The 1 watt Cree is not too shabby, but underpowered for what's out there today. My Wolfeyes MC Sniper puts out 700 lumen and has multiple brightness levels and a strobe mode. All that in about the same footprint of the Mini-Mag. Fenix has some incredible lights out there too. Don't get me wrong, I've carried Mag's products for years and it is a good, solid light. I just believe they did not jump on the LED bandwagon quick enough and are still lagging behind.


Craig.

Cell phone = watch. You probably know what time of the day it is with sufficient accuracy anyway, so a watch shouldn't be that important.

I feel naked without a wallet, or at least an ATM/credit card and/or cash. So many little inconveniences that can be overcome with money.... Such as paying for taxi, snack or whatever. If your wallet is too big for comfortable carry you could consider getting rid of some wallet stuff, or find some other method of carry for the non-essential contents. Come on, you don't really need much more than ID, some cash and some ATM/credit cards in a wallet.

As for brightest/most efficient, yes, they are lagging behind. But the new maglite LEDs are decent and more than adequate for most of the flashlight duties that people need them to do.

Although I'm a tiny bit of a flashaholic myself, I'd like to stress the point that we don't need to participate at the arms race for whatever is best or most optimal all the time. When a tool does a good job and works for you, use that tool and be happy! Put your trust in tried and tested tools, not the perpetual newest and greatest. Don't upgrade just because something is brighter if what you have is "bright enough". Upgrade when there is a SIGNIFICANT benefit in doing so.


Now if someone wants to replace that minimag+led combo with something less than half the size (1*AA and smaller head) that is both brighter and has more run time I'd be more than happy to point them in the right direction...

As dogs can be a handful, might I also recommend a cap light for hands free operation. If you have ever observed your local K-9 officer at night, many of them carry weapons-mounted lights for this reason.

Craig.

Great thread!

I hadn't thought of what I carry on dog walks as EDC but I do have two basic kits:

Routine neighborhood walks (1 to 2 miles each morning and evening plus lunch walks if home):

Poop bags (gallon-size "food and bread" bags)
"Cool Pooch" water bottle (highly recommend)
pepper spray (primarily to protect her from off-leash dogs)
Doug's new LED light (e-PICO, which is on my house key lanyard)
cell phone
extra leash (slip-lead, stray dogs tend to find me)


Hikes-walks (4-8 miles) in the Metro area -- all of the above, plus:

REI rucksack
extra water bottle for dog
dog treats
dog comb
dog bootie (in case of paw injury)
Camera
Doug's MK-5 knife
Petzl e+lite
Surefire E2D
Moleskin + pens + Sharpie
space blanket
First-Aid kit
Benadryl (1 miligram per 2 pounds of dog)
Cortisone-10
Anti-septic wipes
cotton bandanas
extra jacket (windbreaker, Dri-Clime or waterproof shell)

I'm not usually worried about time of day and I'm not going anywhere where I'll need cash. I did stick an old drivers license in my cell phone case just to have it as was suggested earlier. Besides, not carrying cash means I won't be tempted to stop at the bakery for some fresh doughnuts. Again, this is the everyday, walk around town kit. If I'm leaving the neighborhood I take a lot more stuff.

Oh, I've got a bunch flashlights in all shapes, sizes and technologies. But I had the Mag, it fits into the the Pock-Its and doesn't weigh too much. A tool on hand that fits the bill.

I generally don't carry anything special while out with the dog, but I always have my pocket knife, flashlight, multi-tool, FAK, firearm, cell phone, and wallet.

I am trying to get my wife to carry pepper spray, as she takes the dog for walks by herself on occasion. I am more afraid of stray dogs than people.

Ditto. Even in the Muggeropilis of DC, when walking my pup I worry most about off-leash dogs at the park.

And so pepper spray is clipped next to her water bottle.

Haven't had to use it but have flashed it a couple times to impress upon an aggressive German Shepherd's owner and a vicious Giant Schnauzer's owner, that I was serious about their dogs being restrained.

Some dog owners are clueless and their dogs, and other people's dogs, suffer for it.

Andy,

I've always had Dobermans which are prone to bloat so I always carry 3 extra stength Gas X tablets. A dog the size of a Dobe would take 2 tabs and I carry an extra in case one were to get spit out. The Gax x won't cure bloat but it will buy you a few extra minutes in getting the dog to a vet. I don't know if your breed is prone to bloat as it strikes larger breeds most of the time, you might check with your vet. I also carry one of the 2 inch rolls of vet wrap which can be found at most feed stores and a small roll of guaze.