Best LED Flashlight That Uses AA bateries?

F

farmboy

Joined
Aug 31, 1999
Messages
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I have the Infinity Task, and love the fact that it will suck thae last drop from a AA battery, but something brighter, with an eye canted to the ease of carry would be great.

I love the look and feel of the Inova's, but the CR123 batteries leave me a little cold.

Any ideas?
 
How big, how bright? Pocketable? Runtime? Price?

There are lights from 1AA up to 6AA. I was just trying to think of what AA lights I know that are more than 6 cells and only one I could think of is the PT Surge which is of course incan. I wonder if PT will ever make a luxeon version. Hmm..

Mark
 
Well, as I mentioned, ease of carry is a high priority. I see 2 AA as the biggest I would like to carry on a regular basis.
 
The Streamlight Stinger Jr with 1 watt Luxeon LED is decent, about an inch longer than the AA Maglight. I haven't tested the run time, and the provided sheath is lousy, but it is worth looking into.
 
The Streamlight Jr. Luxeon is one of my most used flashlights. It's bright, the beam shape isn't bad, and mine has a very white tint. It uses 2 AA batteries. The runtime seems to be great (relative to the amount of light that it puts out), though I haven't tested mine.

It's a bit long, but still very carryable, IMO. Plus, the extra length makes it comfortable and easy to use.
 
The very best single cell AA flashlight is made by TNC Custom Products. It is a luxeon LED and is set to run at 200ma for the older run and 350ma for the latest run. Extremely compact and the best design for a light this size that I have seen. They go for about 100 bucks but are worth every penny IMO. The quality of these lights is unbelievable, right up there with Surefire. And did I mention....BRIGHT! :) He had a small run that was sold out last I looked but has several hundred more in progress so if you check back frequently you should be able to get one.

http://tnccustomproducts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TnC&Category_Code=FA
 
Peter Atwood said:
.....He had a small run....
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Does he actually MAKE these flashlights?

(the prices are pretty impressive :eek: - but so are the comparisons to the Surefire! :cool: )

You wouldn't have a size comparision photo, would you? Say, his smallest light vs. a Surefire Elite E1e? ;) )
 
I've got keychain lights, but there is something to be said for a light you can get a battery for anywhere, and if it'll run on a battery that will no longer work in your remote control, all the better. .
 
Pocketlights.com has the Inova X1 for $16 right now. Not a bad deal. Runs 10 hours, supposedly, on a single AA. Not a heck of a lot smaller than the X5, really. Has a VERY tight spot beam, though. Read the review on torchreviews.com and you'll see a beam shot a full review. May not be the best flashlight depending on what you are doing with it. I have an Arc LSL-P I'll sell ya if you're interested! ;)
 
TPU said:
Why do you carry such a large flashlight? I like the Photons.
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Because when I want light, I generally want alot of light. The same thing can be said about knives. Why carry such a large knife? A swiss army classic on the keychain should be all you need...

Yes, small lights are handy. As are small knives (I DO carry a Classic on my keychain as well as my EDC knife). But it doesn't take much effort to carry MORE/BIGGER and I normally find myself quite glad I did.

Mark
 
Minjin said:
....Because when I want light, I generally want alot of light.....
Click to expand...

Me three! :) I'm starting to think that my Surefire M6 isn't quite giving me all the output I'd _like_! :cool:
 
PWork said:
There is always the Inova X-1.
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I'm a big fan of these. One AA battery, a very tightly focused beam, 4" long x .75" diameter. Bit lanyard hole. Looks like a mini X5T. Turn the tailcap for full on or press it for momentary.
 
Holger, I believe this guy makes them himself on his own equipment. He obviously has his ducks in a row as far as precision and high quality parts go. Here's a size comparison pic:

lights.jpg


Shown are the Arc AAA, TNC N Cell, TNC AA, Inova X5 and SF E2E. I would say that the TNC AA is whiter and brighter than the X5. It has much better throw and beautiful beam mostly due to the reflector. It also has a replaceable mineral glass lens. It has been my favorite light for a couple of months now and I have pretty much stopped buying lights except to get the new 350ma version and his 3 watt light.
 
my choice is the Streamlight Luxeon Jr. SL Jr. fits in your shirt pocket like a penlight, but is far far brighter, with good throw and good spill. An amazing light and around $30. Runs about 2 hours on 2 AA batteries. I use NiMH rechargables.
 
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