It’s difficult to find a 1 inch diameter light that is also thrower. Even in the 2 x AA format, there’s not many side switching lights out there. You can try this but it’s not a thrower: Manker E12 Best 2x AA Flashlight 650 Lumen CREE XP-L V5 LED
The Jaxman M2 looks to be a nice 2xAA thrower but a tail clicky and more than 1 in diameter.
If you’re looking to stretch the budget a bit the Eagtac GX25A3 would be a nice option: http://www.eagletac.com/html/gx25a3/index.html
3xAA with 1.5in head, not as thick as a soda can light but enough for decent throw with XPL-HI…it’s just a little pricey, and the xpl-hi version doesn’t seem to be available yet.
In 2 x AA form factor there is another offer: Zanflare F2 LED Flashlight
Brand: zanflare
Model: F2
Emitters: Cree XP-G3
Emitters Quantity: 1
Lumens Range: 1-200Lumens
Luminous Flux: 200LM
Luminous Intensity: 2630 cd http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_613215.html
But there is no review or feedback at the moment. And they claim 200 meters which do not correspond to candelas.
Was going to suggest the below light……. Nitecore EA45S because I got it for under $40 back before Christmas with a code……but it appears to be on short supply in many places and more in the $80 USD range. I bought it for my father-in-law who prefers standard cells vs. rechargeable. It throws pretty darn well for it’s size and isn’t a “soda can” style. Very slender and low profile. 4 AA’s.
I’ll put my two cents in. I gifted a friend recently a Thrunite 4AA light. When I did, I also sent along some Eneloops and a BQ-CC17 charger. I got the thrower version (in NW) and since they will use it for walks I would not choose the thrower again but yes to NW. However, I’ve heard a chorus of complaints from people who put alkalines in these multi (4 or 8) AA lights and then find that the cells have leaked and badly damaged the light from disuse or parasitic drain. Even though it adds to the expense, I feel pretty strongly about going with NiMH when you’re avoiding lithiums. Safer, longer life, less issues. In 2AA form there are any number of good $25-$35 lights.
I couldn’t agree more. I gave my dad a Nitecore EA4 about 4 years ago. I asked him about it last year and he said the alkaline batteries leaked really bad in it and he had to throw the flashlight away. He felt bad about it, and so did I. So this past year I gave him a ThruNite TN4A and told him to only use the eneloop batteries in it that I gave to him previously.
He really likes the ThruNite TN4A and it doesn’t seem too complicated to him.
The Thorfire TK4A has a fairly simple ui with moon and strobe hidden, AR lens, and decent throw due to the 4 x AA size reflector. I’d also reccomend the use of eneloops or lithium primaries in any light that uses AA’s and costs more than a few bucks.
I also like the Convoy X3/Xintd X3. If you dedome it you’ll get that throw even higher.
I know it’s not AA format, but you mentioned LiIon with internal charger so the Manker U21/Utorch UT02 came to mind. Super throw and a micro USB charging port on the side.
I am surprised the Thrunite TN4A HI was only recommended a few times when the topic is multi AA thrower, would have thought at least 50% of replies would be TN4A HI. They should be. The quality and performance for the price is just incredible. It is my favorite light.
It is 1.7 inch in diameter. You’re not going to get a multi (more than 2) AA thrower in 1 inch in diameter. But it is still a very compact light and feels just right in the hand, once he sees the performance I have no doubt he will love it. These 4x AA lights are not “Soda Can” in my opinion, I think people see pics of them and without a size reference they think they are like the 4x 18650 just because the shape, but in fact they are much, much smaller, no where near soda can.
Here it is in PD’s hand:
Also very simple and intuitive UI that any non light person can use.