2xAA tactical lights?

[pipspeak]

I'm in love with my trusty old L2D except for the reverse clicky, somewhat high "low", and somewhat compromised throw. OK, so it might seem like that's a lot of gripes but when I pick the light up it just feels so good and its output is still awe-inspiring a year after I first got it.

Anyway, I'm wondering if there are alternatives out there in the 2xAA category with better throw and a tactical switch. The Olight T25 caught my attention and I still might try one out but it's a tad expensive (the tactical version) and bigger than the L2D. Bigger even than a Mini-mag.

Any other lights worth looking at? An alternative would be to get a tactical switch for the L2D... is the one available at the fenix-store compatible with the LxD tailcaps? Thanks.

 

[Monocrom]

Dark horse contender, but I like the TerraLux 2AA model. (Rebadged Nuwai light).

140 emitter lumens, forward clickie, not slippery in the hand, and the wrap-around clip works very well. (Despite looking thin & flimsy).

Wish the finish was more subdued. The tailcap switch is soft. But in this case it translates into a manual strobe function. Very light pressure for momentary on. The tailcap rubber boot feels thin. On my sample, the LED and tailcap switch are not completely centered. But that has no impact on the beam or actual use.

Like I said, Dark horse contender. But worth considering.

Here's a link:
http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3689

 

[Lite_me]

An alternative would be to get a tactical switch for the L2D... is the one available at the fenix-store compatible with the LxD tailcaps? Thanks.

Yes. I just got one from 4sevens.com for my L2D/P2D combo. It seems to work just fine. At the expense of adding forward switching & momentary, you loose tail-standing ability but it's a little too tall for that anyways. I'd just use something else for that.

 

[LEDninja]

Fenix L2T v2.0

 

[TONY M]

You may want to check out the Olight models. The T25 tactical has a forward clicky and a narrower beam and a slightly lower "low" mode than the L2D.

 

[LEDrock]

How about the Coleman 2AA Cree at Walmart? I've been considering a 2AA light for tactical use myself, and this light has gotten my attention. I don't have it yet. Still reading other peoples' opinions here first.

Coleman 2AA for tactical use anyone??? I hear it has a forward tailcap clickie. Don't know if the 115 lumen claim is valid or not.

 

[pipspeak]

You may want to check out the Olight models. The T25 tactical has a forward clicky and a narrower beam and a slightly lower "low" mode than the L2D.

Yeah, I mentioned the T25 in my first post but my problems are its cost ($80?) and the fact that it's bigger than the L2D. I wish I could try one out. Also, can you play lego with the T25 (put on a 1-cell tube, for example) or are the heads unique to each body?

 

[SilentK]

How about the Coleman 2AA Cree at Walmart? I've been considering a 2AA light for tactical use myself, and this light has gotten my attention. I don't have it yet. Still reading other peoples' opinions here first.

Coleman 2AA for tactical use anyone??? I hear it has a forward tailcap clickie. Don't know if the 115 lumen claim is valid or not.

eh, a lot of people like coleman and stuff, but for a light that can be called tactical here on CPF, it must be pretty darn, whats the phrase, as tough as the people that use them. {if not tougher} :nana:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=194551&highlight=tk10+vs.+9mm

staying to fenix might be your best bet, seeing as it is a great light that has a great price.

 

[pipspeak]

staying to fenix might be your best bet, seeing as it is a great light that has a great price.

I agree except for one factor... the low on the L2D is utterly useless for night work. Last time I traveled with this light I cursed it almost every night. If I wanted to light up a 20-yard area I would just switch the light on high so why have a "low" that does the same thing?!

 

[kramer5150]

The Shiningbeam RC-N3-Q5 has considerable throw, forward-momentatry clicky, splash resistant, mildly aggressive strike bezel, solid/robust feel/fit/finish. It will go toe to toe with my DX6090 with a single RCR123 (maybe even out-perform it a little), so that puts it at around ~145L range. Its around ~100L with a single primary or 2AA cells, and will run for around 4 hours on a charge using AANiMH.

Runs very good with Alkalines too, although I don't have any run time estimate.

$25 shipped to the west coast.

I just noticed you are in SF. If you are ever in the South Bay area just PM me I can show it to you and you can try it out for yourself.

 

[pipspeak]

One problem... it looks like it's only a single-mode light, which rules it out for me. However, in searching for information I stumbled across the Ese AF2 Cree Q5. Any experience with that light? It doesn't lookin like a great thrower, but bright enough for the money.

 

[pipspeak]

If anyone has any experience with Ese lights feel free to pipe up

Meanwhile I picked up a tactical forward switch for my L2D and I'll try to fashioed some sort of diffuser to lower the "low". I ruled out the L2T because its low is still in double digits and I currently only use my L2D as a two mode light anyway... click on for low, twist bezel for Turbo.

Maybe If I feel flush i'll try the Olight T25... still looks way to long tho.

 

[Aluminous]

However, in searching for information I stumbled across the Ese AF2 Cree Q5. Any experience with that light? It doesn't look like a great thrower, but bright enough for the money.

Here's a review http://www.light-reviews.com/ese_af2/

Company site is http://www.esetorch.com/

 

[5x5]

... Coleman 2AA for tactical use anyone??? I hear it has a forward tailcap clickie. Don't know if the 115 lumen claim is valid or not.

I have this light and it is a nice light. For what I use it for it works great. It does have a tactical type forward clicky but I find it not too easy to fully turn on (constant on). I have to apply pressure with the tips of my thumb/finger. But for momentary it comes on fairly easy.

However, I do not use it in the true "tactical" sense and can not attest to that and can not recommend it for that situation. But for general use, the Coleman 2AA is a decent and inexpensive light. Seems fairly tough too. As far as the 115 lumen rating, I think it is a bit shy of it but can not verify without a light meter.

 

[kramer5150]

One problem... it looks like it's only a single-mode light, which rules it out for me. However, in searching for information I stumbled across the Ese AF2 Cree Q5. Any experience with that light? It doesn't lookin like a great thrower, but bright enough for the money.

Do you really want to use a multi-mode / clicky as a tactical light? I would think fumbling around with modes in the line of fire could spell trouble. Unless of course the UI was uncommonly easy to use... and super reliable (something multi-mode drivers are not always known for).

I would also think that a forward momentary "instant-on" would be a pre-requisite, as opposed to a reverse clicky.

Just my thoughts...
:twothumbs

 

[pipspeak]

I won't be in the line of fire in the literal sense but certainly want the option of momentary at maxium brightness as well as a useful low. I just ordered the forward clicky for my L2D so by using the head-twist option I can get either momentary turbo mode or go straight to the not-low-enough-low.

If the L2T had a Q5 emitter and a lower low it would be the perfect light but I guess the tradeoff of high runtimes is a fairly bright "low"