EDC 3A flashlight help

[drj211]

I would like to start EDCing a 3A single cell flashlight. I would prefer disposable batteries over rechargeable, and a side or tail clicky is a must. I’ve read the flashlight posts in this area and have some idea of what I like. Here’s a few of what I’m looking at:

Lumintop Tool or Ant
Ultratac K18
Fenix LD02
Thorfire PF01

Most of these lights have similar performance and are of similar size. Just wondering your experience with these or other suggestions you have. Thanks.

 

[Wowbagger]

One that will fit your request is this little Coast
Link to non-supporting vendor removed, read the site rules.

The case is made from solid stainless steel and you could park your car wheel on it and it would keep shining and work after ward.
The button is in the end and recessed. Not easy for it to come on accidentally and the button is metal so no rubber to crack and wear out like some / most of the other Coast lights that are similar.
I carry it in my work shirt pocket EVERY DAY and use it most days for more than two years now.

some things to know about it :
It has an "inspection" beam meaning tight circle that is very evan and not so bright it glares back and blinds you when looking at machines close up (a few feet away).
The battery lasts well
there is no option in brightness it is on or off or you can get momentary on by pressing the button less than a full click; you have to get the pad of your finger in there to do this or to turn it on but it isn't a problem.
I had two issues when I got it . . . 1. it was hard to get the battery out. Once I got it out I debured the very end of the threads on the body and it is perfection now. No problems.
2. It can seem dim once in a while like the battery suddenly ran down significantly. Bump it on something and it comes right up. This almost never happens; like twice a year of weekly if not daily use.
it is slick and with callused fingers it can slip though your grip. Interestingly this only happens to me at home. At work with greasy dirty hands (I'm a mechanic) it JUST NEVER HAPPENS. The pocket clip is rubber coated which totally keeps it in place on the light and in your pocket and helps a little with gripping it with your fingers.
can reverse the clip for hat brim use but it is a heavyish light. Good solid body.


And you probably don't care but this has done well for me (two cells) for general small lighting needs. Link Removed

I swear I use it the most on the near dimmest setting, is all I need and the batteries last for ever that way. I love how I can turn it on from dim and hold the button and it gets brighter rather than have it come blazing on at the highest setting, and then have to cycle through some strobe nonsense just to get to the low setting that I want like some other lights I have.
Down side is the button under the flexible side of the light gets sick in high heat above 90°F; the button glue can let it slide off center. Still works though.
Up side is super, super light weight so when clipped to your glasses or hat brim it is as if it were weightless.
reverse the cover that snaps on that has the clip on it and the button is covered and IT CAN NOT COME ON IN YOUR POCKET PERIOD. There is a lot of thought that went into these. They are like a hidden jewel that just keeps getting more brilliant (in design) the more you study and use it. I have bought like eight of them some in other bulb colors. Orange brings out surface detail for reading embossed letters on black surfaces (something I have to do a lot) and I like the blue light rather than red for preserving night vision and finding my way around the house if I get up in the night; easier to get back to sleep after . . . yes I have used these a whole lot for many years. It is actually hard to find a better overall design . . . I mean I would love to find a hundred dollar titanium wonder that can do what this little sucker can do (ignoring the weight) but I have not yet . . . I continue to look. I like Ti and fancy gadgets. This little chunk of nothing plastic is better function wise.

 

[mabrowns]

I own a lumintop tool love the light but it tends to turn itself on if I wear jeans.The titanium model has a recessed button and probably won't do that.

 

[drj211]

Thanks for the help guys. I just saw that Streamlight has a Protac in triple A with a tail switch. I’m going to give it a look too.

 

[hhmoore]

AAA light with a tail switch?
Lumintop Tool.
Mine is the copper version, and modified - so I can't comment on the brightness of the stock light.

 

[A-MAC]

I can highly recommend the Streamlight Microstream. It’s a single AAA light with one mode, 45 lumens on an alkaline battery. It has a pocket clip that can be use lens down when clipped in your pocket but can also be clipped to the brim of a hat with no clip change because of the way it’s bent. Additionally it has a rear forward click switch which allows for momentary on with a light press or constant on with a full click. All for around $18.

The Streamlight Stylus Pro has all the features so the Microstream but gives you two modes 70 lumens and 5 lumens. It takes 2x AAA but runtimes are better. Again, for around $18.

 

[drj211]

I decided to buy a couple of the Lumintop Tools. I was able to grab a pair for $34 on the bay. Thanks for the info and suggestions.