I used to have a maglite, but it broke a little bit ago. I want to replace it with a decent model that'll last at least as long. Preferably it would fit in a bob or something I could carry on belt in a sheath, or clipped. And preferably either water proof, or durable.

I'd like to get decent battery life, or at least easily changeable battery (standard size) and a reasonable output. What are the main differences on the bulbs? How many should there be? (A cheapo 6 led I have now has a good output but is neither durable or waterproof)

I like FourSevens LED flashlights. For a BOB I like the Quark Pro QP2A, a 2xAA LED light with power settings from 205 Lumens (Max) down to 0.2 Lumens (moonlight).

For EDC one of the 1xAA or 1x123A lights may be better. They come in both clicky and twisty configurations with the twisty Mini's being very small for their output.

$.02

freeballer... there are a lot of folks more qualified on that question than I, but just went through upgrading my EDC and hurricane supplies.... I am trying to standardize to AA and D cells... my hurricane electronics are AA, and switched to Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH rechargables, with a solar and separate 12v/120v charger...for AA lights I selected a...Black Diamond Orion headlamp (pretty high end), Coleman High Tech mini LED area lamp, Fenix E21 (seems to be pretty well made), and still have a couple of the larger 2D LED Maglights... for EDC, my key ring light is a Fenix E01 with lithium cell and sharing a multi tool pouch with a smaller multi tool is a Streamlight ProTac single cr123 110 lumen unit

+ 1 on the fenix,

I have several but my EDC is either the E01 on a small lanyard or the LD15 which is slightly larger.

Both are water proof to a few meters and are small enough to have on you always. The LD15 throws an amazing amount of light for such a small unit, and as a bonus it takes a single AA as opposed to the CR123A batteries.

For EDC I try to stick with easy to obtain battery types for logistical reasons. The 123 batteries are nice but can be hard to find. I have lost count of the times I used a camera or other device to rob a AA battery for a flashlight.

I have an issued surfire at work which is bright enough to blind the devil. 3 CR123A batteries gives me about 20 minutes use. I don't carry it much unless I have to.

+1 on the Fenix flashlights - all kinds to choose from and I like all the ones I have -- from itty-bitty to beastly lumen output (TK35).

The one that most impresses me so far - for being small and bright - is the Fenix E11. A single "AA" battery gives you 105 lumens.

Prior to being introduced to Fenix I was loyal to Surefire (but none that were EDC).

+2 for Fenix. I EDC the LD20

I got a few links to check out
I'll be back in a little bit
thanks for the quick replies

While I have a bunch of flashlights I have yet to find anything as useful as my Princeton Tec EOS Rebel LED headlamp. I probably have 6-8 of these stashed all over.

It packs small (1.75"x2.5" - think palm-sized), is amazingly bright, has a great quality of light (smooth), covers a nice field of view (for my uses), is regulated (keeps max light as long as possible), has 3 really nicely selected brightness levels (blast, most uses, and inside tent), lasts a long time at low (50 hrs regulated + 71 hrs declining) & medium (10 hrs regulated + 105 hrs declining) settings, even high setting has 1 hr regulated + 112 hrs declining, easy to change the three AAA batteries with no tools, lithium batteries OK, waterproof to 1 meter, ...

... and being a headlamp it can magically point to wherever I am looking ... OR you can just hold it in your hand with the strap wrapped around your hand for security ... OR you can wear it around your neck for even more security.

Also, based upon my experience, that elastic strap lasts a long long time - that was one of my earliest concerns, but after quite a few years they show NO sign of aging or wear.

All for less than $35 on-line. That's why I have so many.

I can't think of too much of my gear that I think is as first rate as the PT EOS-R headlamp ... OK, my RSK Mk1 and my Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, beyond those my favorites aren't so focused on a single brand/model.

Well, let's hope you are wearing clothes with lots of pockets or you would have to wear it on your neck or carry it in your hand. Now I love a good headlamp, and I use them very often but it's a bit much for normal EDC (for this cat anyway)

This is particularly true in summer where I often strut about wearing only a pair of old shorts and a T-shirt. Every ounce of space is need for wallet, keys, sunglasses etc.

Did I miss something? I saw no mention of being limited to EDC. I was thinking the headlamp would fit nicely in a BOB (Bug Out Bag) ... that's how mine is carried.

I carry an ARC AAA LED light in pocket, EDC.