Flashlights!!!

[lovemachine]

I carry a Surefire LX2 everyday. It's main role is for defensive purposes. But I find I use it for everyday use as well.

For a small light, I love my Streamlight Microstream. It's a great small pocket light. I have used it a lot working on my jeep, or even crawling around under the house and attic.

 

[richardraw316]

You should try this one also. Silver Cree. I have a few other Cree's, but the brightness on that one blew me away.

Thank you. At 4 dollars a piece, I just ordered two. If they do well I will order even more.

 

[Reno_Morris]

I carry a Streamlight Protac 2L. It's very bright when needed and can be dimmed down for other tasks. Also it's small enough to clip in my back pocket. It's built like a tank too.

 

[JeremiahJohnson]

I have a Streamlight Protac HL. 600 lumens with strobe and a lower output button. Can be had on amazon for less than 70$. It's a beast of a light for the money.

ProTac® Series - ProTac HL® | Streamlight

That's my light too. Highly recommend.

 

[Draftysbrother]

I like the Surefire G2. The Streamlight Microstream is also a great little pen light that fits nice in the pocket, good for EDC. I've been issued Surefire, Streamlight, and Pelican lights, all are great brands.

 

[Daggy]

My EDC is a Fenix L0D. Small enough that I never noticed the weight and bulk (due to the lack thereof), but bright enough for most social purposes. The 5 modes are neat too.

 

[Scout]

I have the Inova T3 INOVA T3 Lithium Powered LED Flashlight It's nice and bright, but it takes 123A batteries which are expensive compared to AAs. I bought rechargeable batteries for it. I got mine from work, but if I had to pay for one I'd buy the T3R which is rechargeable via usb.

 

[cmr13]

I'm going to throw this out there, and maybe get flamed for it.

First, buy the Cadillac light that the others recommend. Then, get about 10 or 15 of these Mini Cree's and spread them around everywhere. One in every room, garage, car, desk at work, wife's purse, etc. No, they're not perfect quality; sometimes you'll get one where a switch won't work, or it will break quickly. And they take a couple of weeks to ship from China. But they're so cheap that you almost can't go wrong with them.

I have kind of done this. I have other high quality lights but I have 3 of these lights as well. 2 in different spots in my room, and one mounted on a gun (for non-serious purposes). I used to use one for EDC but it was way too large for that.

For a EDC role I think the type of battery is important too.
I use mainly lights that only take AA batteries.It's easy to find anywhere and it makes for a small and compact flashlight.
You can even find some good lights powered just by one single AAA.

Sure one single AA or AAA wont produce 2000 lumens but do you need the light for search and rescue operations or to for common EDC tasks in the city (find your keys on the ground, find your way out of a dark building, look at eletrical panels at home ... etc.)?

All my smaller lights take AA or AAA. My Maglites take D batteries, but that too is a fairly common type. The only light that I have that doesn't take common batteries is my StreamLight Nano that is on my keychain.

For a small light, I love my Streamlight Microstream. It's a great small pocket light. I have used it a lot working on my jeep, or even crawling around under the house and attic.

I have a Streamlight MicroStream and I LOVE it. It is amazingly bright for it's size. I use it every single day. I crawl under desks all day (I work in IT) and it's great. I used it for 5 weeks straight before the battery died. And that wasusing the battery that came with it, an Energizer Alkaline. I have a lithium battery in it now.


And, I hate to be a name-dropper, but I'm pretty sure JetGirl carries one of them too.

 

[theledwarehouse]

Thanks to another thread, the subject of the importance of EDC flashlights has come up. Flashlight guys, what brands, features etc. should we look for in an EDC light? I need a list so I can go shopping.

As you can see, you have asked a loaded question. It really comes down to use. Here is my favorites vs task.

Home Defense:

I'm currently using the Fenix PD35. Plenty of light, and I know it will be set to high when I turn it on. It's also a reasonable size, so I can grab it easily at Night.
Fenix PD35

Some other lights I really like for home defense are the Foursevens MMR-X, MMU-X3 and the Surefire defender ultra)

The MMR-X is similar to the Fenix PD35 as far as out put, size and automatic high. It is a great value as it comes with the battery and charger. The downside is that it is USB charge and USB programming. So it takes a little effort.
FOURSEVENS Maelstrom Regen MMR-X

The MMU-X3 is a beast. Not huge, but fat so easy to find. Simple two stage switch so you can easily find the high mode. But this thing has three XML's, so you are not short on light.
FOURSEVENS Maelstrom MMU-X3

Surefire Defender Ultra. I like the feel of this light a lot. It really sticks to your hand which is nice when you are a little nervous holding a light. The TIR lens is really nice, makes the 500 lumens feel like a little more than what it is. Surefire Quality is top notch.
Surefire E2D Defender Ultra

Personal Defense.

I'm not a big guy, so I don't like carrying 2 cell lights around. So my top pick here is a Surefire EB1 back up. If you like two cell lights, the EB2 is the same thing with two cells and more light output. I like that this light always works, it carrys well, it deploys well, and it comes on in high first.
Search Results: eb1

Lights like the Fenix PD22, and the Foursevens QTL are also good choices for those that want something solid for less money.
Fenix PD22 Gen 2
Quark Tactical QTL Gen 2

EDC/pocket lights:

I think hands down the Foursevens preon series of lights are my top picks. They have managed to cram a ton of lumens in small lights that run on AAA batteries. I know Streamlight makes some good pen lights, but the Preons just blow them away. I like the whole series top to bottom, but I really light the Preon Penlights the best because they have a memory.
Search Results: preon


I've been slacking a little on the videos lately, but we do have a bunch of light videos posted on our site and Youtube page.
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheLedwarehouse

 

[Bfish]

I am going to go with a penlight to carry everyday, I know what some say but say what you want I am not carrying a bigger light everyday, just not happening. I carry enough stuff already… That said I am going to buy a 4sevens Preon2. Their gen2 puts out a 192 lumens. Out of a penlight!

 

[hochwald]

I am a fan of Zebralights (especially the H600 series). I have invested in 18650 style Li-Ion batteries and a good charger.

Have bought them from E2 Field Gear

 

[theledwarehouse]

For those interested in the Preon 2 or the Penlight.

Foursevens Penlight vs Preon 2 - YouTube

 

[rhino]

The MMU-X3 is a beast. Not huge, but fat so easy to find. Simple two stage switch so you can easily find the high mode. But this thing has three XML's, so you are not short on light.
FOURSEVENS Maelstrom MMU-X3

Wil the MMU-X3 work with CR123A batteries in a pinch, or only the 26650 rechargeable?

 

[GNRPowdeR]

Tagged for reference...

 

[theledwarehouse]

Wil the MMU-X3 work with CR123A batteries in a pinch, or only the 26650 rechargeable?

It only works with 26650 cells.

 

[nucular]

My old light was a surefire bulb style. My current one is a klarus xt11. It's a little in the big side but it uses cr123s or 18650s and it has a nice dual switch design.

 

[Frosty]

iPhone flash light?

 

[Sylvain]

iPhone flash light?

You're out!

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Tagged for reference...

Me too.

 

[Bennettjh]

iPhone flash light?

I love my flashlight app! Super handy.

Crazy people and their fancy flashlights...