Bright Ideas: Every Day Carry Flashlights

A bit of sunlight in your pocket

Courtesy of Pelican, Helotex, J5 Tactical, Olight, Maglite

You never realize how handy a compact flashlight can be until you need one and don’t have it. While the lights in this group are easy to tuck into a briefcase or desk drawer, they’re ready for use in the office or under extreme conditions, and proof you don’t have to spend a lot to shine brightly.

Courtesy of Olight

Rugged and Rechargeable

Olight Baton 3

$69.99

This little torch is rechargeable in 3 1/2 hours via a magnetic base to provide up to 120 days of low light, and 1500 lumens of cool or neutral light. A two-way clip keeps it secured to a pocket or a hat brim, while the aluminum housing’s non-slip texture ensures a secure grip, even in rainy conditions.

Courtesy of Maglite

Big Light, Compact Package

Maglite XL200

$47.25

The police’s favorite light comes in a version ideal for the rest of us. Powered by three AAA batteries, it casts a bright beam to erase the shadows. The pushbutton tail cap allows 100 percent power, strobe, an emergency SOS pattern, or instant-on “Nite Lite” mode. Complete with batteries, a pocket clip, and a no-roll lens cap with red, green, and blue filters.

Courtesy of J5

Lightweight Lightsaber

J5 Hyper- V

$39.95

This eminently practical light can be powered by either three AAA batteries or one rechargeable battery. The adjustable beam has four modes: SOS, strobe, high, and low, and can be adjusted for close-up illumination or zoomed out to illuminate objects up to 1,100 feet away. The rugged aluminum housing protects it from drops or exposure to water.

Courtesy of Pelican

Tiny Powerhouse

Pelican 1910

$36

Looking like a pen when tucked in a pocket or briefcase, this compact dynamo weighs just 1.5 ounces and uses just one AAA battery to project a 106-lumen beam. This combination of small size and an ample beam makes it a good all-around choice for when the power goes off, finding your seat at the opera without blinding others around you, or when you need to find something dropped under your desk.

Courtesy of Helotex

A Texas-Sized Beam

Helotex G2 $25

This tough customer is proof that “tactical” lights don’t have to cost hundreds of dollars. Crafted of aircraft aluminum with O-rings to withstand extreme conditions, the push-button tail cap switch can be set to deliver 120 or 130 lumens of light. It can be powered by either one AA battery or one rechargeable CR123 battery.