I've carried a small powerful light as companion to my CCW for several years but lately, I find it more difficult to see in low light while doing tasks around the farm. To make things easier, I began carrying a 200+ lumen compact light on my belt full time. Surprising how often that light gets used. After seeing just how handy it is, Son and Grandson are packing lights, too.
how many carry a flashlite?
- Thread starter Mobuck
- Start date
I've been carrying a Streamlight protac 1L/1AA (uses either 1 CR123 or 1 AA) for almost four years now. Never notice it clipped inside my pocket but it's surprising how often I use it. It's small and light but puts out 350 Lumen on fresh battery but drops and maintains 250 until the CR123 gives up the ghost. It also has a low output which extends battery life and strobe setting, I never use the strobe.
paboxcall
Bearcat
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2011
- Messages
- 77
Agree, finding I'm using a light more often as well for routine tasks. Keep a cheap light on the key chain which I use often.
My carry light is a Surefire Outdoorsman, owned them about 10 or so years. Keep one in each vehicle for emergencies, and one in the pocket when needed. It has a good clip that keeps the light deeper in the pocket. These put out a ton of light with a decent run time on the batteries as well. They get pretty hot, only drawback.
Interested to hear what others carry, often thought of updating to something lighter with a smaller barrel. Like the carry weapon, always a trade off.
My carry light is a Surefire Outdoorsman, owned them about 10 or so years. Keep one in each vehicle for emergencies, and one in the pocket when needed. It has a good clip that keeps the light deeper in the pocket. These put out a ton of light with a decent run time on the batteries as well. They get pretty hot, only drawback.
Interested to hear what others carry, often thought of updating to something lighter with a smaller barrel. Like the carry weapon, always a trade off.
Having got caught in the dark before I'll make sure to always carry at least my pocket flashlight (1AAA). If I'm working, since my job is mostly at night, I'll add a penlight (2AA) in the cargo pocket and a small (3 AA) type adjustable beam light on a belt holster, this is in addition to the lantern that my job supplies, I know that it's a lot of lights but if I have to walk my train it's usually out in the middle of nowhere with only starlight or moonlight so I have to be ready if my primary conks out.
And yes to the getting older and needing a little light on the subject.
And yes to the getting older and needing a little light on the subject.
Yep, a small flashlight and a smaller multitool.
I don’t believe that one can ever have too many flashlights. I am pretty sure almost every room in the house has one. There are six in my bedroom. I don’t usually carry one as I have so many around the house and cars. While it is not very powerful, I will use the “flashlight” feature on my cell phone. It is handy enough.
When I was working outside the house, I always carried a pocket size magnifier. I put it to use several times a day. I keep several magnifying glasses around the house too and reach for frequently.
When I was working outside the house, I always carried a pocket size magnifier. I put it to use several times a day. I keep several magnifying glasses around the house too and reach for frequently.
Of course I carry a flashlight in my work... these LEDs are a pure mericle .... compared to what I carried for years.... but 12volt high beam monsters I do try to throw a small light in my pocket when I go out at night... and every car has one in the drivers door pocket.... seems I bought a case of something called J5 Tactical a few years ago... these are slightly a cut above the standard cheap Chinese lights... what I like is to have the same exact flashlight in different places.... these run off one AA battery and are simple on and off...
but I have to say that I learned way to late in my chimney sweep career .... a good head light.... I now use Milwaukee rechargeable ones when ever I'm doing any work that requires a little extra light.
but I have to say that I learned way to late in my chimney sweep career .... a good head light.... I now use Milwaukee rechargeable ones when ever I'm doing any work that requires a little extra light.
OP
OK, we've established that many of us carry lights. I also keep a couple of headlamps in the farm pickup for after dark repairs.
Next question (and some have already answered): What type of battery? CR123 is more expensive but more dependable. AAA is cheaper but the battery holders don't seem to hold up well or maintain good contact at times.
My SD light uses CR123 but I've been using 'chore lights' with 3x AAA rechargeable since those are used a lot and not usually a life threatening need.
Son bought one that uses a rechargeable battery that is interchangeable with CR123 but it's a bit spendy for something that can get dropped into a hole/lost/crushed at any time.
Next question (and some have already answered): What type of battery? CR123 is more expensive but more dependable. AAA is cheaper but the battery holders don't seem to hold up well or maintain good contact at times.
My SD light uses CR123 but I've been using 'chore lights' with 3x AAA rechargeable since those are used a lot and not usually a life threatening need.
Son bought one that uses a rechargeable battery that is interchangeable with CR123 but it's a bit spendy for something that can get dropped into a hole/lost/crushed at any time.
Pat-inCO
Hawkeye
I've carried a Nitecore TIP (360 lumen o/p) for almost five years now.
Small, easy to keep in the pocket. Only problem, it has been discontinued.
The replacement is the TIP SE (same price/size) but almost twice the o/p.
It uses a USB C to recharge it.
Nitecore TIP SE
Small, easy to keep in the pocket. Only problem, it has been discontinued.
The replacement is the TIP SE (same price/size) but almost twice the o/p.
It uses a USB C to recharge it.
Nitecore TIP SE
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
Hi,
When backpacking started to become a yuppie sport, headlights started becoming popular. Good idea--miners have used them for decades--but generally way overpriced and pretty fragile. I bought a spendy one that didn't last as long as a cheap one and kind of ignored them for a while.
Recently, we started doing some night hikes on a local trail which is used by hikers, cyclists and rattlesnakes. I got another "one more chance" headlight, this one from from Pelican, the folks who make all the gun cases and lots of other stuff. It's actually built to be used and I've been happy so far. Price was a little higher than most of my previous headlamps, but it's built like somebody cared. They have several models and I got the bottom line one.
There's still a Mini-Maglite (2-AA) in each of the vehicle glove boxes, and a couple of Mag's 1-AAA Solitaires that move around from case to case depending what I'm doing. I have been impressed with the light from some of the LED flashlights, but I "drop my stuff in the dirt too often" as a buddy puts it, and the ones I've tried didn't last long.
The flashlight function on the smart phone gets used to "find things" but it's not built for work.
Rick C
When backpacking started to become a yuppie sport, headlights started becoming popular. Good idea--miners have used them for decades--but generally way overpriced and pretty fragile. I bought a spendy one that didn't last as long as a cheap one and kind of ignored them for a while.
Recently, we started doing some night hikes on a local trail which is used by hikers, cyclists and rattlesnakes. I got another "one more chance" headlight, this one from from Pelican, the folks who make all the gun cases and lots of other stuff. It's actually built to be used and I've been happy so far. Price was a little higher than most of my previous headlamps, but it's built like somebody cared. They have several models and I got the bottom line one.
There's still a Mini-Maglite (2-AA) in each of the vehicle glove boxes, and a couple of Mag's 1-AAA Solitaires that move around from case to case depending what I'm doing. I have been impressed with the light from some of the LED flashlights, but I "drop my stuff in the dirt too often" as a buddy puts it, and the ones I've tried didn't last long.
The flashlight function on the smart phone gets used to "find things" but it's not built for work.
Rick C
LDB
Blackhawk
Not tactical but I have a Surefire Sidekick on a carabiner along with the two car "keys" that has good output options:Mobuck said:
HIGH OUTPUT
300 lumens
HIGH RUNTIME
1.25 hours
MEDIUM OUTPUT
60 lumens
MEDIUM RUNTIME
4 hours
LOW OUTPUT
5 lumens
LOW RUNTIME
45 hours
DISTANCE
66 meters
And a Titan Plus in my pocket with my cash and coin carrier.
HIGH OUTPUT
300 lumens
HIGH RUNTIME
1 hour
MEDIUM OUTPUT
75 lumens
MEDIUM RUNTIME
2 hours
LOW OUTPUT
15 lumens
LOW RUNTIME
7 hours
DISTANCE
66 meters
NikA
Hunter
I have two Streamlight rechargeables and a few LED lights that take AA/AAA/CR-123 as backups. The vast majority of batteries here are rechargeable, even in the common sizes. In terms of durability, I've had to replace the LED unit in each of the rechargeable flashlights once at this point (guessing moisture ingress from hard outdoor use) but the batteries still seem to work great.
I don't generally keep a light on my person or in my car other than for trips. Phone light works for quick items and I prefer to concentrate the lights I have within 10ft of the front door for dealing with outdoor tasks at night.
I don't generally keep a light on my person or in my car other than for trips. Phone light works for quick items and I prefer to concentrate the lights I have within 10ft of the front door for dealing with outdoor tasks at night.
I've carried a Streamlight single AAA for a couple decades. I get about 8-10years out of one & always keep a backup. Not the brightest on the market but they work for me.
Fast forward 30 years in technology & I just received a rechargeable model of another brand. Run time is longer, it's smaller than my unit, & it's way brighter.
I'll see how the USB unit does first, but maybe time to step up.
Fast forward 30 years in technology & I just received a rechargeable model of another brand. Run time is longer, it's smaller than my unit, & it's way brighter.
I'll see how the USB unit does first, but maybe time to step up.
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2004
- Messages
- 3,929
- City & State/Province
- Alabama, in the bend of the Tennessee River
Petzel makes a headlamp that takes both 3 AAA batteries or a rechargable. I just bought one, but haven't used it yet other than trying it out a home. It has three brightness settings and is quite bright on the high setting. I don't have the rechargable battery yet but plan to get one.
OP
I just bought a 2 pack of "Energizer" 300 lumen CR123 powered lights. They're the right size for my preferred belt pouch fit and the price was right. I don't really care for the 3 way switch (low/high/strobe) but Grandson has been carrying one for 6 months and hasn't destroyed it yet so maybe an OK product. At the very least, I'll be able to utilize the CR123 batteries left over from another widget that failed miserably.
Good source for information on flashlights and batteries: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forum.php
I don't use flashlights much, but I do carry one and have them in vehicles. Having them and using them for emergencies makes them well worth the expense.
I really like the Streamlight protac 1L/1AA mentioned in previous post. Dual fuel batteries increases odds of finding batteries in an emergency. Have them in all vehicles and gave to each of my kids.
Lithium-based batteries are the way to go, especially for flashlights that are stored and not used much. I've learned my lesson having had alkaline leakage kill a few lights.
I've used K2 rechargeable CR123-equivalent batteries for a few years. They get used every few months for some night time volunteer work I do. They are just about right amount of charge to deplete a charge in about an hour of on-light time on low light setting.
I've had good luck with some hardware-store Rayovac LED lights I've bought.
Only quibble I have with high output LED lights is the heat buildup. I have a few lights that get noticeably hot after prolonged use on high output setting. Of course, some flashlights are more uncomfortable than others.
I don't use flashlights much, but I do carry one and have them in vehicles. Having them and using them for emergencies makes them well worth the expense.
I really like the Streamlight protac 1L/1AA mentioned in previous post. Dual fuel batteries increases odds of finding batteries in an emergency. Have them in all vehicles and gave to each of my kids.
Lithium-based batteries are the way to go, especially for flashlights that are stored and not used much. I've learned my lesson having had alkaline leakage kill a few lights.
I've used K2 rechargeable CR123-equivalent batteries for a few years. They get used every few months for some night time volunteer work I do. They are just about right amount of charge to deplete a charge in about an hour of on-light time on low light setting.
I've had good luck with some hardware-store Rayovac LED lights I've bought.
Only quibble I have with high output LED lights is the heat buildup. I have a few lights that get noticeably hot after prolonged use on high output setting. Of course, some flashlights are more uncomfortable than others.
I have a no name flashlight that is 1,000 lumens on high beam, and 300 on low beam it uses a 18650 rechargeable, as does my 10,000 lumen headlamp. It uses two of the 18650.
gramps
gramps
I always carry one, typically it is a Thrunite TI4 which is good enough to see by, at least to get to where there is light or a better flashlight!
