Zebra SC5 II is NOT brighter than 500lm. Ok ,on the paper 550lm, in reality about 430lm.
So the brightest single AA flashlight I know is Armytek Prime A1 PRO - 465 real lumens (warm tint version).
Brightest single14500 light is Wuben E05 - 900lm on the paper (some reviewers measured about 1000lm).
My first version Zebralight SC5w measures 450 lumens. I think the newer SC5 II, especially in cool white, has to be over 500 lumens.
You’re claiming the Armytek Prime A1 Pro is 465 lumens? I have the A2 warm, and it measures 450 lumens. I don’t see how the 1xAA version could be 465, if the 2xAA version is only 450. Granted, mine is the XML2 version, and I think the newer XPL version is brighter, but I don’t believe Armytek has made as bright a 1xAA light as Zebralight.
I’m a fan of the Klarus Mi7. The max output listed is 700lm.
The only issue is that the switch protrudes from the body of the flashlight so it is prone to accidental turn on. If you are going to carry it in a pants pocket you need to lock it out.
The Mi7 turns on in high (quick press) or moonlight mode (long press)
I don’t know if this will be considered a “custom” or a “production” flashlight (maybe the 1st, I guess), but is probably one of the brightest lights on 14500.
It is made by our fellow member vestureofblood, a.k.a. Matt, a.k.a. AdventureSportFlashlights!
“Everyday Carry Brass” - 1536 lumen (on XPL-HI V3-1B and using a high-drain 14500 battery)!
Really like my Wuben E05. High power, small form factor, and magnetic tailcap. UT-01 is bright, small, and I like the UI, but the known switch problems and on/off problems using 14500s make buying one a risky proposition. Both of mine have the 14500 problem. Get the Wuben E05
Wuben E05 is very bright on Turbo (4 brightness levels when used with 14500). But when using AA, it has only 3 brightness levels, and its brightest level on AA is not so bright.
Lumintop Tool AA v2.0 lists 650 lumens on Turbo mode, but would seems to be a bit brighter than 650 lumens. The brightness spacing is more logically spaced than the Wuben E05 (on 14500, big gap from “High” mode to “Turbo” mode).
Lumintop EDC05 is another candidate, 800 lumens on Turbo (must program it first, since it’s set to 75% level from the factory).
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comparing Klarus Mi7 vs Lumintop Tool AA v2.0
Mi7 is the left beam while Tool AA v2.0 is the right beam
Nitecore had a 900-1000 lumen single 14500 - the EA11, but it’s discontinued. They also had another very similar one with slightly different UI - MT10A, also discontinued.
To me, there’s a distinct difference between the 500-700 lumen lights, and the 900+ lumen ones. Below 700 lumens the lights are using conventional ICR 14500, so most cells, including protected ones, work. The 900 lumen ones need high discharge IMR chemistry.