2AA EDC light

[Est.1882]

Hello All!

I am new here, and new to flashlights. My previous light was a 2AA maglite, but I am now looking for something a bit more 'professional'.
I believe that EDC is the best way to describe the use I am looking for - mostly used for around the house, and taking my dog for a walk at night, but also used for occasional summer camping trips. I hope that by defining my requirements as below you can help me find the ideal solution.

Thanks in advance

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I will be buying online

2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
Up to £50 (~ $80)

3) Format:
I want a flashlight.

4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Every day carry

5) Emitter/Light source:
LED

6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer

7) What battery type do you want to use?
I intend to use alkaline batteries (AA)

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).
Multi-Level light. High level at least 150 Lumens.

9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
Usually up to 20m. Sometimes up to 50m.

10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
As long as possible (More important than max output). At least 2 hours.

11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).

12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
I want a tail mounted switch.
If possible depressed so that I can stand the torch on end

13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I must have at least 2 light levels. 3 or more would be ideal.

14)Material/Finish/Coating
Doesn't matter but prefer look and feel of metal lights

15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
'straight' body (does that make sense?) - so that the top of the torch isn't wider than the body.
Would like but not essential - waterproofing

 

[Ezeriel]

EDC is every day carry, it's usually a small light you keep in your pocket at all times. 2AA lights are rarely EDC unless you are a cop/security/inspector.

besides that... you have a really easy order to fill

was your 2AA maglite a incandescent? today's leds are gonna blow your socks off if it was...
all 2aa lights should shine about 100 feet of usable light. A few do more, Eagletac is the best as far as I know.


It's easy to pick up a Fenix LD20, the old ones have the low-med-high or turbo/strobe configuration,
and I love that set-up! the new ones use a side button that I'm not familiar with.

In-my-opinion, for the price and quality, Fenix is one of the best lights you can get.
There are others out there, but these days you can get a Fenix at walmart ...The LD20 is called "Fenix Light 5.91'' LED Flashlight"


Shiningbeam has great budget lights too, including his own brand/line, which is still pretty new. The Neutral-white Spark is good for about 100 feet,
but it's really-really floody. The rest I'm not sure about. The Caveman light is supposed to be really high quality, he's really happy with how it turned out.

Good luck!

 

[Est.1882]

Thanks for the reply.
Sorry if I got the terminology wrong, I guess I just figured EDC meant kind of general/everyday use :duh2:.
If something smaller that uses standard AA batteries (i.e. single AA light) meets my requirements then that's no problem, it's just that my existing maglite (yes it was incandescent) was 2AA size, so figured I'd want something similar.

Will check out the Fenix that you recommend.

 

[Ezeriel]

Thanks for the reply.
Sorry if I got the terminology wrong, I guess I just figured EDC meant kind of general/everyday use :duh2:.
If something smaller that uses standard AA batteries (i.e. single AA light) meets my requirements then that's no problem, it's just that my existing maglite (yes it was incandescent) was 2AA size, so figured I'd want something similar.

Will check out the Fenix that you recommend.

Oh wow... you have to come back and tell us how you like your new light...


A LD10 or LD20 will leave you in awe.... The LD10 is a single AA version of the LD20, I'd get the LD20.
The LD10 still seems too big for an EDC and isn't bright enough for non-edc stuff. (just my opinion)

Get one with an R4 or R5 led emitter and you will up to date.
(even thought my old LD20 with a Q5 would be a massive massive massive upgrade for you)

The Updated versions of the LD10 and LD20 are the LD12 and LD22, and are defiantly an option for you (they have the side buttons)
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?332175-Fenix-LD12-and-LD22

 

[roadkill1109]

(almost) everybody starts with a Quark AA^2. Just have to choose which one, the Regular or the Tactical. Get the one that works for you. :)

As a noob before, i got a Quark AA^2 and there's no turning back! :)

 

[reppans]

+1... And what timing, there are wicked good sales on them right now, although I'm not sure about in the UK.

 

[roadkill1109]

+1... And what timing, there are wicked good sales on them right now, although I'm not sure about in the UK.

That's right! i was just on their website checking out which ones i'd like to order!

15% to 25% discount! SWEEEEET! :)

 

[LEDninja]

:welcome:

mostly used for around the house, and taking my dog for a walk at night, but also used for occasional summer camping trips

A 1AA light might be easier to pocket but a 2AA light might be easier to hold and to find. Everything else that goes in a kitchen drawer tends to be long.

I would look at the Fenix E21. 2AA. 48 lumens for indoor, 150 lumens for outdoor.
The LD series are fine lights but do you really need the 6+ modes?
E11 for your pocket. 32/105 lumens.
E05 for your keychain. 27 lumens. Always nice to have a light with you.

And while over at 4sevens do not forget the Quark MiNi AA² and Quark MiNi AA. They are twisties but then your Minimag is also a twistie. (Note the Quark MiNis twist the other way than the Mag Minis.)
Quark MiNi AA² is the shortest 2AA I know and fits a jeans back pocket nicely. Quark MiNi AA² is in the middle.

-----

If you are not on the wrong side of the pond, I would suggest the MiniMag Pro+. It is just released and would not be over there for a while. The US online stores are all sold out and they ship courier internationally to avoid scammers.

 

[reppans]

That's right! i was just on their website checking out which ones i'd like to order!

15% to 25% discount! SWEEEEET! :)

Eh?... That's not enough, there's plenty of 33% discounts to be had, and up to 40% with CPF discounts.. I bought about ten 4/7 lights in the last month, my Birthday/Xmas shopping is done... and they'll still be under warranty when I decide to give them out. :)

 

[SuLyMaN]

Id have to recommend you the quark x aa tactical. I'm amazed by the everyday usefulness of this light.
Multi levels. Extra low (0.4) to high (400) lumens with strobe, sos and beacon. it is the perfect light for near to medium range with an extremely useful flood thanks to its xml emitter.you will absolutely love it.its on salt atm.

sent from my mob. Excuse misspelling. thanks!

 

[bon1]

I --like the Original Poster-- had an incandescent 2AA Mini Maglite. I ended up buying a couple 1AA LED flashlights to replace my incan. minimag.:

• EagleTac D25A Mini
• Fenix LD12

On one hand, the D25A is very lightweight, it can tail stand, and its beam is very floody making it great for indoor tasks. On the other hand, the LD12 feels sturdier, it has four brightness modes, and its beam is more of a thrower compared to that of the D25A. Thus, making the LD12 more suitable for work or whenever I'm outdoors. Also, the pocket clip found on both flashlights is a great addition that you can only benefit from it.

As for finding the side switch found on the LD12 in the dark, my trick is to use the pocket clip as a reference to where the side switch is--that's a single-handed operation.

Eventually, both, the D25A and the LD12 output a much much wider and useful beam than that of the incandescent 2AA Mini Maglite during their entire runtime.

Hope this helps!

 

[roadkill1109]

Id have to recommend you the quark x aa tactical. I'm amazed by the everyday usefulness of this light.
Multi levels. Extra low (0.4) to high (400) lumens with strobe, sos and beacon. it is the perfect light for near to medium range with an extremely useful flood thanks to its xml emitter.you will absolutely love it.its on salt atm.

sent from my mob. Excuse misspelling. thanks!

+1 to this. run it with a 14500 and be more amazed! :)

 

[LEDninja]

I'd just get a 2AA version of the Quark X. Neutral tint also available.

But if you need pocketability a 14500 with the 1AA body will give full brightness.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?322177-Custom-Quark-AAX

 

[SDM44]

I have both the Fenix E21 and the LD25. I was going to get the LD20 but I didn't really care for the design/look of it.

The E21 and LD25 are pretty much the same size, and the LD25 has a slightly better texture & feel to it (for me) than the E21, but the E21 still feels good in my hands. The LD25 is a little bit brighter with some more throw, but you wouldn't really notice the difference unless they were side by side. The LD25 uses a XP-G and the E21 uses a XP-E. I also notice the LD25 is a bit more neutral white looking than the E21, but again I couldn't tell a difference unless they were side by side.


I know there are other 2AA lights out there that may be better or worse, but I'm just giving putting my $.02 in for the Fenix E21 & LD25 since I have both of them.

 

[lightwait]

I wanted to comment on the Quarks if you head that way in your choice. Think carefully about how you will use the light before choosing the regular or tactical model. I tend to prefer the regular interface for a light without a particular purpose. If you have a certain purpose, the tactical might be better. Pick 2 modes and you have one or the other. Great for a mechanic, inspector, police, or any chores where you want the amount of light you choose with one click. The Quark has 8 modes, and for a general purpose light, you might want more easy access to all of them through the 'regular' interface. For daytime chores, you may have to bump it up 1 or 2 levels to get useful light or twist the head for max. This may or may not be annoying to you. If you get up in the night or go camping, moonmode is nice, but for chores, you may have to bump past it every time you use the light. The tactical can be easily programed for any 2 modes, but its not practical to change that programing at the moment of need. So think about if you want all the modes available with some extra clicking or do you want a 2 mode light. You can also get a spare body for the quarks so you can use 1 AA or 2 AA or possibly 123.

The new Fenix LD12 and LD22 are also nice alternatives to the Quarks. They have a tail switch to turn on and you pick the mode with a side button. They remember the last mode used. With them, you get all the modes easily available and avoid the possible nuisance of clicking through the low modes at times. They do not tail stand.

I have several Quark and Fenix lights, I'd be willing to bet you would be happy with either one, as well as any of the popular AA lights.

 

[Est.1882]

Wow. Thanks everyone for your responses.
Think I have managed to narrow it down to the Fenix LD20/22 or one of the Quarks. I am having a little trouble understanding the differences between the quarks, although lightwaits comments above make it a little clearer. Would I be right in saying that whilst the tactical has 8 modes (or 5 'normal' modes), only 2 of these are accessible at any one time, whereas the regular has all of the modes available ad hoc, but you have to cycle through them?
Also are the 'X' versions of the quarks simply more powerful variants, as that is the only difference I can see?
It seems that there is so much out there I can't believe that, as a fairly techy guy, I had never thought of getting a 'proper' torch before!

 

[lightwait]

Yes, with head loose, you get moon, low, med, high, sos, and finally beacon. With the head tight you get turbo and then strobe. No memory, so after the light light is off for a second or 2, you are back at the beginning. So with head loose or tight you get either moon or turbo as a first choice. With some practice, its not too hard to bump it up every time with the head loosened.
I think the X's are more floody, but I'm not sure.
The LD22 has the side button with memory. The LD20 is more like the quark regular interface and I think soon to be discontinued. Either Fenix does not turn on as low as the Quark. Some guys prefer that, some don't. Depends on your use. A brighter low is better if you are working on or fixing things, a moonmode is nicer if are camping or just a middle of the night walk through the house.

 

[landinglight]

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the lumapower vantage would fit the bill quite well. Especially the powerpack option they offer. I'm new here, but I do have one lumapower light and I think it is quite nice.

 

[madecov]

Quark
I really like them. They are small and decent. TEN YEAR warranty.
Fenix and most of the others are two years and need to be shipped back to the factory in China.

I also love some of my other brand lights like Klarus, but the Quark is smaller and easier to carry.

 

[roadkill1109]

Yes, with head loose, you get moon, low, med, high, sos, and finally beacon. With the head tight you get turbo and then strobe. No memory, so after the light light is off for a second or 2, you are back at the beginning. So with head loose or tight you get either moon or turbo as a first choice. With some practice, its not too hard to bump it up every time with the head loosened.
I think the X's are more floody, but I'm not sure.
The LD22 has the side button with memory. The LD20 is more like the quark regular interface and I think soon to be discontinued. Either Fenix does not turn on as low as the Quark. Some guys prefer that, some don't. Depends on your use. A brighter low is better if you are working on or fixing things, a moonmode is nicer if are camping or just a middle of the night walk through the house.

Just to add to this, the tactical quark is a "programmable" flashlight. being a techy guy, you might want to check this out. I personally chose the tactical before coz i want to know what my light will come on in without having to click-click-click-click to get the mode i want.

either type is fine, you can be sure you will be getting a good quality light with a ten-year no worries guarantee. And 4Sevens has the best customer service in the business.

not taking anything away from Fenix, they make good lights too.