Okay, I’m still a newbie, so, what advantage do you get with a forward switch in the tail versus a reverse switch or no switch at all, on e-switch lights?
I wonder if Simon/Convoy would build a 1 X 14500 / 2 X AA light. I would like a well made, affordable, 2-3 mode, no blinkies, maybe an XPG2 or XPE2 light. Shadow made a cool looking Mini TC6 that I never got around to purchasing.
I recently got a Jetbeam WL-S1. My every day pocket carry is a Single AAA light but the Jetbeam is very versatile. It can use CR123a, RCR123, 16340, Alkaline or NiMH AA, 14500 (without carrying an extra battery tube) but what I use in it is a lithium ion that combines the diameter of a CR123a and the length of the AA, a 16500 purchased from eBay. With this battery and its larger head and reflector, it approaches the BLF A6 SE 18650 power and will still fit well in a loose pocket.
That would certainly be a cost effective and popular choice. A slimmed down S2+ using an 1 X 14500 / 1 X AA + extension tube option would be excellent.
The problem with forward clickie is that switching modes is a bit awkward with it. When you have 2 switches, you can have the momentary on at the tail switch (that is advantage for some), and switching modes with electronic switch.
I am personally fine with reverse clickie or e-switch only.
I like that very much too, but if the 14500 compatibility stands in the way of a good AA boost driver I prefer a light without 14500 option.
I have many li-ion lights and love the possibilities and output. But I hate that I can never give one away without decent batteries, a charger and the full safety story on li-ions :tired: Last week I modded an AA zoomie with a dedomed XP-E2, and for a change I left the stock notsohigh-low-blinky AA boost driver in. And I was pretty happy about that, the performance had become way better with the dedomed R3 bin led, I gave it to a friend for his birthday (just like that, without a story at all).
David...for me...momentary "on". The drawback is how modes get changed without the e-switch. Essentially you half-press from "off" til you get desired mode then either switch "on" or use momentary. E-switch makes much easier and user-friendly. Without an e-switch...probably a pita for most but I am accustomed to it because all of my "work" lights are forward clicky..even my A6's that I use at work.
My ‘bug-out’ gear is AA powered or compatible so I could use something like this, and it would be a very good ‘gift light’ for non-flashaholics too. 14500 compatibility would be nice but not a deal-breaker. L-H or L-M-H would be all I need, L could be moonish but not too low. Priced right, I’d be up for a few or more.
AA is a world-wide standard, no matter where you go these are readily available, which can’t be said of many cell sizes we’re used to.
There were some very good EOS 1xAA drivers available for a while from Int-Outdoors, but that supply seems to have dried up. I’ve modded three of my old Fenix L1P carcasses into very useful 3-mode lights. Those drivers would tolerate 2xEneloops in good humour, but over-volted at the sight of 2 alkies - and went plumb haywire with 2 lithium primaries. I only have a couple of those drivers left; I wish I could source some more.
Of the current crop of 1xAA’s out there, the one I’m lusting after is the Lumintop ED15. Very impressive run times. It might make a good BLF candidate, with a neutral emitter of some sort.
I don’t like them, because it is too easy to run down a 14500 battery. Some expensive drivers try to keep track of what voltage type the cell is, but I can’t see that being reliable. I suppose it would avoid having to carry one more light sometimes, though.