Flash Light recommendation

D

DrivebyTrucker

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Nov 8, 2005
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Well I thought I started a thread similar to this a long time ago but maybe not. To start I currently EDC a Rayovac 3 Watt 2 AA powered LED. It's heavy machined aluminum and turns on by twisting the bottom tight. Or leave it loose and push and hold the bottom rubber button. It has a clip and lanyard.

Having carried it for a while I began to make judgments on it's pros and cons and want to share this to help with a recommendation

Cons
It's heavy. Maybe I don't need solid aluminum. Or maybe it has to do with the shape. It's bulky. It's not a perfect cylinder shape. It has a thicker head that is cut so as to prevent it from rolling downhill if I drop it. The checkered grip is fine but I may prefer a smoother shape all the way around to cut on bulk.

It cannot stand alone on it's tail. Truly I don't know how a feature that is but not long ago while camping I had to use the bathroom at night and it was unlit. So sitting on the John I had to fasten the lanyard to the window latch to keep the small room lit. It would have been nice to stand the light on it's tail but I improvised just fine.

Pros
I like 2 AA cell power, AA is easy to get and carry. It stays light and small and It's easy for me to store extra batteries on my person. I like the new Lithium AA Batteries.

So I would like to stay with a 2 AA powered single LED Flashlight and would like to see single AA powered recommendations as well. Being small and light is important. As is durability, adjustability, and of course a lanyard and clip. Not really concerned on cost as I don't expect even the best flashlights in this size to be very expensive. I just want the best for my money. Fenix, Surefire, whatever. So what do you guys recommend? And is one AA powered to small? Also please post links along with the recommendation and list where I might buy this flashlight/flashlights. Thanks
 
googling "best AA site:http://www.candlepowerforums.com/" seemed to come up with a lot of hits.

I prefer cr123 lights, myself, so I only have some older lights and moded lights (Surefire E2E with a battery extender and old KL1 head) that use AA batteries.
 
Check out the Fenix L2D Q5 with 2 AA, which I got and has become my standard carry light every night when I go out. And look at the L1D Q5 also, the same light with 1 AA, slightly less light at the top end and slightly less run time, of course.

I almost picked up the L1D but it is barely long enough to reach past the side sof my hand and with gloves, that's not good enough. The L2D is longer than I thought I'd like, but it is so slim and lightweight that I am very comfortable with it.

Both give you low, medium, high, and SOS settings in general mode, and very high (120 or 180 lumens) and strobe in turbo mode. I almost always just leave it on turbo.

I don't know when these magic batteries are going to run out. :)

http://www.brightguy.com/manufacturer/fenix.php
 
I noticed some flashlights can use a variety of batteries. That could be a cool feature. As long as it's small. Never thought about use with gloves. I'll consider that. Thanks for the links I'll check there out. And 1AA size is looking good so long as I'm not compromising on features.
 
With the L1D you really aren't compromising. And I forgot to mention, but both stand on end very nicely. :)
 
I don't think I like the Bright guy website. I noticed they on another thread someone reviewed a Fenix Nightcore D10, which is 1 AA powered. It looks even better then the best one offered at Bringguy. At least the search function is useful. www.4sevens.com seems to offer a good deal of Fenix Lights. I remember seeing some other sights before that had good variety and prices. I may check out a flash flight forum, register and ask there or but not really looking to get to involved with searching for a light. That is how it starts with knives for many on this forum:p Just need to buy one and move on.
 
There are two single AA lights I suggest looking at -

NiteCore D10

and

Fenix L1D-Q5

D10sz.jpg


NiteCore D10 Comparison Review

Fenix L1D-CE Comparison Review
this is the plain CE (Cree Edition) but the functionality is the same as the Q5 version. The Q5 version was compared in the NiteCore D10 review.

I still like the Fenix lights a lot - as the head from the L1D is the same as the L2D and even P2D - getting spare bodies for the L2D and P2D - gives one the ability to use the same head for a 2x AA and 1x CR123 light, respectively.

Hope this helps

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Esav Benyamin said:
Check out the Fenix L2D Q5 with 2 AA, which I got and has become my standard carry light every night when I go out. And look at the L1D Q5 also, the same light with 1 AA, slightly less light at the top end and slightly less run time, of course.
Click to expand...

Esav,

I almost bought a Fenix, but went with a Jetbeam II instead. I find the ability to have a flood light AND a powerful spot is useful beyond measure.

How useful do you find your Fenix? I know a lot of people love them, but I can't warm up to the idea of just having a spot of light to follow around.

I need a reason to buy a Fenix, so any glowing report you have would be welcome.

Thanks.
 
DrivebyTrucker said:
So what do you guys recommend? And is one AA powered to small? Also please post links along with the recommendation and list where I might buy this flashlight/flashlights. Thanks
Click to expand...
For 99% of your tasks, 1xAA light will provide plenty of power for illumination. One thing you should consider, however, is that all high-power lights will not be friendly with alkaline AA batteries... and should rather be fed preferably with low-self-discharge NiMH rechargeables (read: Sanyo Eneloop) or L91 Energizer Lithiums.

I would recommend a Fenix L1D Q5... or L1T v2.0 if you prefer a simpler user interface.

If you need something beefier, that can be used under working conditions, the 2xAA Fenix TK20 should fit the bill.
 
Fenix L2D Q5 with 2 AAexcellent light

can use the 1 AA body sold seperately

and it can stand alone on its tail end
 
gnius said:
For 99% of your tasks, 1xAA light will provide plenty of power for illumination. One thing you should consider, however, is that all high-power lights will not be friendly with alkaline AA batteries... and should rather be fed preferably with low-self-discharge NiMH rechargeables (read: Sanyo Eneloop) or L91 Energizer Lithiums.

I would recommend a Fenix L1D Q5... or L1T v2.0 if you prefer a simpler user interface.

If you need something beefier, that can be used under working conditions, the 2xAA Fenix TK20 should fit the bill.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I agree one AA is enough for me. 2 AA would be fine if it's light and thin. Being small and easy to carry in a pocket without pulling my pants down is important. The ones listed are OK and seem to be the best single AA powered lights by Fenix. But they only have 2 modes of output. The NiteCore lines seems better but not sure how large they are in comparison. Hmm nothing posted has knocked my socks off yet. Not looking for a bargain, just looking for the best.
 
I posted in the other thread, too, but I'm digging the D10 and the EX10 lately. The only complaint I have is that they don't have a flat spot somewhere to keep them from rolling. The thing that really sold me on them is the small size and the ability to pick exactly how much output I want. I MUCH prefer it over the usual low/medium/high-type adjustment.
 
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