Hands-On Review of the Coast Slayer EDC Flashlight: Made Entirely of Metal m/

      Michael Febbo

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      The Coast Slayer fulfills one of my primary requirements for an everyday carry (EDC) flashlight: it won’t roll away. While that’s not the sole factor at play, a smooth cylindrical flashlight without a way to stay put is a significant drawback for me. Additionally, the Slayer is waterproof, offers two beam patterns and four brightness levels, is rechargeable via USB-C, boasts an all-aluminum body, and is available in four different colors. However, many flashlights share similar specifications. After using it for a few months, the Slayer has proven its $79.99 price worth and secured a place in my EDC collection.

      Mike Febbo

      The Bottom Line

      The Coast website lists any of the four Slayer colors for $79.99 (at the time of this writing).

      If you prefer silver, Amazon offers it for $69.19 (at the time of this writing).

      A new EDC flashlight seemingly enters the market every 13.8 seconds—I might be overstating the pace, but I suspect it averages about once a day. I receive at least one flashlight testing opportunity each week. I typically decline anything that appears disposable, serves as a knockoff of a well-known brand, or has a design that seems irrelevant to EDC or practical use—simply adding an LED to knuckle dusters doesn’t qualify them as flashlights.

      The Slayer features a textured, anodized all-aluminum body. The finger grooves on the bottom and the machined details on the sides enhance grip. Weighing in at a lightweight 3.2 ounces, it fits easily into a pocket. In low power mode, the fully charged lithium-ion battery provides over 10 hours of light, and even in high power mode, it exceeds 2 hours. The high power mode delivers 540 lumens, but if you need to illuminate something intensely, there’s a turbo mode that emits 1150 lumens, albeit only for about 30 seconds.

      Mike Febbo

      There are at least a dozen reputable manufacturers offering EDC flashlights in this pocket-sized, rectangular category, all with similar specifications and price ranges. Some models come with lasers, colored LEDs, and UV lights. There are also various iterations of the Slayer featuring lasers or red flood lights. I own a few flashlights equipped with lasers, although I haven’t found one necessary since my last college PowerPoint presentation. I appreciate having both flood and spot features, and I like the two-button design that enables me to cycle through options with one button while designating my preferred setting to the second button.

      While I don’t plan to use the Slayer for scuba diving, it’s effective in the rain. I’ve had it for a few months, and there isn't even a scratch on the anodizing, so it appears to withstand some wear. I like its quality and performance. Ultimately, it’s not flawless, but personal preference plays a significant role in selecting an EDC flashlight, and the Slayer aligns perfectly with mine.

      Coast Slayer EDC Flashlight

      Quality: 9/10

      Ease of Use: 7/10

      Durability: 8/10

      Performance: 8/10

      Overall: 8/10

      What is an EDC flashlight and how many lumens do I need?

      Wide Beam

      Spot Beam

      My interpretation of an everyday carry flashlight likely differs from others. I seek a flashlight that allows me to see into dark spaces or helps me notice fine details more clearly. A flashlight meant for long distances or expansive outdoor areas isn't particularly useful to me. While many might classify this as a small flashlight, it’s the largest size I'd consider EDC. With extensive hand-to-hand combat training, I tend to wear a lot of black and dark gray colors. I’d find living in a high-tech space with my vehicle ideal—I'm convinced my reluctance to wear things clipped to my belt is the only thing stopping me from becoming Batman. I’m not fond of anything clipped inside my pocket either. Thus, this size works well for a pocket-carry flashlight.

      In most situations, I use my light at relatively short ranges. I need a flashlight that performs well between 8 inches and, at most, 25 feet. I’m not aiming to blind anyone, especially myself, so I typically use the Slayer’s medium setting and have my favorite option set to the lowest power. For tasks like working on cars, you’ll likely find the lowest power setting handy most of the time.

      What are the specs of The Coast Slayer Flashlight?

      I’m starting to evaluate flashlights using a light meter, but these will be comparative tests, meaning the results won’t be meaningful until I establish a database. I can already envision building an integrating sphere in the near future, but we'll see. For now, let’s discuss the manufacturer specifications