A powerful flashlight is part of my EDC kit and used way more than my OC or handgun.
I carry an older Nitrolon G3 (incandescent), have LED backups, abd and LED in each vehicle. If you find the "tactical" lights too big, the LED Mini-Mag Solitare is a great option. Inexpensive and punches above it's weight class. Also works great as a borelight.
Tractor supply brand lights have a “tactical “ light kit. rechargeable, firearms mount, curl cord option,300 lumens. I have 3 two mounted and one on my belt. Ive had some kind of light with me for 30 plus years.
+1 on not using the smartphone "flashlight" function; the device is far better used for emergency communication than illumination. Also, the light output and "throw" of that LED is piss-poor compared to even a cheap dollar-store flashlight, and if you're using the phone to search it makes it difficult to simultaneously use it as a phone. Just don't do it. Get a dedicated light.
I like the Duracell-branded "500 lumen" ones I could get in a 3-unit blister pack from Costco for about $20, $15 on sale. Just a personal preference; I don't think the Energizer ones at the Big Box Home Improvement store are all that different in capability.
I recently discussed flashlights on my blog (https://musingsofastretcherape.wordpress.com/2025/02/07/flashlights/). I have had a flashlight on my person (except, when I have 5...) for something approaching 30 years. Starting off as a night shift medic in Da City, moving on to night shift ED (and later ICU) RN, once the lights go out, things get very icky,. very rapidly.
And, there is the fact that 500 lumens of "May I Help YOU?" just might avoid louder conversational gambits, to make illumination attractive.
and (do I run on? No, not MEEE?!!) there is the dozen times a day I fire up a light simply so that my geezerly eyes can read (the credit card number)(the thermostat setting)(where that damned little widget rolled off to).
A powerful flashlight is part of my EDC kit and used way more than my OC or handgun.
I carry an older Nitrolon G3 (incandescent), have LED backups, abd and LED in each vehicle. If you find the "tactical" lights too big, the LED Mini-Mag Solitare is a great option. Inexpensive and punches above it's weight class. Also works great as a borelight.
Tractor supply brand lights have a “tactical “ light kit. rechargeable, firearms mount, curl cord option,300 lumens. I have 3 two mounted and one on my belt. Ive had some kind of light with me for 30 plus years.
Agreed, which is why I stocked up on a bunch of Streamlight AAA powered lights for my wife and I.
+1 on not using the smartphone "flashlight" function; the device is far better used for emergency communication than illumination. Also, the light output and "throw" of that LED is piss-poor compared to even a cheap dollar-store flashlight, and if you're using the phone to search it makes it difficult to simultaneously use it as a phone. Just don't do it. Get a dedicated light.
I like the Duracell-branded "500 lumen" ones I could get in a 3-unit blister pack from Costco for about $20, $15 on sale. Just a personal preference; I don't think the Energizer ones at the Big Box Home Improvement store are all that different in capability.
I recently discussed flashlights on my blog (https://musingsofastretcherape.wordpress.com/2025/02/07/flashlights/). I have had a flashlight on my person (except, when I have 5...) for something approaching 30 years. Starting off as a night shift medic in Da City, moving on to night shift ED (and later ICU) RN, once the lights go out, things get very icky,. very rapidly.
And, there is the fact that 500 lumens of "May I Help YOU?" just might avoid louder conversational gambits, to make illumination attractive.
and (do I run on? No, not MEEE?!!) there is the dozen times a day I fire up a light simply so that my geezerly eyes can read (the credit card number)(the thermostat setting)(where that damned little widget rolled off to).