ot: new for me gearhead category - EDC (every day carry) flashlights

[saab2000]

I am required to carry a flashlight with me in my job and I have a Maglite Mag-Tac rechargeable light. It’s very nice when it works, but is prone to the battery running down when not used much for a couple weeks. So I need to occasionally pop it into the charger just to make sure it’s charged. There’s no battery level indicator, which would actually be really nice.

I’m glad it has the “tac” in the name. The knowledge that it’s a “tactical” piece of equipment makes my so much more confident that I will be able to deal with any eventuality as long as I have this advantage.

[rice rocket]

Some tac lights have a strike bezel, which can be really sharp... I don't like having things that slice me in my pockets though.

They also have a strobe mode which is very disorienting.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

I only recently learned that "tactical flashlights" are an actual thing.

Da fuq?!?!

I think "tactical" became big at the same time preppers started advertising their end of the world wares on television.

[AngryScientist]

I think Maglite used to be a really good company and at the top of the game at one point, but i feel like once LED became popular and widely available they lost their edge. I have a few of their more recent lights kicking around and they do have quality issues.

I do still have a few 3D larger ones in the garage and basemnt that still work and are pretty beat up. I replaced the bulbs with LED, which are decent.

Streamlight makes a good utility light also.

[eddief]

$50 at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/sofirn-Flashl...64aaede80892c2

Half that from the manufacturer, but shipping might take forever:

https://www.sofirnlight.com/products...RoCWQMQAvD_BwE

[Likes2ridefar]

This is what I use. I got my father one as well. I also have their bike headlight that works with GoPro and garmin twist mounts and a few small globe lights for campsites. All have been trouble free so far. The lights below are two years old now.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

I think Maglite used to be a really good company and at the top of the game at one point, but i feel like once LED became popular and widely available they lost their edge. I have a few of their more recent lights kicking around and they do have quality issues.

Haha im sure my dad still will only buy Maglite flashlights. I remember we had the big black police-style maglites when I was growing up. And he was so psyched on it. I found it recently and put fresh batteries in it to see what was so amazing about it... im pretty sure a 99 cent LED light has more lumens.. At least it was heavy af and you can hit a robber over the head with it.

My dad also probably still swears by his 35 year old Makita battery-operated drill...

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Haha im sure my dad still will only buy Maglite flashlights. I remember we had the big black police-style maglites when I was growing up. And he was so psyched on it. I found it recently and put fresh batteries in it to see what was so amazing about it... im pretty sure a 99 cent LED light has more lumens.. At least it was heavy af and you can hit a robber over the head with it.

My dad also probably still swears by his 35 year old Makita battery-operated drill...

Those Maglites were great because they were aluminum and nicely made and durable. But yeah, totally out powered by LEDs today. I’ve got a few of the older Maglites. They are irrelevant today……. I don’t use them pretty much ever and I don’t want to replace the C or D cells every year as they degrade.

Whoever invented the cellular phone flashlight function should get a Nobel Prize. That’s the most useful flashlight I own.

[Ozz]

FWIW - Coast makes pretty good lights at a good price point...I have a couple flashlights and headlamps from them...durable, reliable, etc.

if you really want to get into "tac" lights, then SureFire and Streamlight are what you are looking for, but everyone is in that game now...

[sg8357]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

I only recently learned that "tactical flashlights" are an actual thing.

Da fuq?!?!

Strategic Flashlight....

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by saab2000

Whoever invented the cellular phone flashlight function should get a Nobel Prize. That’s the most useful flashlight I own.

And hands free...

"Hey Siri, turn flashlight on..."

[donevwil]

I have a dinky Nitecore Tiki attached to my pocket knife. Don't let the size fool you, the thing is bright, at it's highest setting, and has good battery life. Most convenient flashlight I've ever had.



For those of you with older Maglites, spring for an LED bulb retrofit. Brings now life to an otherwise outdated light.

[reuben]

If there's a Paceline EDC flashlight, it's gotta be Fenix FTW.

[rice rocket]

Originally Posted by reuben

If there's a Paceline EDC flashlight, it's gotta be Fenix FTW.

Other Fenix though.

https://www.fenixforinteriors.com/en

[Mikej]

I purchased half a dozen Fenix C7 flashlights for our Lab personnel. Over 2 years of getting banged around and the lights are still working well. Also, the guys really like them and they keep track of their lights.