Mini flashlights?

CSG

CSG

Joined
Dec 15, 2007
Messages
1,435
I've got a small variety of little flashlights in my packs but am always wondering if I can do better. I've got a couple little Mag-Lite Solitaires, a few Country Comm LED $1 pocket lights, one tiny generator flashlight. They all work fine but I wonder if they are really the best I can use.

For me, these little flashlights aren't there for anything more than emergency use as I'm mostly a day hiker.

I like the idea of single AAA or possibly AA lights that have a long runtime on low. The Fenix LD01 Q5 is pretty cool but at $45 a shot, sorta spendy (I'd want to buy a total of 4 lights, all the same - one for each kit from belt pouch to day pack.

What are your suggestions?
 
IMHO Fenix, hands down. May be pricey but when you consider 5 modes L,M,H, Strobe & SOS, you can't beat'em.

I have them in every pack, waist pouch, glove box, etc.

When you see the lumens they get out of a single AAA "when needed" you'll be stunned. They are incredible.
 
The Inova X1, river rock sold by target and the Gerber infinity are all great little lights and less than half what a LD01 costs. Store them away with a lithium AA and you would be good to go. Chris
 
Fenix E01 LED. $15 at fenix-store. Feeds on one AAA, runs 8-11 at full brightness before dropping off to still usable light for several hours. Its not a "bright" light, but in total darkness its plenty effective.

Link.
 
powernoodle said:
Fenix E01 LED. $15 at fenix-store. Feeds on one AAA, runs 8-11 at full brightness before dropping off to still usable light for several hours. Its not a "bright" light, but in total darkness its plenty effective.

Link.
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+1 for the E01 if price is an issue. I have a gold one, so I won't lose it, in my FAK. I also use a Fenix P2D for EDC.
 
Another vote for the Fenix E01!
Also, just picked up this Streamlight Microstream. It takes 1 AAA and is rated at 20 lumens. What I like most is the tailswitch - momentary on/off.
P1110380-1.jpg
 
Streamlight Microstream is a good one too. Uses a single AAA. Best part is the push button - makes it easy one hand operable...something in which the other Fenix AAA flashlights cannot offer. However, only a single mode.
 
powernoodle said:
Fenix E01 LED. $15 at fenix-store..............COLOR]
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I have an ARC+P, which I thought to be the berries, and I guess it is, but after buying my wife a Fenix E01, I realized that I could just about have three of those for the cost of the ARC+P and the Fenix is brighter than my ARC. The Fenix also comes in bright colors, which makes it harder to lay down and forget. I think it's every bit as much the light as the ARC, in as much as I use either, and I do use the ARC daily.

I won't give up my ARC+P, but if I had to replace it today, I would go for the Fenix E01. I have, or have had, many Fenix lights and believe them to be the single best value out there, plus they have an incredible selection of lights for any number of uses.
 
I had an Arc years ago, since sold to a collector (it was one of the 2nd iterations). I've got a few Gerber Sonic AAAs (SMKW closed them out last year for about $4 each), and a couple of the old CMG infinity ultra-g AA lights - these put about the same amount of light. Both are excellent for a low power, inexpensive task light.

For a variable light, I really like my Fenix LOD1 and L2D (I have spare 1xAA & 1xCr123a bodies for the L2d). I'm really impressed w/ the quality of the Fenix lights.
 
I recommend keeping a bunch of long runtime lights all over the place and the Fenix E01 is ideal for this. Pair those with something that packs a punch like a small 1-cell Surefire, Ra, Novatac, or the 123/AA-based Fenix or Nitecore lights and all your light needs should be covered. Some may prefer a headlamp (Zebralight is awesome) but I never felt the need for one.
 
carrot said:
I recommend keeping a bunch of long runtime lights all over the place and the Fenix E01 is ideal for this. Pair those with something that packs a punch like a small 1-cell Surefire, Ra, Novatac, or the 123/AA-based Fenix or Nitecore lights and all your light needs should be covered. Some may prefer a headlamp (Zebralight is awesome) but I never felt the need for one.
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The Carrot knows of what he speaks... :D

Extremely knowledgeable and respected on the flashlight forums. :)
 
For a great little (very) light, you might want to look at the Photon squeeze light. I have them on all my key chains and one on all my packs.
 
CSG said:
I've got a small variety of little flashlights in my packs but am always wondering if I can do better. I've got a couple little Mag-Lite Solitaires, a few Country Comm LED $1 pocket lights, one tiny generator flashlight. They all work fine but I wonder if they are really the best I can use.

For me, these little flashlights aren't there for anything more than emergency use as I'm mostly a day hiker.

I like the idea of single AAA or possibly AA lights that have a long runtime on low. The Fenix LD01 Q5 is pretty cool but at $45 a shot, sorta spendy (I'd want to buy a total of 4 lights, all the same - one for each kit from belt pouch to day pack.

What are your suggestions?
Click to expand...
The black LD01 is only $36 + free shipping at lapolicegear.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/fenix-ld01-digital-q5-black-flashlight.html

I don't think you'll get a better deal anywhere!.. and it's a heck of a lot of flashlight for the money.
 
I checked out those Duracell 2AA LED flashlights a few weeks ago against a Maglight 2AA. We had the power out from 1800hrs until the next morning. Perfect time to check some run times on the 2 against one another. I put fresh AA's in each and set one on it's tail in the kitchen, and one on it's tail in the living room on a table. Both lit up each room enough to work and read in, which was pretty impressive for everyone that saw them. Being focused out wide beam on the ceiling helped disperse the light into the rooms and it was like haing mini flourescents on in each room. My neighbor was outside his place and came over when he saw that we had power,LOL. Then he realized he was just seeing the living room flashlight bouncing off the ceiling, but enough to illuminate the room so looking through the windows from outside it appeared pretty bright inside. Still both lights ran to about 6-7 hours on bright, then gradually got dimmer during the next 2 hours until they both went off at the same time!! Never had THAT happen before, 2 different brands yet they ran the same brightness for the same length of time.

After the test I returned both lights since I wanted longer run times out of 2AA batteries. Neither had runtimes listed on their packages, just the usual hyping how great it was. They'd be fine for occasional use for up to an hour at a time, like for a car, or to walk the dog. I want something like the Zebralight but not sure spending $50 on something made in China is really a smart move. I've heard of some failures of them since they came out, and sending something back to China is'nt my idea of a good warranty IMO.

I know that most of these brands are made in china these days, but would like to get an American made product. Any suggestions on a good AA light?
 
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