Well , at last I have received my torch from hkequipment (20th March) ... According to the postmark , it was posted on 28th February , so it took three weeks to arrive ... I didn't even hear the small envelope drop through the letterbox ... It was so light that the dog didn't even hear it ... This is a distinct advantage in that I can keep my purchase confidential (from Her Indoors)
I looked at the envelope and thought that they had sent an A3 as the bulge in the envelope seemed too small for a single AA torch ... Previous experience of a small AA torch was limited to my (larger) Trustfire F20 EDC.
Anyway , I opened the envelope to find a very well bubble-wrapped box containing the torch ... It was in fact the iTP A2 , though I was not expecting something as small as this even though I knew the measurements.
A quick look at the enclosed instuctions and a few seconds later a Hybrio was inserted and the torch switched on ... It was here that I made a tactical error ... I looked at the beam on low and thought that it was a great level of light for nocturnal bathroom visits ... I then shone the torch under my old desk and went to the medium setting ... Great medium power for normal use ... I turned the torch off then on again to bring up the high power setting ... Somehow the torch had been reversed in my exuberance and full power came on with the "bright end" about nine inches from my face ... It was extremely bright and for a few minutes (it seemed longer) I could see a light coloured blotch wherever I looked and was unable to focus on the job in hand.
Eventually I was able to examine the torch in more detail ... I have to say that it is everything that I could wish for in an everyday torch ... I took the keyring off, as it will be clipped into a pocket rather than used as a keyring accessory ... The clip is quite a strong one and I prefer it to the one on my Trustfire F20 ... The three twisty modes are perfect since I don't like the S-O-S and strobes on my F20 ... I much prefer the fact that the A2 always comes on first in the low level ... Personal preference really.
I am very impressed with the quality of not just the torch but also the care taken by hkequipment in the way that it was packed ... My torches do not get abused and scuffed , so this one should last literally for ever ... The finish seems to be very good and I can't see any flaws or marks externally ... There is no "grittiness" in the operation of the twisty mechanism and the O-ring gives a nice tension to the movement.
All in all , I am delighted with my purchase and cannot see any reason to go for a more expensive single AA torch ... This is my ideal small EDC torch.
The only minor problem that I can see is that I am now considering the purchase of other iTP "A-series" torches.
The even smaller A3 is probably too small , but I wouldn't know unless I actually bought one ... It does have good levels of illumination and quite respectable run times for a AAA torch and I do have a few spare AAA Eneloops in stock.
The A1 is far too dumpy and uses a battery size that I don't already use , but there again it is really bright on the high mode and has good run times particularly on the medium and low settings ... Since I don't have any 123 cells , would I go for the primary or the rechargeables ? ... I do have a Soshine (SC-S1 min) charger that is capable of taking the 123s, but the run times would be lower than with primary cells.
Oh , the decisions that have to be made ... This is starting to sound like my Wife and her Shoes and Handbags (purses) ... Even a caterpillar or a millipede wouldn't need that many pairs of shoes ... So by comparison , I am not overloaded with torches ... I just have to be more discrete (secretive) than herself ... The good thing is that the "A series" will all come through the letterbox without our Westminster Chimes (doorbell) alerting the enemy !
By now , you will have realised that I would recommend the iTP A2 torch.
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Marvelous stuff. 
are pretty good with a 14500.
