Can anyone step up for an AA/2AA only BLF budget flashlight?

I asked Simon/Conoy if he was interested but I received no response. Well if we keep talking about it someone will step up.

Depending on what / if folks decide they want, I might consider building the lights. We are in the midst of some expansion / equipment changes here that need to be finished but once over with, our capabilities for mass lights will be greatly enhanced.

As a USA based mfg. we cannot, will not try to produce the $10.00 lights like China. But we can make affordable much higher quality lights in as large or small of quantities as required and give the end product a custom look, feel and add the custom internal parts as needed to satisfy demands.

Design On!! TL

Oh yeah, I’m all in on this! Put me down for at least one!

Fourseven quark is a great aa/2AA light. Just need to find a source for that driver.

Since we’re just spitballing ideas here, I’d love to see something in the same form factor as the Eagletac D25a - small tube style, reverse clicky, screwed on clip, gentle knurling for sparing pocket.

But I’d love it in copper, with a nw high-cri emitter, driven hard, with a better UI than eagletac’s convoluted setups. TKs style from the A6 would be great, or even a tail-mounted e-switch with something Zebralight’ey. Whatever works, but its gotta have easy access to moonlight and turbo from off. I’d buy that today.

Why not a 14500 only light? I get the want to use both AA and 14500, but the drivers for both are not as efficient as for 14500 only. AA until it is 3X loses a lot in the boost driver, most of us already have LiIon lights, and therefore the chargers for 14500….

Just a question…

I have no preference on cell type.

EDIT: That’s not true. 4v only would be okay with me, 1.5v only would be a deal breaker. But both is fine, too.

If anyone’s hunting up someone who could build such a thing, I’d recommend the SK58 (not 68) shape.
No sharp edges, tolerable zoom (improved by paring off a few mm from the slidey part so the lens goes closer to the emitter)
Takes the 15mm BLF sk68 driver

All the best in the expansions TL. Sounds interesting.

As far as I know there’s never been a BLF SE zoomie so that may be an idea. It wouldn’t be my first choice personally though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271826474761?\_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I don’t see why the Hugsby XP-12 2xAA doesn’t get much love. Tomtop has had all genuine so far. I’ve seen a few fakes from other sellers. But coated glass lense, good machining and near type 3 anodizing for $6. These are my new favorite gift lights next to the old sk68.

hum I like AA and 14500 but I am a bit confused.

  1. Manker T01
  2. BLF X5
  3. Spark SX5
  4. any S7

Off the bat these are all great AA/14500 lights that are availible now. What is it “we” are looking for? and (heresy) why?

for extras and modding try
Brand: SAIK
Model: SA-305

These are not all AA lights and some of the models are costly and not gifters/loaners etc….

I'd be interested in some AA happiness. I was just looking for some potential AA lights to lay claim to this evening.

I think what we want here is our own custom user interface, an existing light can not give that. Further, 14500 only will not do it for me, what makes an AA light strand out is the use of alkalines and safe NiMh batteries, it makes this light suitable for gifting and lending out. The main problem is the boost driver, it must be efficient, programmable (Attiny based?) and probably 15mm diameter. There have been some attempts, one still in progress, once that has been sorted out this project can take off.

My first thought would be a chinese manufacturer to make it cheap and in BLF spirit, but if Texas Lumens is able to make it stand out in design and quality, I'm very tempted too :love:

Instead of 14500 only, I would go the other direction. I would like to see a budget light that has all the good features of the Zebralight SC5Fd.

  • 1xAA: NiMH, lithium primary, or alkaline; no 14500
  • Reasonably high output, but not necessarily 500 lumens
  • Efficient, constant-current, boost driver; no PWM
  • Perfectly flat output, with forced step-downs as voltage wanes
  • At least 5 constant modes, 6 might be better, e.g., 0.5, 3, 30, 90, 220, 450 lumens
  • Quality UI (perhaps ToyKeeper's!)
  • Medium- or high-CRI (at least 85, if not 90+)
  • Choice of emitters: NW plus anything else (all I want is NW)
  • Floody, perhaps even using a frosted lens.

I like the unfocused beam of most zoomies. Although I might prefer a reflector and frosted lens more, I have wondered whether a fixed optic of some sort might not give the beam of a zoomie set to flood.

This would make a great indoor flashlight (and a whole lot more).

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the Dereelight Javelin in this thread. Not exactly budget and now a bit long in the tooth but this was/is a nice 2AA light. The "lego" nature of their products was a big selling point a few years ago. Same head but with 2AA, 3(or more)AA via extension tube(s), CR123 or single AA bodies. P60 head.

Perhaps something similar in concept would suit the needs of many. A single AA host with extension tubes for 2 or 3 AA if required. Swap pills according to your preference. That should satisfy both the Eneloop and 14500 camps.

The P60 format is surely still viable for the currents drawn by most AA/14500 options. This could be a modder's dream.

Still have the main issue of good boost driver availability to contend with though.

I like all of what you listed, bar the frosted lens… Modes you listed are good… As long we have the ability to enable or disable the “moonlight” 0.5 lumen mode (soldering a star or via clicky UI, I am not bothered which).

I’d be up for one of those, but with an upgraded emitter and driver, to push more lumens. Nice looking light, though.

Nichia 219C might be a good emitter for this flashlight.