Hello all. I am a noob to the flashlight world for the most part. I am looking for something that has a super long runtime. I am not concerned on the brightness as this would be a bug out type light. Something to last a very long time but just bright enough to see where I am walking type thing. Thanks!
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What size and what kind of batteries would you like to use?
obviously 8xAA batteries will last longer than only 1xAA battery.
If brightness is not your priority, I would recommend a 3D LED Maglite. They’re very well built and easily last for 79 hours.
Might be a tad big though, what sizes are you looking for?
Preferably 1aa but 2 would suffice. I have the drop in LED upgrade for my 2 aa cell mini mag light, but not sure how long it really lasts. I will look at the 3d mag light but would also like more suggestions. Thanks for the quick replies fellas!
edit My mag light LED drop in has 3 led’s in it, its pretty old. 4+ years.
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Just give it a try I would suggest.... recharge your batteries first, and then do a run-time test.. then you will know how long it will last...
The Zebralight SC52 has over 3 months runtime off an Energiser Lithium AA battery. Also has record breaking brightness as well…
I have one and love it, never go anywhere without it.
http://www.zebralight.com/SC52-AA-Flashlight-Cool-White_p_100.html
(come in NW too if that’s your preference and can run off 14500 lithium batteries)
Thrunite Ti (2 modes) or T10 seem to be very good options for your use. Ti is a 1xAAA light, with 2 modes, 3 lumen and 60lumen. The 3 lumen mode should last fairly long for you and quite usable (maybe >20hrs). T10 is a 1xAA light with 3 modes, moonlight (0.09 lumen, 147hrs), low (9lumen, 39hrs quite usable light) and high (115lumen, 1.5hrs).
You can buy them here. http://www.thrunite-store.eu/thrunite-t10-115lumen-cree-xp-g-led-r5-flashlight/
Ti $16, T10 $20. Or you might find better price elsewhere?
If you’re happy with your current light and your only
problem with it is battery life; I would just suggest to
carry spare rechargeable batteries.
yeah.. I thought he said cheap.. $60+ doesnt seem so cheap, but the OP would be helpful if he could say at least a max $.
Yep…missed on the cheap…
Lol although not cheap, the battery life on that one is amazing. Will consider it in the future thanks for the link.
As to other posters, 15-20 dollar range. Looking for something also in that range, metal and super bright. But those are easy to find compared to one with super battery life.
As far as rechargables, will consider but also those will do no good in a situation with no electricity.
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Well once you decide on a light, go over to FastTech and stock up on some "Nice" lithium AA's. Have been tested and don't fall that much behind the Energizer Ultimate Lithium's for about 1/2 the cost. If you're unaware, the lithiums will have a longer shelf life (won't self-discharge), are lighter, have more capacity than NiMh or alkalines, and can output more current if needed.
-Garry
Maglite says 79 hours of run time for the 3D Mag, but I wanted to check cheap batteries. It really pained me to do this, but I bought a set of cheap D Cells at Dollar Tree. The “Sunbeam” brand, they are a package of 3 D Cells for……….yes, $1. I love that store. Anyway I installed them and turned on the light and walked away. For the first few days i noted the run time and the apparent brightness, but after few days I got lazy and just noted that it was still running. After a week I shut it off…… I had lost interest in the experiment. At that time the light was not very bright, but it could still be used to find stuff and move about it a darkened room. I don’t think better cells would extend the run time, just be brighter longer.
Can’t beat this with any other light I know of.
One advantage of disposable batteries is that it’s OK to abuse them because after all, when you are finished with them, you throw them away.
But the beam pattern of the Mag (LED or incan.) sucks! And the focusing from flood to throw stinks. It's just too much of a pencil beam. Perhaps if it could be diffused it would be ok.
-Garry
" ... My mag light LED drop in has 3 led’s in it, its pretty old. 4+ years. ...."
Hey Army11b , I have the same dropin in an AA MiniMag . Put some Energizer Ultimates in that thing and you'll have a real good Bug-Out light .
Cheap .
Sk68 Shows similiar Effekt with a AA Battery, it runs really long because it is able to work with below 1 V so it gets darker and darker but shines very long.
These small key light photon clones burn for some days, too…
Ah ok cool… Do batteries really matter? I remember some time ago they did a test, cheapo batteries vs energizer duracell etc… Some of the cheapo’s lasted longer than the top brands.
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From what I read the Sk68 seems really popular, yet I see a ton of posts saying they are junk. Which brand of sk68 is gonna last?
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How about the HD Lights on Sale …$17 Bucks….
Batteries Matter .
Lithium primaries don't leak , handle extreme temperatures better , and have a much longer shelf life .