Hi all, I’m looking at getting some lights for my grandparents for christmas as they are going on a rather large trip of australia which will involve lots of camping. Therefore as a lighting enthusiast I couldn’t let them go without lights and as uni student I’m much to poor to simply give them as gifts, thus the christmas mention. Anyhow I was thinking that these lights would need to be a conventional battery type, such as AA’s or AAA’s c’s, d’s etc. for functionality and simplicity. Single modes or very simple mode systems would be preferred and my intended budget would be $30, I’m open to any suggestions and exceptions can be made if the product is simply so good that it outweighs the issues behind the restrictions I have laid down. Tell me if I left anything out 
I would suggest the Balder SE-1. It is a great light with 3 modes and runs off of 1 AA.
This would suit you pretty good then!
Simple, sturdy and alledgedly reliable (have no Romisen-lights myself though)
BLF-members have 5% discount and Brian at Shiningbeam is a really good guy too deal with.
+1 on the Balder SE-1 though if you can live with a 3-mode light, really nice floody beam from the xm-l version.
For more throw go for the xp-g version.
If they are going to use alkaline batteries, 1xAA probably is not the best choice. 1xAA lights usually draw about 2A on high and that can damage alkaline cells leading to leakage.
I have had the opposite experience. Most of the time it is multi-cell lights that leak for me. However if you do want a 2*AA light you could get a LD20 and loc-tite the head on. Then it would be 2 mode, Hi-Strobe.
Or a thrunite TI doesn't get much simpler.
http://www.solarforceflashlight-sales.com/product_detail.php?id=412&s=44&t=LF
Right on your budget. I personally don’t have it but it looks pretty good. Uses 2* AAs.
The UI on the Balder-SE1 is actually quite easy, and you can find 1xAA - 2xAA extension tubes for them. If you have a bit more money have a look at JETBeams BA10 or BA20, IMO the best UI on a light I’ve seen. One Thrunite Ti and one BA10 for them to share?
I love jetbeam lights, but alas my bank account keeps us apart! I very much like the look of the balder se-1, my only concern was runtime, does the battery tube(plus second battery of course) give it much more juice? And that being said, would it give it much more light because obviously more battery power? I’m also loving the looks of that solar force with the pocket eating bezel, but would such as drop in deplete batteries in almost no time? I own a romisen light and for a budget light it is of a quite high quality, nice threads, clean solders, thick aluminium body etc. so the romisen is also a potential purchase. Unfortunately the thrunite ti wouldn’t be powerful enough, but i’m willing to be proven wrong in regards to light power
The only concern with lithium primaries are that in Australia they are difficult to get on the road if for example one were to lose the spare set, and where they can be bought they are highly expensive(around $10 per cr123a cell). This is why I’m trying to avoid the superior form of battery power. The problem with sharing is that like most people, you just buy them identical items so that neither gets jealous, also this way if my grandpa loses his(he is a scatter brain sometimes) they will still have an equally powerful light to be used in it’s place. Growing up is optional 
An LD20 is $75 in Australia 
Please tell me it can be found cheaper elsewhere else even though it’s a great suggestion I will have to eliminate it from a potential purchase 
3D MagLite $37 in Bunnings. Batteries should last a long time.
Ok, I’ve come up with a few candidates:
solarforce xml AA @ $28.50 <—- there are high-medium-low modes, so if they want longer runtimes tell them to not use the brightest setting (although for some it’s hard not to use the brightest, aka me)
trustfire R5A3 @ $14.90 <—- I have this, and it is very reliable, completely waterproof (when lubed) and the runtimes are pretty good considering it uses 1 AA. You can upgrade to a 14500 if a 100% increase in brightness is needed though.
Fenix LD20 @ $59.95 <—- pretty much cheapest I could find. If imperceptibly good build quality is not desired then this is probably too expensive.
Jetbeam BA20 @ $38.99 <—- Looks to be a cheaper version of the LD20. Seems to have same specs.
Lighten7 A2A @ $29.99 <—- I don’t see the difference between the LD20 and this, apart from waterproofness…
Lighten7 A1A @ $19.99 <—- Pretty much the single AA version of the A2A
Crelant V21A @ $39.80 <—- runs on high for 106 minutes, plus in my opinion this is one of the sexiest lights of the ones I posted.
Romisen RC-N3 @ 17.99 <—- Something cheap and good for people who aren’t flashaholics.
Or you can just get them some cheap lights like this and this.
I can try find more if you want, but I think here’s a good variety to choose from.
The Uniquefire AA-S1 - small, reliable, floody bright and ten bucks, hard to beat.
http://dx.com/p/uniquefire-aa-s1-3w-osram-160-lumen-led-flashlight-1-aa-1-14500-24220
I have both the BA20 and the LD20. The LD20 (OR L2D which is cheaper) has amazing build quality and is indestructible. This is the light I reach for when I need a reliable light. The BA20 is nice and has much simpler modes. (Tighten for High, loosen for low) this is a advantage and a disadvantage. If you have questions about either of them feel free to ask.
If they are camping they will have a vehicle so they can charge lithiums? Get them a 12v charger and you will have a lot more budget light options.
I’m liking that giant olight 6 emitter powerhouse for $5.50 
The solarforce XML light and the balder se-1 with extention tube are looking best right now, both good quality reliable units at el cheapo prices. My only problem with lithium cells and chargers are that do you think some older people like my grandparents would be able to work them out? As in without lighting a car on fire? This is my main reason to look for conventional cells, nice and simple. I guess protected cells and say an xtar sp2 would be an option, but i was hoping for more simplicity. The maglite is a good suggestion and was going to be my fall back if all else was shit simply because for the price they dont output a whole lot of light, i thought that maybe there were better options at better prices.
Just had a look in Bunnings today Jimmy, they have 2 mode AA MiniMags for $25 and a 3XAA Arlec Watchman for $18, I have one of those and it really isn’t bad, quite a thrower. 3 Watt CREE LED. Not XML, probably brighter than the Mags but not nearly as nice looking.
I think the Mags put out enough light with good runtimes for camping, and should be familiar enough to most people, plus build quality and spare parts. Sure there are hundreds of much brighter lights around, but I doubt many check all the boxes.
I remember seeing the arlec watchman actually, i will be taking a trip to bunnings in the near future to see exactly what they have now because i know that in recent times their stock of lights has gotten better with proper LED’s not those dodgy 5mm * 100 LED lights, showerhead style ones. I remember hearing good things about the minimag pro+ so i will check it out.
Autobarn has some reasonable Xtream 3 Watt single LED torches too, they have a decent 3C one which is pretty good but almost the cost of the Mag 3D. Nice slim heavy light though. The TomCat 3AAA ones are disappointing. Supercheap has a reasonable range but they are way overpriced.