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

jill jackson said:
Thanks to you guys I'm on my way to making an very informed decision.:) For my next purchase.
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Ha, ha. You came here thinking you needed a replacement for your Coleman, and probably realize that you also need a single AA keyring light, a single AA light for your purse or pack, a 2AA for the car, and an 8AA monster for the house!
 
jill jackson said:
What about this model? At 200 max lumens. 4 AAA's, it looks interesting.....
http://www.lightsandknives.com/productid/892/65/1.html
I see Fenix is consider much better than Coast, by a little searching. So I know now, but that Coast sure sounded good anyway!:o
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What exactly ARE you looking for? The tk20 does 150 lumens with 2 AAs, and I consider that more useable light too, as I use mine outdoors, and to me, warm LEDs have a HUGE advantage over cool ones, plus it's almost half the price of that one.

If you want to go for multiple AA or AAAs, there's a huge market, but I ask why. AAAs don't have that good of power density relative to a AA, so sticking 4 of them in a light is just silly by my standards. If you had a price range, a use, or ANYTHING that let us know what limiting factor to look at, we could give suggestions or tell you good job on your purchase. E.G., best AA light, best 2xAA light, brightest AA or AAA light, most useable AA or AAA light. Or: I'm using this to walk my dog in/near the woods. I'm going to use this for bar tricks. I need a home defense shotgun light. This is the light I'm sticking in my pants/carrying with me all the time.

I'm not trying to berate, but just curious as to what you want, and also have a need to know what someone gets whenever they ask for advice on buying something.

Zero
 
Zero_Time said:
What exactly ARE you looking for? The tk20 does 150 lumens with 2 AAs, and I consider that more useable light too, as I use mine outdoors, and to me, warm LEDs have a HUGE advantage over cool ones, plus it's almost half the price of that one.

If you want to go for multiple AA or AAAs, there's a huge market, but I ask why. AAAs don't have that good of power density relative to a AA, so sticking 4 of them in a light is just silly by my standards. If you had a price range, a use, or ANYTHING that let us know what limiting factor to look at, we could give suggestions or tell you good job on your purchase. E.G., best AA light, best 2xAA light, brightest AA or AAA light, most useable AA or AAA light. Or: I'm using this to walk my dog in/near the woods. I'm going to use this for bar tricks. I need a home defense shotgun light. This is the light I'm sticking in my pants/carrying with me all the time.

I'm not trying to berate, but just curious as to what you want, and also have a need to know what someone gets whenever they ask for advice on buying something.

Zero
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Well, geez I am just exploring what's out there. I don't have to buy anything right away. So I don't exactly know what I want yet, as it's not urgent. Just I figure to buy something higher end in the future and as far as price goes 75 to 150 is pretty reasonable. I'm really new to any sort of flashlights above what you can buy at a discount store. Sure we have those big rechargeable spot-lights and a bunch of other lights.
I want something, like I stated to go out at night with my dogs and walk, be able to have enough light on hand to see what's going on if need be. Right now I carry the 115 lumen Coleman and a smaller single AA light to see by. Getting a single light with adjustable power will let me carry one and it will no doubt last longer and have greater lighting if I need it. I'll decide what I want in a month or so. I don't like to jump in on stuff I'm unfamiliar with too quickly. So, I will study what's out there carefully then make an informed decision.
 
I have never liked AA or AAA lights they just lack the power to keep up with a CR123 light. Coast lights are cheap and the use of AAA's IMO is a bit silly considering that they don't have much capacity and there going to cost you more money in the long run. CR123 lights are generally brighter and have better runtimes, also using rechargeable batteries means that you don't need to worry about buying expensive batteries though their really not any more expensive than standard batteries http://www.all-battery.com/40tenergycr123alithiumphotobatteryhighcapacitypropel.aspx


I would suggest a malkoff light with a M60W, its a hard to beat combo.
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/build-your-own-flashlight-p-65.html
 
jill jackson said:
I'm open so maybe the 123's are the way to go then and forget the AA, AAA deal.
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My time at CPF showed me that 123's are the way to go. I know you like quality knives so quality flashlights should go hand in hand ;)

Malkoff products along with surefire, olight, nitecore, and fenix are all good options for quality up to date lights. I personally like malkoff and surefire the best because they have the highest quality and what I consider the most user friendly lights, I have no use for any more than a high and low mode. If you have never seen a malkoff drop-in in action then I highly suggest that as your first step. He uses a optic instead of a reflector, this gives you more total light out the front and a beam pattern that will bring a tear to your eye. If you have any surefire lights already then just buy the drop-in, it will make a good light great.
 
I'd bet most of us prefer AA or AAA lights to 123's. That doesn't make us right. Just say'n to look at pros and cons of each.

For your use, though, I'd say you should forget AAA. The only advantage to AAA is that you can have a really small light. If it's going on a key chain or in a pocket, go AAA. Otherwise, you should be looking at AA and 123. For your price range, you have lots of options and you'll get an excellent light.
 
The light I use the most and the one that goes everywhere I go is a Leatherman Serac 2. This carries in my shirt pocket along with my pen and rides comfortably. It runs on a single AAA battery, I use the Energizer Ultimate Lithium, and has two settings; 5 lumens or 35 lumens. I have found that these amounts of light work really well for my needs and are more than adequate for outdoors at night, well, for most things that is. The reflector is fully orange peeled, so you get more dispersion but it still has nice throw with a good spot that has no dark spots and is nice and round with a well defined border.
 
I have oogles of flashlights.

I usually have a Surefire C2 with a Malkoff drop-in about me. One in my bag and one in my car's glovebox. It is a good size for using, though it is not a light I carry on my person. In the same category is the old Surefire E2L.

On my person I use a LUMMI RAW and a BitZ. The RAW is a rechargeable lithium and the BitZ uses a single 123 cell. LUMMI is a bit over-priced at the momenet due to the weak dollar and the BitZ is sold out last I read. I like these due to their size and useable output.

I determined years ago that the single 123 cell lights can be the right size for pocket carry - and a light in the pocket gets used more. Back then it was the old ARC LS twisty that brought about the epiphany as to size and minimum brightness and throw for a EDC flashlight. There are single AA lights that are similar to the old ARC LS in function.

I've tried one of the Fenix single 123 lights (can't recall the model) and it was sized right, and it had that niffty multi-level feature that I sorta like. If I was still in the market, Fenix would be in the running.

Flashlights that use AA and AAA batteries have the advantage of easily obtained batteries, including rechargeable batteries. In a light I am going to use for hours a day, I would consider the AA battery lights. I have a couple of adapters that extend the Surefire E2L to use 2 AA batteries that I use when I'm on a night-walk spree. An issue here is the lack of energy in my 123 rechargeable batteries - piss poor IMO.

Avoid the CR2 battery lights as the batteries just cost too much, though there are some really small lights that use these batteries. I have a couple MJP "mini-lights" from Japan that use these batteries.

Drop by the CandleForums once in a while and read the reviews to get an idea what is out there. Keep size in mind and remember that brightness is nice, but it can be too bright - I still find about 50 actual lumens about ideal for most tasks.
 
knifenut1013 said:
My time at CPF showed me that 123's are the way to go. I know you like quality knives so quality flashlights should go hand in hand ;)
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123's are pretty cool, but they're not everything. They're best for max output/small size led's. (Not even "max output", as powering incandescent hotwires with 123 primaries will break you, rapidly. Some kind of high-current capable rechargeable is best for that application.) They're also good for long shelf life, and when the temps are low.

It really depends on what your needs are. If you are willing to accept somewhat lower output than a 123 in a compact light, AA's can be quite compelling- particularly lsd nimh's (like eneloops), as they are quite versatile, can give high output and allow your light the ability to run off of a *much* more commonly available battery type. And if you really care about the long shelf life and low temp abilities of lithium primaries, you can find those in AA also. So how much light is enough? Up to 90 lumens? Then single AA is all you need. 170 lumens? Then add a second AA.

Also, be aware that there's some danger in using multi-celled 123 powered lights you won't see in anything single-celled.
 
My advice if you're just surveying the field for the next month or so is have fun, and if you're really inquisitive, the best can of worms for the job is candlepowerforums.

For example, check out what I've been talking about with this talk of warm leds being better for outdoors (I'd put one right here, but the pics are too big). Some warm vs. cold LED shots:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=241000&page=4 (scroll to bottom of page)

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=227388

Your mileage may vary, but as far as I'm concerned, I'm not going back to any of those cooler led beams, especially when it is an outdoor light. If you're actually looking at investing a good amount of money (and I do consider that a good amount) into a flashlight, you should get all the bells and whistles possible.
Zero
 
I have Fenix that use 123a ,aa and aaa. I like the aa best. The 123 may be a bit brighter in there rating but I can't tell. The 123 may last longer but I can't tell. I do know I like all my flashlight and I can get aa anywhere is I runout of charge in my rechargables. Sometimes i forget to buy 123 batteries when I need to be somewhere. AA is just convienent. I tried other flashlight but Fenix has worked well for me so thats what I but. From the $12 stocking stuffers to $$$ The AAA stocking stuffer ppl love. Some much light fron a keychain :). I forget all the model ## JME
 
Jill, I have the Fenix TK20 for outdoor hiking, and the TK40 for just total light domination. You can not go wrong with either. I too have grown tired of the cost of the cr123 batts. I have a few flashlight that take both, and the Fenix find their way into use most often. For EDC pocket carry, check out the Photon Proton Pro. One AA and you are good to go. Love that little guy for daily use around the job sites. Happy hunting.
 
Nowadays I really recommend the Quark line of lights. They are very good and come with an excellent warranty. They are also relatively inexpensive ~$60 and very nicely made. I am running a passaround of them and everyone seems to like them.

If it helps, I have written a guide on line about flashlights, which may help to influence your decision.
 
Maratac AAA (or its rebranded version: ITP A3 EOS upgraded). Uses single AAA-battery and my version cost me $18 has 3 modes bright, normal and dim. Bright is about 80 lumens and rivals my 2D maglite with Everled led. I own 2 Fenix and one Leatherman Branded Fenix. All excellent and durable lights.

Streamlight has also good selection of lights
 
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