I am after a single AA light which will be run on Energizer Lithium Primaries. I will be giving it to my dad to use while he is rebuilding his current car restoration project. It is a clean environment and he just needs it for looking at things behind the dash etc. He has been using one of those “Super Bright 9-LED torches” which I think is rated at about 9 lumens!!! So his expectations aren’t very high!
Currently the leader is an Armytek Partner A1. I like its simple 2-mode (M-H) UI with a tailcap clicky and it has good runtime, brightness and beam thanks to its TIR optics. The other alternative I was looking at was an Olight S15, purely because having the magnetic tailcap could come in handy if needing both hands free.
So out of those two which would be your pick? I am open to suggestions as well but I am only looking at higher quality lights around the $40-$50 mark so I won’t be looking at ultrafire, trustfire, Sipik etc.
Just to be sure you think of it, you dont want too bright IMO for that type of thing. All you get is glare off alloy and shiny paint. Especially in a clean build. You also want high cri to discern wiring colours. I have an Energizer 9 led 2xAA I keep in the car for that exact purpose. Its always been perfect for the task. No glare, it couldnt even if it wanted to lol, and nice even floody light right where I need it, within arms reach. I havent used that in a wiring situation yet so cant comment on its cri. Spanners will glare back ruining his dark vision etc… especially if his are polished.
Whatever you get, you want the low modes not to have noticeable PWM, as thats where he will likely use it most of the time.
Magnetic tail is handy Id say… Im leaning that way for that reason alone, and I like Olight. But keep in mind the brightness issues, he doesnt need to beam 50-100mts, under the dash. All he will get is glare even with floody optics. My DQG26650 Triple (optics) is useless unless in low or med for close work on bright metals and painted surfaces. Great for looking around the shed at night though.
Just my opinion, Ive found out the hard way bright is next to useless under the dash, bonnet etc.
He might prefer a traditional style flashlight with a side button?
The magnetic tail & tailstanding ability is definitely very handy around and under cars etc.
Also i believe there are extensions tubes available for the s15.
That would be my choice.
I honestly think magnets are a bit gimicky . Sounds like a good little headlamp might be more appropriate .....and one of the places I actually advocate spending some real money on a light . ..I think there are actually pretty good cheaper options and 50+ seems a bit excessive . A xeno e03 with a nichia or a Eagletac D25A clicky and a neutral or a nichia would work too .
Jetbeam, Klarus .sunwayman ..?? IDK if I was looking for reasons to spend extra money I'd buy something a bit different than just a plain light ..Sunwayman d20A maybe
Great all around light that you can feed any AA or 14500. Its a flexible platform. The 1/4 mount on the rear is slick. You can do alot with that and some creative thinking.
I’d get him a headlamp, he’d be thrilled to work with both hands and be able to light the area. Get a floody one, it’s the best for up-close work. I still work with an older Zebralight H501W, it’s a brilliant tool.
I would go for a headlamp. He needs one hand for the Crown Lager.
Any of the above headtorch suggestions will work.
Your dad needs needs his hands for his restoration work.
I would recommend a Zebralight for the task. You can also show him how to adjust the UI while he shows you how to adjust the air and fuel mixture form the carby.
Cheers for the suggestions guys. Unfortunately headlamps are out, I did mention it to him and he wasn’t interested in the slightest. I will take a look at some of the others mentioned and see what will work the best.
Haha lucky for me I have completed my fair share of car rebuilds.
