The response is predictable. Most internet-forum-based experience is not going to be from “outdoors people”.
AA/AAA is the default at campsites, and there are perfectly valid reasons to stick with nimh.
Headlamps are also the default for a lot of valid use cases.
Ergo, the person’s question is one of the most reasonable questions we’ll ever see on here. We are the weird ones.
Acebeam H40 and Thrunite TH20 are the first to come to mind. Both are very good headlamps in my experience. Easy easy to swap emitters in the TH20 (probably the H40 as well).
You could wear a cap and use a Sofirn SP10 Pro ? 
(Or any other of the small AA flash lights with dual clips.)
The light output of the SP10 is impressive even with AA nimh batteries. 14500 is brighter again.
SP10 Pro is absolutely excellent with NiMh, I love that light.
I am going to wait for Manker or Convoy to have something available, hopefully having a bit of patience will pay off.
I have been on the internet long enough to not be surprised at all with the response. I understand that people are passionate about Li-ion in an enthusiast forum, and I own 14500 and 21700 lights myself, but already did my research and need no help choosing the chemistry.
Anyway the thread has been useful to have a more complete compilation of options than what I initially had.
Agreed, except I guess I’m kind of a tint snob. Love the SP10 as well but prefer a warmer tint.
Really hope this format is not neglected and that another production run is forthcoming.
Chemistry has little to do with it from my perspective. Most every light that uses dual chem in this format limit their use for me to NiMh. Moonlight is far more important to me than the extra output from LiIon. A well driven AA is pleanty bright for what I would need most of the time. The few times I need more than that, most likely I would already be using something 18650 or 21700. Without a good moonlight it simply is not acceptable for me.
The reduced mass and ready availability of standardized cells with zero possibility of thermal runaway are things that this format can do that LiIon simply cannot. I think those attributes make this format very worthy of continuing and hope to see more lights in the future.
The SP10 Pro (Anduril 2) moonlight mode with the 14500 works fine - the LED is barely detectable as being “on” in a lit room. That’s when looking directly at the LED.
Absolutely agree that lows are more important than highs. I’ve been putting up with the nimh low of the convoy t3, though, and am finding I can tolerate a lowest mode that is right at the low functional edge of dark-adjusted-vision trail-walkable. In fact, it’s sort of nice to just always switch on to a “perfect low”. I’d rather have this perfect lowest mode than have it spanned by moonlight and too-bright, but I guess if you’re an Anduril fan, that is not a concern.
Used the TH20 clipped to my parka for walking the pooches last night. Remembered one thing that it does that many lights would not be able to do. It went through a complete wash and dry cycle! Actually I think it has went through a couple of wash cycles. The thing is very well made. Not very likely that any of the USB charging with flaps would survive that.
I still think it is a very nice beam pattern and quality — provided it isn’t side by side with an sst20 4k. Moonlight is too bright with the 14500 but the light is fine with AA. When people say it is easy to mod I assume that is LED swap. What I really would mod would be to give it a clip. I use mine with an old Fenix clip. That really makes the light more useful. What I would really like is a clip as good as the one on the EO2 II.
I use a NW E03 II on a Wowtac H01 headband (included E03 headband is not as durable) just about every night around the house. I have 1 backup but will probably get another one during ansale.
Echoing some of the comments about taking people’s requirements to heart instead of telling them their requirements don’t make sense. OP knows what they want, and it may not be the same as you.
There was this thread from Sofirn about headlamp development that might be interesting to you. Maybe someday they’ll make one exactly like you want. You can see a few people asking for what you’re asking for, so you’re definitely not alone.
I have a Zebralight AA headlamp, it was a splurge. I also have the $16 Sofirn HS10, a USB-C headlamp that uses 18350 li-ion batteries. The on-body charging makes it convenient to charge since I always have USB-C charging for my phone anyways. It took away a lot of the battery anxiety. It’s also super light weight and if you combine it with a $8 Skilhunt clamp type headband, it’s the perfect combo. The headband it comes with is just OK.
[quote=extremesquared]
Agree.
Don’t want lithium battery on my head and didn’t need 100000 Lumens
much important have flood very warm light with firefly mode less than 0,1lm for read a paper and don’t lose natural night vision
Market lack single AA/A headlamp with emitter on center instead angle lights like HS05
[quote=Sari33]
thrunite TH20 or acebeam H40!
Thinking about it, I’d take a budget, warm white, 60 degree beam version of the Zebralight H50. I don’t know if there are any modern headlamps with twist switch on the market?
Ah, good light! That was my go-to headlamp for many years. In fact it still lives in a back-up BOB somewhere. My only complaint was that the external silicone shade didn’t stay in place all the great and without it I would get a very annoying shine on my nose!
Check out the regulation in this thread.
Budget AA headlamp is quite rare let alone the high CRI one.
I’ve been using my Fenix HL23 for years because that was my best option I can get for an 1xAA headlamp. It didn’t meet all my requirements but sufficient.
Recently I bought Zebralight H53C Le but haven’t got time to test it in real outdoor activity.
The Manker E03H II high CRI is back in stock, black body color only (E02 as well).
Where? I can’t find an E03H ii in neutral?
Ah I see now, Manker webpage
Yep, I see them on the Ali Express page for the Manker storefront. Debating a red one myself for a Deep Red emitter swap.
Yes I spotted those turned up, just took longer than on the Manker website. Went with a H02 in the end, hopefully something in AA format with neutral LED will appear in 2023.
The LED looks quite complicated to swap, let us know how it goes!
Further to post #10 i found my Nitecore headband and put a Tool AA in a side loop. The clip holds it in the loop enough for general moving around but the light shines upwards, and i can’t think of any situation where this would be useful to me.
It’s probably possible to DIY an angle change by angling the Tool in the loop but i can’t see an obvious/easy way.
And a mule/wide angle light may have some short range potential but i wasn’t inspired enough to explore either thought.
For some reason i’d already written off the top loop as not being useful but i gave it a go and… it’s a revelation, it works and is comfortable!
I’ve only tested it in the house for a few minutes but it seems much more comfortable than any traditional headlamp that i’ve used, they all have varying levels of discomfort on my forehead which puts me off using them if it can be avoided.
You may notice that the light is not centred on my head, that’s because the headband i have is wonky 
Hence i haven’t tested it extensively, and may be why i shoved it in a box to be forgotten about. But i will be buying a new, centred replacement in the not so distant future as my current impression is that i would much rather use this.