this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2023
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flashlight

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Portable illumination

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Hi! As someone who doesn’t use flashlights often at all I’m quite curious how often you actually use flashlights. Are they like an everyday carry?

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[–] DinDjarin 10 points 1 year ago

When I go up and down the stairs at night. I have a bunch of lights, but no legitimate or serious reason other than I like them. Which is the only reason I need really.

[–] elscallr 10 points 1 year ago

It's like carrying a pocket knife. Once you've always got one on you, you end up using it all the time.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@ouigol I work in live video for live events, I often need to look into dark backstage, dark technical cases and often work night time. I used to have a headlamp, then I bought a angleable magnetic flashlight to light up the back of trucks while load-in or load-out, or just general dark backstage. Working in video, I was not a fan of shitty light quality, so I progressively upgraded thanks to r/flashlight.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@ouigol (I have no idea what my post looks like, I answered via Mastodon)

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

As an office employee, I'm super jealous of the need for a flashlight on hand. Boy would I have taken a different path professionally.

[–] OhmsLawn 5 points 1 year ago

This really depends on your location and profession. Those of us who live in cities and don't need them for work really only need them for camping and emergencies. However, if you live in a dark-sky area, they're absolutely essential.

[–] antisuck 5 points 1 year ago

Daily. Work in a warehouse that has a few dark corners, repair equipment that I want to see better. At home I do things like move sprinklers around after dark or take the trash out to the can at the alley, also keep a light at my nightstand if I need to get up late at night. Have a warm light for making coffee in the winter months when I need to get ready for work before dawn.

[–] TropicalDingdong 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I hike a lot, and at night too, and I really hate when people use flashlights. It makes it very very difficult to see things and I think makes hiking more hazardous. I think it makes sense to have one for emergencies, but its really important to just be comfortable in the dark outside.

[–] Motecuhzoma 3 points 1 year ago

The headlamp I take hiking has a red light which I think is a decent compromise

[–] rouxdoo 4 points 1 year ago

All day every (work) day. Every morning I swap in a fresh 18650 off the charger then pop it into my holster before going to work. My job consists of seeing things in every nook and cranny of the properties I visit. I couldn't work without a bright light.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I started using the flashlight on my phone a lot in the evenings. Instead of switching lights on and off I just carry it with me if I need to go in and out of rooms for things briefly. Might sound quirky but I just find it easier.

[–] fujiwood 3 points 1 year ago

When I bring the cats in at night I use a flashlight. They don't always want to come back in so I have to go round them up. It makes it easier to spot them since their eyes reflect the light back.

So, I use a flashlight practically every single day.

Other than that I use a flashlight at least once a week.

[–] SpeedLimit55 3 points 1 year ago

Thanks to phone I EDC a flashlight daily. I also have about 6 more in convenient places at my home, office, and work bag that each get used a few times a month. Over half of mine are now rechargeable and in the future they will all be.

[–] RedEyeFlightControl 3 points 1 year ago

I use mine multiple times every day. So much so I carry one with me.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Rarely, but I have 3 always available in designated places around the house, regularly tested and batteries rotated on a schedule. Same for pocket radios. These are the things you don’t need every day, but having them around may determine if you live or die in certain situations.

[–] aqua 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Mostly at night at home when I don’t want to turn the lights on.

[–] MapleEngineer 2 points 1 year ago

I'm a homestead farmer. They're are half a dozen around and I use one every day.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

At least weekly usually multiple times a week. Sometimes daily or more often.

I keep a 2×aaa in my pocket organizer, and a small 1×aaa on a chain around my neck, plus a slightly bigger one in my go bag. I use them all frequently, but it's the neck light that gets the most use. 9/10 times, having it right there, shining down on what I'm trying to do is so convenient I can't believe more people aren't doing it.

[–] adistantmirror 2 points 1 year ago

I keep one in each vehicle with disposable lithium batteries in them so they work in any temperature for years and years. Plus one by the back door so I can see what the dog is barking at. I've had to chase racooons out of the yard so he doesn't get in a fight with them

[–] jerv 2 points 1 year ago

More often now that I have lights that don't suck like the one on my phone, or the Streamlights that my old shop issued. I do a fair bit of inspection work that requires more and better light than the overhead lights, find myself looking in dark corners all the time, own cats that like getting into weird places, and investigate odd noises from the back yard.

I usually EDC two lights; one that's more convenient and one that's more powerful. They're different enough in other ways to justify the dual-wielding.

[–] dr_jekell 2 points 1 year ago

I carry 3 (different uses) plus spare batteries in the bag that goes almost everywhere with me (especially to work for night-shift).

I use them on average about 3-4 times a week and often in places/environments that using a phone would destroy it or require a thorough decontamination.

[–] NightTime 2 points 1 year ago

E-VE-RY-DAY :)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Daily. In my own house. And not just to see what the cats are doing at 3am.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Every day..

Headlamp while I give the cats dinner every night.

Torch or headlamp to see in my car's boot (Subaru Forester - completely shit boot light).

And many many more regular uses.....

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I have a flashlight in my truck that comes in very handy at times. Once it was the only light we had for ice fishing. Another time it helped me see in the woods and it can help see where your headlights don't shine.

I prefer to use a headlamp most of the time because it leaves my hands free.

[–] BullstrongDVM 1 points 1 year ago

Hourly when I'm at work and daily when I'm at home or out and about.