---Immediately Accessible Neck Light---

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Bull-Dozer

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I have an Every Day Carry category I would like to share. I call it Immediately Accessible (IA).

I EDC a lot of gear, especially considering the wide and often argued definition of EDC. From my truck to my backpack to things I stage at home and in the office to my sling bag and my pockets, I consider all of it to be different levels of EDC to one extent or another. That being said, IA means anything I can instantly pull out and use. Generally speaking the smaller, lighter and more instantly retrievable a thing is the more likely I am to consistently carry it. Though I hate to admit it the bigger, heavier, clunkier gear eventually gets left behind no matter how capable, expensive or amazing.

I am thinking of putting a small flashlight on braided 550 paracord, like a neck knife. Neck light? Yep, gonna update the title of this post to include that. Anyhow, I would like to orient it straight down. I would also like to braid the cordage to stop it from gouging into my fat neck and to make it less likely to roll from side to side as I walk. These days I keep a AAA flashlight in my cargo pocket but a neck light would be even faster. Sure it may look a bit weird and only be the slightest bit faster but I like to geek out over such details. After all, I am here posting all my hobby weirdness to complete strangers so there's that.

So yeah, that's likely my next project. Which of my many lights am I going to use? Good question, glad you asked. None of them. This calls for a brand new purchase! I cannot press any of my other lights into a new and different function. They are spoken for and comfortable with their given roles. Just wouldn't feel right. So, maybe a Fenix E03 or something similar in size and shape.
 
I can’t remember who but we have someone who used to carry a small headlamp around his neck- made a bunch of informative posts about it.

Edit: I looked through a bunch of old posts- can’t find it yet but I am enjoying going back through old threads.
 
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tech25 said:
I can’t remember who but we have someone who used to carry a small headlamp around his neck- made a bunch of informative posts about it.
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Interesting. I have done that while running snow blowers. Somewhat of a pain because I wear glasses so I couldn't just slide the light up and down from head to neck one handed. I have considered carrying a small headlamp in my pocket, complete with strap.
 
A Fenix E03, huh? If you was the loyal, ride-or-die AAA fan that you said you was, then you would never consider putting that abomination around your neck.
If you want a AAA for neckwear, I would go with the McGizmo Sapphire. It's the most beautiful AAA light in the world, as well as being bombproof and foolproof.
But if you want something more like the Fenix E03, I would go with the Nightcore TINI 3. The Fenix company has this crazy idea that 5 lumens is as low as a flashlight should ever go, and they are so wrong it makes my teeth hurt. The Nitecore's low is 1 lumen -- still a little brighter than ideal, but much, much better than 5. And because it is lower, it will last over 80 hours. That's right -- you've got a 72-hour light on your neck. Goes up to 500 lumens for brief bursts. Nice range of color temps, too, all built into the light -- you switch color temps just like switching output levels.
 
lampeDépêche said:
A Fenix E03, huh? If you was the loyal, ride-or-die AAA fan that you said you was, then you would never consider putting that abomination around your neck.
If you want a AAA for neckwear, I would go with the McGizmo Sapphire. It's the most beautiful AAA light in the world, as well as being bombproof and foolproof.
But if you want something more like the Fenix E03, I would go with the Nightcore TINI 3. The Fenix company has this crazy idea that 5 lumens is as low as a flashlight should ever go, and they are so wrong it makes my teeth hurt. The Nitecore's low is 1 lumen -- still a little brighter than ideal, but much, much better than 5. And because it is lower, it will last over 80 hours. That's right -- you've got a 72-hour light on your neck. Goes up to 500 lumens for brief bursts. Nice range of color temps, too, all built into the light -- you switch color temps just like switching output levels.
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Fan? To an extent. Snobbery is more my thing.

I like the red light of the E03 but that's where it stops, it's more of a place holder I just haven't looked at the competition yet. There is something clunky about the E03 about that doesn't sit right with what I am after. A small flat design is basically what I want for the neck light.

Funny you mention the TINI3, I was just looking at their line. I also recently found myself frustrated with the lack of low lumen performance out there in general. I would rather have a greater variety of settings towards the lower end than anything.

I just looked up the McGizmo, reminds me of an M16A2 flash suppressor compensator. Interesting but not quite my style. The TINI3 however, that might just work.
 
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The only time I used a neck-light was when I carried an Eternalite Derringer on my lanyard at work. It's momentary mode was perfect for looking in equipment racks during the middle of a show. Even then, it was handheld, just stored on the lanyard. As far as using a neck-mounted light, I could see the utility of it, but a headlamp (major dork factor) does the job better. My preference are lanterns of course. Now with so many compact, magnetic lanterns, I don't have much use for true flashlights.
 
Photon Microlight ii.
Non rechargeable but good runtimes. VERY light and virtually indestructible.
Had one on my keys for years and it still looks and functions like new. I don’t use it very often so it’s still on the original cells. Has a momentary on switch as well as a regular on/off switch.
 
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I made a few necklace lights. My general duty version is a Tini2 with a micro paracord necklace. I use marine grade (hot glue lined) heat shrink tube to make one large loop for your neck, and one small loop for the light. That gives you a break away point for safety.. it also has a magnetic necklace clasp, between the cord and the light, so the light is quick detach. And will also stick to things to hold it while you work. I have worn it for weeks at a time, and have only had it self detach a couple times.
The heavy duty version is the same, but uses an Olight I1R, since it's more waterproof. I wear it on canoe trips and such for reliable light.
Both are great.
IMG_20260509_174801.jpg
 
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I did a review of the Fenix E03R v2 and Nitecore Tini. Both pretty good lights. I have the Fenix and my wife the Tini. Main issue for me was the buttons on the Tini are too close to each other. Actually my neck light is a Fenix E12 v3. (Single AA light). Might be too big for some but seems to be ok for me and gives 3/modes light up to the 200 lumens on high.
 
I've carried a light around my neck everyday but Sundays for at least 18 years. Started with a EDC 60 and has now morphed to a Franken-light 2cell surefire defender body, Malkoff 3 stage head, and a Aleph tailcap.. have a quick connect adapter and Paracord with the center removed.

Like in post 21 in this thread

I do however wear a shirt with buttons everyday..
 

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