Something cheap……https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10000598/1057113-ultrafire-c3-led-flashlight
Not real cheap but reasonable……https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10000983/1082400-akoray-k-106-cree-q5-wc-220-lumen-led-flashlight
More expensive……https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10002363/3959709-tank007-m20-led-flashlight
Whats your price limit?
I have a couple of FILZER I-BEAM X4’s. Double AA single click
I-BEAM X4.V2 LED FLASHLIGHT - Products - Filzer (not sure how to make a hyperlink, sorry if a direct link is not allowed)
and on the budget end, Police Security Stealth single AA single click
Maglites are easy to obtain, good dollar value and tough. I think an important thing you could for them is to outfit with lithum primaries. The worst thing is to have the batteries corrode, when they need it. I gave my elderly MIL a nice 1xAA Fenix and years later learned that she’d let Alkalines leak and ruined the light. My next light for her got primary lithiums.
A favorite from my collection would be the Streamlight Protac 1L-AA. Rated at a brighter 150 Lumen using 1xAA alkaline (probably slightly more using a preferable Lithium Primary) and with the Tappie-10 can be programmed to operate as single mode high only.
I have found that people who don’t know anything about “expensive” batteries tend to treat them like the cheap throw-aways they replace them with. I’ve given lights to step-family loaded with Eneloop Pro Black and a Nitecore D4 charger, only to find the light is later loaded with cheap alkies (not even brand name) and the Eneloops nowhere in sight, and the charger collecting dust. I guess what I’m saying is don’t assume those Lithium Primaries will still be there the next time you visit the MIL. :person_facepalming:
You guys are awesome!!! I knew I could count on you… I’m already seeing a few really good contenders. The budget I forgot to mention is about $20 per light or so, less is always good.
Right now I am considering the Energizer the Streamlight and the tank 007. I will need some time to look over the other suggestions ( which are also much appreciated) because I am less familiar with those brands.
Parametrek I like your website. It’s very well laid out, easy to use, and provides the most useful info like price/modes/runtime right on the page.
Within the last year I have ordered single mode single AA lights from gearbest or banggood (can’t remember which) which looked like the regular old cheapie zoomies but were single mode. Paid between $1 and $3 depending on the sale. I’ve also bought some off ebay from the following two sellers:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/topoot?\_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754
https://www.ebay.com/sch/bessky/m.html?\_nkw=&\_armrs=1&\_ipg=&\_from=
It will usually say in the description if it is only On-Off.
What about the good old Hugsby in 1 or 2 AA? The ones I bought are single mode for less than $5 each.
Ray o Vac Indestructible.
like this
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rayovac-LED-Indestructible-flashlight-aa-battery/332542974603?hash=item4d6d1b1a8b:g:UFwAAOSwgkdadpte
The old Camo ones, I have a bunch. Great quality 2 x AA long run times.
They are 2 mode but are tricky timing to get into low, so they never will get it into low and if they do it’s still like 18 lumen on low.
Sent you a PM.
BLF-348
That one's a AAA light. 
If you can get hold of one…
http://www.microcenter.com/product/486512/r22_1w_led_flashlight
My little bobofett light. Beat to Hell like bobofett’s helmet, still keeps on ticking,
Side-clicky, actual physical disconnect, not an e-switch. Big rubber wart on the side, easy to get by feel alone.
Just short of an 18650-sized light because of the midsection with switch, easier to grip vs a teeny AA-sized light.
1-mode, on/off, maybe 50-60lm with a new alkaleak. Wrings AAs absolutely dry, down to a fractional-volt.
Best of all, only 3bux!
Oooops…missed that!
OOH! They still sell those! I might need to get me some more…
If Banggood ever stops selling them, Gearbest has a similar product. 
Thank you VoB 
Lumintop Tool AA. Simple, affordable, bright, highly praised by users. It’s not a single mode though.
For single modes, you can find the Sipik SK68. There are allot of clones out there so finding the single mode version will be a challenge.
Here’s where you can get a single mode sk68 Sipik.
I would suggest to see ultrafire C13! They are sold on AliExpress!
But I don’t know if on AA it will be “only” 50 lumens!
Still, it is just 1mode 
I can recommend the SkyWolfEye FLY-320. Single AA, single mode, TIR (style?) lens. Cheap and cheerful. I put a section of 20mm(?) polypipe on as a bite-ring. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/162455744914
I have one of these and I like it a lot. It is simple and useful. It has a relatively good throw.
http://www.dx.com/p/romisen-mxdl-rc-g2-cree-flashlight-gray-1xaa-3609#.WtiBsYjwYcA
It seems they don't have it available right now, though.
Bus as someone suggested, I guess it would be better to give a newer flashlight with modes that always starts in the same mode, that would be easy to use even for non-flashaholics.