Which light to EDC? Fenix L0P or Photon Freedom?

I used to EDC a Photon Freedom Micro... Great little light!

Since then I bought a Fenix L0P... I liked the fact that it used a common AAA battery and had a 1-watt LED. However, in an every day scenario, I don't see a lot of improvement in throw and light intensity compared to the Photon Freedom Micro... The L0P is also bulkier in my front pocket.

In an everyday urban EDC scenario, which one would you EDC, and why?

I don't know about the Fenix L0P, but with a AAA its gotta be too heavy for me. I have carried a Photon Freedom Micro (the new yellow one) around my neck attached to my capsule of emergency meds for a couple of months while out of the house. I don't even know its there until I need it. I don't see how I got along without it before.

i EDC neither of them. I have a photon clone on my keychain, which is nice for some jobs, but most of the time i grab my L1P from my belt holster and use it. AA batteries has a better run time, but is still very light and small when worn on the belt.

Ofcorse this is just my preference...

Now that depends on the time of year and your everyday travel/working enviroment. At this time of year I only carry Photon Light on my EDC ring. In winter Its PL plus a Surefire and/or a headtorch (petzl). If I commuted on the tube every day the head torch would be primary carry.

Right now I've got the Fenix L2P, SureFire E1e, LRI Proton, and Arc AAA on my person. I like having lots of light at my disposal.

Craig

I'd carry the Fenix. Battery changes are easier and you can find them anywhere.

About 2 yrs ago I bought 3 photon microlights - 1 EDC, 2 Gift. They all lasted about 6 months in a pocket with keys, change, etc. They just don't stand up to much abuse.

I currently EDC an ARC AAA-P (new version) with a lithium battery. Lite, bright and built like tank. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

What in God's name are you doing to them? Pounding them with cinderblocks? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Even I'm not THAT hard on lights. Jeez.

I keep my Doug Ritter Special Edition Photon Freedom Micro Lights on both my keychains, with no ill effect on either light. I have two of them, and they're both still kicking.

Craig

I, too, cut back seaonally -- to only three lights on my belt! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I like a lot of light. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Craig

> They just don't stand up to much abuse.

Mine does. It is in a pocket with a PryBab and a Serbertool M4, in addition to the usual keys and stuff, without any problem. I wonder if this varies with the model, with the Photon Freedoms being better than earlier ones. For a while I carried a $1 "fauxton" which did fail: not in the same class as a Photon.

Did yours actually malfunction? (I don't have one of Doug's yellow ones but I gather the paint can come off.

All three ended up with the buttons smashed down so the lights wouldn't function. With mine the only things in the pocket were keys and change.

I did buy them all at the same time - maybe I just got a bad lot.

My pocket change can get quite heavy --- and the keys of all different shapes and sizes for work and play can damage my photon freedom micro. I can't hang my keys on my waist all of the time, either. I use the black safety lanyard clip to protect it and wear it around my neck under my shirt daily along with a metal emergency medicine capsule and have no trouble. Just a few months ago, I couldn't imagine being able to stand having anything hanging around my neck like that, but its light enough not to notice. Saves me a whole lot of walking back and forth for a flashlight nowadays. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I have no experience with the Fenix, but I have edc a photon freedom for awhile now as backup to my surefire e2e with no problems. Seems to be a tough little light. Hope this helps.

I don't have to make the choice because I EDC both. It's wiser to have a backup light rather than rely on one. I keep the Freedom Photon on my keychain as my backup light which I avoid using except for the times I forget the Fenix, or the Fenix battery craps out. My Fenix puts out more light but the Freedom is impressive for it's size. I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying either by itself.

My two year old Freedom is getting very hard to actuate, I have to press the button very hard for several seconds to make it light and I sometimes have to press in different spots. Time for a new one. Which shows you can't rely on one light. If I had to choose I'd take a new Freedom light.

I find the Photon is the perfect keychain light. It does not weigh much, and is small enough to disappear on keychain. I carry two spare batteries in my wallet and are much smaller than trying to carry a spare AAA.

I also EDC a L1P next to my wallet and use that more than the photon. I do carry a spare for that as well.

Great combo if you ask me.

Ready

Candlepowerforums.com is where the flashlight buffs hang out if you're not already over there.

I haven't felt much need for an L0p. I love my L1p and EDC it sometimes. I have a Photon II on my keyring and it's held up just fine over the years. I wouldn't carry spare batteries for a Photon, I'd just carry a whole spare light.

I have a lot of 1AAA lights and used to EDC one but usually don't any more. The coin lights have more runtime though they're less bright. They are dirt cheap (Photon clones) and I use the clones as battery donors.

I have a Photon Freedom but find it too complicated and don't EDC it. I don't need all the features, so a Photon II does me fine and feels more reliable. The Freedom has this nasty habit of turning on in one's pocket and draining its batteries. Unless they fix that I couldn't think of it as a useable EDC light. (And I know about switching it to momentary mode--too big a nuisance).

I'd say use an Arc AAA or Peak Matterhorn if you want a 1AAA light for easy battery swaps, an L1p if you want something powerful, otherwise a Photon II or clone. I'd skip the L0p and the Freedom.

I had a Photon II at first. Small, light, and bright... for about 15 minutes. Light output really went down after that. Can't say anything about the Fenix - never had one. For several years I carried a CMG (Gerber) Infinity Ultra AA. It gave good light for hours on end, and was bloody indestructable. That was the pocket light I carried through Katrina, when we had no power for 8 days. Yes it was bulky, but it had other advantages, like commonly obtainable batteries. (Author avoids making silly remarks about conversation-starting flashlight bulge in trousers. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />) Two weeks ago, I got an Arc AAA-P, and I am utterly smitten. Small, nearly twice as bright as the Infinity Ultra, and built equally tank-like. Will not last as long light-wise, but the comapactness and light weight more than make up for it.

Hope this helps.

.....CLIFF
(like, who else?)

I've got a Photon Freedom on my keyring and a Peak Matterhorn in my Mission Wallet along with a Leatherman P4. The Arc and Peak Matterhorn single AAA lights are very well built and are easily carried.