My friend is a mechanic and a while back I got hima 1aaa Romisen Q5 light with a clicky switch and he loved it.
But I cannot find it again and it has bit the dust as he is hard on his light and he uses it a lot.
I bought him an Akoray k-102 off DX and it is junk, the switch is terrible, So I gave him my Thrunite Ti which he says is reliable but he hates the twist switch!!!
Ive narrowed it down to a Romisen Rc-B3 or a Saik Rc-A3 off DX ( I might just pick myself up a F6 Q5 while im there too)
only problem is the Romisen is using a P4 and Saik, well don’t know if it is rugged enough?
Failing that im going to get him a Fenix E11 and be done with it, but where is the cheapest place for one, and any other cheap rugged compact suggestions?
Before I got the bug, I used a 3aaa zoomy, it served me well for a year as a transport fridge engineer, I eventually gave it to s lad in a bodyshop as I was onto a c8 by then.
It was a cheap little thing, but proved extremely robust in use with a rotary zoom.
How about the new balder td-0? Although I think that’s also a twisty.
Or given that he’s a mechanic and likely has to use a meter etc, introduce him to the wonderful world of lithiums. With the prices of fasttech’s convoy edc lights, choice of tints, price on decent cells and chargers and 5% discount code blf its a good time to get into it and gives him more options.
I now keep a c8 xm-l with 3 mode 2.8a nanjg in a niteize headstrap, a jm07 clone for flood work, my edc (rotates, but all are 18650) and as of this week my blf a8 has been earning its keep in its belt holster (love that light).
I only know of one 1AAA from Romisen.... the RC-B3 it still can be bought on DX.
Since you seem open to 1AA lights I would like to recommend the Hugsby P31 (3 mode) as I like it better than the A3.
I you don't mind the additional size the Romisen RC-G2 and Romisen RC-29 are still still strong contenders if you need a durable, reliable 1 mode light powered by standard 1AA cells.
The 29 is especially good if you work under a car, as it tailstands and has a perfectly even beam in flood mode.
If I would search 2 lights for a mechanic that don't break the bank I would probably go for the P31 + RC29 as those 2 cover pretty much all garage needs as one is reflector based and the other one has a collimator lens (flood to zoom).
I purchased a bunch of these for presents for myself and a friend to give for Christmas. Citipower probably the best bang for the budget dollar. Have a nice labeled 4.2 v drop-in, and very bright. Good flood and very durable, and can pocket and has a built in pocket/belt hanger. Can bid and get these from 10 to 13 dollars. Then buy a charger battery combo:
Of course, you can spend more money for higher quality, but for a light that might get stolen, lost, run-over, otherwise destroyed, this is the right combo for the dollar…
Another route could be to go for a small handsfree headlamp/angle-light like the H2B, this is what I'm using when working on my motorcycles... I often have no hand left to actually hold a light. It is pretty dim though on high, but it's all flood.... pretty effective on close ranges and bad general lighting.
Thanks for all the advice so far ive a few to look at, I should have clarified he edc’s the light hence the smaller light, and he uses it while the car is on the ramp for a quick look for diagnostics instead of trying to get the work light off the bench or one of the other lads he has it in his pocket
Xeno EO3? It’s not the cheapest but it’ll take both lion’s and alkaline if he wants that choice, not that large either (Though definitely bigger than a Ti). E11 looks to be about $26-$27 on amazon, fenix might make more sense since you know he’ll be bashing on it.
I do wonder about the aversion to larger lights, one would think that anything smaller than a 2D mag would be considered great if it was still holdable; I’d personally go with a P60 sized host for car work (Since throw is pretty pointless, C8’s are OK but I’d rather have a lighter head if I’m holding it say in my mouth while working w/both hands.).
Hello Vickers214
I have a Tank 007 model tk-703 tail clicky switch AAA batteries. also available is the TK-706 2X AAA version the arrival of which I eagerly await. I tend to prefer AA or cr123 depending on circumstances. I have the trustfire R5-A3. although I like the beam I greatly dislike the switch. I find it difficult to depress with my large fingers. The trustfire S-A2 is much easier to useas far as the switch, but the knearling has little if any gripping effect to it, making it for appearance only. I still like it much more than the R5-A3. I like the tank 007 TK-703 and eagerly await the 706 2X AAA to see what that is like. All were purchased at DX.com at DX.com.
I use a penlight or headlamp at work. The Fenix E21 is a good light if he doesn’t mind the size and weight. It is not a slim and lightweight 2AA but it is built strong. It has the forward clicky which I am sure he would prefer over a reverse.
I share his dislike for twisty lights. They are next to worthless to me. So too are blinky modes or any light with more than two modes for work. They just get in the way.
I carry a Pelican 1920 penlight and an Ultrafire H3 18650 headlamp at work. I use the penlight when just checking things quickly or when I need throw. I use the headlamp when I need my hands free and require up close flood.
My set up has been working great for me. There is no substitute for a headlamp when working with your hands.
I can definitely recommend the Uniquefire G10. The one modes is especially high quality. The construction is very good, completely waterproof, very bright, and can run amazingly bright on 14500. Only the one mode though can run 14500.
As for gifting this light, keep in mind when gifting Chinese lights I always completely take apart and rebuild the lights making sure to clean, tighten, lube, loc-tite and even resolder parts that need it in order to guarantee 100% reliable running for the giftee. I’ve never had a gifted light fail anyone I gave it too.
