Hugsby P31/P32 family for around 14$ , solid quality, bright output on AAs, clip!, tailstand, reliable (bought about 8 of them), perfect gift for non-flashaholics. P32 seems to be sold out at KD.
I'd agree with just about every recommendation here.
My personal favourite would probably be the Tank007 E07 but it's a close call with several others. It is small - there are smaller AA lights but not by much - and has adequate runtime for a pocket light.
The Uniquefire AA-S1 is a great deal and a nice light. Screaming bright on a 14500. I personally don't worry about runtimes on an EDC light - the above two both pull 2+ amps from an NiMH so you aren't going to get an hour out of either of them.
So are the P31/32 Hugsbys which are probably the most nicely made in this list. While it doesn't have a reversible clip, it has a reversible body - the threads are the same at both ends.
I like the AA-S1, but it is only 1 mode. I don't have the others mentioned here. But I really like the AAA Trustfire XP-E F23 in stainless steel. Makes a nice gift because it is pretty. The mode memory works well and it is impressively bright for a small light.
Hmm AA , BLF AA-Y4E = Impressive performance [ but a large light , and not under $15 ] , also Trustfire F20 . and the Tank 007 TK-566 though the beam is a little tight and ringy .
A really outstandingly good AA ? I dont think I own one yet . The F20 comes the closest for me .
+1 for SKYRAY S-A1.. Why: small, good memory mode, very bright on 14500, ok on ni-mh (pulls 2A), Was sub 10$,... Plan to swap q3 for an XM-L - should get at least 400 lumens on 14500. Not bad for AA sized light...
Agree...great looking and amazing quality for that price, the threads look like a watch or something of that kind... no problems also after 9 month of daily use...
12 models under 15$ ...every single one of them well built , everyone a classicly nice budget light .If you are conservative and don't like rolling the dice ...buy any or every Tank made under 15$..the only thing that they don't make ....is a bad light .
My favorite sub 15 dollar torch I own is the Skyray S-A1. It's bright, throws well and has working mode memory without the need for any mods. It's really a great flashlight and I like it alot.
I don't own any Tank007 lights or the Hugsby P31/32. Those are all super nice looking lights and I'm going to be collecting them as well I just can't find the P32 and don't want a single mode version but it will show up eventually.
Last time I heard about it, DX was shipping the 98mm version, not the much better 93mm version. That said, my one is a 93mm one from DX ordered when DX announced them.