I need a small flashlight for work. Mainly intermittent use in spaces not well lit by overhead/ambient sources to check pilot lights, gauges, dials, etc... We have a spotlight provided by the company, but it's 1/2 the size of my lunchbox. Would like something I can keep on me.
Would prefer tail cap style operation, slim body for pocket carry with clip and run on AA or AAA batteries as I can get those from my employer. 200 plus lumens... Could go belt pouch if that opens up the options. Looking for something with better light than a maglite mini or streamlight penlight.

Best light for small size and big features is the Fenix RC09 IMHO. Selectable brightness + strobe, magnetic charging, magnetic tailcap. You can lock it, so it doesn't turn on in your pocket too.

My Surefire Titan is on a lanyard by the door. Lots of times I'll throw it on under my shirt when I'm "taking a look at something" for a client; it is perfect. $60 delivered from bhphotovideo.

In the door pocket is a headlamp if the look turns into an ordeal.

I carry a fenix ld02 and it is an incredible AAA light. I keep it on my key chain and it disappears.

If you using something for hours a day at work though, you might look into the AA version, ld09. Little more powerful, little longer run time. I'm sure it will still be pocket friendly.

ld02

ld09


30 and 40 bucks, maybe buy both and use the 10percent discount code.

I know it's not surefire, but I honestly have offloaded almost all my surefires in exchange for fenix and nitecore. Fans will be fans, but in practical usage, none of these lights have failed me in daily use at work, and mounted to guns at the range.

I use a Fenix LD11, new model they have now is the 320 lumen LD12. Carry it in my shirt pocket. It’s been a good light. Get a couple of their 800 mAh batteries to go with it. It will run on alkaline too but not at 320. Maybe 120 or so on one AA.

Streamlight Pro-Tac HL, Hi, flash, low settings..it's programable to change the pattern.

It is/was the light I carried on my belt when I was a cop. it's BLINDINGLY bright when needed and also has a low setting so as to not burn off you retina.

It does take the CR123 batteries, and has a tail button.

Well worth the money
When I was a cop I suggested 3 things for new cops....
1, Streamlight ProTAC
2, hinge cuffs
3, a blue book for state issued charges

I carry a Fenix E12 and it's been a good little light. And only one AA

I've been using a Nebo Inspector at work, a two AAA pen light with tailcap switch, pocket clip and a zoom function. Very nice light for about $13.

Streamlight microstream.

They have a usb rechargeable model now, charges like a cellphone. I carry one everywhere and costs 25 bucks from amazon.

quote:

Originally posted by wolfe 21:
I need a small flashlight for work. Mainly intermittent use in spaces not well lit by overhead/ambient sources to check pilot lights, gauges, dials, etc... We have a spotlight provided by the company, but it's 1/2 the size of my lunchbox. Would like something I can keep on me.
Would prefer tail cap style operation, slim body for pocket carry with clip and run on AA or AAA batteries as I can get those from my employer. 200 plus lumens... Could go belt pouch if that opens up the options. Looking for something with better light than a maglite mini or streamlight penlight.

If you're willing to go CR123A, this is what I recommend:
https://www.streamlight.com/en...tail/index/protac-1l
It can be found for around $40, and is very small. It comes with a nylon belt holster. I carry one every day, on the belt, behind my spare mag.

If you need to stick with AA, then I'd get this:
https://www.streamlight.com/en.../index/protac-1l-1aa

It's a little longer than the other one, but also comes with a convenient nylon belt holster. It can also be found for about $40.

I've been using Streamlight products for more than a decade. They perform great, and are reasonably priced.

So another type of battery is the 18650 - they're rechargeable lithium batteries about twice the length of a CR123. Many new lights use them. It's key that it's rechargeable; might make your battery preferences a little less critical.

I lost my Surefire E1B (or EB1, I forget), and just replaced it with an olight M2R Warrior. I love it. Bright as hell on the tailcap (1500 lumen) , yet also has a moonlight mode (1 lumen) that's easily accessible, and other brightnesses too.

I did try a Klarus model but really did not like it. 2000 lumen, but hated how it worked, plus it was too fat and knobby to comfortably carry in my pocket. Charged via USB, which would be a huge plus, except I can't EDC something with USB ports in it at work.

Others recommend Fenix; they were on my short list too, but ended up trying these others first.

If I didn't like the olight, i'd have tried a fenix, and if that didn't work out, just gone back to a Surefire, but I really do think I'll stick with this.

If your open to CR123 battery I would go with a Fenix pd35 tac, you can dam near weld with it, it has 4 setting from I think 200 to 1000 lumens. I use it for early morning fishing trips walking into my favorite spot for chinook salmon here in the pnw.


my buddy had a 4 cell Maglite that he thought was just the brightest thing he as ever seen, I let him carry it for awhile when we were walking down these train tracks, then I switched on my Fenix at high power he jumped off the tracks so fast thinking a train was going to run us over. he couldn't believe how bright it was funny as hell, now he owns one.

Fenix products are extremely tough. I've got a LD09 that I've been trying to destroy for four years. I turn it on and off about 40 to 50 times a day. No joke.

Very tough, indeed.

V.

Zebralight. They make the best quality lights in terms of construction, efficiency, and user interface. Period. I have this exact light- it has hands down the finest pocket light I have ever owned. Barely larger than the 18650 that powers it, it is the perfect size. Build quality is superior.

http://www.zebralight.com/SC62...ool-White_p_147.html

Another excellent model that runs on AA’s is this one- amazing out put for a AA.

http://www.zebralight.com/H52-...ool-White_p_131.html

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
Streamlight microstream.

They have a usb rechargeable model now, charges like a cellphone. I carry one everywhere and costs 25 bucks from amazon.

This is what I would recommend as well. It’s not a typical “pen light” to scoff at. Like Kevin said, it recharges like a phone (even has a little red and green LED so you know when it’s done), and it has two brightness settings, momentary on, and click on. There are times when you have too much light in small spaces. This one is like 50 & 250, but it doesn’t have a lot of throw.

Great value and worth considering.

I have no idea if these are any good or not but there is a small flashlight sale at Woot! right now.

https://sport.woot.com/plus/fl...2?ref=w_gh_sp_6_wp_5

Thanks for the replies. Honestly light will be carried more than used, but use will be short intervals (30-45 seconds) several times in a shift. More on & off than anything else.

Bendable, thanks for the link. I even remember reading that when it was originally posted, but totally spaced on it when I actually wanted the info.
What I get for posting from my phone I guess...

Nebo $13 led penlight.

I bought a Fenex LD12. It was so solid! Well made. Then I lost it.will get another...