With the success of the Astrolux S1, other Astrolux models have emerged including the S3 which uses 1400 cell but i little expensive than the S1. Will there be a single AA version in the future?
Dont get me wrong, i love the Astrolux models, but one cannot have much 18650/14500 cells stocked and ready for desaster use, these cells are pricey as well.
Id love to see an Astrolux S1A. Olight as been releasing terrible models, for me, so any new lights and all have SIDE switches.
A simple and budget tail ckicky AA light is always in demand here at BLF, but budget seems to be in conflict with an efficient boost driver with good modes. Manker, Olight and Zebralight make very good boost drivers for single AA batteries, but their flashlights are not budget. I doubt that Banggood can have such a good driver made for an Astrolux AA-light.
There have been attempts at a BLF-developed 15mm diameter boost driver, there have been good working prototypes but nothing finished yet.
I would be also very interested in Astrolux single AA.
As klarus showed - it is possible to have it for around $25 in group buy, that’s perfectly acceptable price for me. Good UI and nice form factor - that could be the winner.
There seems to be a gap between cheapo AA lights and nice AA lights.
It’s often either a light for a few bucks or for more than 20 bucks.
Well, there is for example Jetbeam JET-I. Pretty nice price, I would by it BUT: it has very cool tint (that I don’t like) and not a clicky.
What I would like is for example Manker E11 with following modifications:
- Clicky instead of e-switch (perhaps that could reduce the price)
- Preferably neutral/warm Nichia 219C
I agree. The Thrunite T10 / T10T have had pretty much nothing in the way of direct competition. It would be great to have more options.
The appeal of AAs over Li-ions for me is the ability to have large numbers of NiMHs sitting at full charge for when they are needed, without worrying about degrading their capacity like Li-ions. Likewise, I like to use NiMH batteries when a light is going to be left in a bag or vehicle and be used primarily for emergencies.
And since many people who ask me for flashlight recommendations don’t have a rechargeable ecosystem running, I would like to see more lights with physical clicky switches to keep the lights from draining alkalines to the point where they leak (and because I have had issues with twisty switches [and physically locked-out lights] working their way on or off in pockets or bags).
Yeah, something like the SingFire 348, but for AA would be great.
Just on / off, no modes for all i care.
Easy to use for everybody.
Put a Nichia in it and you have a great light.
And +1 for the NiMH batteries.
Yes, I would like something in the sub $10 range so that I can buy a half dozen and replace the $3 spk lights that I have. My Eneloops are still my reliable go-to power source for lights.
One thing I wanted, and see an actual market for, is something along the lines of a MiniMag. No adjustable beam (ie, no Doughnut Hole Of Death when twisted to a flood beam), just a fixed-distance aspheric or maybe a mule if bright enough.
Simple twisty on/off for non-flashaholics, maybe old-timers who’d just leave the light on whatever random mode it came on, for general-purpose use grubbling around in cabinets and looking for dropped earrings (or pills, in the case of old-timers) on the floor, that kind of thing.
I threw together a couple of match-mods with wide-angle TIRs, and people love ’em. Simple elegant design, simple UI (!), decent light. And 2 AAs makes care’n’feeding of the critters equally simple.
Hmm, what’s 800mA into an XM-L2? At least 200lm? Not too shabby…
Even ~100lm into a 219 would be nice.
Reminds me, I’ve got some 5Ds I’d like to try. Hope it’s nice and rosy. 
Bah, I wrote too soon.
Yeh, exactly as the above, ‘though people do like the “big head” of the M*g. Easier twistin’.
I live in a country where at least 20 Typhoon visits per year. Like right now, the northern part of the country is being ravaged by a Signal 5 Typhoon, with winds blowing over 225 kmph. Power will be out for few weeks, 18650 cells won’t be useful after probably a week of use. There’s an abundance of AA/AAA everywhere in my country, it’s just that there are no good lights available below $20 here.
solar charger!
Perhaps the Thorfire TG06 would be suitable? I haven’t used one so I don’t know what the modes are like but it’s less than $11 from a couple of places.
This one looks pretty nice.
Too bad it’s too pricey. T__T
It does look nice.
With a high CRI LED (Nichia) it could be something.
It is a bit pricey, but I guess that could come down via a group-buy.
Never heard of Moonlake, is there somebody here that knows anything about quality etc.?
This one looks very nice as well.
Sure wish the price will be reduced. it’s really too pricey for a AA cell light.
We need a Kronos A5
I personally find the Revtronic and the Moonlake lights great for backup. If only it’s priced a lot less, these lights will probably sell more.
Agree, while I have a lot more 18650 lights, I only keep a AA lights in the car glove box. AA are available nearly everywhere from your local gas station to dollar stores.
Agreed. Though I have to say I absolutely love my Jetbeam Jet-I MK. Yes, it has a not-so-good (meaning “bad”) clip. And it’s a twisty (though a good twisty). And the tint is cool. I’d love it even more if it had a high CRI emitter and a better clip, but it’s still my favorite EDC at the moment.
I’ve been hoping that On the Road might jump into the fray and put out a great, affordable AA / 14500 model in the same way they hit the budget 16340 space with their M3. I doubt if they’d put a 219C in it, but we can pray.
Or Astrolux? Manker? Whoever it is, someone should put out a great, moderately priced AA / 14500 torch with a high CRI emitter soon. I’d buy three of them.