Although I am generally a big light kind of guy, there are those times where I need something I can pocket. For these situations, what would be the brightest AAA (NOT 1xAAA!) flashlight available? The brightest I know of is the Coast HP7 (251 lumens). But it just seems overpriced for what it is. Is there something better out there?
There are a lot of XML lights with 3xaaa holder out there. These are slightly bigger than a 18650, about 21mm or so that is not really small.
I personally am really torn between these two pen lights, I'm kind of leaning toward the K3 myself but I also really want a Preon 2 so I can't decide but both seem to be really good with pretty high outputs for AAA lights.
Guess it depends how big or small you are wanting a light tbh.
There are plenty of 3 or 4 AAA lights out there, but I think this is done to get the voltage, rather than for outright packaging reasons.
If the Led Lenser style with the TIR optic appeals search on DX for Pop Lite. They seem to be Led Lenser clones (or maybe made in the same factory). They have TIR lenses and sensible prices. They do a 3 and 4 AAA light. Not the highest output, but pretty good, and the TIR makes them versatile.
I also like the look of the new Mini MagLite 2xAAA, not the brightest, but a pretty good alrounder.
The other thing to consider is a compact 1xAA light. It’ll be slightly wider but shorter. The D25 Series from EagleTac are prime examples here.
So, you DONT want a 1xAAA?
Any reason you need AAAs exactly? That doesnt make any sense. If it is because you want to avoid special lithium ion chargers, then AAs work just as well.
The only thing AAAs would do for you is allow for a 2xAAA penlight, or a 1xaaa keychain light which you dont want. OR, a 3xAAA light is a bit fatter than a 1xAA but with more voltage and thus more potential brightness. 3xAAA is common on flood to throw lights.
You can get a Fenix TK41 which uses 8 AAs and hits around 1000 lumens.
There are plenty of 2xAA lights that hit 250ish lumens. Theres a few inbetweeners that are 4xAA.
If you’re not talking tiny AAA lights but just want nimh batteries, maybe look at the Nitecore EA4.