Reddit mentions of Fenix E11 high performance LED flashlight

The core material EDC, to me would be knife, light and cellphone. But cool keychain gidgets are really nice too.

So I'd say if you have a knife, a good flashlight would be next, then a backup knife and light (one is none, two is one). I like a multi-tool or SAK for my backup knife, and a keychain light for my backup torch.

(In case you're curious, after that I start considering footwear, gloves, hats and other clothing.)

(Sorry, I'm feeling a bit lazy, so you'll have to live with bare links.)

This one is pretty popular for keychain use: www.amazon.com/iTP-A3-EOS-Flashlight--Upgrade/dp/B006K5C2EG/

Fenix has single AA and 123 powered lights that are well regarded and compact:
AA: http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-E11-Compact-Lumen-Flashlight/dp/B005GW8UC2
CR123: www.amazon.com/Fenix-Compact-140-Lumen-Flashlight/dp/B005CWRB44

There are a lot of other brands worthy of consideration too, of course (Fourseven's mini, Jetbeam, Klarus, Zebra, just to name a few).

There are also a lot of much larger but more capable flashlights out there.

Keychain stuff is always nice:
I use these sliver grippers way more than I thought I would. The convenience of always having them around is unparalleled: http://www.amazon.com/UNCLE-BILLS-SLIVER-GRIPPER-TWEEZER/dp/B001KMSUA4
I've been thinking of getting this, I'm a little leery about that much stuff for so little cost though: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003A5E5IK
I love this style of keyring, but it's way cheaper on eBay: http://www.amazon.com/Vigilant-Gear-Aircraft-Cable-Ring/dp/B006ZSP1PA
Little one-piece keychain tools have become really popular, and I really like having a little prying and screwing tool always present.
The Gerber Shard is cheap but probably at least worth what you pay for it: http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-01769-Shard-Keychain-Tool/dp/B002ZK45IQ
This one has a bit more functionality, and is made of the magically delicious titanium: http://www.amazon.com/Schrade-Chain-Tool-Seatbelt-Cutter/dp/B004PQJ1QO

Keychain multi-tools can be good.
Here's one from Gerber: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006M9NIDO
Supposedly the build quality isn't as good as Leatherman's though: http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-64010101K-Micra-Multi-tool/dp/B000JCN0FG

I'd also recommend looking for a glow in the dark lanyard.

A pen you can EDC is another "you're surprised how often you use it" item. I have an Inka and it's definitely alright, though a bit fiddly: http://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Inc-Inka-Pen/dp/B001E6R6EM/
The biggest competitor is the classic Fisher Bullet Space Pen: http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Space-Pen-Bullet-400B/dp/B000WGD13U

Something to write on is nice. I'm a real child of the digital age, but I still like having an analog recording medium on me. I prefer Pentalic's pocket size books to Moleskine's. They're a little thicker, but they have a flexible cover, and are usually cheaper. Here's one: http://www.amazon.com/Pentalic-Travelers-Sketch-3-Inch-4-Inch/dp/B0025TZ35Q but I don't know if it's ruled or grid or what. I also prefer a bright color cover to make it easy to spot.

Continuing on the writing stuff matter, a sharpie and/or a metallic (ink) sharpie are nice to have. You can get sharpies with stainless steel cases too, which feel nicer to hold, and you're a little less likely to forget somewhere.
Black (dozen): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFEP
Stainless Steel: http://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Stainless-Permanent-Marker-1747388/dp/B001V9LQLG
Metallic: http://www.amazon.com/Sanford-39108PP-Metallic-Sharpie-Permanent/dp/B00119QWCO

I think everybody should carry some sort of bandanna. I carry an off-brand buff (tubular bandanna) and an olive drab shemagh.

I like to carry a small baggie of what I call MacGuyver goods. Paracord (bound up in a hanayawa right now), some gorilla tape and electrical tape wrapped around a card, super glue, a sewing kit, zip ties, twist ties, rubber bands, safety pins, binder clips, and a few 1 quart ziplock freezer bags. (Like hell I'm finding links for all of those.)

Yet another "surprising how useful it turns out to be" item is a small mirror: http://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-Featherweight-Mirror/dp/B0047QV44O/

Whistles are useful for warning people of fire or danger, or calling for help, so I like to carry one: http://www.amazon.com/Fox-40-Whistle-Breakaway-Lanyard/dp/B00544UJC6

A monocular is fun to have on your person. This particular model is really great because of its super low minimum focusing distance, which lets you use it as a sort of loupe. In regular mode it's good for looking for house numbers or your car in a parking lot, that sort of thing: http://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Echo-7x18-Pocket-Scope/dp/B000FKMTBS

I think that's all I could come up with off the top of my head.

I had the Fenix E11 for a while. It was pretty awesome, and bright! I used it while delivering pizza at night and it would light up the address numbers of houses from across the street.

A list of some solid choices:

Name | Brightness | Battery life (brightest mode) | Battery type | Price

• Streamlight MicroStream | 28 Lumens | 1.5 hrs | 1x AAA | $18.97 Prime
  
  
• FOURSEVENS Preon 1 | 84 Lumens | 1 hr | 1x AAA | $32.50 Prime
  
  
• Streamlight Protac Tactical | 50 Lumens | 1.75 hrs | 1x AA | $34.29 Prime
  
  
• Fenix E11 | 105 Lumens | 2 hrs | 1x AA | $32.95 Prime
  
  
• Fenix E01 | 13 Lumens | 21 hrs | 1x AAA | $12.50 Prime
  
  I personally have the MicroStream and I LOVE it. Seriously. So small. So cheap. When you buy quality AAA batteries it lasts months (buy the ones that have the 10 year guarantee). Don't have any of the other ones but reviews on them are all pretty good. Hope this helps!
  
  (Edit: added more)
  

$25 does not get very much in the way of a good flashlight.

The Terralux Lightstar 220 is $24 at amazon and seems well-liked by your average reviewer. (People who take flashlights seriously would probably rip on it quite heavily.)

You could go for chinese generics, the Ultrafire C3 is $13 and one of my favorite generics.

Personally I'd spend a little more (you are getting paid to use it after all) and get a Fenix E11 ($26) or Fenix E21 ($30) are very sturdy, bright and well built lights.

Other options worth considering.

I EDC a Fenix E01 because I like a really small light I can carry on my keychain with no problem. This light is tiny but it has worked well for me in all situations I needed it in so far.

I also have a Fenix E11 if I feel I need a little larger light but I generally leave it in my car or briefcase.

Fenix E11.

I've given over a dozen of them away to friends and as gifts, it's a simple, solid light. I wouldn't spend more then that on an expendable light.

Buy two, if you'd even like. If not now I'm sure you'll get another later!

http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-E11-high-performance-flashlight/dp/B005GW8UC2

For anyone that just wants to get them all together off Amazon, here's the links. I doubt anyone is buying a 3k watch off Amazon :)

iPhone 5 Element Case

Paul Smith leather billfold

32GB keychain flash drive

Fisher space pen

Field Notes

Fenix L1P flashlight

Omega Seamaster watch

This really is a very nice offer to the OP. It amazes me sometimes to see these acts of kindness. At least have an upvote.

I can't think of another light in the same price range of the E21 currently with the same brightness and durability. The 4Sevens lights and Eagletac lights recommended by Geodyssey are very nice lights as well.

How about a single AA light? The Fenix E11 is a nice compact light and will outrun and outpower the Maglite anytime. Runtime is decent and it has a good grip and has a decent price.