1. Jetbeam Jet-u
advantage : good build quality, nice design, not overpriced. good value for the money.
disadvantage : no neutral white option
2. What I would like to see in 2017 AAA :
- good quality and not overpriced like Jet-u
- neutral white option
- tail or side switch would be nice as there are many twisty already
1. Lumintop Tool Copper. Available with Nichia LED. Clicky switch has great tactile feel. Disadvantages are no 10440 support and high MSRP (so make sure to buy when there’s a deal).
2. I’d love to see a version of the Lumintop Tool Titanium with clicky switch instead of the electronic switch. Also, 10440 support.
. Best 2016 AAA:
Ultratac K18
Pro:
Con
Electronic switch has half second delay to turn on.
After reading UPz’s review of the Ultratac K18, I have to say I’m really impressed!
K18 already has the features that I’d like to see from an AAA FL. So I’m changing my favorite AAA FL from LUMINTOP Tool to Ultratac K18.
What I’d like K18 to have in 2017 is magnet tailcap, which means that it could also… tailstand! 
Yes, very nice. :heart_eyes:
I am kind of ashamed, I am a total newbie here and don’t have any of these flashlights,
so I made a poll and maybe I can get one :sunglasses:
1. Lumitop Tool
1. BLF-348 (Nichia) because of High CRI
2. Illuminated tailcap
I kinda like the Thorfire PF04. Tail clicky and two modes.
Improvement would be a NW tint or a high cri nichia
1. Best or favorite aaa flashlight in 2016, with advantages and disadvantages.
By far my favorite flashlight this year, AAA or not, is the Lumintop IYP365. I received one in the past month from GearBest (thanks!). Here’s what I like:
high-CRI
great form factor (2*AAA is perfect for shirt pocket carry, and provides longer life)
three well-spaced modes
reliable metal clicky
ability to tailstand (if careful)
looks professional
no battery rattle
tight (but not too tight) clip
The one big thing I’d change about the light is the order of modes: M-L-H is annoying. L-M-H would be perfect.
2. What are the new features that you are looking forward to see for 2017 in a AAA flashlight?
I’d buy a new 2*AAA flashlight in a heartbeat if it had all the great qualities of the IYP365 plus any of the following:
L-M-H mode order
10440 support
well-designed integrated diffuser cap (with a place to store the cap when not in use)
unanodized metal body (smooth texture would be okay, very subtle grippy texture would be amazing)
mode memory
strobe (but I know many others wouldn’t want this)
And as a very small change, I’d like to have a notch on the body to positively prevent the clip from rotating.
My vote goes to Lumintop Tool. There are are multiple body materials and tints to select from, and even the choice of clicky or magnetic tails. The main advantage is freedom of choice.
In 2017 I would like to see more AAA lights with high CRI, moon mode and no visible PWM
1. what’s best or your favorite aaa flashlight in 2016, what’s the advantages and disadvantages about it
I carry the copper A01 on my keychain, so I guess it’s my favorite, primarily for the neutral tint and high CRI plus the copper is nice (heavy though). But the twisty makes it hard to use and the fact that it comes on in Low and if I am outside I generally want High means twisting it on-off-on-off-on to use.
2. what are the new features that you are looking forward to see for 2017 aaa flashlight
The twisty makes for a smaller light which works better on a keychain, but the BLF 348 is nice for its simplicity and high CRI. I’d prefer 4500K in the tint instead of 5000K which I don’t think is all that neutral. For a AAA light, some people want it to come on in Low, some on High, and some Medium, or with memory so it will come on in the mode they use the most. How about a new UI: A 1-mode light like the 348, but programmable. By default it comes on in Low and stays Low. But if you triple click, it goes to Medium. Triple click again and it goes to High. Always 1-mode, but easy to program to another mode if you want. Maybe triple click again and it goes to Low-Medium-High for those who can’t make up their minds. Not easy to get all that programming in a AAA size light (and needs to be able to be super bright on a 10440).
Thanks for the contest!
1. what’s best or your favorite aaa flashlight in 2016, what’s the advantages and disadvantages about it
Lumintop Tool Copper. Good unique design and compact.
2. what are the new features that you are looking forward to see for 2017 aaa flashlight
Reasonable price and more led options.
1. Lumintop Tool - Cheap, well made, bright for size. Unfortunately, it can’t tail stand.
2. I hope to see side switch light with high CRI NW LED, with clip andd ability to tail stand.
1. Lumintop Tool AAA-cheap but well made flashlight. I like that I have a choice between using clicky and twisty, and 3 nicely spaced modes.
2. No strobe on AAA lights. Different colors.
1. what’s best or your favorite aaa flashlight in 2016, what’s the advantages and disadvantages about it
2. what’s the new features that you are looking forward to see for 2017 aaa flashlight
1. Astrolux A01 nice high CRI light
2. Clicky instead of twisty!!!
1. so far this year I got
- Astrolux A01: great value for the price, good regulation at high level, easy to mod, goot tint and HICRI. But it starts with moonlight, that is a downside for me. Also not a big fan of twisty lights.
- Jetbeam Jet-u: as above, but with the added downside of a cool white tint.
- K18: available in aluminium and stailness, good output but I don’t like to have to keep pressed the switch to turn the light on. Also, good the support for 10440, but it over discharge the cells.
2. Deep carry pocket clip, warm emitter, full support for 10440 (including against over discharge) and integrated micro USB charging port (as for the cooyoo and mecarmy lights), and AAA. fully regulated.
1. what’s best or your favorite aaa flashlight in 2016, what’s the advantages and disadvantages about it
IYP365 has been my favorite. Nice size and bright enough. Button is too easy to press though.
2. what are the new features that you are looking forward to see for 2017 aaa flashlight
maybe more high quality 2 aaa lights