2xAA utility lights

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)

I quite like my Solarforce T2. It’s a decent 2xAA for $ 23.

According to their site, the modes are:

100% (300 lumens): 60 mins
33% (105 lumens): 2.5 hrs
10% (30 lumens): 15 hrs

Shop: http://www.solarforceflashlight-sales.com/product_detail.php?t=LF&s=26&id=570

08CivicSi’s Review: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/18717

Thanks hanshanshans! That one is definitely a good contender at that price. I like that there is no strobe!

A few more impressions of my Solarforce T2:

+ Seems very sturdy

  • Been using it for half a year now - no problems so far

+/- A bit heavier and bigger than other 2xAA lights like the C3 with extension tube for example.
+/- Doesn’t throw all that far (which is probably to be expected of an XML without a large reflector)
+/- I once accidentally disassembled the head when I just wanted to change batteries. Make sure to only unscrew it near the H - M/L lettering, not where the silver head meets the body.

- According to the website, changing modes works as follows:

“In tightened position: high output mode (100%)
In loosen position: medium output mode (33) → low output mode (10) → repeat (please switch between the medium and low output modes with the tail-cap switch within 3 seconds. After 3 seconds, the flashlight will memorize the medium output mode automatically and will be in that mode after being turned on again)”

This last “memorizing the mode in the loosened position” - bit doesn’t work for me. In the loosened position, my light always starts on medium.

To me, the positives outweigh the negatives and I would absolutely recommend this light (to anyone who doesn’t need it to start on low mode).

"Floody" is probably what a person wants in a "utility" / emergency light. That T2 does sound nice!

-Garry

Sorry, that wasn't clearly written. It's only $0.31 over the $30 limit after the coupon, rather than $2.95.