Which AA / AAA Light ?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Hi all,

I am posting in a follow-up to my previous thread (https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/18733).

I now think I have a better idea of what I want. I definitely want to try a 18650 (or maybe a CR123) light later but as I need a light pretty quickly, I am going to go for one powered by either 2x AA or 3-4x AAA. I plan to use Lithium primaries in it (like Energizer) but it would be good if it could use rechargeables for the future.

My key requirements are:

- 160-220 lumens output
- a wider beam that will light up more area is preferable to a narrow, focussed beam
- a few modes to play with would be good but not essential
- decent run time
- not longer than 6 inches
- Budget of approx. £50 (approx. $70)

I prefer a neutral light and still not quite sure of the difference between the XM-L and XP-G emitters.

Ones I have narrowed it down to are:

- LED Lenser T7 ( ?? / 4x AAA / 200 lumens / 3 modes / £40)
- Fenix LD 22 (XP-G2 R5 (or S2) / 2x AA / 215 Lumens / 5 modes / £50)
- Eagletac D25A2 (XM-L U2 / 2xAA / 209 Lumen / 5 modes / £40)
- Klarus P2A (XP-G R5 / 2x AA / 245 Lumens / 2 modes / £40)
- Nitecore MT2A (XP-G R5 / 2x AA / 280 Lumens / 4 modes / £37)
- Nitecore EA2 (XP-G R5 / 2x AA / 280 Lumens / 5 modes / £47)

Please help me choose

2

I should have also said that the light will mainly be stored in the car (so fitting in a glovebox, hence max 6 inch size, would be good) and used as an every day torch for rural night walking or checking out the back yard (which is about 200 feet long)

3

Why not Quark AA²?

4

This one http://www.ebay.com/itm/XENO-E06-LED-flashlight-210-lumens-XM-L-T6-Neutral-White-takes-2AA-batteries-/160611233511

5

What I have really come to like is the sunwayman v10 & v11. The v10 is cheaper but gives same output. Buy the AA adapter and you now have a light that runs all AA size and cr123/16340. Just a thought……fasttech has great price on them.
Regular AA /14500 size EO3 is great and the balder is a nice one for little money.

6

http://www.fasttech.com/products/1699/10000890/1075603-pop-lite-t22-cree-xr-e-q5-100lm-3-mode-zoom-white-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=0NAvwJpLNKM Pop Lite T22 CREE video

http://www.fasttech.com/products/1699/10000892/1075600-ultrafire-112c-cree-q3-wc-130-lumen-convex-lens-le

7

Wolf359=Trekkie?

8

yeah sci-fi nut first class

9

My recomendation

http://dx.com/p/klarus-p2a-cree-xp-g-r5-20-240lm-2-mode-white-flashlight-black-2-x-aa-199026?r=43033281 (the lowest price I have seen)

Reviewed here Review: Klarus P2A - compared to JetBeam BA20

10

Crelant V21A maybe? http://www.crelant.com/led-flashlights/v-series/new-v21a-flahslight-2aa-450-lumens-207.html

Don’t have this particular model, but I really like my V11A and V31A. Nice form. Good build. Simple modes and interface with fwd clicky.

Crelant used to have neutral tints in XML, but looks like they are not out yet for the new XML2 models. Can probably find an older one around if you really want neutral. Honestly, the difference between XML and XML2 is not that great.

XML is all flood. Big hot spot, some spill. XPG is more throwy relatively speaking, but not a pencil beam by any means. Tighter more defined hot spot than XML. Good useable spill. I am a really big fan of XPG and XPG2.

Both XML and XPG are available in a variety of similar tints. They just have different beams. Google image search some beamshots to see what I mean.

11

I would try to avoid the V21A. I have reviewed it here Review: Crelant V21A .... Premium U3 version

12

I did consider this but the latest version, the QPA2 is outside mu budget at £60 :(

13

Thanks. I did read it and commented on that thread. Appreciate you making a review for us, but I honestly disagree on your overall opinion of the light - at least, based off the ones I have. Hope crelant is not going downhill.

14

Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately I need to get one of these within 10 days and therefore cannot trust overseas delivery to get here in time. I did look through them to see if I could get them in the UK.

I cannot find the Xeno from a UK seller

The Sunwayman v10 and v11 are £60-£70 so outside my budget

Again, for this purchase, I need to order from a UK seller

Any thoughts on the ones I listed in my OP which are all available in the UK

15

Hi Spy! I don’t have any suggestions but can recommend Flashaholics or Heinnie Haynes (both UK-based stores). Heinnies are really fast at posting too.

16

Thanks Chloe. I have been browsing the Flashaholics store. Looks really good. I wasn't aware Heinnie were UK. I will look at them too.....once I know what I am buying ;)

17

So does the XML, being a larger sensor, have a wider beam compared to the XP-G ?

On my list, they are nearly all XP-G apart from the Eagletac. Is the Eagletac model good from a quality perspective ?

Also, I noticed that the LD22 comes in XP-G R5 and S2 - what is the difference between the two ?

18

Yes. XML is bigger floody type beam. Will not throw or reach as far as XPG (at similar power).

Eagletac is a very good brand.

Both XML and XPG can get the job done. Some people generalize XML is good for indoors and closer quarters, XPG better for larger area outdoor where you might need some throw. Maybe you should watch some video reviews on youtube. That would help give an idea the difference between the two more than pictures.

19

i would recommend http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/ i have bought from them several times, there service was excellent as where there responses to my email quires.

Heinnie Haynes is where i buy alot of my blades from there service and communications where excellent as well.

20

Fenix LD22 is one of the best lights IMHO because of the two switches.