2xAA flashlight to keep in my car. Durable, bright, and brightness options?

[passive101]

I'm looking to keep with AA as that is what I am now switching my carry lights too. (Yes, I gave up on 123A's for main use lights as none of my friends, co workers, or relatives have any of them)

I'm looking for something like the Rayovac Indestructable, but is there anything brighter that is as durable?

 

[TEEJ]

Are the AA's enloops, primary lithiums or alkalines?

 

[passive101]

for this light I'll be running Primary Energizer 1.5v lithium batteries. I would like the option to run Alkaline and Eneloops if possible. I do like Fenix as they have some durable lights, but I've owned 5 Quarks, but don't trust their very light weight and thin build for being accidentally dropped and such. (personal opinion based on my experiences). I saw Fenix has an E-21 and E-25 that I don't know how durable they really are, but they do cost significantly more.

I'm in WI and my car is always outside. It will have to function in -F for the internals and the activation switch

 

[TMedina]

Tough call - I don't have call to play in temperatures like that.

The Fenix E21 is pretty tough - but I also haven't gone out of my way to break one, either. And I can't vouch for performance in extreme cold weather.

You might need to pick up one and see how well it works for you in the kind of situations you're anticipating. That said, I'd still keep a CR123 flashlight on hand, just in case. It's nice to know you have something you can absolutely depend on.

 

[hiuintahs]

My suggestion for 2AA is the iTP SA2. The reason I say this is that it will still be able to hold low mode with new Energizer L91 lithium batteries. You see the problem with 2AA form factor is that the forward voltage drop of an LED is around 3.25V..........which is about the same voltage as brand new batteries. In fact the lithium's might be just a little higher in voltage and so since most 2AA LED flashlights just assume that most of the time the voltage of the batteries is below the Vf threshold, then their circuit regulator is a boost type. Then if you have a battery voltage slightly higher, then you lose regulation on the low modes until the voltage of your batteries drops down.

Well, that kind of bugs me so I've stuck with 2AA lights that don't have this issue. Lithium batteries are the best for cold temperatures and for being able to leave your batteries in your flashlight without worrying about them leaking acid like alkaline. To me a 2AA emergency light in the vehicle needs to have Energizer L91 lithium batteries.........especially if you are not using the light very often. Otherwise, I'd use Eneloops and then most any good 2AA light will work.

 

[enomosiki]

Quark "X" AA² Pro or Tactical.

400 lumens before stepdown on 2xAA. You really aren't going to get much more out of a 2xAA light.

As a bonus, you can swap out the battery tube and have the light run on 1xAA or 1xCR123A, as well.

 

[karlheinz3]

My suggestion for 2AA is the iTP SA2. The reason I say this is that it will still be able to hold low mode with new Energizer L91 lithium batteries. You see the problem with 2AA form factor is that the forward voltage drop of an LED is around 3.25V..........which is about the same voltage as brand new batteries. In fact the lithium's might be just a little higher in voltage and so since most 2AA LED flashlights just assume that most of the time the voltage of the batteries is below the Vf threshold, then their circuit regulator is a boost type. Then if you have a battery voltage slightly higher, then you lose regulation on the low modes until the voltage of your batteries drops down.

Well, that kind of bugs me so I've stuck with 2AA lights that don't have this issue. Lithium batteries are the best for cold temperatures and for being able to leave your batteries in your flashlight without worrying about them leaking acid like alkaline. To me a 2AA emergency light in the vehicle needs to have Energizer L91 lithium batteries.........especially if you are not using the light very often. Otherwise, I'd use Eneloops and then most any good 2AA light will work.

my recommendation lies with Malkoff....M31 AA body

 

[passive101]

200-300 lumens is good

How does the Quark "X" AA² Pro compare to the Fenix's? I'm not interested in the Tactical line from Quark for sure, as it only does 2 light levels easily.

 

[roadkill1109]

I dont think there are 2xAA Fenix lights that use XML emitters (I stand to be corrected if i missed something) But the similar size lights in the Fenix lineup are the LD20 LD22, E21, E25 and LD25.

 

[WoodMan]

Shiningbeam Caveman