I’ve become rather fond of the shape of my Nitecore SRT, and think a downscaled emulation of that form could be a pleasingly pocketable alternative to my 18350 and 18500 lights. Not sure if there would be much advantage other than esthetic and play value, but those are the being temptations to most of my purchases anyway. :disguised_face:
I like being able to swap in an 18650 tube for the 18350/18500 when I anticipate more capacity need, and I don’t see there being much of a comparable option for side-by-side AA format. But that wouldn’t dissuade me from purchasing if it caught my fancy.
I have a Nitecore MT22A that I really like. Side by side AA light. Works well. Plenty of light. Easy to fit in my back pocket. I have a Zanflare 2xAA tube light that I use around the house and like it as well. I would tend to carry the Nitecore more just because it’s easier to carry. The Zanflare is kinda long to be throwing in my front pocket or something. Wouldn’t even have to be 800lumens but that’s okay. As long as some other useful modes were present it wouldn’t bother me.
I like this idea, 2xAA optimized for long regulated runtime, NiMH or Lithium primary (disposable) cells, as a dirt-reliable blackout and backup light, compact, light, easy to use. Leave the max output lumen craze for the lithium ion crowd, there are already a ton of “pocket rocket” designs out there.
over a decade ago, it was very popular for very inexpensive LED dropin mods for the venerable 2AA Mag, offering muggle operation and LONG run times (and decent output with NiMHs) and bulletproof reliability of lithium primary (disposable) cells as a long term storage / blackout / backup role. I’d like to see a re-emergence of this design concept.
I like long lights, so nose-to-tail for me. I’d be very interested in 3×AA nose-to-tail (1000+ lumens? ). Maybe a light that takes 1×AA, with two extension tubes? There was an Olight (I think) that did that, but it wasn’t very efficient on 3×AA, which was the form factor I most wanted, so I didn’t buy it.
If it was side by side, I’d give a 2×AA light a fair hearing, but I’d be a lot more interested in 4×AA (or even 6×AA) as two nose-to-tail sets placed side by side, like the Fenix LD41 or the Nitecore EA45S.
5000K and high CRI are major plus points for me.
I have no interest whatsoever in 14500 Li-Ion cells or lights with plastic body parts, though.
Personally I really have a weak spot for flashlights with a side-by-side battery compartment.
To me this design pattern looks great. The form factor also allows for multiple LEDs (e.g. white-red, or spot and flood).
Hopefully Manker can add a new similar side-by-side design.
I’d be interested, would the body be similar to an existing light? Definitely 800lm version, there are plenty at 400lm already on the market with 2AA. No interest in 14500, as again these already exist). Use with NiMH or Alkaline.
would love a 2xAA or 14500 but in a side by side configuration. 18650s are too thick to comfortably carry in front pockets (for me) and single AA seem to small and eventually fall out. a side by side AA would be hefty enough to stay put hopefully.
18650 is too thick but side by side AA is better? A single 18650 light is still slimmer than a side by side AA/14500 light. After adding in the driver, reflector, e-switch or clicky or whatever, tail cap, and lens. A small 18650 is still a better light than a side by side aa/14500. Of course unless you are just looking at it from a easy to get battery when you’re out camping type thing then any aa will be easier to get than a 18650. But your assumption that an 18650 light is too thick to carry in your pocket is just not right. As you can see two 14500’s are wider than an entire 18650 light. Not to mention you go on to say a side by side aa would be hefty enough. So your looking for something not thick but still hefty. I had a wife like that many years ago.
hmm, i think we have a difference in interpretation, sure the two side by side are wider but I used the words “too thick” or in the words of merriam webster, “having or being of relatively great depth or extent from one surface to its opposite a thick plank,” “not thin”. i am not so concerned with the width of the light but the thickness of the light to lessen the “bulge” in my flashlight carrying pocket. (no need to for play on words here! ) and the context i used “hefty enough” was “to stay put”, as in not fall out or work its way loose by standing and sitting motion. In short, a flashlight with a “slimmer” profile that would not be, IMO, too bulky to carry in my pocket. nice pic though…
I think this is a great idea. It’s not that I’m a fan of a side by side AA light, but I think Manker can make something really awesome and exceptional looking. Manker’s released several unusual looking lights like the MK34 and MK39, so this might be an interesting challenge for them. :sunglasses:
). Maybe a light that takes 1×AA, with two extension tubes? There was an Olight (I think) that did that, but it wasn’t very efficient on 3×AA, which was the form factor I most wanted, so I didn’t buy it.
