What's the best option for a compact AA-sized e-switch light?

“Best” isn’t really a valid question here, I think. When I use a small AA/14500 light, I’m not very interested in high output or the extra half a Watt-hour I’d get with the latest Vapcell 14500 over an Ikealoop. If I have a use case where I’m at all concerned with optimizing either of those things, I’ll bring an 18650-powered light.

So AA-only is fine for me if I’m using a light that size. I’d prefer it to 14500-only because NiMH AA works in more devices I own than 14500 and I have more of them, though multi-chemistry is always a plus in theory. I like Anduril a lot though, and I’d almost certainly not spend money on an AA/14500 light with a basic UI (I already have a T10v2 and a T10 II I got from Thrunite as review samples).

Yep. I agree with Zak.

I’d prefer an AA only Anduril light vs a 14500 only Anduril light.

Looks like I’m in the minority here.

AA lights are generally more anæmic than bigger ones, so I don’t need any fancy UI for them. I’m not about to use lightning mode or candle mode with an AA light. If you want oomf, you’d need a 14500-only light like a GTmicro (and runtime ain’t gonna be that great when cranked up anyway).

So to me, what’d be more useful is a dual-chemistry light, even with only a basic UI. With only X lemons coming out the pipe, do you really need 1000 steps worth of ramping? Or would be 2/3/4 stepped levels be plenty?

Eh. Some people like overkill…

To me, either nomem-start-on-low, or mem-with-shortcut-to-low is plenty. Shortcut-to-high is a bonus.

QFT
Anduril is overrated anyway.

Something I usually see with multi-chemistry AA/14500 lights is that the mode spacing isn’t good on 14500. Ramping improves that situation.

Ironic, as with my E03s it’s just the opposite.

At lower voltage the spacing’s quite nice and even. With a 14500 it’s hella bright (M), not as hella bright (L), and a little more hella bright (H).

M is just a shade less than H, which is why I rarely have to multiclick it at all. M is “good enough”. L, well, it already ruined any semblance of night-vision, so why bother? And H? So close to M it doesn’t pay to waste the extra clicks.

So, I’ve been using those Tenavolts in ’em. Constant 1.5V ’til it unexpectedly drops dead. At least I keep evenly-spaced modes, even if not nearly as bright.

Hmm, I was under the impression the SP10 kept decent modes regardless of how it was powered. I don’t recall comparing the two.

Not that my opinion is very important, but I would be quite happy with even a “lobotomized” version of Anduril as it has been called. That is, 1-click ON/OFF, instant access to floor and ceiling modes, and ramping. I cannot see myself using blinky modes on an AA light; I do, however, like the customization (e.g., setting floor and ceiling levels, etc.) that Anduril offers. I really hope the SP10S with Anduril works out with NiMH compatibility.

Hmmmmmmm…………………I got rid of a bunch of AA/14500 lights that were getting really no use for no other reason that run times not being what I required on a daily basis. Now I still have a few AA/14500 lights. 7 to be exact. 2 Reylights, 2 no named stainless, 1 wuben, 1 Zebra, and 1 Jetbeam. The stainless are in the trucks with NiMh. the rest have 14500 but the ability to run both. All but the Reylights have different than stock emitters. Honestly I really like a AA/14500 light like the Ultratac A1. Simple and works. No blinky or toy like modes. LMH. Still handy to have a few around. Anything that is even remotely demanding of a light and I grab a 18650 light.

I know a lot of folks use AA/14500 lights on a daily EDC basis. Those would be the folks who would probably like an Andruil light in either AA, 14500, or both. I could see them selling well.

AA + 14500 support is a huge benefit vs 16340 lights.

I prefer a simple 4-mode UI if the spacing is decent with both types of cells. Side switch in a small host is basically asking for pocket activations IMO, it’s almost never recessed enough (Sofirn SP10, whatever that Ultratac AAA light is called, etc )

AA/14500 as for small flashlight formats especially for EDC, greater versatility is preferable

10 years ago the Akoray K106 was AA/14500 with 3 modes programmable. You could pick any level from a ramp to programme the 3 modes so modes spacing preference with AA or 14500 and for whatever modes order weren’t a problem. Mechanical switch = no accidental activation.
I would go for Anduril if there was an option to programme each modes instead of stepped ramping levels that can’t be programmed to your needs.
I prefer AA, I don’t use 14500 as this size of flashlight have very little thermal mass for the extra brightness.

I’ve got more AAA than AA.
Probably half and half combo battery’s.
They ok for walking round house. But maybe.
Just collecting.
Have coupla 123 and 18350’s. Novelty, Nothing special.

Anything serious with beam. Useful throw, heat control while doing so and longevity of beam time.
18650/26650. covers them all.
I can’t, for all practicality, see the needs, use for the 20/21 series.
Just a longer skinny, 18650 with a little more storage time.

The 26650’s give a better holding/grip dia. with lnger times.
All MY using… Torches. Are 26650, apart from a couple later model C8/C8+
plus the toys.
I like weight you can feel. Dia that’s comfortable, and just right for a duster.
If needed.
with the extra output time as a bonus. Win. Win.

It’s a bit of a waste of time for anything but novelty. With these AA-AAA/14500/s.
Boosting to waaaay past practical output. Stating it does that.
Then 10/30 seconds later it drops to sensible figures.
They DON’T really do those figures for any sort of practical timeframe, do they.

And. On saying that above. I own around 14+ AAA/10500. AA/14500 torches
not counting the dozen or more I’ve given away. So you tell me…….
Just another torch collecting fool. On a small scale.

I think NOW. Those smaller ones are VERY addictive once you start.
Alternate to my first opinions at the start of them.
“Just one of each battery size to see, hey”.

Haaaaa. Real dumb. I’m starting on the copper ones now too,

Not many people remember this Akoray light that was so popular at that time. Everyone loved the UI being able to pick the brightness level of all 3 modes.
I tried 3 times to get one of the programmable K106’s but struck out all 3 times getting the fixed mode version and gave up getting one. :person_facepalming:
I really wish someone would implement this simple 3 mode programmable UI for some of the BLF project lights.
For a AAA or AA sized light that’s all it needs. Set the brightness level of the 3 modes to your liking and it’s perfect.

I strongly prefer AA/14500 dual-chemistry lights. Just last week my Olight S15R saved my bacon, I got caught in the dark in a very rural area for many hours longer than I expected, and I ran down the 14500 battery. But fortunately I found a few alka-leaks stashed away that I had forgotten about, and that got me out of a major bind.

I remember it! (See my avatar. :wink: ) That was indeed the Holy Grail of flashlights at the time, I still have mine. Unfortunately it’s quite dim, even compared to its peers at the time. So ramping goes from like 0.5 to 50 lumens. :stuck_out_tongue:

I think of it everytime I see you make a post. :+1:
It use to be at the top of the forum page but times change and we move on.
Still it had one of the simplest settable UI’s every and very well liked.

I like the aa/14500 size. I like the programmability of anduril, but dont use the blinkies or other special modes.

Just want to be able to set floor and ceiling, # of steps, stepped or smooth, and have instant access to turbo and a super easy e-lockout. 4 clicks is too many. 2 would be best. In fact, I wish the light always went into lockout when turned off and a double click would unlock AND turn on to last used mode.

AA/14500 with basic UI. I even tolerate the Wuben E05-I interface. That thing should bring light into dark. I like all those nice features of Anduril in my D4V2, but kicking out support for different cells isn’t worth it.

For what it’s worth, there is a branch with an auto-lockout feature. It locks the light after being off for a few minutes.

Appreciate the info. Sadly, you might as well have shown this to an ice cream cone. My knowledge of programming, and how to implement, it consists of random bits of ms dos from the 80s clogging up my arteries.