What are the most reliable flashlight brands for AAA and AA?

R

R.H.Clark

Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
771
I want to purchase 2 new lights I need a small AAA keychain light.I have been happy with an older ARC for years but want a higher output AAA for my wife's keychain.I have heard complaints about 4sevens on some of their lights but not sure if the problems apply to all their lights or just some models.

I also want a reliable 2 cell AA for hunting-general outdoor use.I like the Surefire E2L AA but I don't really like the $165 pricetag.I will go ahead with it though if there is not another less expensive alternative that won't let me down.If you might have to shake,bump,or click several times to get it to work every now and then it is a deal breaker.
 
Quark. If you'll be using it outside a lot, get one of the limited run neutral or warm tint version.
 
4Sevens is a good choice for a AAA light. Our best seller is the iTP A3 that KuRUpTD mentioned above, but the Preon series has a newer LED that puts out more light. It also has some hidden flashing modes like strobe and SOS if you want any of that. They have a new model, the ReVO that is a sweet little light.

For a larger light, Surefire is hard to beat in terms of ruggedness and reliability. The E2L-AA and Surefire's lifetime warranty are a good combination. 4Sevens, Fenix, Olight, etc. are all great brands and have great products, but they do not have the guarantee that Surefire does. 4Sevens does do 10 years though, which is probably long enough to last the life of the light.
 
The ITP A3 is awesome for its size and price , but I dont think the battery current is regulated , so the light will dim as the battery drains . I think this is the case , anyone know for sure ??
 
I currently have 3 Fenix Lights and 2 Quark lights and all of them have been great. I have dropped my LD20 more times than I can count and it has never given my problems. My 4Sevens lights have been awesome, but I haven't given them the same abuse as I have my EDC lights. My Surefire lights have been great as well, but I don't own any anymore.
 
I have several fenix AA models. Two of them developed problems and 4sevens replaced them. No problems with the replacements at this point. For pure reliability, if you can handle the price of the surefire I'd say go for it. There's a lot of bright, hot LED heads out there. I suspect the conservative Surefire design will perform long after the various others have died. I used to think Surefires were expensive. Now I think they're a good deal for what they are. Ergonomically, I like to carry a fenix L1Tv2, a single AA, push button with momentary switch, which is enough light for my meager EDC uses.
 
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I gotta say, I have never had a Maglite fail on me, and their newer AA LED models are outstanding. For the price, I don't think they can be beat. I would also recommend Inova - they make a 2AA that throws 107 lumens and is affordable. It makes me feel bad that I ever spent 65 bucks on a Surefire.
 
I'm used to be in the Fenix camp, but 4Seven has really won me over, awesome lights!
 
I've had a Gerber Infinity for the last 4 years or so, it's a beater that sits in my tool chest and occasionally comes out into the woods. In 4 years I've changed the battery once(very recently actually). The original AA lasted for well over 100 hours(estimate). I left it on overnight once as well by mistake and have dropped it a number of times in engine bays etc. The paint is chipped up but other than that it's in good shape. The one hangup is that this is more like a task light...it doesn't throw a lot of light on the ground. However if Gerber's other lights are as robust as this particular one, they may be worth a look.
 
Surefire don't make AA lights theirs are all cr123. For the money the maglites are pretty decent lights. You can carry 2 of those for the same price as 1 of a lot of the other brands.
 
They have a 2xAA E2L Outdoorsman out now, but it isn't cheap. I want one, but I already have the 2xCR123 version, so I won't buy one until I see one used.
 
i bought a 1 aaa keychain light from walmart
Flashlight_product_BRSLEDKEY-BMF.jpg

it a rayovac and has a lens over an led kinda like ledlenser
the light was comparable to the NANO
so say 8+ lumens as the nano says they push 10
twist on off 1/4 inch longer than a solitare and slightly wider
note do not get the solitare until they make it led
and the led replacements make it cost way too much and you cant fully tighten the solitare reflector
for 3$ i was completely satisfied with this light
i opted for the nano for size as i carry a lot on my keychain but the nano dosent fit the bill for normal batts
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=773035
of course there are superior 1 aaa lights for more money but i found this light to be more than acceptable for all but tactical aplicatons
 
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I like streamlight, I have the nano on my keychain. I know its not AA or AAA, but it is plenty bright enough. I just recently bought a stream stylus. I like the stylus because it fits perfectly in the pen pocket on my uniform. Unfortunatly the stylus is a little big for your key chain. If the nano is too small, the key-mate may be what your looking for.
 
I've used Sure Fires for years. The only thing I don't like about them is the price of the batteries.
About 3 years ago I picked up a Ray-O-Vac 3watt flashlight. 2 AA batteries, and its L.E.D. The light was highly recommended by others I have talked to, so I picked one up at the Wally Mart for around 9 bucks....

It has been used/abused very hard and is still going. I use it for work every night and the battery life is incredible. Its about the size of the SF E2E I have.

I need to see if I can still find them, just in case this one ever dies. I would be completely lost without it.
 
I highly recommend the Maratac AAA from Countycomm. They're cheap--about 20-30 bucks depending if you choose aluminum or stainless.

Bright, too, with great runtimes and 3 modes:

18lm Output for 4 Hours
1.5lm Output for 50 Hours
80lm Output for 48 Minutes

Very durable little light, as well.
 
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I have only experience with the three Fenix flashlights that I own: LD10, E01 and L2T. For me they are fine. The LD10 is also my flashlight for outdoor. It has been dropped and seen water, it still works.
 
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