Looking for a new edc flashlight ***FOUND ONE AND REVIEW***

[T.P.F.K.A.M]

I misplaced my old edc flashlight, a fenix pd30. The light was ok but i didnt like the twist to change intensity feature also had a crappy clip. What else is out there that may substitute for it. I dont really want to go over $100 on this so try to keep suggestions there or below. Thanks

[Hmac]

I have a couple of Surefire G2X's and they've been fine. 200 lumens for $66.50, or you can buy the aluminum-body 6PX version for $80. These Surefires do have a twist-for-on tailcap.




I'll tell ya, though, the best flashlight I have in my range bag these days is the one that Brownells had made for them last year. 280 lumens for $80. That's a well-designed and rugged flashlight. I have one that's been on my SBR for about 3000 rounds and it's still working fine, whereas I have had a rifle-mounted G2X go down. Has push-button tailcap, aluminum body. I'm not much for the hokey colored lenses, but the O-ring (for gripping like a syringe) is very well thought out.

[SleepingJake]

Get another PD30! I bought a PD31 for my last deployment and it was the best $63 spent.

[JoeH]

I've been very happy with my lights from http://www.foursevens.com/products/flashlights/.

[slo squeezin]

I've been watching the reports on the new Niteye 10 and the Nitecore Explorer EC1. Both very compact, LOTS of light. New lights seem to be going to a magnetic dial for light level rather than two or three fixed light levels controlled by multiple clicks on the switch. Using a magnetic ring to change settings is providing at least 4 or 5 levels, almost continuous brightness change depending on brand. Both these new lights are well under $ 100. The Explorer is available in AA as well as 123 if you prefer that size; and the controls are on the head rather than at the tail which is new / unusual. I expect to be buying into one or the other within the next few weeks.

[jshuberg]

Awhile back I started carrying a PT1L, and recently also got a PT2L (same light, a little longer and with 2 batteries). They are absolutely fantastic:


http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=200
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=202

The PT1L is 110 lumens, and the PT2L is 180 lumens. They both have both a low and strobe function as well. They don't have a very aggressive strike bezel, but enough to grab some forehead if needed. Both of them fit very nicely in the outside of the rear pocket, where I recommend carrying them. You don't even notice it's there, and pretty much every pair of pants you have is likely to have a rear pocket in about the same place.

There's no need to carry around a huge light when these little guys will work just fine. I also have a G2X, and picked up an aftermarket toggle button tailcap. It's a great light, but for summer EDC when your in jeans/shorts and a T-shirt, a small gun and a small light is considerably more comfortable to wear.

They have these up at Streicher's for around $60 is I remember correctly.

[ramblinoak1]

surefire G2 for me....great light for the money...

[dsm2nr]

I have a G2X Pro for EDC. I hate having to use 200 lumens every time for EDC. It's just not necessary and will drain your batteries faster. For a weapon light G2Xs are great though. You can support a local business and buy a 6PX from Sealed Mindset for $98.50 if you're into local businesses.

[illbits]

The Streamlight protac 88040 HL is a 600 lumen light for $71.33 delivered via amazon (prime). If it's half as good as the $40 protac 2l that I have then it's worth every penny!

[jshuberg]

The Streamlight protac 88040 HL is a 600 lumen light for $73 from amazon. If it's half as good as the $40 protac 2l that I have then it's worth every penny!

600 lumens is absolutely crazy except as a weapon mounted light intended exclusively for outdoor use. It's not a good EDC light at all. 200 lumens is really the maximum you should be using if the possibility of using it indoors exists. Ceilings and walls are typically light colored, and too bright a light will blind you indoors. In a situation where you light up an intruder with your light, unless he happens to be facing you when you hit the light, there is a high probability that you will actually blind yourself more than the bad guy. Not a good situation to find yourself in.

The primary purpose of an EDC light as a part of your carry system is to provide enough light at pistol distances to be able to identify whether a person is a bad guy or not, and to identify center mass. It really doesn't take that much light. Strike bezels and strobes are additional features in a tactical light, but the main thing to consider in choosing a light is determining the lumen level and spot pattern for where and how it is likely to be used. After that size, shape, weight, carry options, etc. Going out and getting the brightest light you can find is IMHO a really bad way to choose an EDC handheld light. 80-200 lumens is a good working range, and honestly 120-150 is about ideal.

If you've done any indoor low light/no light training where you're expected to identify targets and make center mass hits with a handheld light, you'll discover real quick which ones work well and which ones don't.

Just my $0.02

[gman1868]

There are a few sites that have reviews. I have a couple Fenix brand lights, at the time they were the best flashlight for th emoney but there are alot of good ones out there.

http://light-reviews.com/

http://www.flashlightreviews.ca/

http://www.flashlightreviews.info/

There is a forum dedicated to flashlights:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php

[T.P.F.K.A.M]

Alright, I just got back from the crack store (Streichers).
I ended up purchasing a Streamlight Protac 2L. I Did look into some of the other suggested lights, the Streamlight protac HL is a VERY bright light but it was a little bigger than what i was looking for in an EDC and also upon reading the card, it isnt a regulated flashlight and goes from 600 lumens to 6 lumens in about an hour and a quarter. I also noticed that the beam isnt very focused and most importantly for me that would end up carrying the thing, it gets hot, very, very hot, burn a hole through your leg hot. Im not saying it was a bad light, it just wasnt for me.

I also looked into the Streamlight Strion LED. I looked at it primarily as I carried a Stinger LED as a duty light when I worked security and still use it, it is a great light. The strion had the same slightly too large size as the Protac HL, but didnt have the option to have a clip attached and the activation switch was not recessed which would invariably lead to me turning it on accidently . What it did have was the ability to pop easily into a cradle charger which made it very appealing, however after asking Pete, it is NOT compatible with every other Streamlight charger, I already have a house charger and a car charger for my Stinger and I really didnt want to buy extra for the strion so I decided against it.

I ended up choosing the Protac 2L. it is small, approximately 4 inches long, half an inch thick and It comes with a belt clip (removable) and a cheap nylon holster. A good comparison would be approximately the size of dry erase marker, it is also the same thickness throughout its length, im not a fan of those skinny with a big head types for EDC. It uses 2 CR123 batteries (2 duracell cells included) and the little bugger casts as bright a light as my full size Stinger LED. I am also a fan of the fact that it HAS momentary on unlike the Fenix I previously carried (O.K., O.K., the Fenix did have momentaryt on, but it was a nuisance with the reverse on switch and twist switch) It has three modes, high, low and strobe. It is rated at two hours ish on high, six on strobe and eighteen on low. I also like that it is regulated, it will remain on high for its full run time and then drop to low (65 lumens) for the remainder of the battery life. Both the head and tail cap are crenalated so I can, should I choose to stand it on end, the tail cap is also recessed so I dont foresee accidental activation being an issue. The light also features high temp auto off, so if i do manage to leave the thing on in my pocket it will cut off before it burns me. The light itself was $50 which was a price I was more than happy to pay for the features I desired.

As always the staff at Streichers were awesome and answered all my many questions, they were also more than happy to let me try out a few different types without hesitation. Worst part of the morning was I forgot to pick up a box of carry ammo whilst I was there, with all the road construction, plymoth is akin to Canada to me.

Anyway I will get up some pictures and beamshots later on today and compare it to the fullsize Stinger LED. Thanks to all of you for your input.