2xAA utility lights

Hi, this is my first post here. I was referred here by someone over at CPF.

I am looking to buy 3 or 4(or more) 2xAA lights to keep around the house, in cars, and in bags. I would really like them to be ~$20-25 or under, but no more than $30. If I can get a decent light with my specs for under $10, I’d probably end up buying up to 10 of them, so that would be awesome.

My general requirements would be:

2xAA
Rear clicky

Hi of somewhere around 200-250 lumens
Medium of around 80-100 lumens
Low of around 30 lumens

No zoom
No special modes(or very hidden) I don’t want to have to switch between 4 strobe modes to get back to medium.
Relatively water resistant. I obviously wouldn’t be diving with it, but if it’s raining or it falls in a shallow puddle, I’d like it to be okay.
I would like it to have a pocket clip and maybe a lanyard attachment
A diffuser would be nice, but not required

Thanks everyone in advance!

I have a few on my list, so far, but they are closer to my max of $30.

I was also looking at this Ozark Trail that comes with a headlight. Does anyone know what the UI and outputs are for this?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Generic-20085-Combo-Pack-Ozark-Trail-2-AA-OT-200L-Flashlight-with-3-AAA-OT-150L-Multi-Color-Headlamp/27859980

The mt21A will fulfill all your needs…

Check this review for a detailed info. Review: Nitecore MT21A (XP-E2 R2 | 2 x AA)
This might be the simple 2AA light you are searching.

I personally are no fan of the AA lights because all of them lack power compared to a light which is driven by 18650…

I’ve looked at the MT21a, but I’m really looking for something less expensive. I’m not saying it’s necessarily an expensive light, as I don’t think I’ve bought any lights cheaper than it, but for this purpose, I’d really like to buy a bunch of them.

I suppose I wouldn’t mind a 18650, since it’s rechargeable. I was mostly looking for something that I could have cheap batteries readily available. Those are the 2x123 size, right? How long do they last charged, say in a car and in a drawer at home?

If you are in the US a mini maglite LED might fit the bill…

That is a nice light. But it is over the hard limit of $30 (by a couple bucks) and doesn’t have a clip. Even with those two deficiencies, it is worth the OP taking the time to look at it.

i bought 2 nitecore mt21s from wallbuys for $13 each during one of their weird lucky money sales

How about a 1xAA light instead? Like the SolarStorm SC01, posted here. I keep one for emergency use in the car with a "Nice" lithium AA in it (tough to get shipped to you now I believe). My other vehicle just has a 2xAA Mini Maglite which has an LED "upgrade module" also with the "Nice" lithiums.

-Garry

Another possibility is the Shiningbeam Spark or Caveman.

-Garry

I was actually looking at the Shiningbeam Spark.

I’m not opposed to the singe AA lights, they just don’t seem to meet my brightness requirements, but that one looks good.

I’m not really considering the Mini Mags, because I find their twist UI very awkward and the button adapters all seemed to have troubles when I tried them.

David and Werner, I am considering, and probably will buy, the MT21, but at that price, I wouldn’t buy 6 of them. Just looking for other options for that use.

This is the only thing I can think of that is close. Amazon might have it cheaper.

The lumens might be overrated on this one. Its hard to find 200 lumen 2 X AA lights at that price point.

Actually only $0.31 after coupon 'BLF'.

That one’s on my list, too. Amazon has their 300 lumen model for the same price, so I’d probably get that, to make sure it’s close to my level goal. Thanks.

You may want to check your price! I was about to buy 50 of them at that discount! :wink:

http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_20495.html

You can get 4 of these for the price of one nitecore. Rather solid little light. XPE emitter and decent brightness. It is a 2XAA light but they have a misprint in the specs section.

Just look up Cofly KX-D010.

I know you don’t want a strobe but sometimes you have to make exceptions if cost is your issue.

There is also some discount codes for gearbest and you get a discount for order more than one item.

Yea, I was ready to accept that, but was hoping for getting one without it. I’ll definitely throw this on on the list. Thanks.

Is 18650 a AA replacement or 123A replacement?

You really don’t want to get into 18650 unless you become more informed of them and buy high quality battery and charger. 18650 is not something you want to go cheap on. If you are into aa type lights then you can get some nice duracell ion core aa rechargeable or sanyo eneloops. 18650 is similar in size to two cr123 batteries. But it is a little fatter than two cr123.

This is an ok light, they say 450 lumens, but its probably about 250 lumens, if you can find it in stock anywhere, it might be discontinued (i’m wishing i had not bought it)
http://www.md-lightsource.com/Crelant-V21-A-450-Lumen-2X-AA-flashlight-XML-U3-V21A.htm

This light seems to be similar, maybe you can find better prices elsewhere, it seems to be a direct competitor to the crelant

This is a great light, they seem to be selling whats left so its unlikely they will make more but it uses 4AA (which is actually even better)
super low 2 lumens (450-500 hours - 2000mA batteries)
low 20 lumens (50 hours - 2000mA batteries)
medium 200 lumens (4 hours - 2000mA batteries)
high 600 lumens (1 hour - 2000mA batteries)
http://cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1980

Use NiMH rechargeables, alkaline will perform poorly and you will think its the lights fault, and keep in mind lithium will not do well in high temps, so don’t leave them in the car (in the house is fine)