Checking Simon’s Aliexpress store, I remark that the only offering available in AAA format is that little keyring lamp :
I’m thinking that a small, single cell T1, with a reverse clicky button instead of a rotating head, might be interesting. Essentially it’d be a much downsized T2/T3.
As an additional perk, an accessory tube would be available to turn the single cell T1 into a dual cell T1 bis penlight.
Thanks to such a feature, and also a much better choice of emitters, it could provide good competition to Lumintop’s Tool AAA.
I have the SS light seen in the OP. Sometimes put it in my dress shirt when I’m going out. Or any other (shiny) AAA light. Just to be able to get out when the lights go out. Others would use a smartphone. No need for Simon to bust his chops trying to do better.
Nice emitter options, first and foremost. I had to make a Frankentool with a Thrunite Ti3 head and the Tool AAA body.
Also I’d like the flexibility of turning it into a penlight thanks to an extension tube, which the Tool AAA doesn’t provide.
I fully agree. I already think that the T3 and T4 should have been made slimmer than the T2. So for an AAA flashlight, slimness will be even more important.
Yep, I even ordered one… which I never received due to the idiotic and incompetent postal workers in my country . Now I’m looking forward to Rey reopening orders.
Personally I don’t use a mobile phone, buteven for people who use mobile phones a small dedicated flashlight can be (1) more ergonomic and (2) safer to use : thieves don’t care about flashlights, but they always look for a mobile phone to steal.
But I understand how this could be a niche market amongst your existing customer base.
Ah I’ve been spoilt by my 219b Tool AAA Cu. Perhaps the better option would be convincing lumintop to do a special edition run with 219b or 519a?
The tool could do with a better pocket clip, also.
Not sure there’s enough demand to justify an extension tube, 2xAAA doesn’t seem that popular a format.
Good luck with your reylight reorder! The Ti version is popular but I do really like my (cheaper) Aluminium version. I’m tempted by the 2xAAA version when it comes out, unfortunately the heads aren’t compatible due to LVP.
If the 2*AAA flashlight is mounted on the key chain, it will look very long… Will it be inconvenient for carrying?
Or are you used to carrying this flashlight in your bag?
Simon, does your company is able to built a small 1xAAA twist light with reflector and firefly mode like the old Thrunite Ti3v2?
(WTB one used if someone sell it in EU)
Apologies for the necro-reply but usually a 2xAAA light is carried in a pocket, like a shirt pocket next to a pen. That is why the thickness is important, and a 2xAA light wouldn’t usually work.
Also, is there interest in bringing this topic back?
Many of the high-quality enthusiast 1xAAA lights have been discontinued, like the Sofirn C01S and Lumintop Tool AAA, so there is a gap in the market.
The only similar model currently available would be the aluminum Reylight Pineapple MIni, but those are much more expensive ($35), as the Emisar KC1 is single-mode.
If I were Simon I would have to take into consideration that:
this really is a niche market
people often relate price to size, so it would have to be cheaper than an AA light
manufacturing of such a light would take at least as much effort and cost as an AA light (minus a tiny bit of material)
components would be harder to source, or custom made, due to it being a tiny niche market, so more expensive
Other manufacturers must have had the same feelings, so why step into a market that’s almost non-existent (eg. dried up)?
The only viable option would be a guaranteed sales, by means of the old Kickstarter workaround like FourSevens does.
How about making appropriate modifications to the battery tube based on the T5 flashlight.
The head of this flashlight may look a little too big for an AAA flashlight
T5 head diameter 21mm,
That’s too large. Smaller AAA is preferable. The typical head diameter in my AAA collection is between 12.05mm - 17mm. A larger head on an AA T5 would be very interesting though.
These might work in a larger AAA light. Same sized lens is used by Lumintop in their EDC15 (18mm thick 14500 light), but mit might be possible to squeeze them into a 17mm head.
Alternatively, a small 14500 twisty light with the looks of the T3/T5 but thinner (18mm like EDC15) would be fun, too.
EDC15 next to a 18350 S2+, I am not the biggest fan about the shape of the light, but the size is awesome for a 14500, and those Yajiamei TIRs are awesome for their small size.
Interesting, I do not know of any AAA mule. I am personally not really a fan of mules, but I know a lot of people in the community like them. You might have struck a niche that nobody made before.
I like the looks, but the 21mm head is a bit wide for a AAA for my taste.
If the light is a mule, then there is no advantage in making the head wider than the body, but maybe the problem is that the driver is too big. With a smaller driver and no reflector/optic, perhaps the head of the light can be made very narrow, perhaps as narrow as the battery tube.
. Now I’m looking forward to Rey reopening orders.
