I would also like a foolproof, REALLY simple 18650/21700 light for Dad to compliment his gigantic Maglites. Like single button, 2 or 3 levels (off, 50, 500+ lumen) and that’s it. No electronic lockout. No settings. USB rechargeable. LVP. Spot & spill. Does such a thing exist?
I’d got with this too. Very similar interface in stepped mode.
SP35. $31 shipped direct, from US.
Some don’t like the output fluctuation that the ATR produces, but it’s unlikely to be noticeable in practical usage.
But it will protect the light, and provide higher sustained output than won’t sag as the battery is depleted.
21700 has more capacity that will allow it to run longer, while being only slightly larger than an 18650. Full USB-C charging.
Larger deeper, reflector provides more throw, but still a well-rounded beam and a fairly large hot spot (much better than the SC31B in that respect)
Same simple, effective UI as FC11, SC31B, and many others — one click on/off, hold to change levels. Hold from off for moonlight, double click for turbo, triple for strobe.
FC11 has its charms, mainly CRI, but it won’t throw as far, and in prolonged use, is really a ~300lm light after the first couple minutes, and declines from there as the battery does. Even with ATR, the SP35 never drops below 500lm on turbo or high.
On a farm, no question which one is going to be a more capable tool.
I have posted a FS thread here, selling new in box SC31B. I had got a bunch for gifts, this is an absolute best muggle mode light!
Wurkkos Fc11 2700k,4k,5k great ui. Your mother will borrow his. Get 2.
You’re the second person to mention it. But that light has Anduril and my parents would be forever getting it into blinkies and config menus when they just want light.
I’m currently leaning towards Wowtac A5, A6 or Thrunite TC15. The TC15 mode spacing is maybe not the best for my dad though. High is 1000ish lumens and medium is about 250. The wowtac is inferior to the A6 in specs but I wonder if maybe 400 lumens might be a more useful level of light.
Fc11 has a pretty simple UI it’s not Anduril. Click on click off with memory. Once on, press and hold to ramp up and then down. There are a few other features but it’s hard to get in trouble. Wowtac A6 has a miserable little button/switch.
Weird for some reason I had that filed under “Anduril” in my mind. I double-checked some reviews though and I think I still have to eliminate that one on the grounds of the low sustainable output. This will be a general purpose light sometime used in fairly open spaces outdoors. According to the graph here the FC11 is just too dim after 1.5 minutes
Agreed. Open spaces outdoors FC11 not so great. I removed references to the Wowtac A1S because you need to remove the battery to plug in the micro USB. The A7 would work better outdoors with onboard charging but you need to turn the light on in order for it to charge and that can be a little finicky if you don’t know what you’re doing.
For outdoor usage with your requirements get the Wurkkos diving lights. Dead simple UIs. Diving lights means they kinda will withstand washing machines per definition 
wurkkos dl10r for example has a magnetic rotary switch and built in charging hidden in the tailcap.
The only downside -> you don’t get a very low mode.
wurkkos dl30 is another alternative with rotary switch, where the low is a bit more low too Not sure about charging though.
They are not as small as the 18650 lights, but still jacket pocket-able and good to carry in hand.
Sofirn if22a? TIR with throwy efficient led gives a nice hotspot and nice bleed as well. There is a thread here, have not gotten mine yet.
Why not a 2×AA light? Longer, so harder to misplace. Still lightweight. Most have simple stoopit UIs and only 2-3 modes.
If you don’t mind always-starts-on-high, LuxPro lights would fit the bill. Rubber-coated battery-tube, so grippy as well.
Hmm he’s had a taste of that 18650 POWER though. If I got him a AA light he’d probably feel bad that he got a dimmer light than Mom’s.
I was thinking the same thing. I believe that whenever somebody recommends an AA light their lithium ion lights should be locked up for a week. Second offense locked up for a month.
Whuuut.
Small and compact AA/AAA style lights are great! Manker E02/3, Skilhunt E2/3, i3/i5, Zebra 5 series, sofirn c01xx, Convoy T series, Lumintop Tool just to name a few.
Great for EDC, backup, purselight, muggle friendly, generally inexpensive. Like seriously, stock up on sofirn c01 deals for a few bucks per light and you will have always a little light to give away to friends and family in need. Also I am not gonna borrow my friends a Anduril KR4 or so, that’s just a disaster waiting to happen. A simple E3a on the other hand? Everybody can handle that.
I enjoy my LiIon lights a lot like everybody else here, but when it comes to value added to my life the small AAA/AA ones are just the bread and butter of my flashlight fleet.
I just ready through this whole thing, kinda sounds like you’re gettin another SC31b. Lol
wait a minute, no body ever heard of SC31T ? SC31T features SST40, side switch for selecting brightness, and tactical tail switch for momentary-on, USB C charging port, easy UI.
Hmm, that’s new to me.
Hmm, is it friendly to The Muggle?
Actually I did notice that one on the Sofirn site. I was thinking I might avoid lights with a 2 button interface. He’s never had a light with more than one button and I didn’t want to risk him hating it because of that. I’ll think about it though.
SC31T 6500k No that’s not friendly to anyone.