1xAA/14500 lights with XP-L HI

LED Flashlights – General Info 1 x AA / 1 x 14500 Flashlights
1

I’m trying to find 1xAA/14500 (must be compatible with both) lights with an XP-L HI emitter.

For the work I do I often need to see addresses on homes from the street or when on foot. I purchased a Thrunite TN4A HI NW, my first “real” light, and I’m hooked. That light is just unreal. It works perfect for lighting up homes from sitting in my car and that’s where it stays.

Now I’m wanting another XP-L HI light that will be more suitable for carry, so I’m looking for a 1xAA/14500. I will likely use L91’s a lot of the time but I want it to able to be compatible with all options.

What I’m really after is throw, and I realize that throw is more down to the depth and width of the reflector than it is the emitter, but having that great intensity of the XPL-HI really adds the punch I’m after.

In my research I’ve found the following 1xAA/14500 XP-L HI lights, however I have concerns with each one which eliminates most of them from contention:

Klarus Mi7

-Switch easily activated according to reviews, lockout function basically required. Don’t like this.
-No clip
-Very shallow and small reflector, wide beam, not ideal for my needs.



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Jetbeam E10R

-Same issue with switch as Klarus
-Very shallow and small reflector, wide beam, not ideal for my needs.

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BLF X5/Kronos X5/Astrolux SC

-Quality control issues?
–14500 only, not AA compatible? (I’m not educated enough on voltages to know)
-Do not want mechanical clicky, ruled out on this alone

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Eagletac D25A Ti

-It’s a clicky
-Expensive
-Otherwise very nice light

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Manker TO1 II

This is the updated version of the Manker TO1, with supposedly better compatibility with a wider range of 14500’s. However, I’ve read reports that there are quality issues with Manker and still issues with some 14500’s even in the new model, and that Manker are not very responsive. This makes me hesitant. Overall, this light is the closest to what I’m looking for.




Are there any other 1xAA/14500 XP-L HI lights that I’m missing?

Alternatively-
Are there any builds I could pursue to create the light I’m looking for?
What some other 1xAA/14500 lights that you recommend for throw?

Given that the XP-L HI gets such praise and has much interest it is very disappointing and strange that we don’t see it offered as an option in more lights.

Thank You.

2

The jetbeam 1mk uses xp-g2 led, and smo reflector, quite throw to me
But in the list, i would go with jetbeam e10r( micro usb charge), or manker one( big smo reflector)

3

Thank you for the recommendation of the 1MK, I will check it out

4

Sounds like all the specs you want falls in with the T01. I haven’t heard much on the second version, but hopefully they took care of the issues. I’m not aware of any other single AA light that throws as far as the Manker, AA lights tend to have the head as big as the body. You might be able to find a new driver for the X5/SC that takes AA but I don’t know what is out there.

5

Throw is all about the reflector and the size of the LED in comparison to the reflector.

An XP-G2 LED being well driven will throw better in small lights, sadly most are not that well driven, so they have a throwy beam profile, but might not throw as far as you might think.

The Klarus Mi7 is a very good light and in that size, you’ll likely struggle to do better. I believe they now come with a pocket clip too, although I haven’t checked the full specs. I have one, it’s nice. Big performance difference between AA and 14500 however.

Large headed 14500 lights like the X5 (yes 14500 only) and the Manker. They are short, so might be good for packing away somewhere. But the large head makes them just as chunky in a pocket as an 18650 light.

I have the X5 and it’s a great light, I tend to EDC my lights head down in my right hand jeans pocket, clipped to the back of the pocket. And while the X5 packs a real punch for a 14500 light, it isn’t really any smaller to EDC than some 18650 lights.

If you want small and pocket firendly, take a look at the Eagletac D Series Mini’s.

I have the D25LC2, it’s an 18650 light with an XP-G in and throws very well for such a compact light. It is bigger than the Klarus Mi7 but is a much better shape and size to EDC than the Manker or X5. You also get way better runtimes too.

http://www.eagletac.com/html/d_series/d25_mini_series.html

In this pic, my X5 is sitting next to my EagleTac D25LC2 (right in the middle of the shelf). Note how the X5 is as taller and a lot chunkier due to the head.

Now the X5 is an awesome awesome light. But is majorly hampered by it’s 14500 power source. Giving it very very very very very very low runtimes. If this isn’t going to be an issue, and you can live with the size, then go for it.

6

mrmatt,

Yeah the T01 is basically what I’m looking for, I’m just worried about quality issues. Perhaps this is overblown or has been resolved. I’d like to hear more from anyone who owns version 2 but there’s not much real world info out there on it. Maybe I’ll have to be the reviewer…

7

Chicken Drumstick,

I appreciate the detailed info. I agree that perhaps I’m too focused on the emitter when I should be seeking a light with the characteristics of good throw and not worry about XP-L HI as much.

Regarding the Klarus Mi7, how do you find the switch? Do you lock it out when carrying?

Regarding 18650 lights, I’m not seeking AA/14500 only due to size, I also like the battery availability so that’s why I’d like to stick with AA. But yeah I agree an 18650 would be much better and not really larger. For now though I’m sticking to AA.

That is quite an amazing selection you have there!

8

I don’t have the T01, but I do have the U11 (it’s in the pic I posted, a few lights to the left of the EagleTac).

It’s a nice light in many ways, very good beam and performance. But hampered by a poorly executed user interface. The UI is so bad I actually avoid using the light as it frustrates me everytime. I don’t know if Manker have changed the UI or not for the T01, but if it’s the same, you may want to carefully read up how you access different modes.

My biggest complaint is however the 14500 power source. I know you are saying you want 14500’s and AA. But the reality is, AA’s have low output and low runtime (even the companies that claim high outputs). They never will really deliver on either.

14500’s usually end up trying to be headline Queens, so have high outputs, but then suffer with appalling runtimes. Google offered up this picture of the T01 and U11 compared to each other. For pocket carry I can see no advantages from the T01, as their overall dimensions (max length/width) are very similar.

The big difference is and 18650 light is likely to have 4 to 5 times the capacity of a 14500. So 4 times+ the runtime and much better stable high output as well.

9

You can mechanically lock out the Klarus Mi7 by slightly unscrewing the head. No need to deal with the electronic lock out.

10

Theres the new astrolux k01

11

Thanks :slight_smile:

I don’t EDC the Klarus due to accidental activation. I know it has an electronic lock out, but I just find that annoying on an EDC as it means you have to unlock it to use it. Takes too long, too much hassle and often involves the light flashing on and off or in odd modes.

The switch is great to use, but far too easy to accidentally activate. It’s strictly a light I keep in the house, usually by the bedside.

The beam is great on it however, despite it’s small reflector, I suspect the beam profile would work exactly as you want.

Understood about you wanting to stick to AA/14500. You might find this light of interest:

Coast HX5.

It runs on an AA or a 14500. The only thing is, there is a huge performance difference and once you’ve used a 14500 in it, you’ll never run an AA in it again.

I suspect it’s an XP-G2 light, so doesn’t hit the lumen headline figures, but it puts out plenty of light. It’s also a zoomy, although not the ultimate in terms of throw and always keeps a very clean beam.

It’s single mode and the switch is a little mushy. But beam and performance and general build are all very good. If you really want to stick to 14500’s, then it’s a worthwhile light to consider.

12

Arguably you might as well carry a twisty though, if each time you use it, you have to either unscrew or tighten the head up.

It’s just poor design and a lack of thought really.

13

To be honest, my Mi7 has never accidently activated when not locked out (e.g. when in pocket or camera bag). When stored at home I mechanically lock out all of my lights.

14

Just for info, Olight’s 14500 (protected) LiIon do not work in the JetBeam JET-1 MK, I haven’t tried other brands of 14500’s yet ( Which (non-Olight) AA flashlight for Olight 14500's? )

15

my keeppower 14500 works in my JetBeam JET-1 MK,

16

Protected Sanyo UR14500P works as well.

17

This is what I suspected. I just don’t see the usefulness in carrying a light that I have to either lock out the switch or physically lock out by unscrewing. It really is a shame these companies don’t think things through better regarding switches on a what is supposed to be a small carry light. It would not take much to design the head so that the switch can be slightly recessed. Or, have a ridge around the switch and make the switch rubber instead, would be much more difficult for it to be bumped on.

An exposed, raised, hard material switch is just about the perfect design for activating a switch unintentionally.

I’m starting to think, even as someone who is a new to this world of flashlights, that I should learn as much as I can and design my own light.

18

Looks like a neat light, but it is 14500 only, no AA, from from what I can tell. I’d like to be able to use L91’s and other variations of AA in addition to 14500.

19

What about a Lumintop Mini Prince?

20

1,400 lumens from a 14500 in a pretty package. What’s not to like? (other than runtimes) :smiley:

I have both the Klarus Mi7 and the Utorch T01 coming. Both are XP-L HI and run on AA or 14500.

I don’t care for the mode spacing on the Klarus Mi7 on paper but we will see that if that changes in person. I have several Klarus lights and have been happy with them.

Bob