What's the best flashlight that uses AA's or AAA's?

MORIMOTOM said:
most fenix lights dont come with pocket clips, which is the main reason i have never carried one on duty.
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After many years of complaining, Fenix finally started listening to us and is putting out their models with clips.
 
I have an embarrassing number Fenix lights. It's obvious though, that when it comes to guns and knives, you're not afraid to spring the best, and you can certainly do better than Fenix--as good as they are.

The Nitecore D10 has a real following, and it's certainly a very nice light. Most people who have the D10 AND the Liteflux LF5XT seem to like the Liteflux better. http://www.eliteled.com/products/flashlights/liteflux-lf5xt.html

There's also the Quark AA. Most people seem to like it better than the D10 also because it's brighter and has better runtimes than the D10. Quark measures their brightness levels differently. Quark's advertised brightness levels are lower than Nitecore. In real life, the Quark is said to be brighter.

As for a AAA light, take a look at the Liteflux LF2XT. It's an amazing light--especially for a AAA. Do a few google searches on all these lights. "Best" is a relative term. It's like knives or guns or anything else. Best might be a keychain coin cell photon light for one person (but probably not for most.) The above mention lights, though, would certainly fall on most people's "best" list.
 
there is a huge variety of great lites available nowadays, they have really improved a lot in the last 5 yrs or so, size, burn time, brightness, using aa's or aaa's vs 123's, and especially price, imho this is almost like the renassaince era of lites lol, we should all be ecstatic.

i agree fenix is a great lite but thers also other brands which are right up there with 'em, browse thru lighthound.com sometimes ya got tons of good stuff to pick from,
 
Hmm, this thread could wind up costing me some money.

I'm a huge fan of the Fenix L1T v2.0- I have 2 of them. To me the UI is infinitely superior to "typical" Fenix lights- it suits me better. YMMV.

I'd kind of heard about the Quark lights but had never looked closely at them, and now that I have I have to say that the Quark AA Tactical makes me want to spend money. Basically the same UI as the L1T, except that each setting can be programmed? (And in a way that is relatively easy but cannot be done accidentally, so you don't do something wrong and find your light doing the funky chicken....) I am so there.
 
Hey Jill, welcome to the rabbit hole ;). There's plenty of good suggestions on here about AA flashlights, so I'm gonna steer clear of recommending one, as I would just be stealing other's good ideas. Instead, let me ask:

You said AA light, but then said the tk40 looked seksy. If you're looking for single or double AA flashlights, then there is nothing (well, almost nothing) I can say except all suggestions here are great.

However, with the tk40, that's a whole new ballpark. I don't, never have, and probably never will, own a tk40. However, all the whizbang people at CPF say that 8xAA isn't a good form factor because of how complex it is- imagine christmas lights that shut off everything past a particular problem bulb. It may very well be an academic vs. real problem, I don't know. However, as the tk40 is serious money, let me share a secret with you.

The rabbit hole goes VERY deep...

I'm sick of non-rechargeable expensive batteries myself. I love surefire. The two don't really mix. However, I've found what I consider to be a terrific compromise: surefire C3, Malkoff M60w led, and some lithium ion rechargeable batteries (17500- you can get better batteries, but this is the best non-modified setup). To be fair, each battery is $11, the charger around $15, and it takes 2 batteries to run it. However, I get 170 lumens of neutral led output, for 1.5 hours, rechargeable. I carry (did, need to call warranty) a AA pocket light, and then my rocket light is the C3- one for easy universal swapping, one for power. I suppose what I need now is an HID, but I'm more interested in road bikes right now.

In conclusion: a single AA or double AA light, then there is nothing better for the job. But when it comes to extreme output, it might be worth considering going lithium. It's a little weird, I'll admit, but you can keep the form factor manageable (the TK40 is, to me, is ridiculous). Also, you don't have to keep shelling out for those expensive batteries.

Just some food for thought... or gasoline on the fire... :D
Zero
 
I was at costco and got a 3 cell (d) and 2 cell (AA) for about 25 dollars. I'm happy. They light up real nice.
 
Some people would be happy with 2-for-$25 knives, too, and say they cut real nice.

Some people want better than that.
 
storl said:
As a dealer for half the brands mentioned, I'll chime in.

-iTP C8R - Adjustable brightness by turning the head, really good ergonomics, strobe, SOS, lowest priced

-iTP C8T - Same as above but without strobe and SOS and with a forward (momentary) switch
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I have the iTP C7T which is the single AA version of the C8T. That light is awesome!! Took it camping a few times in September and have been really impressed. You can go from very dim to Very bright with a slight turn of the head. When I store mine I use the lockout funtion so it doesn't accidentally turn on in my bag, which it did the first time I took it camping. The body is very comfortable for me to hold in my hand and with Lithium batteries it's rather light weight.

I'm thinking about ordering a C8T or an extra body for my C7T. The C7, C8, and C9 bodies are interchangeable. :thumbup: Storl is a good dealer to order from, very helpfull and has good products. Check out the deals in his Signature. ;)

Heber
 
This is the bee's knees Ms. Jill
two lens, good strong switch, a cord to wrap around your wrist, and a real crowd pleaser, what more could ya ask for??

1871_front_detail.jpg
 
jill jackson said:
I've used those flashlights with those high dollar batteries. That is what I'd like to get away from. I have a really cheap source of alkaline AA's and AAA's.
I just wondered what is the best flashlights made that use these batteries.
Is there anything high lumen and better than my 30 dollar Coleman, from Walmart?
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I guess I recomend the colman flashlight :)
 
If I had to use AA's I'd use a Pelican light. Durable, cheap.

I stash CR123 cells all over the place. I put them in tubes I get from CountyComm. Laptop bag, glove box, under my bed, basement, humidor, center console, etc. I also stick a yellow G2 LED in my glove box.

GoingGear has a good flashlight selection, I'd look there for some AA/AAA lights.
 
I've been using the Nitecore D10 for close to a year now and it rocks. Got one for a friend as well and it does not ever leave his side.

It's pretty much what everyone I know is getting for Christmas this year. :p
 
KuRUpTD said:
Hey Jill,

You're not going to find a great selection of flashlights at Walmart, that Coleman is probably as good as it gets.
My buddy just picked up two of these 2AA lights and can't stop raving about them.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-109/Olight-T-dsh-25-Regular-Cree/Detail
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I know it's not the best available. (the Coleman) But, it's not bad at all and it works a lot better than the Maglight with the twist to turn on off head, that I've been using. (those have a nasty habit of going off when in use)
I'm just thinking I'll need a better light for long term use in the near future and I'm trying to get a feel for what's out there and well liked.
Thanks to you guys I'm on my way to making an very informed decision.:) For my next purchase.
 
Well, my advice on the Lithium for high end still stands. If I had a chance to replace my AA light, it would be with a nitecore EZAA. Small, simple. I've got a tactical light; I don't need to pretend my AA is one. The EZAA is as small as you can get (I've had my 1xAA noticed by girls, but that tells you I was doing my job as their attention was focused down there :cool:), and has a warm emitter. I don't use flashlights indoors unless I'm pretending to clear rooms, so that's the bottom line for me.

If I was looking at a 2xAA setup, I'd give the fenix TK20 a hard look.

It all depends how you use them, and I'd definitely get AA versions of those. But any bigger, you start to get ridiculous- it's like lusting after an electric car built with lead acid batteries when there are ones with lithium batteries, and you're looking for a high performance car... maybe it can be done, but COME ON! :p

Zero
 
Is that a 1xAA flashlight in your pocket, or are you just very unhappy to see me?
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I use a Fenix TK 10 for dog walking :thumbup: - two brightness levels and all switches/modes have been reliable over the last 12 months. Uses CR 123 batteries which I thought would be a pain but they have lasted very well and seem to becoming more widely available over the last 2 years - also I found the NiMH/Nicad rechargeable cells drop off their output relatively quickly compared with CR 123 lithium cells so you get less warning of when to change the batteries (in saying that I am comparing a Fenix regulated circuit-board to a Led Lenser P7 adjustable focus with non regulated supply in which I use 4xAAA :thumbup:, which is also a nifty torch with reasonable output and unlike some reports I have had no QC problems with it other than batteries running flat during a few weeks of storage).

The TK 10 is bright enough at >200 lumens in high mode to temporarily disorient an 'attacker', good 'throw' to see the dogs ahead on the trail and with sufficient side spill that you don't need to wave it around everywhere to see off to the sides of the trail.

I'd like to try a surefire but they are much more expensive when I've looked here in Australia :grumpy:.

Of course, YMMV. :D
 
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