So I’ve had a few lights, some of them decent, some of them not quite so decent. Here’s what I’m looking for in my wild quest for a new EDC light.
- 18650/18350 batteries (already somewhat invested in those, they also seem like the superior choice for EDC lights).
- Compact, looking for something that’s in the range of 3 to 4.5” for overall length. Probably better to have it 3.5 to 4.5” though, just for being able to grip it and use a tail switch with my thumb.
- Momentary on/off option, so I can use the light at night for shooting with a pistol.
- Tail switch of some kind, maybe even a tail switch/body switch combo or something else where I can select modes easier and don’t have to cycle the tail switch to find my bright mode.
- Neutral white LED, but if I find a light that fit’s all of the above, I’m fine with something reasonably close to neutral white.
- Obviously, a good clip that carries reasonably low.
- Oh - right, $price$, I’m really trying to find a light under $50, willing to push that up a little, but not too far. If I somehow lose a light, or if it gets stolen/broken, I would like to not ate hate myself for a month straight.
Also considering the idea of picking up multiples if I find an ideal light, just to have on hand if companies decide to discontinue them. That’s happened with a few items I really liked using for EDC or work. Really drives me crazy to not be able to buy a replacement later on. Especially after spending a significant amount of time researching. So yeah - not trying to spend an excessive amount of money on a light. Usually if I buy something to EDC it will get used, it’s not going to sit in a drawer (Ok - I’m a little guilty of having too many knives, gotta sell a few I haven’t really carried enough pretty soon).
Here’s a shortlist of relevant lights that I have and enjoy that sort of inspired me to go on this wild goose chase.
- Streamlight 1L-AA, this is currently my most carried light.
Like: Almost the ideal size for what I’m looking for. Ridiculously tough. (I lost it out of a shitty belt holster - now replaced - and it spent a week out in a hay field, survived 2 rainstorms, got ran over by the hay swather, and once I finally found it, it still worked! Although it has a few battle scars on it now). I also love the clips that Streamlight has on their lights, it’s super handy to be able to hook them face up or face down or even stick it on the bill of a hat to be hands free for a few minutes.
Don’t Like: It’s right at the bottom end of being bright enough, CR123s help, but still not quite there. No real rechargeable battery options. No moonlight mode.
- Thrunite T1
Like: Became a big fan of 18350 batteries after I got this thing, so capable in such a small package! It’s got a z-clip like the Streamlight (not sure what to call them). I’m now a big fan of the warmer neutral white option I selected for this light, looks so much nicer in my opinion over cool LED’s. The adjustable brightness level is awesome. Being able to go immediately into moonlight, or to max brightness, is also great. The tail stand feature is cool, but not something I desperately need.
Don’t like: It’s almost too small for a fist grip. Not a fan of the side button - really wish this thing had a tail switch that I could activate with my thumb, would also fix the length issue. Probably doesn’t throw far enough to really be good for a tac-light if I need to use a pistol in the dark, but I’m being a bit nitpicky here.
- Streamlight 2LX - got this as a weapon light, found out it’s not a 1” outer diameter, bought a Streamlight PolytacX to use instead, now it’s just sitting in my lights drawer and doesn’t get used much.
Like: 18650 batteries, and of course the clip.
Dislike: It’s pretty damn huge, not exactly ideal for pocket carry. It’s barely brighter than the 1L-AA, and far dimmer than the Streamlight Protac 90X I got, (which is somehow much smaller) even though it uses the same batteries.
Here’s a list of lights I’ve looked into while attempting to find my ideal light, but don’t quite fit the bill. I’m only including the ones that came the closest to what I’m looking for.
- Klarus E1 - I have one of their other lights for a weapon light, love the 2 switch system
Like: Overall length is awesome. 2 switch system would work great for what I want.
Dislike: Proprietary batteries (really Klarus?) It looks like the brightness levels are weirdly spaced. This would really be a no-brainer if it didn’t have those two issues.
- Klarus XT1C - mainly considered this because it has most of the features that the E1 has
Like: No proprietary battery issue.
Dislike: Found out it’s not running 18350’s like I thought - so back to the drawing board.
- EagleTac DX3B Clicky Pro
Like: Checks almost all the boxes on features I want
Dislike: Price
- JETBeam Raptor JETRRT01R
Same shit as the above light, checks almost all the boxes of features, but it’s a bit too high in price.
- Fenix PD25
Like: Fit’s most of my needs feature-wise
Dislike: Battery type, same issue as the small Klarus
- EagleTac D25LC2 Tactical
Like: Light adjustment/selection options, main tail cap button w/ mode selection on body, battery can be almost any 18650.
Dislike: Slightly out of my price range. Slightly longer than I want. And for some reason, it doesn’t look like they offer the Nicha in this model, even though the non-tactical version does. Weird.
^ This might be the light I end up going with if someone can’t come up with a better suggestion. It’s really close to being ideal, probably worth it just to spend a few extra bucks on it. Also, it’s a damn good looking light, which is kind of a bonus I guess.
If anyone has any suggestions on lights that I haven’t found out about that fit the bill, please let me know. In other words…… please help. Even if it’s just to say, “get this one dumbass - it’s clearly the right choice”.
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