What is the best flashlight that uses alkaline batteries (for survival)

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gazaati

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What is the best flashlight that uses common alkaline batteries?

size is not an issue if it uses two large batteries.

I have the fenix L2D. Is there anything better? maybe uses two larger batteries? so that it lasts longer, brighter?


Thanks
 
The L2D you have is a fine flashlight. Its small size means it can be carried easily on your person and be available. It has a long run time in low mode and the option of a high beam for signalling or other emergencies.

For survival use, I would replace the alkalines with Lithium AA batteries, especially if the light is stored away unused. Lithiums have a better shelf life, offer longer run times and are more resistant to cold weather.
 
I would say it all depends on your budget. They come in such a very wide price range. It is your call on how much you want to spend. I like the Streamlight line as I dont have to be concerned about loosing it or if it is damaged I can just throw it away...
 
I like flashlights that are designed to run well on alkaline batteries, with the option to use lithiums, not the other way around. These new high-flux LED's need lithium batteries to run well on high levels and sag when alkalines are used.

AA's:
MagLite LED 2AA
Gerber Infinity Ultra
Inova X1 (2nd generation)

AAA's:
Arc AAA
Fenix E0 or E01

With your L2D, you're not going to find a brighter flashlight that uses alkalines - but there are brighter ones that use expensive lithium rechargables, etc.
 
try the UK 4AA eLED light. not a barn burner, but about 2x the light of a mini-mag light. 12hrs of FULL brightness and ~ 20hrs of diminishing. side by side cells for compact size. rated explosion proof switch. very tough polymer case. got 5 stars from flashlight reviews. only ~ $20.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/uk_4aaeled.htm

for really looooooong light, try the the eternalight from techass. with 3AA lith cells you can squeeze out 28 days of light at 24hrs a day!! :eek: ..:eek:
with Alkie cells figure on about 30% less runtime. about $40-70 depending on model.

No, that is NOT a misprint. this is the ultimate survival light.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/eternalight_ergomarine.htm

http://www.techass.com/

runtime almost always beats out brightness in survival situations.
 
Some of these are a little to flashy for me. I like the piggy

1871_front_detail.jpg
 
i recommend the terralux led upgrade for a larger mag light. 140 lumens, courtesy of cree semiconductors, coming from your super tough mag light in whatever battery configuration you want. about $25 for the LED, plus the mag light.
http://www.led-replacement.com/

on the cheap, grab the 3xD 45 lumen dorcy while you can at dorcy direct for $15 shipped, on closeout. that'll give you about 300 hours and plenty of light.dorcy direct

otherwise, i'd just stick with the L2D and carry a few extra pairs of aa's.
 
Magnum22 said:
on the cheap, grab the 3xD 45 lumen dorcy while you can at dorcy direct for $15 shipped, on closeout. that'll give you about 300 hours and plenty of light.dorcy direct.
Click to expand...

The Dorcy 1watt 3D is very good value for money -
BUT I don't think it can truly even approach the claimed 300hours -
30hours maybe.....

Please see Post #6 in the CPF thread - Dorcy 1watt 3D - huh? WoW!

The packaging claims 300 hours runtime

I took current draw reading with tailcap removed.

3D Alkaline set #1 (used) - 4.54V open circuit
Dorcy 1w 3D = 0.53A
3D MagLite = 0.83A

3D Alkaline set #2 (fresh) - 4.72V open-circuit
Dorcy 1w 3D = 0.63A
MagLite 3D = 0.84A

With nominal capacity rating of D alkalines at about 18Ah - this extrapolates to about 12.5 (to ~30 hours max)

I suspect my sample was grossly over-driven -
these readings shows that the flashlight is consuming over 2.4 to 3 watts !!

Back to the original question - the Fenix L2D is a fine choice for survival since it can run for ~55hours on Low (9lumens) -

It only sags with alkalines on its maximum Turbo mode - please see

Fenix L2D CE and L1D CE runtime graphs

or the same graphs on Fenix L1D-CE/L2D-CE @ FlashlightReviews.com

As others advise keep a set of lithium AA's for long term backup.

Fenix L2D-Q5 Comparison Review

Fenix L2D-RB100 Comparison Review

Fenix L2D-CE Comparison Review

--
Vincent
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http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
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Drives me nuts when people say (survival)
Please paint me a survival story involving the need for a flashlight and I'll tell you which one you need.:grumpy:

gazaati said:
What is the best flashlight that uses common alkaline batteries?

size is not an issue if it uses two large batteries.

I have the fenix L2D. Is there anything better? maybe uses two larger batteries? so that it lasts longer, brighter?


Thanks
Click to expand...
 
hey unknownvt, nice work on all those reviews. i think you're right about that overdriven sample. i've had mine on continuously for many hours each night as a lamp in effort to drain batteries marked 'best by 2001' and it's not dying. luck of the draw on those value-manufactured products.
 
Moodino said:
Drives me nuts when people say (survival)
Please paint me a survival story involving the need for a flashlight and I'll tell you which one you need.:grumpy:
Click to expand...

Ever see the movie Pitch Black?:D

Zero

*Note for all those who haven't seen the movie*
Situation is a group of people is stuck in a cave with crazy flying creatures that want to kill them, only bright lights keep them away. Yes, I can be pretty facetious :D.
 
Thanks guys

So What is the difference between the The Fenix P3D CE and the Fenix Digital L2D Premium Q5 that I already have?

Is there a big difference?
 
gazaati said:
So What is the difference between the The Fenix P3D CE and the Fenix Digital L2D Premium Q5 that I already have?
Is there a big difference?
Click to expand...

The P3D uses less common CR123 lithium batteries, so they are NOT alkaline batteries - your criteria in the opening post......

You do realize there is a Q5 version of the P3D?

P3D-Q5
Turbo Mode: 215 lumens (1.8hrs) -> Strobe
General Mode: 12 lumens (65hrs) -> 53 lumens (13hrs) -> 120 lumens (4.8hrs) -> SOS

P3D-CE
Turbo Mode: 160 lumens (1.8hrs) -> Strobe
General Mode: 9 lumens (65hrs) -> 40 lumens (13hrs) -> 90 lumens (4.8hrs) -> SOS

L2D-Q5
Turbo Mode: 180 lumens (2.4hrs) -> Strobe
General Mode: 12 lumens (55hrs) -> 53 lumens (10.5hrs) -> 107 lumens (4hrs) -> SOS

Although the Q5 versions are not compared directly,
both the L2D and P3D are compared in these reviews -

Fenix P3Dce-Q5 Premium Comparison Review

Fenix P3Dce Comparison Review

Fenix L2D-Q5 Comparison Review

--
Vincent
http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
Vincent
I cant thank you enough for the info you and the other guys.
Great reviws and a whole new world other than knives.
 
just out of curiosity UnknownVT , I read allot of reviews for you here and other forums,

What is your favorite light up to date (you can pick 2) :P
 
gazaati said:
What is your favorite light up to date (you can pick 2) :P
Click to expand...

Well, I can't count......

I like single battery lights that I can keep in my pocket -

At home EDC - Fenix L1D-RB100
Out of house EDC - Fenix L0D-RB80

Others - Photon II (in yellow)
All time favorite Dorcy 1AAA gen 4 mod'd by Doug S -

details/reviews -
the L1D -RB100 is actually a L2D-RB100 head on a L1D body - so combine these two reviews -

Fenix L2D-RB100 Comparison Review

Fenix L1D-CE Comparison Review

Fenix L0D-RB80 Comparison Review

Dorcy 1AAA gen4 - Doug S Stage 2 Mod

more general -

A Classic Revisited - Dorcy 1AAA

--
Vincent
http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
As indicated, if you want it to go in a BOB or similar, you could consider lithium for shelflife.
Or you could regularly rotate the batteries and get a decent alkali powered head lamp.

I've used - often - the Petzl Myo XP which you should be able to find for $50-$60.
Lasts forever, multiple levels of brightness, and I use it in SAR.

Why? If you're in a survival situation, I'd guess you're going to want your hands free, and to be able to make a lot of progress in the dark.

This light really, really cuts it.
 
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