favorite light under $15

what's your favorite light under $15, and why?

i'd like to buy several inexpensive AA lights as gifts for friends and family, and maybe a couple that perform well on 14500

any suggestions?

I recieved this Romisen RC-29 from DX a week ago. I absolutely LOVE it. And with a 14500, it is quite potent as well. The flood-throw ability makes it so functional. Its tiny and pocketable, and it feels of great Romisen quality.

Its 10 cents above your limit but I figured it was definitely worth mentioning :) It has quickly become one of my favorite lights in the collection!!

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/romisen-rc-29-cree-q5-wc-3-mode-180-lumen-convex-lens-led-flashlight-with-strap-1-aa-1-14500-50679

thanks for the suggestion, i wonder how it compares to the sipik sk68

I've got a couple, but the Sipik Sk68 remains my favourite. Solid, good build quality, reliable circuit, good pocket clip, seriously amazing throw on a 14500.

The Skyray S-A1

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/skyray-s-a1-cree-xpe-q3-5-mode-160-lumen-memory-led-flashlight-1-aa-1-14500-33544

thanks for sharing

why is it your favorite, Oldienea?

UniqueFIre AA-S1 with 14500. 9,72 USD

I agree completely. The Osram Golden Dragon, with its perfectly broad even warm tinted beam, has less of a hotspot and brighter spill than a XP-G. This has been discussed several times and is easily the best bang for the buck among 1 x AA lights. It isnt the most efficient LED/driver combo, but it sure puts out the photons. Used with rechargeables, who cares? Its certainly worthy of any collection and still does well on NiMH cells and can be used with alkaline. Its also a nice looking host.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/uniquefire-aa-s1-3w-osram-160-lumen-led-flashlight-1-aa-1-14500-24220

Tank007 E07, reliable construction, small size, decent output. 14.05 at DX

+1

Lives on my belt, and comes out regularly for searching in the shed or spotting for varmints in the fruit blocks.

I wholehartely agree with both gentlemen. The AA S1 has a nice tint, lots of light, small, clip for edc, works

fine with different types of battery, and its cheap.

Hugsby P31/P32 family for around 14$ , solid quality, bright output on AAs, clip!, tailstand, reliable (bought about 8 of them), perfect gift for non-flashaholics. P32 seems to be sold out at KD.

I'd agree with just about every recommendation here.

My personal favourite would probably be the Tank007 E07 but it's a close call with several others. It is small - there are smaller AA lights but not by much - and has adequate runtime for a pocket light.

The Uniquefire AA-S1 is a great deal and a nice light. Screaming bright on a 14500. I personally don't worry about runtimes on an EDC light - the above two both pull 2+ amps from an NiMH so you aren't going to get an hour out of either of them.

So are the P31/32 Hugsbys which are probably the most nicely made in this list. While it doesn't have a reversible clip, it has a reversible body - the threads are the same at both ends.

+1

this is my currant favorite light Review: Tank007 TK-566 it will run on 1 or 2 AA or a 14500

or you can do what i have and order a extra extension tube a extra $2.80 and get full light output and longer run time on 3 NIMH rechargeables

I like the AA-S1, but it is only 1 mode. I don't have the others mentioned here. But I really like the AAA Trustfire XP-E F23 in stainless steel. Makes a nice gift because it is pretty. The mode memory works well and it is impressively bright for a small light.

Hmm AA , BLF AA-Y4E = Impressive performance [ but a large light , and not under $15 ] , also Trustfire F20 . and the Tank 007 TK-566 though the beam is a little tight and ringy .

A really outstandingly good AA ? I dont think I own one yet . The F20 comes the closest for me .

Sipik sk68 for me at this moment.

It blows out about 240 lumens on a 14500.

+1 for SKYRAY S-A1.. Why: small, good memory mode, very bright on 14500, ok on ni-mh (pulls 2A), Was sub 10$,... Plan to swap q3 for an XM-L - should get at least 400 lumens on 14500. Not bad for AA sized light...