Looking for a head lamp powered off a single AAA. I have a solar panel and various other AAA devices so favour lightweight, cheap, simple.
I’m aware of the upmarket ones, the Fenix HL10 and the more recent Manker and Acebeam.
I’ve also seen very positive reviews of the Gerber Bear Grylls model. It looks like a rebadged generic – maybe someone recognizes it?
Anything else out there?
Do you have links to the ones you know about, or at least their name, I googled the Fenix, but what are the others?
Likely Manker E02. I’ve got one and the inability to move between the “moonlight group” and “normal group” without turning the light of really spoils this light in my opinion.
Given OP has solar etc I assume this is for camping/off grid, I’d really reccomend a 14500 headlamp for this scenario, the capacity is far greater and charging single lithium cells is more straightforward than NiMh.
Assuming the solar panel has USB output, a lithium-ion cell can be charged with a TP4056 or similar charging module and a 14500 cradle or, if you can accept the higher risk of short circuit/damage of the module, magnets on the leads.
I’d just grab the USB-C 14500s with 920-1000mAh that are sold by various brands like Lumintop and Manker. They are decent.
Hello guys, thanks for the careful replies and sorry for my slightly sketchy post. I namechecked Fenix HL10; didn’t fully name Manker EO2 (gravelmonkey was right); didn’t name Acebeam HL16; really like the Gerber Bear Grills.
I appreciate the steer towards 14500 but will be sticking to AAA because of my other gear: Alpkit Bob (good cheap floating lantern powered by 4xAAA, dunno if it’s sold in the US); tiny Sony Walkman FM radio (1xAAA); generic single AAA backup flashlight. I’ll only need the one USB charger. (The main flashlight and the camp shortwave both charge straight off the panel, as will my cellphone.)
My fave of the four I mentioned is the Gerber, because it’s no-fuss, well-thought-out. But I’m annoyed that it costs nearly as much as the upmarket torches when comparable generics sell for $10–15. If any fellow bottom feeders recognize the generic model…
I have to recommend the Manker. You can get high quality light from a 519a 4000K, which for outdoors is far superior to whatever pos lowest bidder led will be in the Gerber.
I second that recommendation.
Thanks guys. I wasted most of an evening looking at “POS lowest bidder LEDs” (thx Phantom), and, yep, you were right. I shall be hanging on to the rest of my tried-and-tested AAA kit so am now in the market for a lightweight USB rechargeable head lamp.
Might start another thread.
PS Non-sequitur, but, while I have your attention… Does anyone make an AAA-specific USB smart charger? I mean AAA only, not AA or larger. (Obsessive weight saver.) Can’t Google this item for obvious reasons, but maybe someone out there knows.
Start with Wurkkos HD10 and HD12:
HD10: white light (personally, I prefer the warmer 4000k CCT); 14500 cell only
HD12: white and red light options. AA (1.5v) or 14500 cell compatibility.
Both have USB C charge ports. I don’t own either so cannot comment on which would be best I’m afraid, nor can I remember if the things actually follow USB C protocol and allow C - C cables to be used rather than many Chinese lights which must use USB A - C.
Alternatively, get a Manker H02 (of you can live with the slightly annoying user interface mentioned before) and pair with a 14500 with built in charging.
In your search on this forum you’ll find long arguments about pros and cons of built in charging (mostly reliability of how waterproof a rubber flap is).
Hi Gravelmonkey, great timing! I looked up the HD10 (not promoted over here) and found that Wurkkos are selling off old-stock lights. I ordered a black one with headband and shipping for about 15 bucks. That’s cheap for a long-lived rechargeable with good waterproofing. Chose the 4000k, like you said. Thanks for good advice.
Not aware of anything, that is AA/14500 only and multi-chemistry.
Manufacturers have been slow to embrace USB C, many chargers are still using micro USB.
If you want to use it with solar, you’ll want something that will tolerate clouds/shadows on the panel.
The Olight UC (discontinued) was a very compact charger capable of charging li-ion and Nimh but was reviewed prior to HKJ testing for solar compatibility, so I can’t say for certain whether it would work with a solar panel, even if you could get your hands on one.
The only charger HKJ reviewed before they stopped which might be suitable was the Yonli Q1 Which didn’t get a very good review, but perhaps if you can tolerate babysitting the cells, then this is acceptable. Note also the review is quite old so it’s not guaranteed the chargers you buy now are identical to the one tested.
Yup, I had to check the specs on the website and maybe accidently ordered one too.
These come with a cell included. If you want spares I’d reccomend sourcing from a reputable site (not Alix or Amazon).
Try this thread for reccomend places to buy cells.
The Nitecore NU20 classic had a re-release due to public demand. Super lightweight. I have one of the older micro USB ones, with a proper strap and not the reflective shock cord things, it’s been really good.
They’re on Aliexpress around the $25 mark.
You can check this out
Xtar have those kind you looking for.
Cheers 
Adding to this thread because Lumintop have recently released the L3 headlamp.
*Orange or grey anodising options
*AAA NiMh /10440 compatible
*Warm White LED 3000K (unknown type)
*Twisty, 4 modes (really 3 modes plus turbo).
Against my better judgement I’ve ordered one, will likely modify the strap, the large silicone holder looks unnecessary imo.
I’d still recommend AA/14500 format for regular use over AAA/10440.
Thanks for taking one for the team. Looks nice until I see the twisty interface, which is maybe terrible for a headlamp. Let us know please.
I felt obliged given I’ve previously voiced my desire for compact twisty headlamp. 
What I really want is something like a modern day Zebralight H50 but with H501 style LED, and in AA format, with a low bulk headband. Use case as a emergency backup headlamp or in a first aid kit, or just reading in evenings, generally low output requirements so the compact form factor isn’t too much a thermal limitation.
In these stationary use cases, I wouldn’t anticipate needing to change modes too often.
Will likely make a much simpler/lightweight headband for it.
Got a shipping notification this morning, It’ll be some weeks before I get my hands on it as I’m traveling but I’ll put some thoughts on this forum when I get it.
