Is this Free Flashlight Any Good?
The O-Light I3T is a popular EDC flashlight because of its incredible affordability. In fact, the I3T retails for only $18, but often goes on sale, or is bundled for free with Olight’s tactical flashlights.
For those of us who don’t like carrying a weapon mounted light, should this be your EDC flashlight? I also want to hear from you for a future video, do you EDC a stand alone flashlight, a weapon mounted light, or no flashlight at all?
The I3T is Great for EDC
The I3T is small and compact. It’s also very bright for day to day tasks. It’s a work horse for how small it is. As seen here, I used it quite a bit when moving things around in my attic this past weekend. Similarly, its my go to around the house whenever the kids need a flashlight.
The I3T works for PID at Night
For PID, there’s clearly better choice on the market. However, I’ve made the personal decision to not carry a more powerful weapon mounted light, as with my lifestyle, I am only extremely rarely out after dark. The benefit versus need made the small EDC flashlights a better option that I could use in a pinch given the extremely low likelihood I would ever need it.
The I3T is powered by common AAA Batteries
Being powered by a single AAA battery, there’s a huge convenience factor to the I3T. The I3T has a nifty clip that allows it to be mounted to a hat.
The flashlight has two modes, a bright mode and a dimmer mode that can be activated by clicking the flashlight in rapid succession to change the setting.
Olight I3T EDC Flashlight
A descent flashlight, not better than the microstream, but a solid option (especially if you get it for free). This is one to throw in the car as a backup.
The I3T is Durable
The flashlight is also pretty rugged. I’ve dropped it from a second floor accidentally before onto concrete and it continued working just fine.
Is it as good as other EDC flashlights?
However, would I choose it over other EDC Flashlights? Personally, no. I still carry a Streamlight Microstream for a few reasons. Even though the I3T is rated with higher lumens at 180 lumens, the streamlight is only rated at 45, I don’t think this is accurate. The Streamlight microstream in practice feels brighter testing side by side. Moreover, while the I3T is more compact, the Microstream is like featherweight light despite the I3T being heavier at 2.33 ounces.
Streamlight Microstream Is Better
The streamlight also has better controls. To switch between modes, the streamlight has 2 levels of click, a half click and then a heavy click, which is a little odd until you get used to it, then it becomes super convenient. The I3T has to be cycled with full clicks by hand which can be annoying depending on what you need to use it for.
Olight gets pretty hot
The Olight also gets really hot really fast as compared to the streamlight.
Conclusion
So overall, both are descent flashlights, and they MSRP for about the same amount, but if you’re buying from scratch I’d personally go with streamlight for EDC. The I3T however makes a great backup that can be thrown in the car. It definitely doesn’t hurt to have both.
Olight I3T EDC Flashlight
A descent flashlight, not better than the microstream, but a solid option (especially if you get it for free). This is one to throw in the car as a backup.
