Hey all. I'm sure this is the most frequently asked question in the world of flashlights. Which ones should I get?
I'm looking to start off my flashlights collection but isn't sure which ones to get, I need an EDC in my pocket, a thrower-doesn't have to be a dedicated, and a general all rounder. I have lots of rechargeables AA/AAA lying around and some Sanyo eneloops too. I guess they are compatible with all the lights below? So AAs are the way to start for me at least at this stage.
This is one i don't have yet but sooner or later will arrive. Could be your EDC since it's made of stainless steel and should be relatively tough. Keep in mind that would also be heavier if that is of your concern.
With time you will eventually get more according to your particular needs.
My reasoning is that my EDC of choice would be one i could not worry much about it if gets somehow lost or damaged beyond repair. However if your ECD is mission critical look for a fenix or ITP perhaps.
Shiningbeam's lights mostly make sense for those in the USA, shipping to Australia might be a lot. That said, they have a good reputation. A lot of people like the RC-G2 though I don't, I find the pencil beam annoying. The Trustfire R5-A3 is a light I like a lot but it really needs a 14500 rather than an AA to give of its best. It'll work fire with Eneloops but will be very hard on alkalines and not perform all that well.
I do like the AA-S1 and it or the R5-A3 would be the two I'd look at more closely.
The ITP A3EOS is a nice little light, I have one attached to my house keys, I'd also look at the MrLite KC-50 and the Tank007 TK-703 which are also nice AAA lights. If you don't need that much output, the Fenix E01 is also worth looking at. I keep one of those on my work keyring.
1xAA is always a great choice in budget lights, especially for your first purchases. Do you have any preferences in number of modes or ability to tailstand? I could recommend a few to you based on those criterion.
Having owned the aa-s1, rc-g2, rc-29, and C78 I can say that for me personally it would be between the C78 or rc-g2. I had very bad luck with my aa-s1, so much so that even now that I got it working better than stock I just let the kids play with it (Note to fans...I know my case is/was rare...meh...).
The RC-29 I actually ordered from Shiningbeam, having had good luck with other lights from him. I have to say...I want to like this light, but I dont. For starters, even though it's supposedly upgraded, I'd put it about par with the C78 both on alkalines. Now, if we up the ante to the C78 on 14500's, it's not even close (rc-29 can't take li-ion...). Add to that I find the twist to zoom annoying and tedious. It's too bad, because the build quality on the romisen blows the C78 away....
The rc-g2 on the other hand I really like. So much so that I gifted it to my father for christmas this year (He loves it, and I ordered another). If you get one, I'd probably save some money and order it from DX or the like. Half the price of the shiningbeam one and probably unnoticeable brightness (just a guess going off the rc-29).
Seeing as you wanted a thrower, I'd say the rc-29 or one of the flood-to-throws....
I don't really have a preference for any of them but I'm leaning towards just NiMhs at this stage of time, I guess I would move slowly into the Li-ion category as my knowledge progresses. I guess the ones that perform best with just NiMhs would be preferred. Thanks for all your quick reply. I posted about the same thing at CLF 2 days ago, but I guess my new thread is still being moderated or thrown out.
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.
After reading your post, I'm about ready to buy a dozen of them. 
Just joking. 
