Need edc flashlight recommendations

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Alex

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Hey all, not sure if this is right place to post this but
I’m looking for a new edc flashlight, preferably something rechargeable via usb as I don’t like having to buy batteries all the time.
Prefer a clip and nothing too bulky
I hate having to use my iPhone flashlight or WML Cause I hate the idea that I may hear something at night and accidentally point my gun at them because it’s my only light source…just seems like an accident waiting to happen.
I was looking at the stream light micro stream usb https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/index/microstream-usb
Wondering if this is any good or if you had any other recommendations within my criteria
Not looking to spend more than 50
 
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Dale Gribble said:
The Microstream or Macrostream are both good choices…I own both and they are great lights.
Click to expand...
Would you mind explaining the difference between the micro streams
On the website it says the coyote color is high/low
But the other colors say low/high
Not sure what that means.
 
Alex said:
Would you mind explaining the difference between the micro streams
On the website it says the coyote color is high/low
But the other colors say low/high
Not sure what that means.
Click to expand...
It means that in coyote your first press is 250 lumens, second is 30, or whatever low is. The black is the other way around
 
Derek8404 said:
It means that in coyote your first press is 250 lumens, second is 30, or whatever low is. The black is the other way around
Click to expand...
Thanks, I’m gonna go with the coyote I think then. Appreciate the help!
 
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Fenix is the brand i recommend.
here is a $40 option:

www.fenix-store.com

Official Fenix Store | Original Brand Authorized Retailer since 2006

FENIX STORE is the OLDEST and LARGEST BRAND AUTHORIZED RETAILER of Fenix products in the world. Fenix has been producing innovative and high quality personal lighting since 2005 and Fenix Store has been serving customers since 2006. We remain your #1 choice for high-quality Fenix products...
www.fenix-store.com www.fenix-store.com
 
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turkeydance said:
Fenix is the brand i recommend.
here is a $40 option:

www.fenix-store.com

Official Fenix Store | Original Brand Authorized Retailer since 2006

FENIX STORE is the OLDEST and LARGEST BRAND AUTHORIZED RETAILER of Fenix products in the world. Fenix has been producing innovative and high quality personal lighting since 2005 and Fenix Store has been serving customers since 2006. We remain your #1 choice for high-quality Fenix products...
www.fenix-store.com www.fenix-store.com
Click to expand...
I’m gonna check it out ,does it have a clip ?it’s a little bulky for my taste but it may work .
 
There seems to have been some updates to the light with 2 models now. Here are the links if you want to check them out.
www.primaryarms.com

Streamlight ProTac 2L-X USB Charging Handheld Flashlight - Black

DetailsStreamlight is a hands-on company. They learn by doing. They go through firefighters' training. They take courses in low-light shooting. They are hunters, fishermen, outdoor and sports enthusiasts. Hands-on, real-world experience is what sets Streamlight apart. Who knows what they'll come...
www.primaryarms.com

This other one uses a different type of battery along with CR123's.
www.primaryarms.com

Streamlight ProTac 2L X Dual Fuel Tactical Flashlight - 500 Lumens

DetailsThe Streamlight ProTac 2L-X Dual Fuel Flashlight is a compact, ultra-bright flashlight that is ideal for everyday carry. This versatile light accepts one Streamlight rechargeable SL-B26 battery or two CR123A lithium batteries.Choose from three user selectable programs: high/strobe/low...
www.primaryarms.com
 
It really depends on what you expect to do with the light. The micro stream is a great little edc for checking out things close up in the dark, you’re really not going to be able to do any effective searching/clearing with it especially outdoors. With your budget I would look at the Fenix lights linked above. They have some pretty good models in your price range and the site does 20% off nearly all the time on your first order.
 
Alex said:
Would you mind explaining the difference between the micro streams
On the website it says the coyote color is high/low
But the other colors say low/high
Not sure what that means.
Click to expand...
@Derek8404 already answered your “high/low” question, so here is a comparison between the two lights:

Size difference:

E079917F-4D69-4DFA-90B7-D28E2E87A682.jpeg
12B87A21-5A06-4B0E-AE7E-BA6A6EFFB2BC.jpeg
The Microstream throws 250/50 lumens and the Macrostream does 500/50.

I carry both of them every day.
 
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Derek8404 said:
It really depends on what you expect to do with the light. The micro stream is a great little edc for checking out things close up in the dark, you’re really not going to be able to do any effective searching/clearing with it especially outdoors. With your budget I would look at the Fenix lights linked above. They have some pretty good models in your price range and the site does 20% off nearly all the time on your first order.
Click to expand...
I’m not really planning on using it for much ,just wanted a decent light I can use to clip to my hat when I walk my dog.or incase I hear something outside at night. I’m gonna check them out right now though and see if I find anything I like .
 
Dale Gribble said:
@Derek8404 already answered your “high/low” question, so here is a comparison between the two lights:

Size difference:

View attachment 410945View attachment 410946

The Microstream throws 250/50 lumens and the Macrostream does 500/50.

I carry both of them every day.
Click to expand...
Thank you ! I don’t need a very powerful light just wanted something durable, rechargeable, and easy to carry on a daily basis, I think I’m gonna go with the micro so far just based on the size
 
@Dale Gribble i have both as well and while it’s better, I really don’t feel like the Macrostream is twice the lumens better, I was kinda underwhelmed by it. Is that your expands well?
 
The microstream is too easy to carry, about as unobtrusive as a light can be and still be useful. Its not going to blind/stun anyone or light up a critter across a pasture I have other lights for that. For the other 99.9% of what I may need a flashlight for it's fine which is why it gets carried all day every day.
 
Alex said:
I’m not really planning on using it for much ,just wanted a decent light I can use to clip to my hat when I walk my dog.or incase I hear something outside at night. I’m gonna check them out right now though and see if I find anything I like .
Click to expand...
See, those are 2 entirely different uses. Clipped to your hat for walking the dog, microstream is perfect for that. Checking out bumps in the night outside? Not so much..
 
Derek8404 said:
@Dale Gribble i have both as well and while it’s better, I really don’t feel like the Macrostream is twice the lumens better, I was kinda underwhelmed by it. Is that your expands well?
Click to expand...

Yeah…I did a test with both of them outside. To me, the difference was negligible.
 
Beef15 said:
The microstream is too easy to carry, about as unobtrusive as a light can be and still be useful. Its not going to blind/stun anyone or light up a critter across a pasture I have other lights for that. For the other 99.9% of what I may need a flashlight for it's fine which is why it gets carried all day every day.
Click to expand...
Thanks, im gonna just go for the micro stream and see how I like it..plus it’s not too expensive so if I don’t like it, it won’t be that big of a loss
 
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regarding Fenix and clips/size....
the posted image above is just one example.
the Fenix website will list several smaller
ones which are rechargeable.
 
turkeydance said:
regarding Fenix and clips/size....
the posted image above is just one example.
the Fenix website will list several smaller
ones which are rechargeable.
Click to expand...
Ahhh I didn’t realize that ,I went ahead and ordered the micro stream ,I’ll look into those if I don’t like the micro stream.
 
I definitely think you’re looking for two lights.

I carry the AAA version of this one some days, but here’s the link to the USB model:

Stylus Pro® USB | Rechargeable Penlight | Streamlight®

www.streamlight.com

And I have one of these clipped to my hat for my part-time job…been very pleased with it.

BLACKUBE USB Rechargeable Cap Hat Light Ball Cap Visor Light - Clip Headlamp Hands Free Rotatable Cree LED Portable Clip on Cap Light for Reading Hunting Fishing Running https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B072142...abc_E2T16YN2BXM7SCF3BK5E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
I carry a few different lights but my vote is the Microstream or the Macrostream either one. I find myself carrying the Macrostream more recently because I like the bright light on the first click. The microstream I have is the black one and it’s low then high and I am not a huge fan of that setup. I have a coyote one too but my son took it camping and hasn’t returned it and won’t because he fell in love with it. I also own an Olight I5R but I haven’t had it long enough to form a good honest view of it.
 
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Been carrying a Fenix PD25 for a couple years. Use it multiple times a day. Recharge it about once a week so it does not die randomly on me. Has a clip. I'd look for the older one with the tail switch and intensity switch up front. The new ones just have one switch up front and it's kind of hard to find sometimes.
 
Streamlight Wedge

Primary Arms had them for $70. - I understand that's a little over budget, but....checks all the boxes and more. Comfortable. Doesn't require additional holsters or pouches. Dependable. Bright as hell for a small thing.

Sent from my moto g fast using Tapatalk
 
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Another vote for SL Macrostream USB
a4b7ef0e8f4b93f72db1b81572ed9f6e.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Go ahead and laugh. This little thing has been great. I have enough shit in my pants (wait a minute)…don’t need another thing to take up room.

10812A2D-8F1D-4426-8747-84FFBF3704A0.jpeg

Olight was giving these away like candy this year. i3E EOS runs on a AAA. Put out 90 lumens which has been more than enough for the random stuff I’ve needed a light for.

https://m.olightstore.com/i3e-eos-black.html

I believe they’re giving one away with new registrations on their site.

If this is too small they’ve got a i5E (AA powered) and i5R rechargeable. Throws a little more light.
 
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I have edc'd a protac 2lx for the past 2 years. I use rechargeable 18650 batteries in it. It's taken a few good hits and drops.
 

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I need to check out the Wedge.
I use a micro stream USB daily for work three years now. Charge it every couple weeks. I prefer the black one that’s 50 lumens on first click.
The ProTac’s great, but a bit bulky in a pocket. The clip on both will clip in a pocket, and on a hat brim.
331C364A-2706-4447-B271-E3B103621A40.jpeg
 
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I've been dragging this thing around with me for years, can't even remember how long ago. It has served me well so I figure I'll stick with 'er.
Light.jpg
 
Little bigger than most are recommending but I have worn the paint off a stream light protac h/lx. Too big for a hat brim, but perfect for my larger hands and still fits in my pocket. If you go streamlight, make sure you get the rechargeable 18650 batteries. You’ll thank yourself. I’ve never used one but there are a lot of olight users here also. I had a couple Surefire lights in the last but once I changed to stream light, I haven’t looked back. I own two pocket and one weapon mounted hl/x and two HL/5x lights which take two of the 18650 batteries. They’re durable, and syreamlights customer service is great. Had the screws fall out of one of the belt clips. I emailed them, just asking if I could purchase some belt clips screws as I’d had the light for well over a year. They sent me screws, several belt clips and a couple replacement end caps. Sure they’re more expensive than an olight, but IMO they’re worth the extra for several reasons
 
Burt Gummer said:
Little bigger than most are recommending but I have worn the paint off a stream light protac h/lx. Too big for a hat brim, but perfect for my larger hands and still fits in my pocket. If you go streamlight, make sure you get the rechargeable 18650 batteries. You’ll thank yourself. I’ve never used one but there are a lot of olight users here also. I had a couple Surefire lights in the last but once I changed to stream light, I haven’t looked back. I own two pocket and one weapon mounted hl/x and two HL/5x lights which take two of the 18650 batteries. They’re durable, and syreamlights customer service is great. Had the screws fall out of one of the belt clips. I emailed them, just asking if I could purchase some belt clips screws as I’d had the light for well over a year. They sent me screws, several belt clips and a couple replacement end caps. Sure they’re more expensive than an olight, but IMO they’re worth the extra for several reasons
Click to expand...
I'm 100% with everything you've said. I bought my 2lx because a buddy was able to exchange two broken microstreams for brand new lights. Their customer service is top notch
 
9outof10mms said:
Go ahead and laugh. This little thing has been great. I have enough shit in my pants (wait a minute)…don’t need another thing to take up room.

View attachment 411169

Olight was giving these away like candy this year. i3E EOS runs on a AAA. Put out 90 lumens which has been more than enough for the random stuff I’ve needed a light for.

https://m.olightstore.com/i3e-eos-black.html

I believe they’re giving one away with new registrations on their site.

If this is too small they’ve got a i5E (AA powered) and i5R rechargeable. Throws a little more light.
Click to expand...
I have one (maybe two?) of those. This one is smaller, and brighter. Too small for an AAA, so it’s rechargeable. I have one of the Pro models in route as we speak.

Highly recommend this light to anyone on their main keychain. Model: i1R 2.

65515AE5-2CF7-46BE-847F-8B4D5F4E812B.jpeg
 
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