As most probably know, I am a big fan of single-cell AA flashlights. I have most of the common versions in my collection and recently added this one.
This Titanium version is a bit spendy but, you can get the aluminum version for a lot less but, I really like it in TI! Titanium seems to wear better in a blue jeans pocket too. These lights come in several different emitter flavors as well so, whether High CRI is your thing or you want an SFT-40 powerhouse, they can hook you up.
This is a pretty slim option that fits my hand very well. As I compared the size to other lights, it is my skinniest AA flashlight and rivals the Sofirn SC21 in size. The bezel fits inside the bezel of a Sofirn SP10 and the battery tube is even thinner. It is a little heavier than the ballpoint pen I normally carry but, it doesn't make my T-shirt pocket sag when clipped there. I also like the UI feature with two head positions for Mode 1 and Mode 2. In Mode 2, it is super easy to set the default power-on illumination level.
While a bit spendy, I really like this light a lot. If you want something a bit unusual and very practical, an EAGTAC D3A will serve you well IMHO.
Most people complained about the quality of the workmanship. If I remember correctly, especially for the aluminum version. For many, it broke down too early and they could not negotiate with the manufacturer. Many people extol how good it is. For the price, these are strong things. I could mention Armytek as an example. Many people really like it, many people don’t. But facts are facts.Don’t ask me to dig through them because it took me a lot of time to gather any useful information that wasn’t from 5-6 years ago.
I really liked how thin it is, with good brightness, and the fluorescent switch is also cool. In addition, you can choose from several LEDs.
I have two of the Ti versions and the SST-20 version has been a daily driver for myself.
I suspect it is the sort of thing where one person had a problem, possibly self inflicted, and complained LOUDLY while people like myself just used them and didn't say much.
I see people fawning all over Hank lights, Fireflies, Tool AA, etc. but, not these. Their higher price and low general availability makes them a little hard to find and unusual finds at a flashlight meetup. To be honest, I would not own my first one if a Veterinarian flashlight club friend didn't pull it out of his pocket to show me while fumbling around in the dark with something.
The circuit they use appears to be unique to their flashlights which further causes potential customers to pause at the purchase. While I don't know how it compares to a Buck/Boost driver, it simply works well for myself.
I have one in Ti (2015 model). It had a Nichia but I’ve since modded it to sst20. It’s in my pocket every day. While it doesn’t get a ton of use I’ve been very happy with it.
Pretty easy. Just need rubber straps etc. To help grip the parts to dismantle. I use v-grip channel locks and rubber straps and can disassemble most lights.
I have several of the ’C’s, and it appears that they do incorporate temp regulation:
I also have several of the ’A’s, and it appears that they likely do not, and thus would require a bit more user awareness:
In practice, I often run both at high levels and haven’t yet noted any (short term) temp-related issues, but I also rarely use them in buck-teen ambients. I have pretty good ‘user awareness’, and I also don’t tail-stand them on ‘max’ and go off and leave them either. Mine are also the Al versions, not Ti, so that also helps.
Getting back to the question of possible quality issues, I should add this to what I posted previously.
I have 3 ‘A’s, and 3 ’C’s. The earlier two of the ’A’s I bought do have what I consider excessive ’thread slop’ in the thread machining of the head / body tube. While not a terminal issue, it has annoyed me a few times. Because the design of the light incorporates a ‘head tight / head loose’ operational distinction, when I back the head off from tight to loose I have to turn it a little further than I’d like in the CCW direction. If I don’t, pressure against the head either on or off axis can cause some movement within that ‘slop’ producing a glitch with the associated contacts involved, and thus send a spurious control signal to the driver. A fairly minor pain with an otherwise good light, and I just have to remember to back the head off far enough when setting those to ‘head loose’.
The latest / newest of my 3 ’A’s does not suffer from that deficiency, as the threading quality is much better. None of my 3 ’C’s have this deficiency with the threading, so this issue does not exist with those as far as I know.
Also keep in mind that due to its minimal form factor design (which is part of its charm), cell fitment (length) can be an issue with both the ’A’s and the ’C’s, but that’s just a cell selection consideration when shopping, not an operational issue.
I’ve experienced no operational issues as such with any of those lights. I’m also fairly confident that the distributor I use would be very helpful if / when I do, and they’re only a couple of time zones away and are highly responsive.
That is very helpful and specific. My two Ti versions don't have the loose thread or contact issue you mentioned with your earlier lights so, that suggests they had a manufacturing and QC improvement at some point which is good for consumers, with any brand.
Thanks everyone for the answers!
I wish I had found this post a month ago.
I originally started with the idea that I needed a pocket-friendly, solid but decent lamp. So it’s not an everyday carry. I would have liked to have it with me without being noticed. This is how I found the D25A MKII. I didn’t really look at the titanium version because it’s a bit ostentatious for this purpose, pure black would have been better. Basically, I don’t use a lot of lights. I could also say that I am a conscious user, so the lack of temperature control does not deter me either. However, I like good quality and especially reliable things.
#sidpost
If I remember correctly, the titanium versions were not affected by these problems. At least I encountered them for the most part with the aluminum versions, as I tried to look them up.
They are really quite hard to find. I found it in the Ali store, who also delivers here.
Handling it is a little strange to me.
#jon_slider
With a cheaper light, I probably would have done that, but with its price of almost $70 (black aluminum, $100 for titanium), I didn’t risk it. Can I find out if the linked seller ships internationally? I couldn’t find any information on the site. Not even where the package would come from. I assume from the USA.
#Desertcat
Is it possible to know when the newer purchases were made?
Good to know if I ever need to mod one of them.