higher power levels if I'm trying to see something at a distance. For typical everyday (really everynight) use, it's just not necessary. The best answer I can give you is that I don't have to recharge very often.

There is a chart that includes expected runtimes here: https://www.fenixlighting.com/product/p ... lashlight/

The one I have is actually the older version of the PD35 that does not have the two modes of operation.

ETA: If you go the rechargeable route, make sure you buy a "protected" 18650 battery. Unprotected lithium ion batteries can be dangerous.

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 12:14 pm
by Scott B.
I've been trying out the Pelican 7600, it's a bit big for EDC, but the smaller 5" 7100 has all the same features. What I really like is the built in USB port for charging the lithium ion battery. You can switch to CR123s if you want.

Solidly built, has a battery level indicator, battery life 3.15 hrs at 944 lumens max setting or 29 hrs at 34 lumens lowest setting, IPX8 rated (withstands water submersion).

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 1:12 pm
by rl14
I have had 2 flashlights from a San Antonio company called Helotex. I got both from Amazon and they go on sale occasionally. The smaller G2 (130 lumen) I have used since late 2015 with both CR123A and AA batteries. After success with this one, I got the G4 with 1000 lumen (uses CR123A or 18650 batteries) in June and carry it every day. Both have a bright, dim, and strobe option. The G2 even has a tactical remote switch but I haven't used it. I haven't had issues with either and use the G4 daily. I used my PPQ for scale!
PPQ and flashlights.PNG

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 2:45 pm
by cmgee67
After some extensive research and reviews I went with the Olight S10R ii baton light. Its rechargeable with a magnetic tail cap. Your charger has a USB port so you can charge your phone and light at the same time. You don't have to plug in the light at all. The magnetic part of it sticks to the charger and charges it. 500 lumens at its highest. Ran about 60$ for everything. I ended up picking up two one for me and one for my wife because she takes my light all the time lol so this was a approved gear purchase not a "really why do you need that" one lol

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 4:40 pm
by Pariah3j
I currently have a surefire flashlight. While I really do like that one, I think my next flashlight buy is going to be an Elzetta. These things are near indestructible - the gun store owner for a local store turned me onto them. They did a torture test and beat the hell out of the thing for an entire 2 days at the store. It finally failed when they warped the body of the flashlight driving over it... Turns out they didn't break the light, just the battery. After replacing the battery it went back to working again.

Re: EDC flashlight help

Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2016 4:25 pm
by Excaliber
I used to carry SureFire exclusively, but when I lost one and darn near cried, I reexamined their value proposition. I concluded that their continued extremely high prices are out of line with the difference in quality between them and products by Fenix et al. There is a difference, but it's not $100 or more worth, and the other lights meet my needs just fine.

I'd pay $25 or so more for a SureFire, but their current price structure has me buying elsewhere.