Best AA edc flashlight?

[ChrisGarrett]

I've only got 5 AAs: an ICON Rogue 1, two Xeno E03s—one 3 mode and one 6 mode, a Zebralight SC52 and an L10 from Illumination, I think.

All have differing U.I.s, but all work for me.

Chris

 

[Mr. LED]

Zebralight SC53c or SC52w L2 or H53Fc for me.

 

[JimNSULaw17]

I've had a ton of AA lights but sold them all except for my Ti Tool 2.0 with LH351D 5k led. It's on me everyday even if I have another larger light already. It fits my needs perfectly and always works when I need it to.

View attachment 26402

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I'm waiting on the Corvus to be made, maybe that can knock the Tool off of the AA list.


Maybe.

Is that clip a one-off you made yourself, or did you purchase it somewhere? I've never seen a deep-carry clip that covers the whole light. I'm thinking I'd like one for myself....

 

[zandroid]

Is that clip a one-off you made yourself, or did you purchase it somewhere? I've never seen a deep-carry clip that covers the whole light. I'm thinking I'd like one for myself....

That's definitely a deep carry clip from a Benchmade knife. You used to be able to call their customer service and request one. You will need to know the knife model to get the proper screw spacing. Maybe boo5ted will respond and provide the model. You can likely get a third party Ti clip after getting the model.

 

[Msf]

I know the !alkoff MDC AA has been mentioned, as well as the low being really low. I thought the same, even though I absolutely like the medium and high, plus the fact that it throws better than any AA I am aware of. I wasn't happy with the sub-lumen low, but stumbled on an easy fix that boosts the low more to a level of my liking.
I am operating it using the 2.4vdc 14500 that Olight sells for the i5r light. Using that battery, the MDC AA low is significantly higher (best guess between 1-2 lumens) and suits my needs much better. With that battery, the MDC AA is certainly in contention as one of the best outdoor EDC AAs.

 

[teajava]

Does anyone know a AA light that has the brightness adjust on the bezel, with tail clicky on/off? I never see this but to me this would be such a better system then button cycling which I hate. Next best thing is ramping which few do but someone mentioned the sofirn does so may have to check that out.

I just want a bezel with nice clicky twist settings like you see in diver watches. So satisfying.

 

[thermal guy]

Lumintop tool will do that.

 

[Duster1671]

How about a Malkoff MDC AA with a custom-built head...

This has a Lumens Factory teardrop head with a H17Fx driving a 219b 4000K. This could also be built with a AA/14500 driver for primary compatibility.

 

[aznsx]

Does anyone know a AA light that has the brightness adjust on the bezel, with tail clicky on/off? I never see this but to me this would be such a better system then button cycling which I hate. Next best thing is ramping which few do but someone mentioned the sofirn does so may have to check that out.

I just want a bezel with nice clicky twist settings like you see in diver watches. So satisfying.

EDIT: I experienced a serious malfunction when I posted this yesterday, so I've deleted the erroneous information and re-posted with the correct info..

 

[boo5ted]

Is that clip a one-off you made yourself, or did you purchase it somewhere? I've never seen a deep-carry clip that covers the whole light. I'm thinking I'd like one for myself....

Clip is off a Benchmade Mini Bugout, made it myself after seeing no one made a decent deep carry clip for the Tool.

 

[ledbetter]

I guess I like mdc aa - m30 on 14500 or aa, older cool 1-3v xpg, new sst20 n which is great, m31w with aa, and cool xpg2. imo sst20 n is a big improvement over 219b aa I sold.

 

[teajava]

Maybe this?

P200A2

www.eagtac.com

EagTac P200A2

NON-Stocked Item ~ SPECIAL ORDER ~ let us know if you want one, or a hundred+. EAGTAC P200A2 Much improved from its predecessor P100. The all-new P200 series get redesigned from ground up. It features better heatsink, more rigid built, higher lumen output, better interface, and better looking...

illuminationgear.com

EDIT: Sorry, but I just noticed the remaining emitter choices probably rules this out from this distributor, but other distributors may still have other emitters available. Perhaps this outfit, or others...

EAGTAC P Series P200A2 LED Flashlight Up to $4.61 Off w/ Free Shipping — 5 models

Shop EAGTAC P Series P200A2 LED Flashlight | Up to $4.61 Off Be The First To Review EAGTAC P Series P200A2 LED Flashlight + Free Shipping over $49.

shop.opticsplanet.com

Lumintop tool will do that.

eagletac seems to have some better function if you program yourself, but as far as I can tell still more about changing modes by twisting bezel back and forth. About as elegant as just clicking between modes. Though you can set one twist position to be your preferred modes if you program yourself at least.
*edit: the eagtac groups mode with the bezel twist actually looks to get closest to what I want right out the box. Think I'll grab one and try it out.
I think a better system would just be tactile clicks around the bezel and that's the only way you change modes, no button pressing or twisting back and forth to change. Twist to one side to get low, and distinct clicks toggle up the brightness and then any other modes like SOS. This would be much faster, no memorizing patterns, and could hand to someone else without having to explain an overly convoluted ui. And you don't have to worry about memory modes or anything, it's just in a physical position you can set depending on the situation you're in. Doesn't look like such a system exists but oh well I digress from the thread.

 

[rwolfenstein]

I am surprised that there were not many people bringing up Olight. Is it because their products are mass produced and don't bring many options for customization?

 

[turbodog]

Does anyone know a AA light that has the brightness adjust on the bezel, with tail clicky on/off? I never see this but to me this would be such a better system then button cycling which I hate. Next best thing is ramping which few do but someone mentioned the sofirn does so may have to check that out.

I just want a bezel with nice clicky twist settings like you see in diver watches. So satisfying.

fenix e11 had a 2 stage head

bezels are subject to impacts... would not go well with being adjustable

 

[Megalamuffin]

I am surprised that there were not many people bringing up Olight. Is it because their products are mass produced and don't bring many options for customization?

There's a lot of better options that are either smaller, more lightweight, more bright, or cheaper than olights aa size offerings. The olights are not bad at all, but they aren't the best either.

 

[teajava]

fenix e11 had a 2 stage head

bezels are subject to impacts... would not go well with being adjustable

Hmm could do a collar if it needed to be that fortified on the front, but most lights already have twist off heads I don't think it would need to be that mechanically different.

 

[eggsalad]

There's a lot of better options that are either smaller, more lightweight, more bright, or cheaper than olights aa size offerings. The olights are not bad at all, but they aren't the best either.

I've been looking at the i5t from Olight to replace my aging EagleTac 2xAAA EDC. The Olight has the simplest tail cap switch, similar to my current light. Show me something better, with just as simple of a switch, for under $30 and I'll buy it.

 

[Megalamuffin]

I've been looking at the i5t from Olight to replace my aging EagleTac 2xAAA EDC. The Olight has the simplest tail cap switch, similar to my current light. Show me something better, with just as simple of a switch, for under $30 and I'll buy it.

I would pick either the fenix e12 v2, lumintop tool aa 2.0 or lumintop edc aa over the i5t. The lumintop's have the added advantage of being able to use a 14500 also.

 

[eggsalad]

I would pick either the fenix e12 v2, lumintop tool aa 2.0 or lumintop edc aa over the i5t. The lumintop's have the added advantage of being able to use a 14500 also.

Thanks for the tips. I looked at the lights you suggested. Both of the Lumintop lights have too many modes - including strobe, which I despise. The Fenix seems okay, but I'd rather not have the option to twist the lens to change modes. The Olight has 2 modes, only selectable with the switch, just like my EagleTac PN20a2 - and that's exactly what I want. I guess I don't care if the other 2 lights you recommended are *better*, I just prefer a light that only works the way I want it to.

 

[Megalamuffin]

Thanks for the tips. I looked at the lights you suggested. Both of the Lumintop lights have too many modes - including strobe, which I despise. The Fenix seems okay, but I'd rather not have the option to twist the lens to change modes. The Olight has 2 modes, only selectable with the switch, just like my EagleTac PN20a2 - and that's exactly what I want. I guess I don't care if the other 2 lights you recommended are *better*, I just prefer a light that only works the way I want it to.

I can understand if the lumintop has too many modes, but the strobe is easily ignored. The fenix e12 is a click to turn on and bump the switch to change modes. Fast and easy, no twisting.