I’m in!
especially if the same colours are offered and magnetic tailcap. I was looking into getting the sp10s anyway. i’ll just hold out.
Interested
Thumbs up to these guys.
Maybe someday someone will make a great AA edc light, but so far we just have compromises and/or poor design.
And it’s odd really- we see such innovation in the 18650 category, but not even a handful of truly great AA lights, despite the fact that very few people carry 18650 lights 24/7 but they do/would carry an AA size light.
Honestly this should be the next BLF project. Call it “Best AA”. No crazy turbo boost 14500 ramping sideswitch programmable gimmick light. Just a simple AA with everything done right in all aspects. Haven’t seen one yet.
The AA is not really a flashaholic battery. It’s weak and not rechargable. Maybe this is why we don’t have any BLF designed AA lights?
There are some small 16340 lights, that’s what I carry daily. USB-C charging built in, I think 700 lumen capable. Great little light.
I would like a better 16340/CR123A light, more than an AA
it is smaller, has more energy, and is rechargeable [16340 anyway]
i’ve had several of them
perfect size
but they either broke, or i got tired of their UI limitations and annoyances
now i am back to 18650/anduril (FW3A) which solves everything but size
wle
Maybe that’s true, but it’s great for actually carrying and leaving in jeans pocket 24/7/365-a-holics
An Energizer Lithium is awesome, and doesn’t need to be rechargeable. I don’t think I’ve ever changed one out of necessity. Maybe like 3 changes per year, just for fun.
It’s perfect for an always-with-you light. It’s not meant to be a primary light for a night security guard, waving in cruise ships, or 4 hour “night hikes”- whatever those are.
For a light like this, requiring or being optimized for 14500 turbo battery is a downside. 14500 sucks, frankly.
Not the same nor an alternative to a good small AA light. Too fat + always crappy clip and clip placement. Clip entry point too near end of light. Not good for one handed re-clipping. And almost always side switch.
See, this is what I’m talking about- very few people understand the point of or the crucial features of a good AA light.
I guess I’ll have to make it.
please do!
I think the SP10 would be much better suited for edc pocket carry if the side switch was recessed like on Zebralights. As proud as the SP10S switch is it seems pocket activation could be a common annoyance without locking it out.
@Nord, the Tool AA has been my favorite sized aa light as it’s quite slim. If it had an efficient neutral white option and a Biscotti-like firmware, it would be near perfect in my mind.
For many of us AA means LSD NiMH (Eneloop). That is still weak (no so much as alkaleaks), but it is rechargeable, while having longer shelf life than Li-ion and needing much less care (can be fully depleted, overcharged or mismatched without any fire/explosion hazard). I also think a great AA flashlight is much needed and would be really popular.
i would want it to be smaller than FW3A, for instance, or i would not bother
wle
Nobody wants to respond and confirm if this project is still being considered at least…
In for “best AA”!
Yes, it sure seems that way. The OP mentions Barry being interested in this project. At this time, I suspect he is up to his earlobes in dealing with the LT1. Hopefully when that dies down a bit (maybe Q1 2020) this can be the next Sofirn project.
I am in for that AA light.
As far as I know this project is still alive. Don’t worry. I keep you updated.
Just realized I never expressed my interest.
Interested. Not so much if 14500 only.
I’m interested in a AA light with Anduril, not at all in a 14500 light.
Oh yeah, there is also the issue of boost drivers. To run a 3v led on a 1.5 volt battery does require a boost driver and we only just started seeing some aftermarket ones from MTN E. I don’t think there is anyone at BLF willing to make a small boost driver (less than 17mm). Lexel is working on bigger ones, but are not out yet. We are kind of at the mercy of the OEM companies to make the driver then we would need to get Toykeeper to get Anduril or Bistro, etc… to work with it. They may even need to design the driver together. The market is definitely bigger for 18650 sized boost drivers so those probably have priority.
The only boost drivers we have now are these 12mm ones with basic UI.
I guess if demand is high enough we could get a OEM company to come onboard.
interested
Tool AA is pretty decent given what’s available I agree (I have one), but it’s also a perfect example of how people seeking a great edc AA are forced to settle. The clip placement alone basically eliminates it immediately from consideration as an “always in your pocket” light. The amount sticking out of your pocket makes it both awkward and uncomfortable, especially when sitting, and also more likely to fall out. The clip is also ever so slightly too flimsy, and the clip tip is not ramped enough or to the right degree, which makes one-handed re-clipping very difficult on jeans. (the discontinued Thrunite T10 is an example of a pocket clip done right). The emitter of course is too cool as mentioned. And the whole thing seems to get much hotter more quickly than some other lights.
And this is one of the better options for AA lights. As you can see, the category is pretty dire.
(yes there’s ZL 53 etc, but it has a big head (and too chunky overall), outdated emitter choices, too shallow reflector creating wasted weak spill, side switch, user-unfriendly disassembly & modding, and expensive. I actually do like it as a thing in itself, but it’s not configured right for my imagined Best AA attributes)
You are smart, I want you on Best AA Team, even though you are not a big believer in the category… yet :innocent:
Let’s make it happen! I don’t want to hijack this sofirn thing any further. I will create a “Best AA” thread to get things rolling.