I agree that 18650 size flashlights are just too big to carry around (EDC). That is why I like AA/14500 single cell lights. Triple A size is even better but such short run times make them unfeasible in most situations needing light for more than a couple of minutes.
Zebra brand lights are nice. Just too expensive for me.
Amen. A OP for sure we need. 
Those Nitecore lights look so sophisticated and high tech. Tup/Tip/Tini/Thumb/Tube.
Wish I noticed the UltraTac A1 when it was $12.00 each.
I have a Tube and a Tip.
The Tube isn't very durable, but I love the Tip and it seems much more durable.
I tried some DC-Fix film on the lens of the E05. Just made the beam look worse. That film usually works wonders.
Sooo True teacher. Love mine. Will never leave collection.
Any related note 14500 much better for run times than any AA. Not knocking AA but prefer 14500 as primary and AA NiCad as backup.
NO ALKALEAKS!!! unless out of options.
Agree!! Even after putting a Luxeon on it, there are some “rings” on the beam that would be only eliminated by a diffuser or a reflector mod!
Despite this, it is a very good flashlight and is still very useful on AA batteries (even without turbo)!! :+1:
Hum, have you tried a different type of diffuser? I tried a piece of a “frosted” diffuser once sent by Boaz and the beam improved greatly! No greens or other shifts! Loses throw, but gains quality!
It was closer to $10 at one point. I got two of them. It’s a very simple, 3-mode, great little light with no blinkies. No nasty greenish tint either. Mode spacing is a little weird on Li-Ion, from what I’ve read, but on NiMH it’s fantastic.
Couple of lights I’d like to try A1 and the wuben 05 ... just keep missing the deals .
I think 14500’s have their place but sort of default to the nimh . 14500’s usually kill the moon modes and don’t have very much runtime.
Otoh .... some lights are just begging for more horsepower so I recently added another 6 cells to my colle tion of 14500’s but I find I don’t normally reach for them .
Been wearing a lumintop tool on my collar for years now and recently find I’m grabbing the Boruit 11$ EHL0628 Super best budget headlamp with the headband 100% loose over my head / around my neck .
For me, when I just want to run out to the back yard and spotlight a skunk or head to the park to walk the dog, the little Nitecore MH20GT (18650) is my fav. It’s light, small, easy to turn on or bump the brightness, and the distance I get is both needed and sweet.
The Thorfire TK05 is really nice as a 14500, but I carry an 18500 quad daily, never without it. When I discovered the Samsung LH351D in 80 CRI at 5000K I updated this quad from XP-L HI under a Khatod optic to the Sammy under a Carclo optic, with a very pleasant result of a Beam profile that is essentially one large hot spot. This light comes in handy on a regular basis, with Bistro allowing 7 levels and reversing function so its easy to stay in ultra low levels when required. With a Turbo over 3200 lumens and a moon around 1/3 of a lumen I’m always ready for whatever presents. The 18500 cell with 1000mAh capacity allows that extra bit of run time as well as power.
Of course, the 10440 Texas Poker is always around my neck waiting to be needed. 
In spite of it’s rather dimunitive size it can still put out over 700 lumens and makes a good showing of itself. 
I have a spare 10440 in a custom Ti carrier on my key-chain should it be required.
Also have the super tiny DQG Spy on my keychain, just in case…
The newly announced GT micro has my eye… will def be getting this new 14500 asap to add to my arsenal.
A quick pic of part of my EDC, these 3 are with me always… regardless of what else I may carry…
FWIW, the Texas Poker is only off the chain when I bathe, it’s with me all other times, even sleeping. Has been for over 5 1/2 years.
(ok, the Dr’s made me take it off when they cut my throat, but it went back around my neck asap afterwards)
Hey, is this beautiful knife here just to looks nice on picture or you actually carry around $500 knife as an EDC beater?
(I am sorry for being offtopic, but urge to ask is too strong)
Totally agree! Just got mine and it’s a winner. Tiny and powerful and so well built.
Everything in that pic is part of his EDC.
Yep I’m now favoring 14500 lights now too for every day tasks. 18650 is overkill in terms of runtime and host size. The wuben E05 is growing on me immensely
“So just for around the house work and short walks which type of lithium Ion powered flashlights are most favored? I vote for 14500 size cells.”
My favorite is 16340/CR123A. The reason I say that is that with a few 14500/AA lights that I’ve tested, I’ve found the 16340 to perform as good if not better from an efficiency standpoint even despite the fact that the 14500 will have 100mAh more capacity. And the only explanation I can offer is that it has to be related to the type of electronic driver to cover the voltage range from 0.9v up to 4.20v……….which overlaps the typical Vfwd of an LED around 3.0 volts. This complicates the driver. Some cheap out and use PWM when using a 14500.
The Nitecore MT10A and Jetbeam Jet I MK use a good efficient boost driver for the AA battery and PWM for 14500. The Jetbeam Jet I MK is one of my favorite AA lights but I keep an Eneloop in it.
4-Sevens was probably one of the first to put 0.9 to 4.20v driver capability. I found their lights were not as efficient as others that did not cover that voltage range.
The Fenix E15 and PD25 with a 700mAh 16340 have better run times per comparable output than do the LD11 and LD12 using an 800mAh 14500.
So after discovering this I absolutely fell in love with the 16340/CR123A size and only considered AA/14500 lights if I was intending to use them with an AA Eneloop. Disclaimer: I still use a 14500 in the two LD11’s that I have……….knowing that in a pinch I can always use AA. And that I think is the most important aspect of an AA/14500……….the fact that it will take a very common battery.