Reliable Long-Lasting Flashlight -- AA or Double-AA (or 14500 or other high power)

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Kirk_Ferentz

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Feb 16, 2010
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589
I have been using Balder single AA / 14500 lights, and I really like their performance. They are simple and super bright with the 14500. They are also a perfect size.

The only drawback is that I wonder about their long-term reliability. I had one recently crap out on me after only a few uses. I'm sure at Lighthound they will tell me that it is outside of the warranty. I should say that I don't think any of the others that I have (and I probably have 5 or 6 others) have crapped out.

Anyway, what are your experiences for getting a flashlight that has great long-term reliability? I want to pick something up that has good quality control and won't crap out on me when I am out in the woods. I was thinking of going to the classic brands -- fenix, 4sevens, etc.

I'd like it to be able to take AAs. I have invested in a lot of AA lithium batteries and I'd like to stick with that one battery type for all my lights. My preference is a full sized single AA light -- those fit in my hand/pocket best. But I would go with a double AA if that is the best selection. Also, I'd prefer it to be able to take the high powered AA sized batteries if possible, like the 14500s or something more powerful. But I see that most of the options don't look like they can take those. I love the great power and performance that they give.

Finally, as I said, I have found that I like simplicity in lights. I don't need all the tactical features and I don't want them to get in the way of the light's basic function. For this reason, I am not expecting to have to spend too much on the light, but I guess that will depend.

Thanks!
 
check out the zebralight sc52

to be quite honest, customer service and warranty work outside most dealers 30day policy is going to blow when dealing with chinese based manufactuers. ive had to deal with klarus and fenix twice and it wasnt fun.
 
Yeah I'm thinking more in terms of something that is just going to last period -- not good warranties and customer service. Something fit to throw in a bugout bag (as in you know it will last you for a very long time without failing). Maybe the answer is to have a very simple backup light with an incadescant bulb or something -- maybe those are simpler and more reliable than the high performance lights of today. For the lights of today, I have heard a lot of good stuff about zebra lights. Sounds like nitecore might be a good bet too.
 
Fenix LD-10 is one of my favorite single AA lights.
The LD-20 is a longer LD-10 that takes 2 AA batteries. Never had an LD-20, but it should be good judging by my LD-10.
 
the zebralight sc52 is great, zebralight also has a US based distribution center in texas although i have heard of a few negative experiences in dealing with them.
be sure to check out the eagletac d25a clicky as well, i believe i saw one in the exchange this morning. eagletac also has a US base whilst the lights are made overseas.
 
I have a Fenix ld12 I bought maybe 6 months ago that has had a hard life in my tool box, and work bag. From crazy rowing coach/boatman hours and environment to my current IT high use kicking around in a bag usage, it still works great has very good battery life on lithiums and is plenty bright with an easy UI. Not too pricey either. FYI the only other light that has dealt with the same use and still works is a surefire c2 (which also was run over by a 1 ton truck )

I would stay far away from the Maratac/ITP offerings though.
 
You could look at the peak led solutions-el capitan, its take AA or 14500 very durable potted electronics, made in the usa with lifetime warranty. Only catch is is doesn't to have a clicky switch it is a twisty. and no modes, it has qtc a material that acts as a variable resistor under pressure. So you screw the head in and it come on dim, tighter and it get brighter.
 
I soooo want to recommend Zebralight. Unfortunately, the only two I've owned, a H51w and a SC50w, had problems and had to be serviced. In fact, the SC50w will hopefully be returned to me shortly. The H51w was covered under warranty. The SC50w was not. The charge for repair was $15. Sending the light to them cost another $5 or so. In any case, two Zebralights. Both had the same problem. After a year or so, the light would begin draining the battery overnight even when the light was off. I think this is a known problem. It may be rare, but it hit me twice. I used to love my Zebralight lights. Now I'm afraid it might cost me $40 every year or two to keep them running. BTW, turn around time for the first repair was about six weeks.
 
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OP - what does the Iowa football team provide you with for early morning practices? :p
 
Scott Free said:
I soooo want to recommend Zebralight. Unfortunately, the only two I've owned, a H51w and a SC50w, had problems and had to be serviced. In fact, the SC50w will hopefully be returned to me shortly. The H51w was covered under warranty. The SC50w was not. The charge for repair was $15. Sending the light to them cost another $5 or so. In any case, two Zebralights. Both had the same problem. After a year or so, the light would begin draining the battery overnight even when the light was off. I think this is a known problem. It may be rare, but it hit me twice. I used to love my Zebralight lights. Now I'm afraid it might cost me $40 every year or two to keep them running. BTW, turn around time for the first repair was about six weeks.
Click to expand...

hah at least they didnt require to send the light to china for service like fenix did... the cost for shipping, repair and hassle would be better spent buying a new light :)
 
You could skip the Chinese lights, pay a bit more, and have a light that will serve well for the rest of your life -

Look at the Surefire E2LAA Outdoorsman. The next generation is coming out soon, it will have 80 lumens on high mode with something like 6 hours of runtime, with a very usable 3 lumen low mode that lasts like 100 hours or something rediculous like that.

If you search the internet, you'll find tons of recommendations for Fenix, Eagletac, Zebralight, and others. Many of the same people say that buying Surefire lights is stupid because they cost more, then a few months later post about how their Chinese light got water in the bezel, or they dropped it and now it doesn't work. I've had parts on my Surefire lights break, but a week after I called it in I got the free parts I needed and my 'overpriced' light was back and running.
 
whateatsrabbits said:
You could look at the peak led solutions-el capitan, its take AA or 14500 very durable potted electronics, made in the usa with lifetime warranty. Only catch is is doesn't to have a clicky switch it is a twisty. and no modes, it has qtc a material that acts as a variable resistor under pressure. So you screw the head in and it come on dim, tighter and it get brighter.
Click to expand...

This looks like an interesting light. Are you a believer in the qtc? Sounds like some people think it is unreliable. Also, any experience with run times when you dim it down?
 
Kirk_Ferentz said:
This looks like an interesting light. Are you a believer in the qtc? Sounds like some people think it is unreliable. Also, any experience with run times when you dim it down?
Click to expand...

It Is unreliable at having a nice smooth ramp throughout the whole range, I mean they do when new but with some use the material breaks down and what you are left with is and nice ramp for 0-20 percent power and then a jump to 100%.
I got high and low with no wasted energy, works for me.
As for runtime in use out of a lithium AA will last me about 3 weeks of 2-3 hours a day of use at the 10-20% mode with a couple short uses of high. 14500 I only make it about 5-6 days before needing a recharge.
 
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