Sometimes you don’t know you need something until you don’t have it — or you realize it’s important because you keep it close. It may be the fact I’m a part of Gen-Z and have become accustomed to having my phone and its handy flashlight on me at all times, but normally I don’t consider keeping a separate flashlight on my person (save the “kids these days” comments — trust me I know). The Nightstick USB Rechargeable EDC Flashlight has changed my perspective, though. It is a new favorite essential to keep close when I go out. It’s a quality flashlight I can rely on.
Specifications
This flashlight sits nicely in the palm of my hand, as well as most around me. It’s 4.5’’ long, just under an inch in diameter, and weighs three ounces, creating a moderate yet portable design for an EDC flashlight.
The casing is made of 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum which is typically used for truck bodies, aircraft landing pads, and other various parts. It’s known for its resistance to corrosion as well as strength similar to mild steel. It’s also reinforced by a type III hard-coat anodized finish, enhancing the casing’s qualities with further protection. It has even IPX7 waterproofing as well as chemical, heat, and impact resistance. Talk about durability.
- Law enforcement officers
- Automotive
- Firefighters
- Search and Rescue
- Outdoorsmen in general
The beam is focused but can reach up to 157 meters, aka around 1.5 football fields. Generally, specifications like that are good for rugged situations. It only has one brightness setting, but it does have two light modes: continuous (pressing the button until it clicks) and momentary (light pressure just before it clicks).
Features and accessories
When I’m wearing cargo pants or a jacket with average pockets (because not even a wallet can fit in most women’s pockets), this fits comfortably without being too bulky — especially because of the removable pocket clip on the handle. I’ve also found that the clip works great on belts (or belt loops) too. If you prefer holstering your daily carry gadgets, a quick look at Nightstick’s website shows a specialized holster listed under “accessories.”
The battery is a Nightstick brand 3.7-volt lithium-ion battery, rechargeable using the provided USB cord. When in use, it’s rated to last for about 1.5 hours at 320 lumens, but if you keep the USB cord nearby it won’t be a problem. It’s easy to charge in a car, house, or laptop USB port and will typically take around three hours. The indicator light will shine red while charging and turn green when fully charged.
I appreciate its heat resistance since Texas makes my car a hot-charging environment. My phone commonly overheats if the AC isn’t on, (because of course). Even so, you still really shouldn’t leave it in a hot car for an extended amount of time both for the safety and longevity of the device, so just use common sense when charging.
Replacing the battery isn’t insanely difficult, since you can find listings on Amazon for around $20. However, this battery should have a long lifetime so I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Aesthetically speaking, this is the light most tactical lovers want. It’s sleek, compact, and well-designed in its structure. As of now it comes in just black, though you don’t see me complaining.
Warranty
Nightstick does provide a warranty. However, it is limited. The parts covered long-term are:
- LEDs
- Housing
- Lenses
Meanwhile, for two years, the following are covered:
- Battery
- Charger
- Switches
- Included Accessories
Make sure you keep the proof of purchase tucked away safely if you want to use your warranty. Also, keep in mind the warranty only works within reason. It’s more for if there’s a defect in the flashlight itself, because normal wear or accidental damage doesn’t qualify.
Uses: From Convenient to Lifesaver
Maybe it was coincidence, or maybe I just never realized how handy a little flashlight can be. If I wasn’t carrying it in my pocket or on my waistband, it was pretty easy to slip into a shirt pocket, my bag, or in the compartments of my car. As I build a personal EDC pouch, this flashlight will make a great addition.
Though there is a heat warning in the manual, I didn’t really run into any issues with it overheating during extended use. I tried keeping it switched on stand-alone, as well as using it constantly in my hand and on the brim of my hat (which is possible if you unscrew the top and flip the clip upside down).
Getting the cap to the battery housing back on does take a little extra grip strength than expected, but it honestly just reassures me that the casing is secure from water and debris. It could also just be because I don’t have a lot of grip strength, so obviously, it will vary between people.
The button is slightly raised with the casing, creating a bit of a cradle for the pad of your thumb. I normally don’t even consider the importance of a feature like this, but the Nightstick proves it’s actually pretty nice to have. It helps center the force from the thumb and helps prevent slipping, keeping it secure in your hand.
Final Thoughts
The Nightstick EDC flashlight has been very good to me over the past few weeks. Without it, I’ve had several incidents that would have sucked a lot more. And, even if it becomes an extra thing for your pocket, it really is better to need it and have it rather than need it and not have it.
It’s moderately priced but it varies between dealers and sales. Generally, you’ll find it for under $80 but as low as $50. It’s not necessarily cheap, but for a reason — you get the quality that you pay for. So, yes, it’s worth it.
This flashlight lives up to its name as a great EDC flashlight. But it’s good for other specialties just the same, making it a good flashlight for anyone.
