Need a new EDC

So I lent my coworker my Streamlight Protac and he proceeded to drop it in the sewer so needless to say I am in the market for a new EDC. I was perusing around and came across this gem of a website...I had no idea a family of flashlight fanatics like this existed so I am pretty excited to give this a shot. I work in underground utilities so am exposed to zero light environments in pretty large spaces but also want to carry the same light for everyday personal use. I probably checked more than I should but I am pretty flexible, just looking for something with at least 2 variable outputs. And money is not an issue so looking to see your guys opinions on the best EDC money can buy MW

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!

____I don't know yet
____Up to $25.
____Up to $50.
____Up to $100.
____Up to $200.
____Up to $300.
__X__Essentially unlimited.


​

3) Format:

____I am not sure, please help me decide.
__X__I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
____I want a self-contained headlamp.
____I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.
____I want a mounted light (typically for a bicycle or vehicle)
____I want a lantern/area light.
____I want a portable spotlight (it may have an external power source).
____Other ____________________________________________


​

4) Size:

____MICRO - Keychain size.
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
__X__SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
____MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)
____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.
____I don't know/I don't care.


​

5) Emitter/Light source:

____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
__X__I don't know.


​

6) Manufacturer:

__X__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
__X__I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).


​

7) What power source do you want to use?

____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable ​

Alkaline

batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable ​

Lithium

batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
__X__I intend to use ​

Rechargeable cells

(NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
__X__I intend to use ​

Rechargeable cells

based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
__X__I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
____I don't know/I need more information on power sources.

​

7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option

____I want a light that plugs directly into the wall (literally with prongs built into the light)
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a light that snaps into a cradle (usually mounted on a wall)
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
__X__I don't care


​

8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need?

Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).

____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
__X__I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
__X__I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
__X__I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).

__Maybe__​

SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category

- There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.


9) ​

Flood vs Throw:

Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.

____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
__X__Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
__X__Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
____Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
____Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.

​

9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light

(check all that apply)
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
__X__Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
__X__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
__X__150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)

​

10) Runtime:

Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).

__X__Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
__X__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).




​

11) Durability/Usage:

Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
__X__Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't know.


​

12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):

____Any size switch will do.
____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
____I want a remote switch (usually found on high-end bicycle headlights)
__X__I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


​

13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection.

Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
__X__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__X__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode")
____I want SOS mode. (blinks in ...---... emergency pattern)
____I want a beacon mode. (Regular flashes at full power to show location.)
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


​

14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's higher end flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
____I don't care.
__X__I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________.

​

15) Water resistance

____None needed
____IPX4 (Splash resistant)
__X__IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
____IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)

​

16) Storage conditions

____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
__X__Other_______All Weather Outdoor Use - I live in the northeast so a wide swing in temperature____


​

17) Special Needs/extras:

Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
__X__Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments​

Hello and welcome to CPF

Your post above has been approved, but please do not create duplicate threads

This does not get your posts approved faster, but does create extra work for staff here

Thank you

My first suggestion would be to look into the Malkoff (modular) "system" ....

You have a few conflicting choices above (in terms of output vs runtime, different beamshapes, etc) but could start with, say, a WildCat, a HoundDog, an MDx bezel + dropin(s) , and a couple of different tubes, to get most of what you want.

If extensive programmability is important or wanted, another alternative may be the Oveready BOSS.

I'm so sorry but I couldn't resist...
"__X__150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)"
And you work in Underground Utilities?

Good luck with your search, if it wasn't for the monster output that you want I would suggest an HDS. The most durable and useful EDC that you are going to find.
P

Haha well searching for the Ninja Turtles was not an option!

First step, remember the rule: "Two is One, and One is None". Basically, what do you do if you lose your light? Having a backup, even of less capacity, goes a long way in helping out.

Working underground, I assume you are wearing a hard hat. Have you given consideration to using a headlight? That would go a long way in freeing up both hands for your work. There are tons of options of dedicated headlights, and add-ons like elastic bands that allow a regular light to be worn as a head lamp. That said, I EDC a Nitecore EA11. It is dual fuel AA and 14500, and I normally use a 14500 cell. The extra voltage and capacity gives me a turbo of 900 lumens if I need it (but of course for only a shorter period of time) I back that up with a Streamlight Microstream, which will at least let me see where I am and which way to go. My other EDC is the Nitecore P30. It is a single 18650 light with a larger head for a great throw. What is really nice is that it has a nice spill that is not so bright that it lessens your eyes' ability to see details in the center beam.

Have a look at the Malkoff Neutral XP-L 16650 500 lumen flashlight.

Low/Medium /High, 20/100/500 lumens, runtime of 30hrs/8hrs/1.5hrs on a 2500mAh rechargeable 16650 battery.

Built like a tank, lifetime warranty and great customer service from the Malkoff's.

They also sell it as a turnkey package complete with battery and charger.

I have the same head on a Surefire E series body with a two way clip, which I prefer over the Malkoff body, the E series bodies and clips are available from LUMENS FACTORY.