EDC Light

[MooSE]

So I'm working on getting my full EDC set-up rocking and rolling. Currently in the search for a good EDC light. Brightness, Price, and lightweight (duh) focused in that order. After Riafdnal got the forum up and running, figured this would be the best place to check and see what is already being used by my buddies in arms and preparedness.
So What do you guys use? What things/brands should I avoid? Any special things to keep in mind? Thanks

 

[Presscheck Consulting]

Not to be a light snob but I only carry surefire.

These are my three go to EDC lights currently.

1. P2X fury Tactical, 6 volt 500 lumen with Raven concealment pocket clip and o ring.
2. When I need small and light I use the new and improved E1D defender, 3 volt 200 lumen.
3. The best mix of compact size and brightness is my E2D defender Uboat, 6 volt 500 lumen. It has impact surfaces fore and aft for temple strikes. I don't fly without this light. Raven will be working a clip and finger ring for this light as well at some point.

 

[Matt Landfair]

I am a devout Surefire user.

 

[MooSE]

Nice. Thanks for the pictures as well Roland! As far as the finger ring goes, do you find its advantages outweigh the added bulk to the light profile? I know that that can be scenario dependant, but I'm asking in most general cases I guess.

 

[Presscheck Consulting]

The o-ring is rubber so it will break before your finger breaks. That means that you are GTG in a fight if someone manhandles your light from you. It also means that it fold up along the flashlight when if your pocket and you don't even notice that it's on the light.

I will carry the fury if I I'm carrying a blaster with no light. The original allows me to retain my torch during mag changes.

I carry a gun with light 90% of the time and I carry one of the other two hand torches because they are utility lights and will not be employed while holding my pistol. I use them to illuminate shit I don't want to point my gun at.

 

[MooSE]

The o-ring is rubber so it will break before your finger breaks. That means that you are GTG in a fight if someone manhandles your light from you. It also means that it fold up along the flashlight when if your pocket and you don't even notice that it's on the light.

I will carry the fury if I I'm carrying a blaster with no light. The original allows me to retain my torch during mag changes.

I carry a gun with light 90% of the time and I carry one of the other two hand torches because they are utility lights and will not be employed while holding my pistol. I use them to illuminate shit I don't want to point my gun at.

Thanks for the insight. Wouldn't have thought about the mag changes. Really nice too that it's rubber. I'll definitely need to look into this more. Happen to know a relative ETA for the E2D ring?

 

[Presscheck Consulting]

Let me ask the president of Raven and get back with you buddy.

 

[Bourneshooter]

I'm carrying a E2B as I like dual mode switching for a EDC, but keep trashing the pocket clip.

P2X Fury is a much better option with the Raven clip on it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[karmapolice]

Surefire, I always carry with a X300 u boat on my pistol on and off duty. For off duty pocket carry and non weapon light task I have the newer eb1, only thing I'd change is I would like to have the shrouded tail cap. I run the eb1 on duty as well and a p2x fury on my belt.

 

[Presscheck Consulting]

I see a trend here...... the forum is strong with non douchers. Non douchers love them some surefire.

 

[Presscheck Consulting]

Late summer is a target date for E2D o-rings.

 

[MooSE]

Late summer is a target date for E2D o-rings.

Great, thanks for looking into that. Surefire seems like the "sure" thing to do so far. Of those that have been mentioned, the P2X Fury seems to be liked and used by all commenters so far, and it's a little more in my price range. High lumens too.

 

[TomF]

Personal EDC/defense type use is an SF LX2, SF Fury w/ RCS clip or old SF E2E with Malkoff 325 lumen head.

At work I use my light as a search light a lot, and also need a low mode for pupil exams, reading small print in dark spaces, reading pill bottles in dark rooms, etc. I use my light damn near every call and CR123's add up quickly. For this use I've found the Quark 2x AA light to be excellent. It's a US based company, the lights are tough, the service is good, the clip is built for abuse, and I have mine set to default to 250 lumens high and twist the head slightly for 3 lumens low. I swipe AA's out of resupply once a week.

I have tried a number of other brands for general use type lights and been unimpressed. The three companies I can recommend are SF, Malkoff, and Foursevens (Quark). In that order.

 

[TomF]

For the fragile SF pocket clips (E2B, Lx2, E2D, etc) I found a wrap or two of gorilla tape where the clip enters the light body to extend their life a ton. I used to break one a month and I have an LX2 going on over a year with the same clip now.

 

[Bourneshooter]

For heavy light useage in a non tactical role, I prefer to use a high quality headlamp (Princeton Tec is my choice) over a flashlight. The majority of my non "tactical" useage of a flashlight is reading stuff or searching for crap around the house, car, office. For the around the house stuff I just use the rechargeable Surefire R1 Lawman I carry on my duty belt.

TomF has a good point about a good AA or even a AAA light on hand for more "administrative" in role light useage. Its a role I don't have anything for but my headlamps. For me, the headlamps have worked in that role so far, but YMMV.

 

[karmapolice]

Good point about the head lamp, I forgot about mine. I carry a Petzl strix around in my patrol car for general task too.

 

[TK421]

Not to be a light snob but I only carry surefire.

These are my three go to EDC lights currently.

1. P2X fury Tactical, 6 volt 500 lumen with Raven concealment pocket clip and o ring.
2. When I need small and light I use the new and improved E1D defender, 3 volt 200 lumen.
3. The best mix of compact size and brightness is my E2D defender Uboat, 6 volt 500 lumen. It has impact surfaces fore and aft for temple strikes. I don't fly without this light. Raven will be working a clip and finger ring for this light as well at some point.

I thought lights with strike bezels were a no go when flying. I have a 6P with an aftermarket strike bezel, but swap it out before traveling. Would love to be able to leave it on though.

 

[Presscheck Consulting]

I have gotten zero issues from TSA when I fly. The light comes out of my pocket and into the plastic bin, it's xrayed with the rest of my pocket litter and then right back in my pocket.

 

[501scout]

Surefire L4 with KX2C LED Head bumps the Lumen up to 200 and keeps the older model light relevant in the days of LED.
When I want to impress the ladies, I'll carry a Surefire Fury
My carry is a G19 with a X300U unless I'm using a RCS Vanguard2.

I very lights based on the type of clothing. Some hide things better then others.

 

[shooters101]

Guess I'm a doucher! I have been carrying two 4sevens for a few years now and love them. I also carry one of countycomms AA lights.

I keep the QT2L in strobe mode and only use Surefire batteries in it. The QTLC I run rechargables in it as I find myself using it everyday at least a few times a day. And the small AA one is still pretty bright and can easily be held in my mouth when working with both hands. ( I know I'm going to regret saying that on here)