Looking for 2-3AA, pocket sized, 3-400 lumens with good runtime for $100+/-

[dobie]

Was originally looking at the Maglite xl200 and the Mag Pro+ but it sounds like there are better lights out there for a bit more money. Looking for excellent throw with at least 3 -4 hrs battery life. Would like it pocket sized to take with me for hunting where bulk matters. Some spill would be nice to help finding my way thru the woods in the dark. From the reading I've done, sounds like Jetbeam might be a good choice but not sure which model would be recommended.


I did buy a Fenix TK41 after reading about it here for the house and you guys definitely know your stuff!!

[dobie]

Wanted to add:



Do not want a flashlight with tons of settings to have to cycle thru. H, M , L or just H and L would be fine.



Looking at some of selfbuilts reviews, the Olight S35 or S65 might work and also read about the AA powered Foursevens Quark AA but it has way too many settings for my likes. I like the short stubby lights like the Mag XL200 and Olight. I'm just overloaded with options and could use some input.

[Gunner12]

Try filling out the Recommendation Checklist, it'll help us narrow down the lights. How many modes? What kind of grip do you prefer? Tailcap switch, head switch? How much throw?

There aren't many 3 AA lights, but there are quite a few 2 AA ones, most don't get to 400 lumen though. Would a 4 AA light work? It'll be 2 AA batteries next to each other, an example being the Fenix LD40 or LD41, the LD41 says 500+ lumen but the LD40 might have a bit more throw due to the smaller emitter.

The 4Sevens Quark Pro QP2A-X and Quark Tactical QT2A-X is rated to 280 lumen max. Shinigbeam's Spark and Caveman are both rated to 280 lumen on high, the Caveman says 290 lumen on high but you won't be able to tell the difference (Spark has a XP-G, Caveman has an XM-L). The Jetbeam BA20 is rated to 270 lumen and is a simple 2 mode light (loosen head for low, tighten for high).

The Sunwayman V20A is rated to 460 lumen, but that's with 1 3.7v li-ion battery.

[Ezeriel]

"I did buy a Fenix TK41..."

do you want as much throw as that? cause that ain't gonna happen... hehe...


got any other lights? something that you can compare to? how much throw you do want as compared to XXXX light? that sort'a thing

what batteries do you wanna use? AA? how much do you wanna spend?

[CarpentryHero]

Only 3 AA light I've seen is the new BlackShadow Rook which may be pocketable, or the Cyclone C88 that would feel too bulky in the coat, would be alright in a holster. Cnqualitygoods sells the Shadow, it looks like it can run on lithium rechargeables.

[dobie]

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
x___I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)

____Less than $25.
____Less than $50.
____Less than $100.
__x__Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
____I’m flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
____Other, please specify ________


3) Format:

__x__I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Keychain size.
____Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
_x___Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source:

__x__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

__x__I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.


7) What battery type do you want to use?

_x___I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today’s most powerful lights)
_x___I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
____I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)


8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
____I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
__x__I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
__x__I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
__x__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
__x__50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
__x__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
__x__3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).


11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A “night-stand” light).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
__x__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't care.
____I don’t know.


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).
__x__I don't care.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
__x__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
_x___I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________.


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____“Hybrid” light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments

[dobie]

Another light that looks like it might work perfect for me if it ever comes out is the Zebralight 4AA Q50.
Compact, AA batteries, long run time and excellent lgiht output. Any thoughts?

[CarpentryHero]

Yeah, the Q50 would be great for you if it ever comes out


The Fenix LD41 will probably be your best bet

[rambo180]

sunwayman m30a and the lenser mt7 might also suit.

the m30a has a big reflector and therefore throws well. the mt7 has focus, so you can make it throw well, its only 220 lumens but the focus mechanism is VERY efficient.

[dobie]

Yeah, the Q50 would be great for you if it ever comes out


The Fenix LD41 will probably be your best bet

I think the LD41 is going to be bigger than I want.



Getting overloaded with info right now but looking at the Eagletac D25A2 but the runtime on high doesn't quite seem to suite me. Even started considering the cr-123 lights because of their combination of power and compact size and I use the cr123s in my 60 lumen Surefire.


Waaaay too many choices.

[Gunner12]

If you want log runtime, you'll have to go up in size. Maybe a 18650 light would suit you better? Around the same size as a 2AA light but thicker.

You might have to add the battery and charger into the price range then, but there are many good 18650 lights under $50. Shiningbeam's S-mini looks like a nice small 18650 light with 300-400 lumen output.

[dobie]

Gunner you got me looking at the 18650 flashlights.


This is what I'm going with unless someone thinks there are better options.


- Zebralight SC600W (not sure what difference neutral makes)
- 2 Eagltac 3100 mah protected 18650s
- Jetbeam Inetllicharger i4(no idea on chargers)

I like the compact size of this light and the high output and long run times without the steep dropoffs like other lights I've read about. After reading more, I believe the more floody light will suite me better than a narrow beam long thrower.


Any input would be appreciated.

[Gunner12]

The warmer tint lets you see thing in a more "natural" light. For many of my cool white LED lights, wood and trees appear grey and not brown and my neutral and warm white lights make them look more natural. I got a SC51c from Zebralight and I like mine a lot.

I'm not too sure on chargers either, so I'd search around and see what the consensus is on that. I seems like some people like hobby chargers.

[CarpentryHero]

The intellicharger, make sure you get the version two.
I have the Sc600, I'm sure you'll be happy with the sc600w. Nuetral tints are more desirable for out door use.
The Eagletac batteries are a great choice

[alohasurftoad]

Olight S35

[rambo180]

You'd better change your thread title or someting if you now want an 18650. After the initial investment of batteries and a charger, they're probably at least 3x better in terms of output and runtime compared to alkalines.

Talking alkalines and 18650s in the same thread is a bit like when the north koreans came out for their first olympic soccer match, only to see the south korean flag. its just not cool.

[dobie]

Well, I ordered the Zebralight SC600. Decided the extra lumens might give me an extra 10-15m of throw and living back in the woods where we live, that can come in handy. Realized I've never paid attention to color or tint before so it probably wasn't that important to me.


Did make sure to order the version 2 charger as recommended along with the Eagletac 3100 batteries. More money overall than what I was looking to spend but having that much firepower in such a small light made it worth it for me.


I really appreciate all the help you fellas gave me and hopefully I can return the favor on some topics I'm well versed on.

[Gunner12]

I hope you like the light!

[rambo180]

Well, I ordered the Zebralight SC600. Decided the extra lumens might give me an extra 10-15m of throw and living back in the woods where we live, that can come in handy. Realized I've never paid attention to color or tint before so it probably wasn't that important to me.


Did make sure to order the version 2 charger as recommended along with the Eagletac 3100 batteries. More money overall than what I was looking to spend but having that much firepower in such a small light made it worth it for me.


I really appreciate all the help you fellas gave me and hopefully I can return the favor on some topics I'm well versed on.

3100 batteries and an SC600. You have done well my young padwan. Let us know how you go!

[dobie]

3100 batteries and an SC600. You have done well my young padwan. .........

Don't think I can take off the training wheels just yet but I'm tryin'.


Now that I finally joined after a couple years of snooping around, I'll gladly post(in layman terms) my thoughts on this little fella.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

I think you will like it, it has great run times, the only problem I would see is that it is very floody but most small XM-L lights are.

[dobie]

It's pretty embarrassing giggling like a little schoolgirl




........over a flashlight.

[Gunner12]

So, when's the estimated arrival time? Or has it already landed?

Remember, it's still just a flashlight with modern technology, not a portable arc generator. It'll be bright, but not enough to drown out the sun or anything (I've over-hyped things for myself before, so personally I try not to have too high of an expectation for anything).

Either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[dobie]

I got it yesterday. Was pretty blown away when I played with it last night. The light output compared to it's compact size is what got my jaw dropping.



Was a little surprised those Eagletech 3100s took over 3 hrs to charge.

[Gunner12]

Glad you liked it!

Li-ion batteries can take a bit of time to charger, depending on the charger. I don't know much about charging time and how they affect the battery but I do know that it's bad to charge batteries quickly, so 3 hours could be a good charging time.

[rambo180]

Glad you liked it!

Li-ion batteries can take a bit of time to charger, depending on the charger. I don't know much about charging time and how they affect the battery but I do know that it's bad to charge batteries quickly, so 3 hours could be a good charging time.

Good thread. Glad you like your purchase dobie.

[biglights]

Great choice, it is a great light. I like all the sub modes, once you figure the u.i. out the SC600 is golden!!