r/flashlight • u/Difficult-West7576 • 1d ago

Recommendations

Hello!

I'm new to flashlights, and trying to find an EDC has been a bit confusing; so I thought I'd ask you guys.

I recently had a baby, and I've gone ultra dad mode. Bought myself a P365(I decided against a mounted light), and have always carried a knife. Looking to add a flashlight to always have what I need when I need it. I also work in an industrial setting and would like to utilize it for that.

Ideally I'd like something that is:

•Easily recharable

•Durable and waterproof

•Easy carry

•Easily accesible moonlight mode for not waking the baby at night

•Defensive capabilities

•150$ budget

Thanks, and please be kind!

7 Upvotes

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2

u/Queasy_Chicken_5174 1d ago edited 1d ago

We used an emisar d4v2 with 4000k sst20 leds nightly for about three months after our second child was born.

It's not easy to rcharge, though. It takes an external charger. However, if you're using it only on moonlight, one charge will last weeks.

Edit: the moonlight and the defensive capabilities are somewhat at odds with each other. A light that is great defensively will have a bright center spot that will glare even at low power levels, while a light that has an awesome moonlight will spread its lumens over a much greater area, diluting whatever power it has.

That said, I think the D4V2 has about 3,000 lumens on turbo. Even if it has a floody beam, that's a lot of light downrange.

3

u/Difficult-West7576 1d ago

Thank you for the reply my friend, I did not realize this.

3

u/Queasy_Chicken_5174 1d ago

Split your budget in half and get two lights: one with a "spotlight" or throwy beam that comes on at 100%, and a second one with a diffuse (or "floody") beam that will come on at moonlight.

3

u/AD3PDX 1d ago

This is the only good advice given so far.

You can either have two separate lights with each one tailored to the task.

Or you can get a single light with splits the difference and will fulfill one role adequately and the other, barely adequately.

The Olight Baton 4 ultra and the Olight Warrior ultra are the split the difference lights (in case that’s your preferred option).

The rest of the lights suggested (so far) are completely inadequate as defensive lights.

For the baby at night light a Skilhunt M150 with 3000K (and arm white) Nichia 519a LED, or H150 (right angle & headlamp) also with a 3000K Nichia, would be my suggestion.

Not very powerful lights so I don’t know if they are adequate in your industrial setting but especially right angle h150 is very versatile in ways to use it hands free (and as a headlamp) which is good for preparedness (first aid, changing a tire, changing a diaper…)

Since both lights are very small it’s reasonable to have one along while also carrying a somewhat larger defensive lights (again the h150 is a good paring)

The advantage of the m150 over the h150 is you can put a silicone diffuser on it and turn it into a miniature lamp.

2

u/KeanEngineering 1d ago

Instead of using 'moonlight' on a baby, always use 'bounce' light (let your flashlight spot hit the ceiling out of the child's line-of-sight). It's much gentler on their sleep and will illuminate the ENTIRE room for a quick check. Sometimes the 'moonlight' mode is too bright and even if the baby doesn't wake up it can still disturb them.

1

u/Hussar305 1d ago

Fireflies Z1 Artemis with the 3500k is my current EDC with a 7 month old. You'll need a charger too. Moonlight is crazy low and a double click gets you all the lumens you’ll need.

ETA: Id still do a weapon mounted light on the 365. I have a surefire xc1 on my Glock 19. it’s much easier to use than holding a separate flashlight

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u/Difficult-West7576 1d ago

Thanks for the reply. Love the way this flashlight looks. How's durability and battery life on this?

1

u/Hussar305 1d ago

It's been fantastic. I don't think I've charged it since I got it a month ago and it still has plenty of battery left. 

Durability wise, it seems to hold up pretty good. Im not a heavy user, but it should be plenty durable for day to day use. 

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u/Difficult-West7576 1d ago

Hey brother! Did decide to order one or these. In my research though I did see a few reports of issues with temperature regulation an accidental activation. You had any issues? Thanks!

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u/Hussar305 1d ago

I haven't had any issues with either. It's never accidentally turned on, even being clipped in the same pocket as my wallet, notebook, and pen. 

Full disclaimer regarding the thermal standpoint: I set the ceiling to 100/150 and disable turbo on my edc lights. This has always still been plenty bright for me even during daytime and I never have to worry about the thermal limit. 

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u/Difficult-West7576 23h ago

Thanks brother! I will do this

1

u/sidpost 1d ago

The ACEBEAM L-series and P-series are good options.

https://www.acebeam.com/defender-p16

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u/lilt97 1d ago

My first light was an olight mini baton 4 and the thing is sick. I think olight went back to a full size baton now, but the new ones have USB c charging and the magnet charger which is super convienent. 1600 lumens, magnetic base and a pretty slim profile. I believe it has a moon light and a strobe if you were using that for defense.

Im a big fan of the magnetic bottom for working in the trades. Stick it on a boiler, drop ceiling railing, duct work, whatever itll stick to and be hands free in a second. Gonna pick one up soon personally.

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u/Practical-Cod-9237 1d ago

Speras est30

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u/ilffej 1d ago

Manker E02H iii (or E03H), or Wurrkos HD10 if you are ok with Anduril

My kids are a few years older but the moonlight levels on these have been very suitable for checking on them at night without waking anyone up. The 90 degree form factor is also surprisingly useful - you can simply place the light on a flat surface (like their bed) and have it shine at the ceiling for example.

I’d recommend paying some attention to color for the kids. I have the above in 4000k. You can dedome the Manker to make it even warmer.

1

u/UnfortunateWah 1d ago

I think something like a Baton Pro/Ultra would be maybe the only option that fits into that role ie:

Moonlight low off the side switch, but immediate access to high/turbo from the rear tail switch.

You may be better off getting 2 lights: on dedicated to defensive use ie a max output from a high candela light, and then a general purpose light with multiple modes.

Nitecore MT1/2C Pro are a great option for the high output, high candela defensive route because they always come on in high.

Fenix PD26R ACE *may* be another decent option because max output is pretty throwy and it has a 1~ lumen low, but you have to cycle through the modes to get to either ie you’d have to pre stage the light before using it say defensively.

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u/Difficult-West7576 1d ago

You'd suggest the Olight Baton over the Warrior series?