And quite frankly, primary cells have other weaknesses as well. With disposable alkaline batteries, we traded the environment for convenience. Once you figure out your power source, you need a way to charge it. What’s important here is the battery size will greatly dictate the size (and weight) of your light and it’ll also affect how long your light can run since, naturally, the larger the battery the more energy it can hold. So what you might call a AA is referred to as 14500 because it’s 14mm in diameter and 500mm long. These batteries have the same chemistry used in your smartphone, laptop, and even electric car if you own one.įlashlight batteries are referred to by a number, which is simply a combination of its diameter by length. That all leads us to today where lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries are what’s mainly used. Next came primary (read: not rechargeable) lithium batteries but these were usually found in the form of a CR123 at 3V. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries were rechargeable but I’d argue an equally compelling advantage was they didn’t leak when stored in a light for long periods. These did not offer great energy density and most were just 1.5 volts. Up until the early 2000s, almost all lights were using disposable alkaline batteries. In the past twenty years, there have been large advances in battery technology and this has led to even more powerful EDC flashlights, in smaller packages. Keep in mind that while materials like copper and brass make great heatsinks, they are also very heavy (more than twice an equivalent aluminum light), and will tarnish (or “patina”, if you prefer). The three key factors here are price, weight, and heat conductivity. Most EDC flashlights used to be made of aluminum and while that is still the most popular material, many enthusiast EDC flashlights are now offered in stainless steel, titanium, copper, brass, and other materials. For AAA-sized lights, switching to a “cigar-grip” can be very effective. But that is not to say that smaller lights don’t have their place. This means there’s a lower bound to how short a light can be before my hand is covering the business end of the torch. I like to hold lights in my palm and wrap my fingers around it. You’ll want EDC flashlights that are comfortable to hold in your preferred grip. However, choice of tail switch, reflect/optic and driver/LED stack can all play a large role as well. As you can imagine, the primary factor that affects both the length and diameter of a light is the battery powering it. Most EDC flashlights are below 5 inches, with the majority below 4 inches. A light that’s in your toolbox or cabinet won’t be useful when you’re out in the field. If an EDC flashlight isn’t a comfortable size and weight, it’s going to be left behind. You want something you are comfortable with carrying, that has the power and runtime you need including having plenty of juice on standby, and has the output and quality of light for the environments you’ll find yourself in. When deciding on EDC flashlights, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. But with the large advancements in LED’s, battery technology, and drivers, today’s EDC flashlights are true pocket rockets. Many of us grew up with a large black torch in the kitchen drawer, with an output that never quite matched its size and heft it was more of a blunt tool rather than an illumination device. It means being able to read a map on a trail, cook dinner at camp, or repair your car on the side of the road.ĮDC flashlights are something that many used to take for granted. Having a proper lighting setup means added safety when walking at night or on an early morning run.
For me, the “light” portion is probably my most reached-for tool. Write, Light, Slice – these make up the three pillars of the modern EDC kit, distilling everyday carry down to the basic tools that will cover most needs on a typical day. Discover best-in-class EDC flashlights to elevate your EDC…
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