Reddit mentions of ITP A3 EOS 150 Lumen 3 Outputs and Strobe CREE XP-G2 LED Keychain Flashlight 2016 Edition 1X AAA Battery (Not Included)

IMO, 1AAA lights are the best option for EDC. Ranging anywhere from like 50-150 lumens, and both small and light. The Olight I3E is a great option, or the ITP EOS A3 which seems to be the basis of the Maratac AAA, my favorite little EDC light.

There's nothing wrong with the Preon 2. It will serve you well. As a matter of personal preference, I don't like to carry 2 x AAA lights on my person. I prefer a single AAA light.

As for single AAA lights, the Preon 1, the ITP A3 EOS, the Fenix LD01, and the Peak Eiger are all favorites. All of the lights mentioned can accept a 10440 lithium ion cell for maximum output (much higher than the advertised and higher than your Preon 2) or other low voltage cells (lithium, alkaline, NiMH etc...).

I personally carry a Peak Eiger every day of my life. It's so small and light it disappears in my pocket but it puts out plenty of light. The version I use has the QTC pill which gives it infinite variability from very low to vary high. Peaks also have fully potted electronics for added durability and water proofness.

I've also had the LD01 and the ITP in the past and had no problems with either.

Cheers!

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.

Nice carry! I would recommend adding a small flashlight. It's probably the most useful part of my EDC. I have the ITP A3 EOS on my keychain, and I love it. One AAA battery, 3 modes, super bright.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006K5C2EG?pc_redir=1404498212&robot_redir=1

Either Tank007 would probably be fine. But if you want to count on your light when you need it, I would spend $25 to get an Olight i3 or ITP A3. Also if your light is going to be unused for long periods, I would invest in a few Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries to avoid leaking alkalines.

A MagLite Solitaire LED might also be worth looking at.


Here's my list of usable AA/AAA EDC flashlights under $35:

• TANK007 1xAAA tailcap switch, 1 mode 100 lumens - $11
  
  
• Energizer 1xAA tactical tailswitch, 1 mode 50 lumens - $15 @ Target B&M
  
  
• Olight i3 1xAAA twisty, good pocket-clip, 3 mode 2.5/20/70 lumens - $22
  
  
• ITP A3 1xAAA twisty, good keychain attachment, 3 mode 1.5/18/96 lumens - $24
  
  
• ShiningBeam I-mini 1xAA or 1xCR123A tactical tailswitch, Digital infinite brightness adjustment from 7 to 260 lumens - $30
  
  
• Jetbeam BA10 1xAA tactical tailswitch, 12/160 lumens - $33
  
  Increasing the budget to about $50 opens the list up considerably. I decided on a Fenix LD12 1xAA tactical tailswitch, 3/27/60/115 lumens (hidden strobe and SOS) - $52

My itp a3 eos flashlight ~$20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006K5C2EG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1381350571&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

• Casio Waveceptor
  
• Shuffle II
  
• OtterBox Armor
  
• iTP A3 Eos
  
• Thermos 16oz
  
• Burts
  
• Walmart wallet
  
• Car keys

I'm a big fan of the eos. <http://www.amazon.com/iTP-A3-EOS-Flashlight--Upgrade/dp/B006K5C2EG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419539062&sr=8-1&keywords=eos+upgraded>

• Blue Cerulean Zippo
  
• Taste-T-Picks mint-flavored toothpicks
  
• Blue Fisher Space Pen
  
• Streamlight Microstream (coating worn off where it rubs against my knife)
  
• new Spyderco Manix 2 in S110v - I linked the image to BBS, but you can actually find it cheaper on BladeHQ and Knifecenter.
  
• new +B Victorinox Castaway SAK in Blue Alox - Link is just the newsletter because it isn't available in the webstore.
  
• Leatherman Skeletool CX - I love this tool. I've purchased 4 or 5 of them and given them away to friends and family because I love it so much. I'd recommend to anyone. The blade on this thing is amazing.
  
• Burt's Bees chapstick
  
• Car/Jeep/House keys, Blue anodized WTF tool (Wrench-That-Fits), Blue Leatherman PS4, and iTP A3 EOS upgraded all attached by lobster clasps on Copper Corter Bottlehook and keyring.
  
  EDIT: Added links to everything and corrected some details.
  EDIT_2: Grammar.

When I worked on oil rigs in Saudi Arabia, I used these often at night. They were unreasonably bright. They last long enough on a single battery that I wasn't really that worried about it. I did have a battery charger with extra batteries onsite.

This was back in 2015, there are probably upgraded versions on the market now (brighter/longer lasting). Also a slightly larger form factor could fit additional batteries.

Back when I got these, they were 96 lumens, then 120 lumens. Now they are upgraded to 150 lumens. I guess they're using the Cree XP-G2 LED these days, and a cursory search shows this LED is available in lots of flashlights with many form factors. I'd recommend it.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B006K5C2EG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They're tiny, but that was a plus in my book. With LED's, size no longer correlates to brightness in any meaningful way.

If you really want a fancy one, look for an LED with a high "Color Rendering Index". That will be more difficult to find. But the light will show you corrosion/small leaks, etc much better.

>Bivvy bags, 2x (in case we get a clear sky and a warm evening)

Just remember - an ounce in the morning feels like a pound at night.

>Roll mats (cheap, closed foam) 2x

Cheap is all good. Sleep is a must like oxygen and water on a bike tour - if you aren't sleeping you will be miserable.

>Handlebar bags ?

Expensive kit - but worth it for the odds and ends. Not 1st priority in terms of gear vs cost.

>Flashlights / headlamps / lantern

Clip this to your handlebars or your ball-cap.
>Tarpaulin

You don't want to haul this - nor do you need it.


>Mallet for tent pegs (Is this necessary? Any alternatives? Seems like extra weight...)

Nope don't bring this. Use your hand and then shoe to sink a tent stake.

First aid kit

Bandaids, headache stuff, tape, neo-sporin.

>Zip ties, gaffer tape, velcro straps, bungies/paracord

Cargo nets and clip-straps

>Small travel towels

Travel or not, you will want a towel.

>Extra entertainment we can figure out, like reading material, mp3, radio, deck of cards, or whatever.

Smart phone with audio books and deck of cards.

I suggest you take a look at Eneloops - basically rechargeable batteries. They've come a long way and give you more options: this way, any AAA flashlight becomes feasible, rather than that is already rechargeable.

Second, Parametrek is spot on - a firefly mode is what you want. The ThruNite Ti3 comes to mind, for about $15 from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/ThruNite-Ti3-Max120-Lumens-Flashlight/dp/B00EC0FY1O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496145358&sr=8-1&keywords=thrunite%2Bti3&th=1) - uses an AAA battery, or an AAA Eneloop like I mentioned above.

Another option is the ITP A3 EOS. It's similar to the Olight i3s, except the ITP A3 starts off in moonlight mode. (https://www.amazon.com/A3-EOS-Outputs-Keychain-Flashlight/dp/B006K5C2EG/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1496145850&sr=1-1&keywords=itp+a3+eos)

These two lights are "keychain" lights - running off a single AAA battery and are small enough to fit on a keychain.

I've been carrying one of these for more than a year and I've been pleased. I think it's a great keychain light although I'm not a big fan of the included keychain clip but that is easy enough to replace. Hard to beat for $20.

iTP A3 EOS 96 Lumen Flashlight -Upgrade Version 1 X AAA battery by iTP Light http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006K5C2EG/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_Urlgtb1VFPA7G

iTP A3 Eos Upgraded. It's a keychain size light, but I hate bulky keychains so I clip it in my pocket. Twisty with three brightness settings, the highest of which still impresses me.

http://www.amazon.com/iTP-A3-EOS-Flashlight-Upgrade/dp/B006K5C2EG

I am sorry to be just a touch off what you asked for. I use this guy:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006K5C2EG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1452795374&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=eos+itp+flashlight&dpPl=1&dpID=41E%2B8nxBiWL&ref=plSrch

It is 11 grams without the key chain or battery. Uses normal AAA batteries so easy to replace out in the world. 55 hours on low with alkaline, and the low is all I ever want, but gets insane bright. I use a baseball cap, so you flip the clip and clip it to the brim. Easy grab to go handheld or toss to someone else for a moment. It is not technically a headlamp but I consider it my headlamp. Only thing to consider I can think of is do you wear a cap, and would you want a wider throw, which I do not find necessary.

I just got this last week, and I'm pretty impressed w/it thus far. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006K5C2EG/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details

Ah that is quite interesting! I always enjoy hearing why people carry what they do.

AAA with a pocket clip=Itp A3 Eos
AAAx2 with a pocket clip= Streamlight Stylus or Preon II.

I'd go with one of the 2x AAA's as they are easier to hold and won't fall out of your pocket as easily.

Also, this flashlight that I just got for Christmas:

http://www.amazon.com/iTP-A3-EOS-Flashlight--Upgrade/dp/B006K5C2EG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420498454&sr=8-1&keywords=a3+eos

The thing is tiny (just barely larger than an AAA battery) and very bright. I'm excited to start having it in my pocket all the time.

Weight is not a concern for me, size is one of main concern, It's gotta be small :3

As I have discovered, the ti3 (and Olight i3s, and the iTP-A3-EOS ) are both capable of using 10440 cells. I looked around about the eiger, and discovered it has a disclaimer saying keep away from children because of how hot the light gets...

It's also above the cost of the olight (I would need to at least buy some 10440's to go along with one of the AAA lights)

As far as output is concerned, I don't care if it's continuously variable or button or twisty -

but i DO want the light to always start on its low setting, and all of the lights I mentioned do that.

So, what am I getting out of the eiger for that extra $45? (I don't plan on changing any batteries while underwater) What I really want to see is a comparison beamshot test between the three lights when they are all using a 10440.

http://www.amazon.com/iTP-A3-EOS-Flashlight--Upgrade/dp/B006K5C2EG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415192536&sr=8-1&keywords=i3+flashlight

This is what i carry (well... lost it too) and it is good, but it's great when you put a 10440 in it. "Not recommended", been using it for 2 years with a 10440 though, no problem. It is small and cheap, which i like: i tend to lose stuff, so replacing won't cost me too much. Will buy a new one fairly soon.

I just got an iTP A3 EOS for my keychain. It has a clip on it that I flipped around specifically so that I could clip it on the bill of a cap. 96 lumens on a single AAA.