Is an EDC flashlight even necessary?

[D.B. Cooper]

This question is related to me earlier question about an EDC knife for my son's upcoming 18th birthday.

As I outfit his EDC, I have to ask, is a flashlight even necessary? The lights on these newer smart phones (buying him one of those, too) are pretty bright. I have Phenix that I really like, but I don't carry and pretty much never use it. Sits by my bed.

Should I go down the road of picking out a light, or should I just skip it?

 

[Lizard1911]

Had a pretty awesome Pastor years ago give an entire sermon on the necessity of a good light.
He was a cop in a former life, he didn't think it was important to carry a light on day shift. Soon realized bad guys can find dark places anytime, and of course made an excellent corallory to the Word being quite similar.
As a plumber, I have lights from pocket clip to light the whole stinkin` room. Definitely never travel without one.
Every one beats anything a phone will provide, plus what if you need to use your phone, at the same time?

 

[JohnKSa]

I use mine a lot. I'll bet I used it more than 10 times today/tonight.

A few reasons to buy a light instead of using your phone as a light.
You can use a light in places where you can't have a phone. My workplace limits phone possession in some areas.
You can use a light without running the battery down on your phone and use your phone without running the battery down on your light.
A decent light is cheaper, higher performance and more durable than a smart phone.

 

[hso]

is a flashlight even necessary?

Frequently for me a flashlight is useful and sometimes necessary. I've used my keychain light several times to look for something under or behind equipment or furniture or when power has dropped out.

 

[Spats McGee]

My days are spent in an office, my nights at home. I don't carry a flashlight. I do keep one in every car & go bag and several stashed around the house, just in case of a power outage. TBH, I don't even keep particularly good ones. Every so often, I'll run across a sale at Home Depot or Walmart on something like these and grab them.

 

[JShirley]

Lights are just too small and inexpensive to not always have on you. This one is a good daily user, lightweight and easily rechargeable- for $10.

If you're willing to go up a few bucks, Olight makes an excellent keychain light that's also RC, and much tougher.

John

 

[rdnktrkr]

I also keep one in every vehicle but also a single AAA battery one in my pocket. The one in my truck has 3 Ds and is very bright. I also bought a few that has 18650 rechargeable batteries for use around the house. Recently I purchased some headband lights that are VERY bright maybe to bright.

 

[bikerdoc]

I definitely advocate a flashlight for EDC.
Like John said he are some good inexpensive choice out there.
I have a bunch, ranging from a surefire Scorpion, to a small, one AAA battery, Hybeam.

 

[milemaker13]

Gotta check out the new LED version of the maglight solitaire. Its the little AAA keychain light. But with the new LED it lasts longer, is brighter and MUCH more durable than ever before.
Note- this is NOT the led upgrade they sold for few years... those sucked. These are designed with the led from the factory and they are good. So small you wont notice it and only about $10 at wally world or AMZ.
Classic.

 

[Armored farmer]

I am never without a flashlight. It comes with the job, I guess.....and also being older than 50.
I think the Streamlight micro stream is the best, but I have several others too.
Two 25-28yo sons work with me, one carries a light, one uses his phone. The one who uses his phone is always wanting to borrow my light....go figure.
I use them multiple times both day and night.
This one isnt my favorite light, but it's the one in my pocket this am.
A wrap of duct tape makes better for holding the light in your teeth when necessary....and you have duct tape to use also.

 

[Doc7]

I work a job that is 50/50 office and field but even if t was all office I carry a flashlight at ALL times. I put on a bathrobe from our honeymoon when I get home from work and take a shower , and the flashlight is even carried in THAT until I go to bed. The flashlight is used probably over a dozen times per day.

 

[sparkyv]

I always have my work phone on me, and a small EDC light. Seems I go for the phone more often than the flashlight. So I'd day the phone will suffice, no need for a separate device...but I'll still EDC my light because it's barely noticeable.

 

[edwardware]

My Surefire gets used almost as often as my pocketknife!

 

[Wishoot]

ThruNite Ti3 on my keychain and in my pocket all day, every day. So small you don't even know it's there.

Often a Streamlight Microstream too.

 

[FL-NC]

Lights are very necessary in darkness, which covers the planet about 50% of the time. A light on the Iphone can only be used after accessing it in the phone menu, so they aren't easy to access- they also aren't practical to use when using the phone for another task, like communication. A good light with metal construction like a surefire 6P can also be used as an impact weapon or glass breaker in a pinch- something that a phone would be a poor substitute for.

 

[Buzznrose]

I carry and use one daily. The known brands all have good lights, and I have them in every vehicle and all around my house. But like my EDC knife, I generally carry a decent but inexpensive option because I tend to lose or sometimes simply ’loan out and not get back’ my stuff, so I won’t lose sleep over it. But even the inexpensive items must be durable and perform.

That said, I have carried this light for over 3 years and it’s never failed me:

https://smile.amazon.com/ThorFire-F...567077&s=gateway&sprefix=Thorf,aps,169&sr=8-4

And I’ve given them to my kids and they always work for them (when they keep charged batteries in them).

I also have this one at my back door for when I let the dog out:

https://smile.amazon.com/Thorfire-F...JRYQ8PFJKE6&psc=1&refRID=WY1VQFV8MJRYQ8PFJKE6

They are cheap but totally reliable!

 

[D.B. Cooper]

made an excellent corallory to the Word being quite similar.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Lot of good arguments for, a couple good arguments against. If I can find something truly small enough for a key ring, that might work. Ultimately, he'll decide for himself what to carry.

I know that I don't carry mine because it's big and heavy, but it's an awesome light.

 

[alfsauve]

Pro-Tac on me all the time. I use it to read legends on equipment, find things in dark crevices, and on occasion to light my path.

 

[cslinger]

Yes a light and a knife are by far my most used tools.

That said in an emergency if you are using your light and it goes dead you can frequently fabricate something to provide light (flame, back lit remote etc.). If you have killed your phone battery by using it as a light in an emergency then I doubt you are fabricating a communication device on the spot and that communication may be FAR FAR more important then light.

Besides like was said. Carrying a light is so trivial these days. For 30 bucks you can have a streamlight microstream rechargeable that puts out like 200 lumens of light, is rechargeable and about the size of a pack of “smarties” candy.

 

[badkarmamib]

A flashlight is easier than a phone to hold in the crook of your arm or your teeth when you need both hands free. If I am out, I have a knife (usually a SOG Flash2) and a light (StreamLight PolyTac) on me. Should have a way to make fire too, but that is very unlikely to ever be used in an emergency. My light and knife have proven invaluable more than once.

 

[alfsauve]

But I got to thinking, a 17yo, boy or girl, would appreciate a quality light. A Surfire or a Streamlight. Something like a ProTac 1L-1AA, they'd find handy whether in pocket or purse even if they don't carry t every day. I think it would be make a great gift.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

My EDC light gets used when I need a lot of light RIGHT. NOW.

I used my phone for everything non critical or time sensitive, but i strongly feel that a dedicated light has a lot of value.

The Streamlight lights are affordable and seem to be pretty great.

The other thing I appreciate about the stand alone light is that during times of trouble (I got evacuated) I could change batteries and keep it running. Most phones these days need a charger.

 

[hso]

If I can find something truly small enough for a key ring

John has provided a link and here's what I have on my keys.

 

[shoobe01]

Another +1000. I use mine all the time, multiple times a day. More than a knife.

And, critical safety item. Trying to get out of a building in the dark, or worse: when a power cut due to fire/earthquake/bombing/etc.

Reloading is also worth keeping in mind: carry spare batteries (well: encourage your kid to) wherever they can. In cars, in briefcases, etc. Favorite story of this was someone in the 93 WTC bombing, where it took hours to evacuate. Before the new lighting regs (heavily enforced in NYC now!) staircases were DARK. He used his light and everyone anywhere near him appreciated it as well. For an hour. Remaining several hours were in the dark again, because no spares, and a high drain 123 battery.