FLASHLIGHTS
EDC FLASHLIGHT
For EDC I highly recommend this small, reliable flashlight the Eos from iTP - it has three brightness levels up to 150 lumens, and a strobe option, compact, strong, waterproof, and light-weight to always keep in your pocket, uses a single AAA battery, and it's only about $15. I’ve used them for years with zero complaints and 100% reliability and unlike other EDC lights it’s so small you don’t notice you’re carrying it. HACK: Put a piece of duct tape around the bottom and it will be easier to find the dark / hold in your teeth for hands-free usage OR simply reverse the detachable clip on it, clip it to the visor of your hat and you have a headlamp. Also, you can set this upright on its base and use as an improvised lantern in a power outage.
OTHER GREAT POCKET FLASHLIGHT
While a bit larger than the iTP Eos and therefore not as ideal for EDC, the Fenix E15 flashlight is still small and much brighter than the Eos - an excellent light to keep in your house, go bag, day pack, car, boat, or bring camping. The Fenix is only about $30, strong, waterproof, and bright - up to 450 lumens. It uses a CR123 battery (lithium are longer lasting) regular or rechargeable.
HACKS: The E15 has a wide, flat base which means you can set it upright on a table or shelf to use as a lantern to illuminate the room if you’re in a power outage situation. Also, as with the Eos light above, put a piece of duct tape around the bottom so that it's more visible at night when you're trying to find it in the dark and so you can hold it in your teeth for hands free usage if needed. You can also buy a special band to use as a headlamp (see below).
HOUSE / CAR / GO-BAG OPTIONS
Too big for EDC but an excellent flashlight to have around the house or in your car / go bag is this 300 lumen tactical light for only $13 that uses just a single AA battery, is waterproof, and zoomable (flood or spot light options). The tactical design makes it useful for breaking glass in an emergency or as a last-ditch hand-weapon. So far this light has proved reliable, durable, and it’s bright and compact for the price.
This rechargeable, zoomable flashlight, while a bit bigger than the one above, seems great for home or car and only costs about $17 - I’ve only recently bought one but so far it’s proven reliable.
HIGHER END
For about $30 and great for home / car / boat (not EDC) is the 500 lumen Thrunite Archer flashlight -
DIRT CHEAP
If you want to spend even less you can buy a two pack of these tactical flashlights for super cheap ($5 each) – they are not as bright as the one above but still useful. I keep a few around the house but wouldn’t want to rely on them in an emergency / adverse weather conditions, etc. However they’re IDEAL for giving to your kids to take on a school or club camping trip where they’re more likely than not to lose it.
HEAD LAMP
For about $20 you can buy this special Fenix head band and clamp your Fenix to it – the picture makes it look really cumbersome but you can just use one head band and ditch the battery pack – very light and low profile and works great.
Also for about $20 is the Black Diamond Astro headlamp - I haven't tested this one yet but it gets good reviews, BD is a great brand, I like the price and simplicity of features, 150 lumens is plenty bright, and it's weather resistant. However if you're looking for something with more fire power /options go with the Spot, below.
Black Diamond Spot
The Black Diamond Spot Head Lamp is a great option for about $30- well designed, sturdy, simple, water proof, long burn time, and bright up to 200 lumens. It’s got a great locking feature to prevent it from turning on inside your pack. My one complaint is that has TOO many settings – can be a pain to manage the number of clicks on the power button to achieve the desired setting.
BATTERIES
Unless you’re using rechargeable, the new Duracell Quantum batteries, while a bit more expensive, last longer than other batteries, have a 10-year shelf life, and have a built in, finger-activated gauge to determine how much energy is left in them. Highly recommend these AA and AAA Batteries.