By Ron Dan
The only thing worse than knife nerds are flashlight nerds. However, when you’re in the middle of a woods party and you drop your can of Alps into a pitch black abyss of foliage, your cell phone light won’t cut it.
Lights and knives are just like a gun. You want the biggest, most effective one that you will consistently carry. Without a Batman belt, that generally means you need one that’s small enough and light enough to be convenient for carry while also being more effective for illumination than your trusty iPhone. I’ve been carrying the Surefire Stiletto series since they were originally launched. Since then, they are now on their third version and have improved with each iteration.
The Stilettos are great because they sit flat in the pocket and allow you to access the full-strength beam immediately with the tail cap switch. About 99-percent of your flashlight use will be for normal tasks like finding something you dropped in the car or finding your dog in the backyard. But if you need the light for any tactical scenarios, this light is perfectly suitable for the occasion.
SureFire Stiletto Pro II Features
For the Stiletto Pro II, it has a lot of improvements that work for any task I might need. The dual-beam design allows the light to carry as far as your eyesight will allow you to, but it also has a good, wide splash for lighting up a room. The reversible clip allows you to carry it with the tail cap up or down in your pocket. The side switches enable you to use the light with a constant-on at three different brightness levels. Lastly, it’s all rechargeable with a USB-C, so you don’t have to search for a proprietary charger. The days of expensive batteries are behind you.
This is one of the best lights you can get for everyday carry. It’s small, lightweight and flat for your pocket. It will be sufficient for almost all tasks you’ll encounter, and it’s something you can legally keep in your pocket even if you’re on a plane or in the middle of a European city.
Cost: $379.
Pros: This is a very versatile light that is great for a fighting handheld as well as everyday administrative use.
Cons: The pocket clip does not allow this light to be fully hidden in the pocket, which is a personal preference for me.
