Just my opinion..I don't like the AA-S1.. The color of the beam is so dark it's not warm it's ...blah ...I bought the 1 mode that most have suggested to avoid problems people have had with the 5 modes and really don't like single mode AA lights .Not impressed and it's a flood anyway . You also mentioned the itp and after buying one on christmas .already i know i don't like it . too small too smooth ,terrible PWM,< really really bad on low and med .. i do like the mode selection .. med,low ,high ..that's smart .
I would give a huge thumbs up to a tank 703 .. i like 701's as well as long as you by the U 1 not the T 2 i like the soft colors on the ssc u and t's but they are again a flood where the 703 is a throw .
No one talks about maratac and I wonder if they are just not considered a budget light ..I like knurling ..One reason i don't like the itp too slick and stupid keyring
You're talking about xpg-r5 but i thought they were generally more flood and you were talking about looking for throw .
I think all xre emitters throw like all get out . the biggest thrower is the xpe-r2 . the differences of the amount of light matters much less than other attributes 120 lumens vs. 160 is pretty meaningless .remember your eye adjusts to anything ,and to actually think you see a light become twice as bright you have to quadrupale the lumens .(has to do with a scary inverse square law ...damn science )http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/forces/isq.html
So i'd buy what you like the feel of and what color beam you like .Maybe look for a way to move things you don't like along quickly so you can keep what YOU like and dump the rest . I have 5 flood to throws and they are just a gimmick light ..they are wickedly addictive meaning you can't stop playing with them or you'll go blind .....it's a biggest bang for your buck light and maybe easiest to resell since there is the elusive perfect flood to throw light .. I know I have one it's a p4 I think ..looks like a x2000..
My last peice of advice ...go buy a sunwayman v10AA right now 82$...2 years from now someone will be begging you to take 50$ for it and it will be the best 30$ you ever spend on a flashlight
opps ...and buy a tank......any tank ..that's just simple
I like the Sk68. Great light, you really need 14500s to get the most out of it, though I think it's a step head of both the C78 (bad tailswitch) and the Romisen you listed (no support for 14500s).
As for EDC, the ITP A3 EOS Upgrade is nice, I also like the Mr Lite KC-05 from Lightake - similiar form factor though slightly larger. Somewhat frustrating UI, though.
Thanks for all your inputs guys. It's been a crazy 24 hrs for my area. It's flash flooding everywhere, nearly all roads out/in nearby are closed due to floods etc. I'm not affected yet, praying hard not, but all those people, I feel for them. Heard on the radio that electricity will be cut off tomorrow morning.
also has great threading and feels uber solid in your hands!!!!
it has good throw too, so that could cover your throw category.
and its size and weight (not to mention ability to run on AA in an emergency, tho i prefer the sheer output on 14500) make it a perfect EDC. its durable, and your not gonna beat it for the money
hands down, for the money, the R5-a3 is the BEST flashlight in that list.
its bright, its usable, its got great throw AND spread. and on low, it would run for DAYS!
I'd like to know where you bought the R5-A3. Mine definitely does not have a great low mode, rather it is blindingly bright on low and lasts barely 1 hour.
I don't have a charger yet for Li-on cause I don't have any Li-on batteries yet. I'm inclined to order everything in 1 order from DX given their shipping reputation, plus CNY coming up soon, I hope mine will be delivered before then, if not, it'll take forever.
I got the lights today. Took 2 weeks from DX, pretty quick I must say.
UniqueFire AA-S1 - Nice smooth beam but the least bright among these 4.
TrustFire R5-A3 - Definitely the brightest of all.
SIPIK SK68 - Good throw.
Tank TK-703 - This little tank is so bright. Brighter than S1.
Amont the 3 AA lights, do you guys recommend to use it on 14500? Would it burn out the led over time?
Don't know about the Sipik, but the other AA lights only see 14500 use with me. They don't seem to suffer from it. I've had the R5-A3 since it was announced, and the AA-S1 for several years so if they were going to burn up they would have by now.
After reading your post, I'm about ready to buy a dozen of them. 
Just joking. 
