Flashlight for emergency travel go bag

The title sounds far scarier that it really is. I'm not sure of a more appropriate name. From time to time, my work have my travelling to fix or address things. Sometimes I might need to take my personal vehicle, but quite often, I am taking another vehicle such as a rental or company car. I once had to fly. I hate transferring things between vehicles such as cell phone charging cable, universal cell phone mount, 12v cigarette accessory port charger, notepad, sunglasses etc... To that end, I created a small traveling go bag. This was not meant to be an end of the world, survive off the land type deal. If I get called up to go somewhere, from a traveling perspective, I have this small bag with some essentials needed to travel somewhere. So far, it been working great except for a flashlight. Now I typically have a small flashlight on me but there been a few times where I didn't.

I am looking for some recommendations on a small flashlight that I can store in the bag mentioned above. I might need the light once a month or I might need it every 6 months. Battery wise, I would like to stay with the AA size. Simply because if it came down to it, I know I can get some replacement batteries at a near by 7-11, mini-market or even the hotel shop. I am not opposed to rechargeable. If recommending a recharging light or battery, I would need an accompany charging solution that can be used while traveling. While I am firm believer in getting the right tool for the job and willing to spend some money, I also believe in being financially prudent.

Nitecore MT2A Pro if you can handle 2 AA size.

Lots of options here, but the crux of this is that you need something that can run from lithium, NiMH, or alkaline AA batteries. As far as the rest of it goes, it'd be helpful to narrow things down by size constraints (1xAA, 2xAA, etc.) and by output needs (how much output do you need, both maximum and minimum?). And is runtime a factor?

I'm also a believer in not having specialty equipment for occasional use - avoids the "I've forgotten how to use this thing, I haven't used it in so long" problem. This would suggest to me that the equipment in this kit should be similar to the equipment you use normally day-to-day.

Fenix PD32
LG MJ1 INR 18650
TITANIUM-CR123A
XTAR-MC1

When I want two hands free, I'll grab a head lamp.
I like the Sofirn D25L. I have a few of them. One stays in my car's glove compartment. Another I throw into my toiletries bag when I travel.

If you really want to stick with AA but not rechargeable (ie not 14500) then I too recommend 2AA. I have some Eagtac, Olight and Thrunite 2AA flashlights that will all do what you want. Loaded with Energizer Lithiums, these will last many many months unattended. They all top out at about 400-500 lumens or so. I have the Eagtacs in my and my wifes cars and I check the batteries a couple of times a year. Don't go for anything where the tailcap lights up as in my experience they drain the batteries way too fast.

Also like LEDphile said above, go for a simple interface so that you don't have to ask yourself how it works if you need it quick.

Use lithium AAs so they don't leak.

Streamlight 1L - 1AA - runs on CR123's or AA's and AAA's can be used in a pinch.

Before I can offer any advice, the most important question to ask, hasn't been asked.......

What is the intended use of the flashlight?

Also, Lithium AA's have been mentioned, and while an excellent choice, in many cases they cost more than CR123's.

For what you're asking, a 1 or 2 CR123 flashlight, with 3-6 spare CR123's, would very likely be your best bet.

However, as I said earlier, it is difficult to offer advice without knowing your intended use.

I recommend this one a lot, but I would use a peak Logan 17500. This way you don't have to worry about finding batteries.

xxo said:

Streamlight 1L - 1AA - runs on CR123's or AA's and AAA's can be used in a pinch.

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This is the way

RWT1405 said:

Also, Lithium AA's have been mentioned, and while an excellent choice, in many cases they cost more than CR123's.

For what you're asking, a 1 or 2 CR123 flashlight, with 3-6 spare CR123's, would very likely be your best bet.

However, as I said earlier, it is difficult to offer advice without knowing your intended use.

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That is right but some lights I use don't come in CR123 such as Petzl AA or AAA headlamps. Also lithium in an old incan light makes it bright as can be and if you are worried about blowing a bulb you can fit a 3D bulb in a PR base AA light.

RWT1405 said:

Before I can offer any advice, the most important question to ask, hasn't been asked.......

What is the intended use of the flashlight?

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Great question. The flashlight would be for general use. I might need to crawl under a desk to look for a loose cable or a might need to go into a new-to-me conference room and don't know where the light switches are at. Throw, while fun, is not a primary concern. The most likely worst case scenario is that is having to change a tire on the side of the road at night or having to evacuate an unknown office when the power went out.

I would keep it to maybe 300 lumens. Less means better runtime.

MatthewMurdock said:

Great question. The flashlight would be for general use. I might need to crawl under a desk to look for a loose cable or a might need to go into a new-to-me conference room and don't know where the light switches are at. Throw, while fun, is not a primary concern. The most likely worst case scenario is that is having to change a tire on the side of the road at night or having to evacuate an unknown office when the power went out.

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Any of the ones I mentioned will do the trick. The Thrunite is probably the cheapest and will go down to 0.2 lumens IIRC. To me a moonlight mode is as useful as "full fat". There are so many good brands out there that the easy solution is to just pick one and try it out. Sometimes we can overthink these things. My only caveat is that users on this site will recommend a limited range of names. There is a reason for this and the crucial word is "reliability". Cheap Cr*p that promises a gazillion lumens is gambling. Pick something solid and it might save your life.

1xAA Convoy T3, Lumintop Tool 2.0, Thrunite Saber, and many others
2xAA Wurkkos WK05, Convoy T4 (nice but is on the big heavy side)

I'd avoid electronic switches and lights that aren't compatible with Alkalines in a pinch, (but don't use Alkalines!)

These aren't as sophisticated as Emisar, Zebralight, Etc, but they are available in Neutral and will get the job done. The Saber and Tool can be found with USB-C 14500 batteries included. The WK05 may also come with regular 14500 batteries, but works well with 1.2-1.5v batteries.

cave dave said:

I'd avoid electronic switches and lights that aren't compatible with Alkalines in a pinch, (but don't use Alkalines!)

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I can't say I avoid lights that can't use alkalines but I have at least 30 user lights on standby that can take alkalines for extended camping or natural disaster usage.

Ideally I'm running a Lithium but not all lights take them. I keep Nicad or NiMh in them if they sit around but if I have to grab some and use them for extended use I may not have electricity to recharge with and some rechargable batteries are rather expensive. It is so easy to grab an ammo can full of alkalines and use the light a lot. There is little worry that the alkalines leak if you are using them up fast. After the situation stabilises or I come back home I can recharge the akku and go back to using it.

MatthewMurdock said:

Great question. The flashlight would be for general use. I might need to crawl under a desk to look for a loose cable or a might need to go into a new-to-me conference room and don't know where the light switches are at. Throw, while fun, is not a primary concern. The most likely worst case scenario is that is having to change a tire on the side of the road at night or having to evacuate an unknown office when the power went out.

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Very good, then I would suggest, as xxo and others mentioned

1) Streamlight 1L - 1AA

2) Pelican 2350 (1AA)

For what you are looking for, I think either of these would do fine for you.

Best of luck in your search.

HDS Rotary. Bulletproof and has 23 levels so will always have the right amount of light for the job. Can use CR123 as well as RCR123 so can always find batteries.