Hey, I think I better get a good AA light.
So far my top bet is Thrunite T10 since the mode spacing is great and it’s on sale with a free Ti (which I also don’t have).
Is there any other must have AA light?
For a AA light I wouldn’t call $30 budget but I guess its what your idea of budget is but I do know there is lots that cost more.
This is good RC-G2 or this RC-G2 is close but not quite as good.
I have bought 2 of the RC-G2’s from SB and 3 from DX, I also bought a T10 for my girlfriend in May and recently just bought one for myself with that free Ti deal, the SB and DX RC-G2’s are both a lot brighter than the T10 but they are only single mode.
It depends what you are looking for really and if you want 14500 compatibility or not, you will find the ones that are AA only are brighter on AA than the ones that offer AA and 14500 compatibility.
And if you are a AA guy you cant go past a PA40, even though you are talking about single AA flashlights.
There is also the Nitecore EA1 that I would love to get my hands on but cant bring myself to buy it at this price.
The R5-A3 is still my favorite AA light, although it’s not really that highly powered.
http://dx.com/p/trustfire-r5-a3-cree-xp-e-r5-3-mode-230-lumen-memory-led-flashlight-1-aa-1-14500-39062?item=1
The Trustfire Z8 is a really nice little pocket-rocket Zoomie for a great price. It’s only 14500 compatible (says DX.com, I haven’t checked mine). It’s been found to be well over 400lumen OTF in the recent performance thread by JohnnyMac. Fit and finish is crazy good IMO.
http://dx.com/p/trustfire-z8-cree-xm-l-t6-350lm-3-mode-white-zoom-flashlight-black-silver-1-x-14500-149165?item=3
You asked, here it is. 20 bucks, forward clicky, 3 modes including moonlight Low, and NO BLINKIES.
This looks good and offer $ 19.99 Lighten7
I would buy it, but I had on the way Bronte RA20, Thrunite Ti and Nitecore sens. :cry:
Good suggestions…I’m also fond of the PA40.
I was thinking single AA. If you go for multiple AA, you have to get a Caveman from Shiningbeam, it is a great light.
bump
I still need answers!
Fenix LD12 I had one and loved it. Showed it to a friend and they fell in love with it so I let it go. :)
Ultrafire C3 Can be supplied with extension also.
Uniquefire AA S1 Very bright on 14500. Nice tint, large smooth beam. See Mr Admins review.
The best low budget light, and frankly only one I’d really recommend is the Tank566 1-mode (not 3-mode) with extension. It’s the only one I know of that draws <1A on “high” (only 0.5A in fact, but 2A in 1AA config for same brightness, and strangely 2A in 2AA for the 3mode).
AA alkaline efficiency goes to hell >1A draw, and the typical budget light is ~2A, which bleeds through a cell in maybe 15min whereas they’ll last couple hours at least in that specific Tank config.
The best AA light ~$30 or so is the Xenos E03 with Xp-g. My personal favorite is the SWM R20A D&M, http://www.sunwayman.com/html/products/201111/65.html. Two good modes, no disco, light NW tint (2B or so), but the stock switch is kinda crummy feel, 1A draw so acceptable for alkalines.
Quark X AA is versatile light (with many emitter options, 2 different UI's and stellar efficiency). I will never give Thrunite a fair chance, i simply dislike their name ("through the night?" wtf). If your light has to be very very compact and light-weight and you dont plan to use 14500 as standard cell, then D25A is an attractive choice (i could help you find a low price on this model).
okay, lemme check your T10..
EDIT: checked it. no reviews on the inet. misses looks. has no clip, no clicky. old LED. my Tank E09 is brighter on Hi-mode. price is 29.99. why you're interested in it??
Hey. Don’t waste your time with an AA powered light. But that is my opinion based on experience. You do what you want.
Hi sky top, that doesnt look helpful at all!
Without an explanation it was better not replying.
You can still explain the reason, so it might be useful.
Without, it’s kinda useless for the OP
Chib: I posted an abstract of my thoughts. Here is the full version.
AA batteries are small. In other words, they have very limited volume and therefore limited electrical storage capacity.
I have yet to meet anyone who does not want a bright powerful flashlight. As such, bright and powerful is not mutually compatible with the diminutive AA battery. Brigh and powerful require adequate power supply which AA batteries are incapable of delivering. No matter what any advertising or website promises or shouts to the contrary, there is NO FREE LUNCH.
So do yourself a favor. Deep six any idea of AA battery size unless you want to seriously compromise performance and life by trading brightness for small size. It is not just my opinion, it is physics, it is indisputable.
Because Match and PCC seem to really like it. And it also gets ~360 lumens on a 14500. Plus I don’t have a Thrunite Ti and that seems like a must have.
Admitedlly, AAs are a bad alternative in the flashlight community, but the point of creating AA lights is for a couple a reasons:
1) Commnality. When the power runs out, how are you going to charge your 18650s? What if they go bad (somehow)? You can buy AAs anywhere, anytime.
2) No-nonsense. Non-flashiholics love AA cause they’re not dangerous in any way.
14500 and 14505 are good alternatives and E1320’s AA is making me REALLY excited.
for an AA light i would go with (both mentioned above):
Balder SE-1 for a throwy beam (XP-E version)
Xeno E03 for a floody beam (XM-L version)
In both these lights you can choose emitter and tint.
(I have a warm Xeno and a neutral Balder)
Edit: E1320’s AA would be a good choice too.
I would call a SK68 bright and it has decent run time. Or do you mean XM-L brightness?
I recently purchased some “premium” Chinese AA powered flashlights to use as birthday gifts. I got AA lights so there would be no need for specialized battery and charger. I tried one out and whereas it produces light, there is nothing that really impresses. They are just convenient lights and not much more. They offer so much less light than an XM-L that it does not bear discussion. So that is my message to offer my advice to others to save them some wasted time.
As for using an 18650 battery, a charger with the ability to run on 12V. D.C. can always be charged in the vehicle during a trip or power outage. Actually, it is a plus. I have one such charger just in case it is needed. Not expensive at all. Also IMO, the 18650 battery really offers the best of all worlds. Enormous power output, serious capacity for long life, reasonably sized, reliable, doesn’t leak, and can be had with protection against over charging. Great!