1xAA (Alkaline/lithium/NiMH)
High CRI neutral or warm white tint
Tail clicky
Moonlight/low/(medium)/high sequence (i.e., really want something that starts on moonlight or low)
Reversible clip
I’ve had a couple of Xeno E03s for a few years. With Fenix clips on them they’re pretty close to what I want, and they’ve served me fairly well, but they start on medium and don’t have a moonlight mode. Also, the one I have with the Nichia emitter has developed the intermittent connection issue I’ve read about. It’s a real pita and I’m worried it will fail completely at some point.
I also have a Balder SE-1 that’s basically a paperweight now. Failed without warning or explanation, just stopped turning on one day and never got so much as a flicker from it again. Then recently picked up several of the pink XTAR WK50s. Great budget lights at the price I paid, but not quite there in terms of being an upgrade over the XENOs for me.
So, looking for options that fit as many of the above criteria as possible. Not too picky about max lumens, generally prefer a little more flood then throw. I’d prefer to keep it under $50, but would potentially spend more for something reliable that checks all the boxes.
I’ve done some research and the Reylight Brass Pineapple looks like it might be a solid option, but I wanted to ask the great community here about what else might be out there before I order one from Banggood.
Eagletac D25a Nichia emitter version, I found at Andrew & Amanda for $56 or so, but don’t balk at the price ’cause I think it does everything you want.
if you’d be willing to compromise some of your wishlist items, I am liking my new Utorch UT01 a lot, a AA/14500 with a side switch though, and doesn’t start in low, but it does have mode memory - but for just over $20 (or less if you can find a code, maybe) might be worth looking at…
My favorite AA/14500 light is my Nitecore SRT3. Can also remove the tube to convert to CR123/16340 if you wanted the option. The SRT is ‘smart ring technology’ so it has the ring that adjusts the modes. It goes from moon mode to 550 lumen turbo with a swivel of the ring. If you want blinky functions you can swivel for strobe, SOS, beacon as well as red and blue or red/blue strobe. Tail clicky and has a clip. It’s my favorite because it has all of those functions; I like the moon mode and set it to start in that mode. Turbo (or any level in between is nice if needed. Red is good when I go camping and want to keep my night vision and I like the blinky functions for an emergency situation. Only criteria it doesn’t meet on your list is a reversible clip unless you remove the standard one for a different type.
I’ve been busier than expected the last few days, but still checking in. Hope to get some down time to go through all of these suggestions and compare the pros, cons, and price points over the weekend.
I have a few Fenix lights, but no 1xAA’s from them yet. Nice lights, but they generally tend to be a cooler temp/tint than I prefer, unless they offer different options now. I know Thrunite is pretty solid as well and have some of the Ti2’s that I gave to my kids. I got a bunch of Fenix clips that fit great on the Thrunites and my Xeno E03s.
Once again, really appreciate all of the input. Thank you!!
After going through everything, I ordered a Thrunite T10, ($23.95 shipped with Amazon Prime). I’m not crazy about the overall aesthetics and lack of any knurling, but it otherwise seemed to check off the most boxes from my features wish list, it’s fairly inexpensive, and the diffuser is a nice bonus.
Will probably take a second look at some of the others down the road.
+ 1 on the Thrunite T10. It’s my go to EDC. The three modes are spot on and love the fact that it has a memory of the last mode you used before turning it off.
Yeah, optimistic on the T10, hope it works out. :+1:
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Not sure if I have the time/skill to get into that, but I did wonder if I could find someone to repair/mod my Xenos to eliminate the connection issue and have them start on low, (ideally on lower lower low). I really am fond of the E03’s otherwise. I could throw in my dead Balder SE-1 as a freebie to sweeten the deal!
Good choice. Its going to be hard to beat a T10 as a general purpose EDC, given your list of preferences. Unless you are specifically looking for something more… high CRI, tighter throw beam, maximum Lumens, different modes…etc.
That E03 looks really easy to get apart, no glue or thread locker at all. (thumbs up to manufacturers who do not glue things together).
Yeah, other than the WW and clip, I’d’ve recommended the WK50s. For 8bux, you can’t go wrong.
I love forward-clickies, but not for setting modes. Then it becomes something of a pain.
The Jet I is 3-modes (no moonlight) vs 4-modes of the ’50. Hmm, forgot which has memory and which doesn’t (Jet I vs II). Whichever doesn’t have memory always starts in low.