Looking for a budget 1xAAA flashlight. The ITP A3 R5 upgrade appears best at around US$20 unless anyone has any other recommendations. (The Ultrafire A2 R5 http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-a2-r5-stainless-steel-led-flashlight-1aaa-p-7292 seems interesting but the 1 mode kinda kills it, particularly since I suspect build quality and reliability won't be as good as the ITP and I don't fancy my ability to fix or mod something that small)
So any recommendations for the US$10 or US$5 price range (these aren't exact limits the ITP A3 R5 is after all more then US$20 but at US$15 territory the ITP A3 is starting to look attractive for not that much more)? Main demands since it's intended to be an EDC key chain light are minimum of 2 modes (a bright mode and one which can last say at least 8 hours). And also not too big (sorta obvious for an AAA but something like zooming would probably be unnecessary bulk). And perhaps most importantly whether it's a clicky switch or twist on, it should not generally come in in a pocket while stored with keys or whatever.
Some degree of durability and reliability is also a must. I'm not thinking so much drop the light from a 10 storey building and it but hopefully it can survive a few drops. By 'survive' I mean still works, I'm not that worried about the looks of any coating.
Yes I'm asking a lot but hey a decent button cell battery will do most of that except for the bright part (which makes the mode part unneeded) and be a lot cheaper so why not? :-P
I normally look a bit before asking, but was feeling a little lazy and was thinking there would be plenty of answers. After looking at https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/2480 which I opened before posting but neglect to read it seems the Tank 007 TK-703 is the clear cut winner at ~US10 if I'm willing to disregard the 2 mode requirement. (I actually noticed this recommended in another thread as well but semi disregarded it due to the lack of modes).
Anything nearly as good but with modes for ~US$10? And what about US$5?
I really dislike the itp ... It's not just the fact that the pwm on the q5 upgraded verion is terrible ..xpg they fixed it But it's dinky and feels bad in your hand .it's not knurled , it looks and feels like a girls light ,it's a twisty <<even that's not the problem ,,I hate very few lights and i have a lot of lights ,, this one is dollar for dollar one of the worst decisions ever made .do a martac before an itp. any tank I love .. older ssct2 sscu2 701 702 703 ... much nicer light ...The f23 stainless steel light for 11$ from t-mart is a great 3 mode light .
I bought the manafont ultrafire a2 r5 light as well and am waiting on delivery. I have no idea what you're talking abouty when it comes to dropping light and reliability .. sounds like CPF has figured out they are innept and unable to see a flashlight is really only 9 pieces ..if someone can't figure out why a flashlight isn't working they are probably looking down the barrel of the gun wondering why it doesn't fire too ..if they take 5 pieces out of the equation the problem gets even simpler it's not the tube the reflector the glass an o-ring or the lanyard ...:P
best way to test a flashlight has always been the time tested palm heel strike....or the bang thigh test .
I doubt you’ll find modes at $5, and you definitely won’t get a Cree emitter…
Trustfire F23 is a nice 3-mode clicky 1*AAA/10440 light (stainless steel, even) for $12.80 at DX http://www.dealextreme.com/p/24291
That said, I EDC an aluminum ITP A3 because it’s so much smaller and lighter than the F23.
The ITP A3 is my favorite light. I have some tough string tied into a loop and the loop goes through the ring girth hitch style and I wear it as a necklace tucked under my shirt so it doesn't show.
This isn't EDC for me but when it's dark or I"m camping/climbing/hiking this is the way I carry it and it's a backup light and it's always available. I forget I even have it on. It's bright (100 lumens), throws well for such a small light, and gets down to 1.5 lumens so it can last a long time on 1 AAA. I'd get rid of the key chain that comes with it though even if you decide to use it with your keys. I don't notice the PWM. Some don't like it because you can't tail stand it. I don't need to tail stand 1 AAA flashlights so it's not an issue for me.
I guess it all depends on what you're looking for and how you'll use it. I had an Ultrafire 1 AAA before this. It was heavier, less bright, not adjustable and still was $15.
I have here the ITP A3 XP-E Q5, Maratac XP-E AAA Q5, UF M5 XPG R5, Black Cat Osram, Brinyte PD03A XR-E and I had also the TK 703. I think the Mara and ITP have the most useful host, because I think an AAA needs a clip to not get lost. The Brinyte is the brightest on eneloops but has those darn strobes, but PWM frequencies are excellent. UF M5 was a big let down as I had high hopes for it. I agree with Boaz on PWM frequencies on multimode lights btw.
The 703 is excellent and bright but is missing modes and a clip, but it is cheap and way better than the black cat. A3 with XPG and high PWM can be found at http://hkequipment.net/ and someone reported that LT has upgraded theirs also.
“The 703 is excellent and bright but is missing modes and a clip, but it is cheap and way better than the black cat.” iagree the black cat is a tint lottery …i had 5 of them and some are good some are bad …the no clip on the black cat is an easy fix just buy a 7119 and stael the clip they are like 2$ on ebay …also the rcihloung ?? clip also fits …steal the clip and sell / gift the light .(fits the black cat too )
I have to admit i'm an odd customer for a AAA light since I like them a little bit bigger and almost detest the tiny lights ..because i edc a wallet that's attached to my keys ..so there isn't really any room for a light on my keys .i'm trying to carry and have carried a b3 n-light SS aaa light on my key chain for the last 3/4 months but i get no thrill out of it .it's a 2 mode and doesn't have enough pop it should start in high it should have a better clicky .. I usually just carry a light in the other pocket and a little bigger AAA or a small AA like the ezAA or the eastward 4 mode works much better for me ,, feels better in your hand too. Not to mention better output .
Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. While I haven't decided yet, so far it's looking like I'll probably go with the normal ITP A3 upgrade. Although whether to risk LT (cheaper) or go with GG I haven't decided. I generally prefer cheaper but if it's true the ITP has a 2 year warranty which will be honoured by GG that may tip the scale even if I can convince LT to guarantee a R5.
About the dropping part, I meant any light which has a tendency to break when dropped is not likely to be very useful. Particularly since I don't fancy my chances of soldering any circuitry that small. For that matter if the lens or LED comes off I don't fancy my chances of fixing it either. I know from experience I'm not very nimble or good at that sort of fine motor movement. (Even my bulk motor movement isn't great :-P)
I’ve been very happy with my f23, after Tmart replacing te first one being DOA. I’m sure it was an isolated incident. Great output for it’s size with any cell. I would recommend it to anyone.