Hey guys,
What budget AA flashlights would you recommend for $20 or less?
i was looking at the Solarforce Z2, but have decided to skip it based on the negative thread.
EDIT: More details
The reality is, the choice is endless. 
Do you have any specific wants or needs? As in; size, operation, user interface, colour, tint, beam profile (floody or throwy or both).
Will you want to use 14500’s with it? And how important is max output?
I don’t have a Solarforce Z2, but I do have the Z1. And it’s one of my favourite compact torches. The beam is lovely and the UI nice. It tail stands, the colour and finish is great.
In fact the only thing I don’t like is no Li-ion support and comparatively low run times. And the PWM on lower modes. But I much prefer it over my more expensive Olights and Balder offerings.
I’m not really a big single AA torch lover tbh. But another one I have and really like is this:
http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10000890/1075603-pop-lite-t22-cree-xr-e-q5-100lm-3-mode-zoom-white-
Some might say it is expensive for it’s spec on paper and it probably is.
But it’s a very nice light, it’s basically a Led Lenser, but cheaper.
+ points:
really nice finish and machine work and feels quality
flood to throw means despite it’s lowish output it out performs lights with higher specs and newer emitters
round beam when zoomed
slim in the pocket and just feels nicer than an SK68
pwm is high frequency and better than most budget lights with pwm
brilliant runtime
- points:
not the best tint
still uses pwm
Convoy S series, 2100 or 2800mA driver, T6-4C tint
For AA use?
Oh…well…daggumit, helps if I pay attention
Hmm… I’m trying to get at least an XP-G2, is that too much to ask for in this range?
Preferably something small - 9-10cm max - that can fit into a pocket.
No strobes (or at least hidden).
Starts with high mode or memory.
Anything come to mind?
i Think AA won’t be sufficient to power a XP-G or XM-L very long, you’s better look at 18650 or if size really matters, to 14500 (aa size)
like this
http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10002364/1840101-convoy-s2-1-cree-xm-l2-t6-3b-996-lumen-2-group-3
or this (XP-E, but that can be changed easily)
http://www.fasttech.com/products/1699/10009202/1815003-u-520-1-cree-xp-e-q5-250-lumen-3-mode-pure-white
Do you want a clicky?
If not, then the are things like this:
http://www.thrunite.com/thrunite-saber-2014/
Don’t really care about the operation so long as the other requirements are met!
That Saber looks interesting. Abit above what I was looking to spend, but still.
I am EDCing my solarstorm sc01 lately. it works well with both AA and 14500.
It has two non hidden modes: a user adjustable variable mode (with memory), and high
it has also two hidden modes: lowlow mode, long pressing the button when off, and strobe double clicking when on.
the downsides i find:
i´d loved to have a moonlight mode; lowlow mode is low, but would love it lower.
the sequence is adj-hi-off-adj-hi-off… would love to have long press to off.
I have the earlier variant which was done as BLF group buy.
It’s very compact, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a AAA light.
Memory is good, as are the mode levels.
Tint is very cool white. Not blue at at all, but ice white.
The only thing I don’t like on mine is the threads are noisy and have some slop in them.
@totilde: solarstorm sc01 looks good, thanks.
@Chicken: Saber’s price is pretty tempting for a new AA/CR123A flashlight from Thrunite. Do you know how long it is (roughly) in CR123A & AA mode? Couldn’t find that info on their site. It just says: “Size:84 mmX20 mm.”
Sorry don’t know the sizes. But pretty compact would be my guess.
Re: the SC01, I have the 18650 version the SC02. It’s an ok light, but there are some major issue with it IMO.
Firstly the + points.
I thought the fit and finish was quite good for a light of this price.
Output not bad
Good throw for it’s size and emitter type
Tail stands brilliantly
- points
One of the worst UI’s ever.
First click turns on to a user set ramping mode. Ramping is slow and ungainly.
Second click High
Third click off.
This means if you want high, you must click twice. But the switch is not nice to click quickly.
If you want your custom level, then to turn it off you must click twice and go past High.
I found this infuriating.
The hidden low (click and hold from off) is nice and usable. But because it is usable, why would I then want a normal click to take me to a custom preset one and not high. I found I never wanting the custom output, I either want low or high.
When in low low, the only option is off if you want to change modes.
PWM is awful on it. One of the worst lights I have for it on the low low and ramping custom mode.
Not convinced by side clickies as EDC’s. My SC02 would very easily turn on in my pocket, either having it loose in my jeans pocker, or using the clip. I tried rotating the clip so the switch was at 90 degrees to it, it helped, but would still activate from time to time.
Also my SC02, the switch boot has fallen off. Which renders the light useless at the moment.
brass cool edc /cheap and sexy ...starts in low like all small edc's should :)
$ 11:54
You'll need a protected 14500 for best results but they are very bright
or
$ 19.83
Works well with NiMh AA.
BLF coupon code for 5% discount too.
I have both and they are both very good, the X-Power Spirit is very small for a AA light.
L3 Illumunication L10?
- XP-G2
EDIT: IS also carries them, cheaper:
And you can use the BLF code (BLF or BLFUSER, I forget)
doesn’t quite fit all of your requirements but quality and size are nice.
Ultrafire U20 XPG R5(but not XP-G2 tho) 10.4cm long, 2cm diameter
but the UI is slightly different from most flashlights;
from off position you loosen the head then click it on you will get to low mode
from on you loosen the head you jump into strobe
fully tighten head you get max brightness
this is where i brought
Thanks so much for all the info guys. Lots of choices now. That’s why i love this site, so many helpful people always 
I forgot to mention that it won’t be getting used on 14500, so brightness on that is irrelevant.
Woah, based on what you said, it really sounds like a terrible UI. You really have to click TWICE to turn it off from the custom mode? geez.
That’s why I personally stick to abit more expensive ones for my flashlights, you end up suffering because of the UI and runtime. Really liked my D25A, and olight S15/S20 are great atm.
Anyway, I need to buy a few of these as gifts, and can’t afford to spend $40-50 each, hence budget.
As i’m in Australia, the L10 is ending up being too expensive after shipping.
The x-power spirit linked by xv-750 looks good, will go with that or saber.