**Update** AAx2 Flashlight

RevDevil

RevDevil

Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
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I am in need of a solid flashlight that uses AA batteries. I do not necessarily want or need a pen light, rather something a little thicker would be better. The reason for the battery choice is that I may not have access to CR123 or 18650 batteries, but AA will be plentiful. I don't need super lumens, but at least 150 should be sufficient. This is clearly not an EDC style light, rather a work light. Needs to be at least as long as the Surefire 6P or G2, but not much longer or heavier than the 6P LED.

I was looking at the following choices:

Fenix Digital PD35
Fenix LD22 G2
FOURSEVENS Quark Pro QP2A-X

I've had a few Fenix lights and a couple 47s flicker while in use and it's quite annoying. What am I missing? I really would like to keep this at or under $100.
 
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I own a number of the Fenix and 47's and I've been very happy with them. My current EDC is the Fenix PD32UE, I went with the 32 vs the 35 because I've found I like the neutral tints. In a AA (the Fenix PD35 is CR123 or 18650's) I'd choose a 47 Quark with the XM-L emitter, I love the floody beam.

I keep both around, the PD32UE in neutral white that can use 18650's or primary 123's and one of the original Quark XML AA2 in neutral white.

Is the flickering you describe from the PWM? If you are sensitive to it (I guess I'm not because I only see it on really cheap lights with poor microprocessors) check out the reviews they do on CPF, the reviewers often measure and check the PWM and provide feedback on the frequency (higher the better).
 
Its not on your list and not near 150 lumens but for a work light I have a streamlight junior led. 2AA and for the money it is not a bad light at all.
 
Ever consider Maratac? They just released Rev 2, and for sub $50, they claim it has 620 lumens. I have rev 1 and it is very nice. 6 modes total, low, medium, high, then two blinking modes, and finally a strobe mode.

PM me for more info if interested. I'm no light expert, but I am amazed at how bright mine is.

I should add that it is the Maratac extreme 2 AA...
 
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Haiduke, good catch on the PD35. The neutral light is important to me. I'm really not a fan of the cool LED for my uses at night. The LD12 I have flickers once in a while, it's weird. I'm not sure what it's attributed to. I've noticed it on my Quark X123 and my Maratac AA as well

I've looked at Streamlight, and more closely some of the Jetbeam products, they look very good.

muphasta, I do have a couple of Maratac AA lights. They are the smaller single AA lights. While they are nice, they do have that flicker and I'm not too sure about them.
 
Fenix LD22 all the way! I tried the Olight T25, but had 2 new ones that failed on me within one week of use. The LD22 has been amazing. I'm not versed in all the language of the light, but it lights up impressively across my backyard, and inside the house I have to keep it on the second level or it hurts to have my eyes open. It definately blows away the 3xD Maglight, or the Surefire G2 LED. It both throws and spreads a beam nicely again at a distance of about 20 yards. Also, I don't notice any flicker at all with mine. Pocket clip is very useable.
 
Yo Mama said:
Fenix LD22 all the way! I tried the Olight T25, but had 2 new ones that failed on me within one week of use. The LD22 has been amazing. I'm not versed in all the language of the light, but it lights up impressively across my backyard, and inside the house I have to keep it on the second level or it hurts to have my eyes open. It definately blows away the 3xD Maglight, or the Surefire G2 LED. It both throws and spreads a beam nicely again at a distance of about 20 yards. Also, I don't notice any flicker at all with mine. Pocket clip is very useable.
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I agree the LD22 is a great light and it's really nice to have the side button plus it's half of your budget. I really like the Olight S15 baton as well and if you can find one with the free extender tube then you'll have your 2x AA flashight for around $45. It uses the side button switch that does have a simple lockout mode, easy access strobe, and a nice 260 lumens of light. And on top of that there's a magnet in the tail. By the way it is nuetral white.
 
I have used Fenix LD01 and PD32 for EDC, and currently use a PD22. I find that I can carry the PD22 pretty easily in my front jeans pocket.

I have bought a few Mag's at Lowes on Black Friday. One that I bought a few years ago is a mini-mag AA, but I think it is something beyond the standard model because it has different light levels. It is probably longer than the Fenix models but for a real cheap light it works pretty well. It would make a good work light because you could buy several of them and not be too hurt if you lost one.
 
Flashlights can be loved or hated for many varying personal reasons. I've found that I'm just as picky with my flashlights as I am with my knives... :eek:

When I'm looking for lights, here are some of the things I consider:
• I don't like large bulbous heads on flashlights - I do have a few C2 throwers and an original Quark Maelstrom, but I like the body to be the same size as the head
• Emitter - for EDC I prefer wide, floody beams with neutral or warm or even Hi-CRI, XM-L is my favorite
• Batteries - Rechargables all the way! I have three that I use the most, Quark Titanium AA, Fenix PD32UE and a Quark AA2 XML - all can use rechargables or primaries in a pinch...
• I like the longer AA2 bodies, they make a good yawara stick and I've never had an issue going through TSA security checkpoints with them, 'Oh that - its just a flashlight...' :cool:
• High 'Turbo' and a very low, low... there are times when I just need a hint of light - love the 0.2 lumen low on the Maelstrom, IMHO if it is above 10 lumens that ain't a low setting!
• I prefer them to be able to tail-stand, this is my one major annoyance with the Fenix PD32UE, it has a quazi-tacti-cool rear switch that won't tail-stand is is too easily activated, I have to keep the switch partially unscrewed
• I have both clickies and twisties, I prefer the clicky - the new double-switch on the Fenix' line is interesting, it is easier to change modes with one hand (once you are holding it like a sword and not a hammer)

This is a new one on me, I'm used to discussing pointy things on BF and shiny things on CPF... LoL
 
RevDevil said:
Haiduke, good catch on the PD35. The neutral light is important to me. I'm really not a fan of the cool LED for my uses at night. The LD12 I have flickers once in a while, it's weird. I'm not sure what it's attributed to. I've noticed it on my Quark X123 and my Maratac AA as well

I've looked at Streamlight, and more closely some of the Jetbeam products, they look very good.

muphasta, I do have a couple of Maratac AA lights. They are the smaller single AA lights. While they are nice, they do have that flicker and I'm not too sure about them.
Click to expand...

I hadn't noticed the flicker in the 2-AA "extreme" light. But, I'm no expert.
 
I've attempted to standardize my hurricane electronics on Sanyo Eneloop AAs... the Fenix E21 with two settings has worked very well... everything in pic runs on the Eneloops

 
We have several folks on both forums, and the light threads have been consistent here. I'm very much inline with your pointe of what to look for Haiduke, and it's something I am still learning about (flashlights). I have some lights that I really enjoy using, like the Fenix TK10. It's been a really great light for my uses at night, especially with the power outages we had the last few years during the monsoon rains. I have a couple Surefire lights (6P LED and the G2 LED). I snagged a few on closeout from an online shop years ago and they've been great.

My experience with Fenix has been mixed, I had a great E01 that a AAA pretty much expanded in the tube and can't be removed, and a LD10 that flickers more often than not. May have been a lemon, but it gets used. I'll look into the LD22, and I may just need to get a battery holder/caddy the ones that look like shotgun shells. :D
 

I bought the one on the right about a month or so ago. Maybe 2. It's a very small tank. 300 lumens, aa, works great for chores in my barn at night. It was under 5 bucks. I liked it so much, I bought the black one. Under 4. The black one has 3 settings. High, low, and strobe. Best little lights I've ever used.
Cree
 
I really like zebralight flashlights up to 300 lumens or several days of low lumen light from 1 AA
 
Rev, it may very well be that the light itself isn't flickering as such (because it is, just really fast) but you might be from time to time picking up when it goes dark. its the same principal as a video, above a certain frequency, we don't notice the flicker, but it's there. Your brain might be picking up on it, where others ignore it. anyway, the only solution for this problem would be to go for a unregulated light, or one that uses a power regulation that isn't blinky. Can't help much more than that I'm afraid.
 
I did look into Zebra lights, and I may pick one up. But I'm in need of something a bit larger. I do like the side switch. I think I'll follow the Mini-Maglite road and see how it goes. If one gets lost, no biggie. :)

gadgetgeek said:
Rev, it may very well be that the light itself isn't flickering as such (because it is, just really fast) but you might be from time to time picking up when it goes dark. its the same principal as a video, above a certain frequency, we don't notice the flicker, but it's there. Your brain might be picking up on it, where others ignore it. anyway, the only solution for this problem would be to go for a unregulated light, or one that uses a power regulation that isn't blinky. Can't help much more than that I'm afraid.
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Interesting. I figured it might be a bad module in the light. The only way to find out would be to ask several people to observe the light and report when and if they see a flicker. Or getting several of one light and check them against one another with the same batteries from the same package. I did get an Eneloop battery kit with the charger, AAs/AAAs. I'll ve putting them through their paces.
 
I've got one of the newer mini mag AA models, its pretty good for the price and has multiple levels. It seems much better than the first gen mini mag LED that I had. It doesn't compare to the higher end lights but its good for the price and cheap and easy to find a replacement.

I also get a feel good factor because its made in California and not China.
 
i have an old Fenix LD20 and it is great, been going strong for several years now. My PD10 gave up pretty quickly though my friends PD20 is still working fine. Not sure if that's a worthwhile sampling but I would consider buying more Fenix in the future.
 
I like the Energizer ELMCL21L e2 Lithium LED Flashlight. You can dim the light by holding in the power button. It is not 150 Lumens, though. Still have an original Streamlight Jr LED(first revision) that works great. Also consider the INOVA X2.
 
I'm leaning towards the Fenix LD22, looks like a good size, and getting a backup Maglite LED. The Inova looks really nice, I love that simple clean design with the satin bezel. That Energizer light looks pretty tough, it is definitely a contender, thanks for the suggestion.
I recently found a NIB Novatac Classic in one of my kit storage boxes. I forgot I even had it, must be at least 5 years old. Just popped in some batteries and it works perfectly. Still need some backups though.
 
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