Part of being prepared is having the right tool at the right time. One of those tools is a flashlight because for some reason we humans can't see without light. That is why one of the everyday carry (EDC) items that everyone should have is a good flashlight. It is an important tool that should be kept in the glovebox of your car, around the home, and on outings. Having the right amount of light or any light at all can make a world of difference when the sun can be there for you.
The EDC flashlight that I keep on my person when I leave the house is the Olight S1. I have used the flashlight on several occasions. From looking for something in the car, to night walks (pre-COVID), to using it as a nightlight for the kids on hotel stays (also pre-COVID). It has come in very handy and provides light when I need it. It can output 500 lumens (brighter than a 40W light bulb) from a small 2.5 inch flashlight. There are 4 levels of light output. Moonlight (0.5 lumens), Low (8 lumens), Medium (80 lumens), and High (500 lumens). With one special mode: 10Hz strobe. Which can be activated when the light is on and then a triple clicking the button. Another bonus with the Olight S1 is the magnetic tailcap which comes in handy when you need to troubleshoot the engine bay at night or changing a tire.
Just last week my wife got a low tire pressure warning on her car at night as she was coming home. With daylight savings over she was coming home after the sun had set. So, she called me and asked if she should stop and take a look. I asked where she was and if it was safe to pull over to look. Luckily, she was on local streets at the time and was able to pull over onto a side street to park and take a look.
Now, I know what all of you are thinking - Just use your smartphone as a flashlight. I am sure all of you have tried that before and have found that it falls very short of being a usable flashlight for anything over than a close up task. So, my smart wife remembered that I had put a real flashlight in the glovebox and used that instead of her smartphone. She was able to check each tire to make sure there were no flats or punctures. In the end my wife was able to get home safely and was very thankful that I had put a real flashlight in her car.
The flashlight that I got for my wife's car was the Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight. It has a lot of useful features. The batteries can be charged by integrated solar cells, USB, and a hand crank making it easy to get power wherever you are. It also can double as a battery bank for charging up your phone or other USB devices. Has a 2 mode flashlight and lantern (area) light feature. It is a great flashlight for the car or as an emergency light for the home.
For the home, I keep several flashlights in key places around the home to be sure that a flashlight is always close by.
- Beside the bed - Fenix TK35
- In the garage - Fenix PD35
- In a go bag - Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight
- Next to front and back doors - Fenix E35
