Interested in a multi-AA side-by-side light? **EDIT: Change vote if needed**

You can see the archived poll results on the Wayback Machine:

https://web.archive.org/web/20221220093741/https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/72546

I'm asking because Ric from CNQG is interested in obtaining this design (after bugging him enough) but is still curious about consumer interest. This is a serious poll to hopefully kick start more of this design.

Just like I pushed the DRY group buy because of I want the side-by-side to get more popular, I would like to generate interest in the AA/14500 format. I think 2xAA (and hopefully even 2x14500 capable) would be perfect because it adds more run time yet is still compact. Also, it's important to get this going with the budget brands since what we mostly have is Olight, Jetbeam and Fenix. I talked with Martin from Balder about this a while back and maybe they've actually been researching this. Maybe these manufacturers just need a nudge from their loyal wholesale customers. What do you think?

EDIT: I reworded the question because it appears 14500 support is out of reach. However, the goal in creating more multi-AA lights still stands. Please change your vote if your interest is dependent on lithium-ion support.

Watcha got ?

+1

I understand it's totally conceptual at this point but as a rough guideline, what were you thinking in terms of the style? I assume this is dual cells and if so, is just the head side-by-side w/the batteries in seires (a la Klarus XT20 / FoxFury HammerHead) or are both side by side (a la Skil Hunt DT-20 Night Owl). How about modes, etc?

If single cell, that'd be interesting but not sure how practical in terms of runtime, output, etc on AA.

I don't grasp the subtle difference in between option one and option two ....waaay to vague to say i don't care about either price or quality ....

My opinion is if it's a 2AA side by side it has to be under 30$ or it runs into major competition.

& If the quality isn't there it won't sell at any price

The side-by-side is a very pocket-friendly format. I would be very interested.

The SPYs notwithstanding, the only one of which I'm aware is the plastic Underwater Kinetics light. The machining costs of such a design would be considerably more than the classic single tube currently dominating the market.

Witness the Fenix LD40 and JetBeam PA40 -> the side-by-side portion of the light is also molded, rather than machined.

@jacktheclipper and turbo, I don't have any specific designs of my own. I'm merely investigating the interest in the general concept of 2xAA in side-by-side format.

@Boaz, I wanted to be more specific but I also wanted the options to be simple so as not to deter voters. We all want top quality with a good price but one always seems to outweigh the other when making the purchasing decision. One of these aspects must always be compromised for the other to gain. Therefore, I asked which is more important so we don't end up with a ho-hum light at a ho-hum price. Personally, I'm thinking something along the lines of Solarforce - Above average quality at a fair price.

I think what you are talking about it a light the length of a single AA, but wide enough so that it holds 2 AA's.

I like that. It would give me an ST20 in power and runtime in a package the size of an ST10. Or a Caveman that is almost half as long as it usually is...

I think the concept is strong, and attractive.

Maybe if its XM-L but then for the size it will probably get too hot with any decent output.

So 2x14500 to any other LED is a waste unless its just for run time, then if you want runtime why not get a 18650? Cos you want to use AA? Then it wont be as powerful as it could be.

It would have to be either AA or 14500 (not both) unless you dont care about output but there would be things like the tomtop sipik if thats the case.. and for a lot cheaper.

While I do like the idea, it just doesn't sound very practical.

I'm sure everyone is going to say yes they would like it but really I doubt many (if any) would really buy it.

I would like a 2AA design like a 2xXeno cube or Zebralight Q50/2 ... essentially 2 1AA (XP-G) lights in 1 body, exchangeable standard TIRs from carclo optics with 2 switches. Dream beam to go if you will ..... change the TIRs and via mix and match. Aluminium and no knurling... and under $60 would be nice.

Id be all over such light, 2xAA or 4xAA, yet the price should be taken into consideration as well!

UltraFire C88 would be nice to have, but its sold out, so something as powerfull with good throw yet more sleek would be awesome, keep it under 40$ and make it real quality :)

Well, there's already a flashlight with two AA side-by-side design on the market. Unfortunatelly, ridiculously expensive:

http://www.lupine.de/web/en/products/flashlights/piko/mini/

If Ric is going after this design, it could be very interesting. But so far, almost all his offerings suffered from some issues and these were very simple lights. I doubt he will make it right...

I'd prefer 4xAA or 6xAA (or perhaps 3xAA or 8xAA). 2xAA seems not really worth it compared to lengthwise from my POV. The fatness means it no longer really has the small size advantage of 1xAA even if it isn't so long (although I'm sure not everyone agrees).

But 3xAA is starting to get a little long, so side by side (well in a star sorta shape) is probably better. And 4xAA is ridiculously long and thin but 4xAA with 2 side by side and double length AA seems a better shape (and also not something I've ever seen with budget lights). 4xAA in a cube fashion may be okay also. 6xAA is a little larger but not that bad (again in a star like shape with 3xAA and double AA length) and in some ways is better then 4xAA with double AA length (radially symmetrical). 8xAA in a cube shape with double AA length also doesn't seem to bad.

Well I guess basically anything over 2xAA sounds a good idea to me :-P

Two xeno cubes side by side would work for me ..Can I have two reflectors and different emitters too? maybe a few 5 mm's just for fun .. side clicky micro switch like a zebra ...i'd pay 30$ for that ...I might just buy two :)

Yep pretty much like that but with 2 completely independent inner tubes... 2 TIR, 2 emitter , 2 tubes , 2 switches... will drive down production costs considerably since you can take existing parts from the CQG warehouse. Even a decently driven 2*14500 while remaining OK output on 2*AA could be achieved that way. It wouldn't even matter which cells to use... 1AA and a 14500? ... no problem.... 2aa or 2x14500 with different charge status? .... no problem. With 2 different TIRs like 1 flood and 1 thrower and several modes you could trim your beam pattern .... low spill and high throw or medium spill and low throw.

if and only if it were 14500 compatible.

Wow, thats one really impressive light!

Only thing it lacks is couple more of low-low modes, say one super low and one EDC AAA flashlight low?

30-10-0.xLm?

I didn't think it all the way through, but it MUST accept 2x14500 since it would be run in series. Is there any easy way to complete the circuit without running a dummy cell? Regardless, I think a lot of flashlight enthusiasts are interested in 2x14500 so maybe it's worth exploring.

This thread is specifically about the 2xAA format and size. The point is to have a light that is still compact yet doubles the normal capacity of such a light, all while utilizing the most popular sized battery. The other enticing factor is the 2x14500 support.

Finding a driver that accepts 0.9v (EDIT: oops! 1.8v rather) to 8.4v and has decent output and efficiency is impossible AFAIK. It would have to be one or the other unless you have a mechanical way to be able to switch it from parallel to series, but that would be dangerous because people would forget to switch and then poof.

I like the idea of a side by side, but I think the machining necessary for it would make it not feasible from a price standpoint. (I'm assuming a metal body)

That's why this is an exploratory poll/thread

Feedback is good. Thanks, mitro.

So 0.9V to 4.2V is easy enough but 1.8V to 8.4V is almost impossible? Not being a smartass. I'm seriously asking.