EDC Light options

Does your EDC include a light

  • Weapon mounted light

    Votes: 5 11.6%

  • Handheld flashlight

    Votes: 35 81.4%

  • No need (I can see in the dark)

    Votes: 3 7.0%
  • Total voters
    43
Metalliman27055

Metalliman27055

Insert title here:
Joined
Dec 18, 2016
Messages
657
Location
Yadkinville
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
So I am what many would call a "GearQueer". My mother always called it "retail therapy". But I've been doing some unsuccessful shopping to find the PERFECT EDC rig for me. The closest I have found is the T-Rex Arms Sidecar. Unfortunately, T-Rex doesn't make a lighted rig for my XD and they are pretty spendy. I REALLY like n82 tactical's new revenant line, but once again, No supported lights. I have been carrying a weapon mounted light ever since I started carrying a firearm concealed and appreciate the fact that I have a light if there were ever a need to use my weapon in a poorly lit environment. My XDsc sports a TLR3. My Glock43 hosts a TLR6 and my Glock19 currently hosts an APLcompact. During my web browsing, I have come across the Thyrm Switchback rings for Streamlights. These seem to allow you to continue to run a traditional 2 hand grip on your weapon and manipulate the light similar to the rocker switches on the Streamlight TRL1-3 by pressing down on the top of the ring with your support thumb. The downside is the supported lights are $100-200 and that's a hard pill to swallow not knowing if its something I will actually use.
So I want some feedback from the group, what kind of light do you carry, and why did you go that route. Have you trained with it in a low-light environment? Have you discovered a reason to NOT go a certain way?
 
My "philosophy" is slightly different. I carry a Streamlight Stylus Pro flashlight because its small, light, produces a good beam, is pretty rugged, and inexpensive so I don't mind accidentally losing one. I save the WML for my bedside gun as I am far more likely to need a light during a bump in the night than I am in my day to day carrying on. But I have, dozens of times, needed a pocket flashlight.
 
Like @B00ger, only my nightstand handgun wears a WML. All others get paired with a handheld so I have options. I have taken some courses for shooting while using handhelds and feel comfortable enough that I will be able to defend myself/family with that setup
 
I use my light frequently so hanging it on a gun would be a bad idea for me. If I worried about low light shooting I'd probably go with a WML and still also carry a hand held light. But I don't so I voted handheld for practical not tactical reasons.
 
Off weapon because I use a light fairly often and the “Never Point a Gun at Something Unless and Until You’re Ready to Destroy It“ means not using a WML.

For me I like the Streamlight Protac 1L-1AA ... it’s only about $35, small enough to carry easy, uses either 1 CR123A or 1AA battery (with lower output though) if you can’t get your hands on the CR123A and being programmable I can choose my good old school high or off setting.

https://smile.amazon.com/Streamligh...3846&sr=8-1&keywords=protac+1l-1aa+flashlight
 
Last edited:
I carry a Streamlight Microstream nearly every waking hour.

My winter/overnight/known crime ridden area carry is an XD45 w TRL1, in a AIWB rig I made, had I done better I'd carry it all the time.
 
Like several mentioned above, I carry handheld light on my person with my EDC pistols and knife. I carry it everywhere and at all hours of the day even when it is daylight. Just to give an example of why a handheld light is better, family and I were at the movies one summer afternoon. A thunderstorm came up and knocked out power. All the movie quit playing and the lights in the theatre went out. People started freaking out, got my flashlight out my pocket and grabbed the family and safely walked us outside. I do train using it with my handguns and now it is second nature. There are numerous flashlight techniques out there, you just have to train and find the one that works for you. I do like weapon mounted lights as well but not for EDC.
 
HMP said:
What is that one?



I carry handheld, Microstream
Click to expand...
It's the rechargeable Microstream. It charges via mini USB cable like most cellphones. Single click gives you 50 lumens and a double click boosts it to 250 lumens. I've run it a couple months and I've been very impressed. I use it daily and charge it once a week and could prob go two weeks without charging.
 
Last edited:
I prefer handheld as well. I currently have an Eagletac D25C but I'm in the market for a new EDC light that sports a momentary on feature. Suggestions welcomed.
 
I have a Powertac Scholar tactical pen/flashlight. It goes with me everywhere even where my firearm can't, and it fits nicely in the pen pocket on my shirt sleeve.
 
Damn_Yankee said:
I prefer handheld as well. I currently have an Eagletac D25C but I'm in the market for a new EDC light that sports a momentary on feature. Suggestions welcomed.
Click to expand...

I was/am blown away by my inexpensive microstream. And the USB version posted above looks even better!!!
 
Just looked up the USB - only 30 shipped on Amazon!
Anyone know of it cheaper another place?
 
Depends on which pistol I'm carrying. One has a TLR6 and the other does not.
 
Last edited:
Ferrisfan said:
I have a Powertac Scholar tactical pen/flashlight. It goes with me everywhere even where my firearm can't, and it fits nicely in the pen pocket on my shirt sleeve.
Click to expand...

I have one of those as well, it is awesome! I've wondered is it was TSA safe, by chance do you know?
 
I carry some type of light with me at all times....
I have a Nitecore TIP on my keychain that puts out 380 lumens.
My current EDC light is a Nitecore MH1C, USB rechargeable, simple interface, decently bright, goes in my pocket or lives in the console of my truck, if I am going to be out and about in the dark, goes with me.

I need a light alot more than I need a WML, that being said if I were to add a WML to my G19, it would be a TLR 7.
 
HMP said:
Just looked up the USB - only 30 shipped on Amazon!
Anyone know of it cheaper another place?
Click to expand...
I searched pretty hard and that's what I paid for mine. All the available colors go to low mode with a single click and then 2 clicks for high except the coyote brown. It goes into high mode first and then steps down with a double click.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HMP
BBD280 said:
I searched pretty hard and that's what I paid for mine. All the available colors go to low mode with a single click and then 2 clicks for high except the coyote brown. It goes into high mode first and then steps down with a double click.
Click to expand...

Good info
Ill pick up a plain black one, nothing too bright or shiny
 
NCMedic said:
What is the interface and switch set up like on that light?
Click to expand...
Push button clicky low then high. Soft push for momentary and double soft click for high momentary. Its my EDC light for basic tasks like finding the kids monster truck under the couch so low first is ok for me.
 
I EDC two handheld lights and I use then every day. One is a Fenix LD12 that is used for everything, looking under counters, etc. But, it can be bumped up to limited tactical use if necessary. The other one, models vary, is used as a search light when I'm on the farm at night, but can be bumped down for regular use. Everyone serious should carry two lights. Why? We'll Two is One and One is none. But, more common is that whenever you're in a lights out situation, power failure, abandoned warehouse, whatever... SOMEONE will ask you to borrow your light, because you're the only person that brought one. So, then you're left standing in the dark.
Generally, I'm not fond of handgun weapon lights, but I have one on an AR for the farm. The farm dictates being able to see a fair distance at night.
Contrary to popular opinion, I believe a light can be too bright and too narrow of a beam for throw. Generally, I prefer a broader beam and moderate brightness. And yes, I have had low light/no light training and yes I've cleared a house. FWIW
 
Hand held or AR mounted I love Fenix lights for quality, toughness, and battery type. The smaller units pack a serious amount of lumens. For mounts on a handgun I have stuff I hate. They are expensive and in my opinion worthless. Anything with more than one brightness, momentary, and on is bad for a defense situation. It needs to be simple and come on in only one mode- light.

I’ll never by a unit with laser, pulse laser, strobe, low power, medium power, and high power. My mistake and will not happen again.
 
BlackGun said:
Hand held or AR mounted I love Fenix lights for quality, toughness, and battery type. The smaller units pack a serious amount of lumens. For mounts on a handgun I have stuff I hate. They are expensive and in my opinion worthless. Anything with more than one brightness, momentary, and on is bad for a defense situation. It needs to be simple and come on in only one mode- light.

I’ll never by a unit with laser, pulse laser, strobe, low power, medium power, and high power. My mistake and will not happen again.
Click to expand...
Yes. Nothing is more frustrating than futzing through the modes when you want to get light on the subject NOW. Also it's hard to do wanding or strobing technique if the light doesn't default to what you want or it changes settings in the middle. I'm talking about manual strobing, not the built in modes. The little LD12 requires you hit a separate switch to change modes. So when you hit the tail switch it's always in the mode you last set. Some of the more thought through lights will default to max power after being switched off.. You don't have the bandwidth to be thinking about the light in a high stress scenario. You'll end up throwing the light in frustration.
 
BBD280 said:
It's the rechargeable Microstream. It charges via mini USB cable like most cellphones. Single click gives you 50 lumens and a double click boosts it to 250 lumens. I've run it a couple months and I've been very impressed. I use it daily and charge it once a week and could prob go two weeks without charging.
Click to expand...

I’m on my third regular AAA microstream. To clarify: not because they break but because ive had one bounce out of my pocket on a tractor, etc etc.

The recharge feature sounds nice.

I will always buy these lights as a pair because I will keep one in my daily go bag and one for my pocket
 
Because of my work I EDC an Olight R50 Seeker Pro. Often I also have an Olight H2R Nova headlight (the light can be removed from the headband). Both of these lights are rechargeable and Olight’s guarantee and customer service has been amazing.

I also have various Fenix, Streamlights and some others.
 
Last edited:
I run a TLR1 for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it's what I train with on the regular. I have not taken a formal low light class, but i have spent hours and hours in low light becoming familiar with my rig(s) and working them in low/no light.

With that said, I like the TLR1 because of the brightness and usability across multiple forms of carrying. Check out the Blackhawk!Omnivore for OWB or as a leg rig. It mounts to the light and not the gun, allowing you to run a boat load of guns on the same rig.

Also, check out Tier 1 concealment's agis holster. It's like the T-REX but much better IMO. It fits better to your body and they make it fit a slew of gun/light combos.

Finally, I'm gonna hit Nate Beard up for a revenate pad or 2 to see if I can make my own Kydex shell for my G19 and a TLR1. Guess who has 2thumbs, some kydex and a vacuum press.....this guy! [emoji106][emoji106][emoji16]
 
I carry one of several lights every day at work, I have Streamlights, Surefire and Fenix lights that range from 600 to 1000 lumens that I rotate through.

When I’m not working I normally carry an Olight S1 Baton.

I always have a Surefire Sidekick on my keys so no matter where I am I always have a torch on me, my wife and daughter always keep a powerful 500+ lumen light in their purses but when Surefire had a sale on the Sidekick for $20 they both wanted one because mine has been so handy.

https://www.surefire.com/sidekick.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom