I need help chosing a 1xaa light.

[MobileEMP]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a 1xaa EDC light with good battery life, throw, and mode selection. So far, I've narrowed it down to the Eagletac D25a clicky and the Fenix LD12. Between those two lights, which is "best"?

Also, are there any other lights in this category that compare to those for me to look into? I don't want to overlook anything.

Thanks!

Lights suggested:
Eagletac D25a
Fenix LD12
Nitecore MT1A
Quark AA Series
Zebralight SC51

[reppans]

Add the FourSevens Quark AAs and Zebralight H or SC 51s to your list. I own the Quark AA, AAX (Regular and Tactical), ET D25A Ti Clicky, and ZL H51w and I would rank them in the same order... while all decent 1xAAs will have similar max outputs (I don't believe ZLs claims), these three uniquely have multi-hundred hour moonlight modes which happens to be a favorite for me.

I like the Quarks for full 14500 Li-ion support, Lego-ability, long warranty and US based HQ & C/S.

[Labrador72]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a 1xaa EDC light with good battery life, throw, and mode selection. So far, I've narrowed it down to the Eagletac D25a clicky and the Fenix LD12. Between those two lights, which is "best"?

Fenix LD12: forward clicky and memory but has mode switch on the head.
Eagletac D25A: reverse clicky and, I think, has no memory (unlike other lights in the same series). It is compact and IMO has a better clip than the Fenix LD12.

Other than the lights Reppans already recommended, you could check out the Nitecore MT1A, it has just come out.

[MobileEMP]

Add the FourSevens Quark AAs and Zebralight H or SC 51s to your list. I own the Quark AA, AAX (Regular and Tactical), ET D25A Ti Clicky, and ZL H51w and I would rank them in the same order... while all decent 1xAAs will have similar max outputs (I don't believe ZLs claims), these three uniquely have multi-hundred hour moonlight modes which happens to be a favorite for me.

I like the Quarks for full 14500 Li-ion support, Lego-ability, long warranty and US based HQ & C/S.

I've looked into the Quarks and heard excellent things about them, but one of the things I don't like is the forward (correction: reverse) clicky on the non-tactical versions. Also, the D25a can tailstand, which is of some importance to me.

[MobileEMP]

Other than the lights Reppans already recommended, you could check out the Nitecore MT1A, it has just come out.

The MT1A looks great, but I can't find it for sale anywhere. What is it selling for currently?

[Labrador72]

It just came out so it may be another couple of weeks before it hits the online stores.
In Europe is selling for just short of 40 euros.

[reppans]

I've looked into the Quarks and heard excellent things about them, but one of the things I don't like is the forward clicky on the non-tactical versions. Also, the D25a can tailstand, which is of some importance to me.

You must mean the forward clicky on the tactical versions... the regular ("pro") versions are tail-standing reverse clickies, just like the D25A. In fact, the Quark and D25 have very similar UIs, both with advantages and disadvantages. Anyways, I run my Tactical with a tail-standing reverse clicky ($9 lego option), although I personally like the pro interface better. Tail-standing is must for me too....it's my camping/blackout lantern (clicky).

You can't go wrong with either - I think the Quark is the better light, but the D25A is so small and beautiful in Ti. They're my main two EDC lights in rotation.

[archimedes]

Peak Logan 17500 (also takes AA) is a bit different than most of those you've listed above ... might check it out, if interested in exploring all options.

[MobileEMP]

You must mean the forward clicky on the tactical versions... the regular ("pro") versions are tail-standing reverse clickies, just like the D25A. In fact, the Quark and D25 have very similar UIs, both with advantages and disadvantages. Anyways, I run my Tactical with a tail-standing reverse clicky ($9 lego option), although I personally like the pro interface better. Tail-standing is must for me too....it's my camping/blackout lantern (clicky).

You can't go wrong with either - I think the Quark is the better light, but the D25A is so small and beautiful in Ti. They're my main two EDC lights in rotation.

Thanks for the help reppans, but since I'm new to the flashlight game, I'm a bit confused. So the D25a does have a reverse clicky with momentary, which allows for mode switching? Does the Quark have momentary and mode switching as well with a reverse clicky?

And is a forward clicky usually what tactical lights with momentary have?

Thanks.

[reppans]

Momentary forward clickies work by activating the light with half presses (like signaling) and locking on with a full press/click. Reverse clickies work by a full press/click to lock on, and then half presses to change modes. As you can imagine, momentary forward clickies don't work well with multi-mode lights unless there's a 2nd clicky, rotating ring, or bezel twist able to handle the mode changes. And yes, tactical lights tend to be forward momentary clickies.

The D25 and regular Quarks both operate the same with reverse clickies to change their multimodes on loose bezel, and then also to switch between their "tactical" turbo and strobe modes on tight bezel. The Quarks have an additional UI "Tactical" option which uses a momentary forward clicky with a two (of 8) programmable modes. You program a loose bezel mode and tight bezel mode, and need to reprogram, if want a different mode.

You can signal with a reverse clicky on the D25 or Quark regular by backing off 1/8th of turn from tight bezel position and then putting sideways pressure on the head, which kicks it into turbo as the head/batt tube make connection.

Hope that helps...

[MobileEMP]

Just to update everyone, I purchased a Fenix LD12 and am loving it! I really like the mode selection on the head, even though at first I didn't think I would. The mode memory is great as well, making it easy to use the low setting with the forward momentary clicky! Thanks for all of your advice.

[hiuintahs]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a 1xaa EDC light with good battery life, throw, and mode selection. So far, I've narrowed it down to the Eagletac D25a clicky and the Fenix LD12. Between those two lights, which is "best"?

Also, are there any other lights in this category that compare to those for me to look into? I don't want to overlook anything.

I've owned the LD12 and an EagleTac D25a twisty and both are good lights but I actually liked the Klarus ST10 better. Not sure I liked the looks of the ST10 as well but I liked the functionality of it better. I think the EagleTac D25a clicky is a reverse click switch and I prefer forward tactical (momentary on) type lights.

The ST10 is getting hard to find at a decent price.

Edit: looks like you got the LD12........good choice. You'll be happy with it. I for one love the external mode select switches.