Need a 2AAA penlight

A

average gimp

Joined
Jun 5, 2009
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1,126
I've gone through a number of these and thought I had found what worked, a Coast HP4. It meets nearly all my criteria:

-slim form factor with bezel-down pocket clip;
-tactical switch (momentary or locked on);
-probably tough enough to use for impact, at least for a single encounter (and cheap enough to replace);
-single output (claimed 100 lumens, but bright enough for my purposes, an no cycling through modes to get going).

There are two problems with it. A minor one, namely that its bezel is only minimally extended from the lens. I'd prefer one that stuck out further and was not crenelated. The major one is flicker. I've noticed it since I got it and it's getting progressively worse. Battery changes have not helped.

So I'm thinking I need a new light. I need something that meets the four criteria stated and ideally has an extended but not crenelated bezel. One other problem: it cannot be made by Streamlight. I've owned at least three of them (a Batonlite, an original 3xAAAA Stylus, a Nano, and there may be a fourth I can't recall). The only one of these that didn't die spontaneously was the Batonlite, and it was a lousy light. The others died without cause as the batteries still had plenty of current.

Any ideas?
 
Don't get a Maratac. I have 5 of them here that died on me. All a couple months old. I asked to send them back to the factory but they gave me the receipt excuse (who keeps receipts for stuff like this?) and said without it no warranty.


What I got out of it is they know their spontaneously die and it is common.
 
Look at the stream light protac 2xaaa. Has three modes but always comes on in high first. That's what I'd get if I were looking for a 2xaaa light.
 
average gimp said:
I've gone through a number of these and thought I had found what worked, a Coast HP4. It meets nearly all my criteria:

-slim form factor with bezel-down pocket clip;
-tactical switch (momentary or locked on);
-probably tough enough to use for impact, at least for a single encounter (and cheap enough to replace);
-single output (claimed 100 lumens, but bright enough for my purposes, an no cycling through modes to get going).

There are two problems with it. A minor one, namely that its bezel is only minimally extended from the lens. I'd prefer one that stuck out further and was not crenelated. The major one is flicker. I've noticed it since I got it and it's getting progressively worse. Battery changes have not helped.

So I'm thinking I need a new light. I need something that meets the four criteria stated and ideally has an extended but not crenelated bezel. One other problem: it cannot be made by Streamlight. I've owned at least three of them (a Batonlite, an original 3xAAAA Stylus, a Nano, and there may be a fourth I can't recall). The only one of these that didn't die spontaneously was the Batonlite, and it was a lousy light. The others died without cause as the batteries still had plenty of current.

Any ideas?
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You should try cleaning the contacts on the head and the tail end. Also make sure the ring in the tail end is tight.
 
Streamlight microstream. Uses one AAA. Can't beat it for money, quality and convenience. It's plenty bright.
The stylus pro is the same thing but longer and uses two AAA. The clip on the micro stream is better. It allows microstream to be clipped on the bill of my hat. Hands free headlamp.
I own multiple Fenix lights as well and they are great. I'm still recommending one of the two streamlights I mentioned above.
 
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johnnytoxin said:
Look at the stream light protac 2xaaa. Has three modes but always comes on in high first. That's what I'd get if I were looking for a 2xaaa light.
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Odog27 said:
Streamlight microstream. Uses one AAA. Can't beat it for money, quality and convenience. It's plenty bright. The stylus pro is the same thing but longer and uses two AAA. The clip on the micro stream is better. It allows microstream to be clipped on the bill of my hat. Hands free headlamp. I own multiple Fenix lights as well and they are great. I'm still recommending one of the two streamlights I mentioned above.
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Thanks for this, but afraid you missed something in the original post:

average gimp said:
...One other problem: it cannot be made by Streamlight. I've owned at least three of them (a Batonlite, an original 3xAAAA Stylus, a Nano, and there may be a fourth I can't recall). The only one of these that didn't die spontaneously was the Batonlite, and it was a lousy light. The others died without cause as the batteries still had plenty of current...
Click to expand...

jeepin said:
You should try cleaning the contacts on the head and the tail end. Also make sure the ring in the tail end is tight.
Click to expand...

Thanks--no rings on this one. I'll try cleaning the tailcap, but the head doesn't remove. Any ideas how to get at the contacts there?
 
What is your definition of cheap enough? The foursevens peon 2 meets all the criteria you stated but is 45-50$ on amazon. You can set to single click on at 200 lumen, but I am not a fan of the pulse width modulation controlled lights.
 
I just saw that Lumintop has come out with a 2 AAA light variation of the TOOL. I love that light, I have several in different configurations. Personally I think streamlight is sub par with only offering the cool white tint, which theirs is atrocious. I haven't tried the new IYP365 Lumintop, but the single aaa is great. I end up carrying it a lot, and I have a lot of lights to choose from. The surfire titan plus, eagletac D25ti modded by Vihn on candlepowerfourms (that thing is a beast), as well as a few other small EDC lights. Looks like its about $25, may be worth a shot.
 
average gimp said:
Thanks for this, but afraid you missed something in the original post:
Click to expand...

I didn't miss it. I ignored it. It sounds like you owned older versions. I'm guessing they were before they switched the button to the one they are using now. I've had this current microstream for two years. I carry and use it seven days a week. I've dropped it multiple times while working on a ladder. Never had a problem.
 
Odog27 said:
Streamlight microstream. Uses one AAA. Can't beat it for money, quality and convenience. It's plenty bright.
The stylus pro is the same thing but longer and uses two AAA. The clip on the micro stream is better. It allows microstream to be clipped on the bill of my hat. Hands free headlamp.
I own multiple Fenix lights as well and they are great. I'm still recommending one of the two streamlights I mentioned above.
Click to expand...

Again, I know you don't prefer Stremlights, to be honest I prefer and own many surefire led's, but carry and use the Streamlight micro stream daily for work. Cheap, bright, small, two way clip so it can go on the brim of my ball cap if needed. I've had zero issues. Of course, I still love my sure fire lights. Only wish they would make a single AAA or AA light
 
tiogatires said:
Again, I know you don't prefer Stremlights, to be honest I prefer and own many surefire led's, but carry and use the Streamlight micro stream daily for work. Cheap, bright, small, two way clip so it can go on the brim of my ball cap if needed. I've had zero issues. Of course, I still love my sure fire lights. Only wish they would make a single AAA or AA light
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They do make a single aaa light. They make the Titan and Titan plus. I own the latter and it's a great little light. It puts out 300 lumens from a single nimh aaa battery
 
LAtraffic said:
What is your definition of cheap enough? The foursevens peon 2 meets all the criteria you stated but is 45-50$ on amazon. You can set to single click on at 200 lumen, but I am not a fan of the pulse width modulation controlled lights.
Click to expand...

I was thinking under $40 if possible, which lets out the promising ASP Scribe, but puts the 5.11 in contention. I was not aware the Preon would default to high in the current model; the older ones wouldn't and got really hot in turbo mode. 200 lumens seems like overkill with AAA amperage.

LAtraffic said:
I just saw that Lumintop has come out with a 2 AAA light variation of the TOOL. I love that light, I have several in different configurations. Personally I think streamlight is sub par with only offering the cool white tint, which theirs is atrocious. I haven't tried the new IYP365 Lumintop, but the single aaa is great. I end up carrying it a lot, and I have a lot of lights to choose from. The surfire titan plus, eagletac D25ti modded by Vihn on candlepowerfourms (that thing is a beast), as well as a few other small EDC lights. Looks like its about $25, may be worth a shot.
Click to expand...

The 2xTOOL looks good but again multi-level. Surefire makes good stuff except for the E2D (bad design), but expensive. I quit CPF a while ago--too hard to follow for me, and their modders generally prefer Paypal, which is another horror show best avoided.

Odog27 said:
I didn't miss it. I ignored it. It sounds like you owned older versions. I'm guessing they were before they switched the button to the one they are using now. I've had this current microstream for two years. I carry and use it seven days a week. I've dropped it multiple times while working on a ladder. Never had a problem.
Click to expand...

IIRC the Nano is still made, and adheres to the Streamlight ethos of prodcuts that fail without a reason. Identical to the relationship I've had with Casio watches, except there I quit after 2 of them failed with still-viable batteries in them (and after epic hunts for dealers who had the Casio proprietary screwdrivers to take them apart in the first place). Having suffered a 75% failure rate, they've been given at least one chance too many. If that wasn't bad enough their 2xAAAs also tend to be too fat for shirt pocket/collar/placket carry.

tiogatires said:
Again, I know you don't prefer Stremlights, to be honest I prefer and own many surefire led's, but carry and use the Streamlight micro stream daily for work. Cheap, bright, small, two way clip so it can go on the brim of my ball cap if needed. I've had zero issues. Of course, I still love my sure fire lights. Only wish they would make a single AAA or AA light
Click to expand...

It's not "don't prefer," but "won't use under any circumstances." As to the Microstream, 1xAAA doesn't work for my application. Surefires are usually great but way out of reach.
 
For what it's worth, and I know it's somewhat larger than your looking for, but Surfire 6p is only 20$ more than your budget. I see them all the time on certain daily deal type sights online. I think I have the surefire 6px(?) in aluminum in offset mounts on all my AR's. Very bright with surefire quality and 60$ each.
 
The eagletac PN20a2 is the only other light that comes close that I can think of. Can be set to turn on at full 200 lumen, runs 2 aaa, has very small raised crenelation on the bezel. I have not had one personally though, so I can not give you an honest opinion on it. Just know it exists.
 
I just got the surefire Titan. It was exactly what I'm looking for in a EDC. Doesn't have a button, but twist bezel with 3 outputs. It just disappears in my pocket.
 
average gimp said:
Thanks for this, but afraid you missed something in the original post:





Thanks--no rings on this one. I'll try cleaning the tailcap, but the head doesn't remove. Any ideas how to get at the contacts there?
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A Q tip or a pencil maybe with a small piece of cloth on the end. Ive used rubbing alcohol or theres other products made for cleaning contacts I just cant think of the name of them.
 
Pelican 1920 is a decent light that seems to meet your requirements.
 
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