Let's try to strart a new BLF project light in AA format

Cool white but I’ve considered it. It’s very, very close to what I have in mind.

Another one very close is the El Capitan from Peak but it uses QTC and I don’t like it.

Nextorch has something interesting but I doubt it has the quality you need:

- the LED is not High CRI

- it has 3 modes instead of 2 (not sure if it has memory or if it starts on low or High)

- runtimes are not specified

  • it is pricey

I will check if the C01S driver would fit the Tool AA V2.0 pill. If so, transplanting one from a light to the other would match your request.
I am not sure if the runtime on the C01S is similar to a “cockroach” light, though.

Another warning concerning the twisty lights: if a cell leaks on the bottom, it is a PITA to take it out (ask me how I know it :person_facepalming: )

Yeah, the Nextorch is too $$$ for the intended purpose. It’s however quite nice.

I know about cell leaks ! I’ve killed an excellent DQG AA like that. That’s why I mention L91.

All of those people that you mentioned in your family need a small EDC light ,with a lithium ion battery, a lot more than they need a so-called emergency light. Put a S2+ in your glove box for 5 or 10 years and it’ll still give you more light for longer than what your envisioning. If you want it smaller than that put the short tube on it.

I hear you. They all (except my mother) have an A6 as their main light when we go trekking or camping. However, the grail light I’m talking about is small, cheap and ultra-reliable. A kind of light you toss in your bag and forget it until you need it, not an EDC.

A sort of CMG Infinity with a 219 and 2 levels…

My (basic) understanding of a twisty switch tells me it necessitates either a spring or a rubber/ foam piece to push the cell back to reliably break contact without flickering. Ive only had a few twisty switches though so maybe some are different?

I’ve had a few unreliable twisties as well.

I’d be into a few of these.

You are always there for all project Gunga :+1: ! Just like in the old CPF days.

Some have a spring in the tail (like the C01S), some don’t.

If a Twisty light is unreliable, then it has been poorly machined or it’s a driver problem. Beside a bad thread, there is virtually no way a twisty switch can fail.

It sounds like the A6 is a special events lights not an EDC. Is this your Grail light your or theirs? You have to work with them to find something that they are willing to carry with them everyday and potentially use rather than their phone light.

You nailed it, using their phone light is exactly what I wan’t them too avoid. Too unreliable. Have you ever seen a teenager that has more than 15 % of battery on their phone ?

I’m not looking for an EDC light. My wife and daughters never carry an EDC light, I’ve tried to convinced them but you know, I’m a weirdo for always carrying a light ( :person_facepalming: ). That’s why I would like them to have at least an emergency light in their bag/purse that can give them many hours of light.

Why not just go with a Convoy T3? A mechanical switch is perfectly fine overall if configured with simple modes.

Efficient driver, relatively inexpensive, etc.

Also, please let’s stop asking for new light designs. Let’s just try and reuse current designs because Sofirn’s 2 engineers are already overworked as is lmao.

So yeah, let’s change try and get Sofirn to reuse a current light design to make this project a thing.

The Tool AA is 12USD on AliExpress. Seems reasonable to me.

I prefer the Skilhunt E2A with an Energizer L91 as my emergency backup light in my car. Simple 3-mode with memory. Set it to the middle mode, throw in the glovebox and forget about it for years.

(weight) One issue with AA lights is their weight. AA lights are usually more than twice as heavy than AAA lights. For your purpose, I think AAA lights would be much better choice despite shorter run times.

(cheap prices) I think cheap price is possible only if mass produced. But the features you want do not seem to attract the masses, therefore I think it is hard to achieve.

How about Nitecore MT06MD? It is pen shaped thus easy to carry along with other pens. High CRI Nichia 219B 5000K. Longer run time than single AAA lights. One bonus. Its head is compatible with Tool AAA, so if you want smaller light you can use Tool AAA’s tube since it can run with a single AAA.

We have the same mind set. I thought the Tool was more expensive, thanks for pointing this out, I guess I will go this way. If only the E2A had a Twisty tailcap, it would be very close to what I’m looking for…

I don't do twisties.

I might be interested in a tail switch AA flashlight if it's extremely inexpensive.

I’ll have a look, thanks :+1:

the Jet Mk-1 is an AA Twisty with 3 modes including a 1.5 lumen low, and last mode memory, it has an O ring, so its waterproof, and it has a pocket clip,

it meets all your requirements except:
> cheap
> high CRI
> 2 modes
> 10 lumens
> starts on low
> tritium slot

Sofirn C01S is on flash sale
https://www.sofirnlight.com/products/sofirn-c01s-aaa-flashlight-sst20-4000k-white-led-starts-on-low and has all these features you asked for:
> twisty
> cheap
> high CRI
> 2 modes
> starts on low
> tritium slot

some of my impressions of the C01S:

i would not use AA

i would use CR123A cells

smaller, more energy, 20 year shelf life, no leaking

I totally agree with you on the benefits of lithium. That’s why I mentioned L91. All the same advantage of CR123 in an AA format. Then, in case of super-emergencies, AA are available everywhere.