What would you recommend for a multi-mode, AA, zoomie, today? I only need 200-100lm high (or med), and an about 10lm low mode (for 24+hour run-time). Strongly desire a hat clip and able to tail-stand, though I can mod those on myself for an otherwise ideal candidate. Prefer low profile to fit next to wallet for EDC.
I’m still EDC’ing Ultrafire SK68’s as I haven’t found anything better yet. With an extension tube in some cases and added clips. Carrying a second low power light often. Would like to combine the two, and looking forward to improved efficiency.
Non-zoom models just don’t do it for me, yet that seems to be all I can find in AA units other than SK68 clones and older models… It’s great to be able to light the ground looking for my cat, without a ton of spill into the neighbor’s windows. If I have to carry both a thrower and a flood anyhow, no point in upgrading.
Or are there 4 / 5-mode driver boards and maybe also LED upgrades available for SK68s that I should use to mod one of mine, instead, if there really isn’t much available on the market?
Ledlenser P5 and its variants is only which has a reasonably quality zoom feature.
I have old P5 1 mode version only AA with 4-5 hours battery life. It is qulity made but I must say that for me Convoy T2, T3,T6, Sofirn SP10, Wurkkos TS12-15, Maeerxy EC11 are better AA/14500 flashlights.
I consider myself fortunate to have never dealt with an sk68 or a zumi.
Looking at the dimensions, there are other alternatives that are smaller.
Convoy S2+
Wurkkos Fc11c
Wurkkos HD15
These can all use a short tube.
The HD15 might be a fraction larger head wise but it gets you a spot and a flood LED.
The hat requirement does complicate things a little bit.
Maybe we need to define throw as you are using it with ancient technology.
The couple of 2 AA zoomies I have would give you most of your wants except for the 10 lumen output on low. One is a lumagear or something similar and the other is a litesall. I use them to check on the outside cat food situation but wouldn’t want them on a ball cap.
The Convoy T3 would give you the light output your looking for but without the zoom.
Thanks for the tip. Looks like a pretty good fit, except a touch pricey and just not available in US. I’ll keep an eye out, maybe one will show up?
I’m definitely willing to entertain 2AA options, if they’ve got the features. But the LumaGear LG8225AA just sounds like an SK68 with an extension tube… same Cree XP-E and all. LitezAll 280 sounds similar as well for the little info I’ve found.
I pulled the trigger on a 2pk of EverBrite 150 Lumen (E000078A) on sale for $11 right now, usually $17: Amazon.com
They’re not quite what I was looking for, but a upgrade over my old SK68s anyhow.
Specs claim 150LM (3hrs) on high and 50LM (12hrs) on low. My own quick power measurements on a 2000mAH Eneloop AA are close: High 0.38A (est 5hrs) - Low 0.14A (est 14hrs) - Strobe 0.17A (est 11hrs).
When fully zoomed, hotspot is about 4x larger area than an SK68.
They should have let the lens move just 1/8th of an inch further out to get about a 50% improvement. Quick mod with an O-ring behind the lens gets us part-way there.
Will take some time to see how much of a problem the larger hotspot is in practice.
Not ideal for use as a hat clip… Have to slide the clip on the knurling, which doesn’t prevent it wobbling around a bit, but good enough. Clip isn’t nearly as strong as an SK68 either.
Can tail-stand on the rubber switch cover, but not very securely. I’ll see what I can do about that.
I’m still open to suggestions for a better option.
I still have a number of the $2 zoomies . I confess to even now still liking a good zoomie and have hated the sk68 that everyone was so fond of with a passion . . Too many sharp edges and it is just ugly . The 2$ zoomie had bad 3 mode hi low sos . But because they were do cheap it was easy to mod without fear . Cutting down the sliding tube brought the lens closer to the led and it has one of the widest flood out there now . I de-domed a bunch and usually just got uglier tighter beams . Then I popped in one of my favorite emitters . The Xpg-2 4A tint is incredible and way too nice for the light . On a 14500 they are actually a very nice lightweight beater .
Are you speaking of the little gold and or silver zooms that were so cheap?
If so, yeah remember that mod to grind down the head and get incredible flood.
Still have a bunch of them, bought them by the dozen at one point, gave them away like candy.
XPG-2 4A was killer emitter, my favorite Cree of all time. Early ones could take a good amount of current and live.
Not available any longer I believe, but I have a couple Sofirn F1 AA zoomies that I purchased awhile back to keep handy in some of the rooms around the house. The cost was worth it, considering the 14500 and 519a that came with it.
I bought some of the generic zoomies and think I paid $1 each. I have them out as Christmas presents that year and the people that got them wondered what they were and then thought they were really cool, maybe even cool enough to keep using today years later. The one I bought for me disappeared under mysterious circumstances years ago but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was still functional.
