Wide-beam 3AA or better under $40?

I’ve been going through threads here and I’ve been a little overwhelmed, I hope you guys don’t mind another novice.

I’m looking for the following flashlight:

  • 3AA or better. I have piles of Eneloops. Ideally with the option to move to lithium later, though this is not a requirement.

  • Wide beam. 5’ wide or more at a 20’ foot. I see a lot of lights here with tremendous throw, but that look like pinpoints. I want something I could take on a walking trail, set to a middle brightness, and have a good idea where I’m going without having to scan the ground with the light.

  • Bright enough to illuminate to, say, 75’ with that wide beam on the highest setting. I’m just making up a number here, correct me if this is ludicrous. My existing light is a 2AA Rayovac with a 1W LED. It’s probably 75 lumens. Usefully bright with the narrow beam sweep, but not wide enough, and not much throw.

  • Multiple brightness settings. Top setting should last an hour, middle setting at least five.

  • <$30 best, max $40

  • Modified? Not modified? Is this all plug and play, or does changing out LEDs and so on require skill?

Does this exist?

3xAA/26650 light with C8 size reflector.

Aloha and welcome to BLF alexdi!

Can you order a large reflector separately? Where, and would modifications be required to make it fit? Greetings to you as well. :slight_smile:

There is a thread talking about these aurora/ultrafire 3x AA

They are 4 lights with same body but different brand and LED

Aurora XM-L 29$ http://www.dealextreme.com/p/aurora-sh-3aa-cree-xm-l-t6-800lm-5-mode-memory-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-black-3xaa-1x26650-123719?r=43033281

UltraFire XM-L 28$ http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-sh-3aa-cree-xm-l-t6-800lm-5-mode-memory-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-3-x-aa-1-x-26650-124061?r=43033281

Aurora XP-E 25$ http://www.dealextreme.com/p/aurora-sh-3aa-cree-xp-e-q5-245lm-5-mode-memory-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-black-3xaa-1x26650-123720?r=43033281

UltraFire XP-E 23$ http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-sh-3aa-cree-q5-245lm-5-mode-memory-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-3-x-aa-1-x-26650-124050?r=43033281

If I am not wrong there is a review here on blf about the XM-L one….

I know that your maximum is $40 But I suggest you spend $45 and go for the cyclone

Here is the review by foy

Great thread.
The friend of mine want a good (budget) XML light but without switching to li-ion.
Fran, those links to Aurora (both) doesn’t work :wink:

Yeah, they removed the items, that´s why “page not found”

The UltraFire XM-L and Cyclone C88 look very similar. Is there a reason to spend $10 more on the Cyclone? How’s the beam width compare? I noticed some digs against DX in the other thread, I wonder if that should be a factor.

Welcome to the family, alexdi!

SAiK SA-305 Inexpensive, spray the reflector with Krylon Clear Acrylic, makes wide beam that will be smooth and even. Could be modified and still be under $40. Someone could walk you through it if you wanted to learn, or someone could mod it for you. Plenty of modders here. Even with an XM-L T6 and a linear driver, it's still below $40. Not a bad light as is, if the reflector is sprayed, to even out the beam.

Here's a small Flood to Throw I haven't tried it, but it's the long and thin style 3AA. Should be fairly bright as is and the beam is adjustable.

Might want to search for a source other than DX. They are still hit or miss with long shipping times.

Welcome to BLF