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.
Oh, okay! I didn’t think of it that way(Obviously).
I was really hoping for some super sweet 30 cent lights!
hanshanshans, I think the description was just a little lost in translation. I think what they meant is that when it was off, it would revert back to medium. That works for me, though. I would rather mode memory, but I can deal with starting in medium.
They aren’t going to be carried on-body, so the weight isn’t a huge problem.
Will any batteries be good for keeping it in the car?
What batteries are good for cold weather? By cold, I mean 20*+F
If 4AA is acceptable, maybe the BLF edition Starry Night? They raised the price a bit, though. Only 8 left.
Lithium primary cells work well at low temps and have a long shelf life. I using alkaline, I'd store them in a plastic bag outside the light so they don't destroy it when they leak.
Thanks Gj. I wasn’t really looking to use any more than 2, though.
Thanks for the tip on the Lithium cells.
I have ordered from this Store before and received exactly what was described 3 times in the past 4 months.
Crelant V21-A for $21.90
Thanks, bikenber. I’ll put that on the list. Does it say what the low level is?
here is more infomation, the numbers are all wrong though, hihg is maybe 250 lumens at hte most and lasts about an hour
http://www.crelant.com/led-flashlights/v-series/new-v21a-flahslight-2aa-450-lumens-207.html
the medium and low are probably also wrong as are the runtimes
Thanks Bort. They didn’t mention it had a mid level on the other site. I don’t mind if it’s not 450, as that’s not really what I am looking for.
The specs list actually contradicts what is in the pics, so it really doesn’t surprise me that some stuff is off. The spec list says 450/128/13 while the picture says 450/210/30
Its sitting in the car, i don’t like it at all, the runtimes are low, the lumens are not high, the light is not well designed, and it makes random sizzling/hissing noises while its running, i haven’t used it since last year and it works but i don’t recommend it.
I think you should seriously consider the starry light linked above, it may be 4AA, but it will put a smile on your face
Bort, do you know what the approximate runtimes are for the Starry Light?
I have tested these (except the super low, i use the light too much to test it, in 12 hours it dropped 10% which is what the batteries do when recharged and left for a day)
I should have mentioned the modes are
0.2%
2%
25%
100%
I suggest using the 100% for less then 10 minutes at a time, the head will get hot enough to burn you if left on too long, think of it as a manual turbo, you often see 30-90 second turbos on other lights, this is one you can control.
There is one quirk/flaw, sometimes when you switch modes it turns off instead of going into the mode, just change modes again and it will come back in the following mode (i call it the missed mode issue)