AAA/AA small under $25

[konsole]

Originally I was thinking under $50, but I doubt it will be that hard to find a good light under $25 that would fit my needs. Right now the nicest flashlight I have is a Duracell Daylite AAA version, built pretty tough and I'm relatively happy with it, but its only 80 lumens. I think I bought it for around $25 at Home Depot about 5 years ago. I'm not looking for anything spectacular, just a decent mid range light. If I have to go a little over $25 thats fine.

So here is what I'm looking for...

-proven reputation (been out for atleast a few years)
-built like a tank (won't break easily)
-short (3" in length, 4" max)
-thin (not much thicker then the battery)
-AAA or AA (AAA preferred but I would consider both)
-runs on 1 battery (to keep the size small)
-atleast 100 lumens, but doesnt have to be super bright like 500+ lumens
-brightness is important but since its only 1 battery I don't want it to burn through batteries too fast
-simple design and features (no fancy light shows or light colors, just a simple flood/spot focus)
-better throw vs. flood (I want it to excel more at distance lighting)
-prefer the lens to be recessed into the body of the flashlight as much as possible, so dropping the flashlight would have no chance of damaging the lens (or whatever the clear glass/plastic on the front of the flashlight)
-material is debatable but probably some sort of rust proof metal like aluminum

I may think of more but that seems to cover most of it.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Take a look at the L3 Illuminations L10 AA light and the Olight i3s AA light. Both are under $25 shipped and offer multi-output modes and are fairly bright for the battery type.

I have those and while there are others to consider, I'll offer those up because I've used each for a couple/few months and they're pretty versatile for a keychain type light. The AA is 120LM with the XP-G2 and the AAA is 80LM with the XP-G2. Both are a nice 'white' light, although you can get the L3 L10 with a Nichia 219 neutral white emitter.

Chris

 

[yoyoman]

+1 for the L3 Illuminations L10 AA (either XP-G2 or Nichia 219) and the Olight i3S (XP-G2). But don't expect a throw monster - the reflectors are too small. The Tank007 E09 is one of the throwiest AAA lights out there. Inexpensive, robust, but the beam is not as either the L10 or i3S.

 

[konsole]

I had a look at a Coast HP5 and I liked it enough to buy it. Took it home and discovered some kind of "bubbling" or other kind of small imperfection at the edge of the lens. I don't know if its a manufacturing defect or the way its really meant to be manufactured. So I'm gonna take it back and look for it somewhere else. I know many people consider the Coast lights to be "middle of the road" ok lights, but are there any known issues with them?

 

[mcnair55]

I had a look at a Coast HP5 and I liked it enough to buy it. Took it home and discovered some kind of "bubbling" or other kind of small imperfection at the edge of the lens. I don't know if its a manufacturing defect or the way its really meant to be manufactured. So I'm gonna take it back and look for it somewhere else. I know many people consider the Coast lights to be "middle of the road" ok lights, but are there any known issues with them?

Not really sure why you placed your request here as you have made your mind up and bought a light without waiting for the members to help you.Take your light back and change it if you are not happy.I think for your budget you are better off buying in Walmart etc plenty in there for your needs.

 

[bedazzLED]

I had a look at a Coast HP5 and I liked it enough to buy it. Took it home and discovered some kind of "bubbling" or other kind of small imperfection at the edge of the lens. I don't know if its a manufacturing defect or the way its really meant to be manufactured. So I'm gonna take it back and look for it somewhere else. I know many people consider the Coast lights to be "middle of the road" ok lights, but are there any known issues with them?

Don't worry about taking the light back because of the 'bubbling' at the edge of the lens. This is normal for Led Lenser/Coast lights. The plastic lens is manufactured in a continuous strip, and this 'bubble' is where the thin plastic strip holds them together. The lens is simply snapped off and put into the light. Have a look at a few others and you will find the same bubble.

 

[ven]

this is so on the older p7 etc p14 its part of the manufacturing process,my t7.2 however is far less noticeable.

I contacted ledco a good few years back and they explained over the phone and sent a back up email with pictures etc and process

 

[Poppy]

Not really sure why you placed your request here as you have made your mind up and bought a light without waiting for the members to help you.Take your light back and change it if you are not happy.I think for your budget you are better off buying in Walmart etc plenty in there for your needs.

Hey Mr. McNair,
Please chill.

konsole, posted his question on the 8th, got two responses and three days later, bought his light on the 11th. He bought a coast light. Coast lights are sold in Walmart, home depot, etc. :nana:

If you are having a bad day :hairpull: wait for night time, and take your PD35 for a walk. Don't take it out on a newbie.

Hopefully, your day will get better :thumbsup:

 

[mcnair55]

Hey Mr. McNair,
Please chill.

konsole, posted his question on the 8th, got two responses and bought his light on the 11th, three days later. He bought a coast light. Coast lights are sold in Walmart, home depot, etc. :nana:

If you are having a bad day, wait for night time, and take your PD35 for a walk. Don't take it out on a newbie.:hairpull:

Mr Poppy

I am ok and well chilled thanks and no way taking it out on a newbie.When i myself place a question like i have on another forum i allow a good week before i use the info gained.Common courtesy really in my book as members have taken time out to write a few words.

 

[Poppy]

Mr Poppy

I am ok and well chilled

Like a fine bottle of wine I hope.

I'm sitting here, chuckling. I hope that you have nice weather and a pleasant day.

konsole,
I hope that your coast light gives you years of service, and meets your needs and expectations.

Poppy

 

[mcnair55]

Like a fine bottle of wine I hope.

I'm sitting here, chuckling. I hope that you have nice weather and a pleasant day.

konsole,
I hope that your coast light gives you years of service, and meets your needs and expectations.

Poppy

Cheers Mr Poppy,may drive up to get myself a new Fenix,not bought anything for a few weeks or so.Catch you later.

 

[konsole]

mcnair55,

Yes I did look at the lights that people suggested and I looked at a bunch of other lights similar to the ones they suggested. I wasnt that crazy about what I was seeing with the suggested lights and similar lights. Their suggestions came before I saw the Coast light and bought the Coast light.

 

[yoyoman]

It may be your first light, but it won't be your last. Especially if you stick around here. Experience will tell you what you like and use. Could be beam profile, regulation/runtime, tint, size, etc. and then you can start researching your next lights. The first light is often instant gratification. You'll develop patience when you get more lights.

 

[konsole]

It may be your first light, but it won't be your last. Especially if you stick around here. Experience will tell you what you like and use. Could be beam profile, regulation/runtime, tint, size, etc. and then you can start researching your next lights. The first light is often instant gratification. You'll develop patience when you get more lights.

Maybe, I doubt it though. The last few years I have been going through all my posessions and selling off anything that I really didnt need or had very little need for. I'm 32 now and over the years I've gone through the collection phases with sports cards, coins, rocks/minerals, and interesting cheap tools. Flashlights really don't interest me that much and I really only started the thread to find a better replacement for the Duracell Daylite with the main requirements of being small and running on fewer batteries. These are all the flashlights I currently have...

- Duracell Daylte AAA
- Petzl AAA headlamp
- single cell $5 walmart AAA LED light, to keep at my desk
- $5 3 x AAA LED light I think I bought at Home Depot, to keep in the car

If I kept the Coast I would have sold the Duracell because I have no need for both, but the Duracell wont sell for much and the Coast is not really that much better then the Duracell. The Coast supposedly has about 40 lumens more, but the Duracell has a whiter light and a tighter and brighter spot at a distance. No doubt the Coast has a better close range flood though. Also I've got about 30 spare new AAA batteries that I bought a few years back that are still at 80%+ charge, which is good since all my flashlights are AAA.

I think I'm just going to return the Coast and keep the Duracell because for my limited needs the Duracell is more then adequate and I don't need more then 1 decent quality handheld light. If I didnt already have the Duracell and 30 extra batteries, and I was deciding between the Coast and the Duracell, I probably would have gotten the Coast. If I lost or broke the Duracell then I could consider what else is out there.

 

[mcnair55]

Maybe, I doubt it though. The last few years I have been going through all my posessions and selling off anything that I really didnt need or had very little need for. I'm 32 now and over the years I've gone through the collection phases with sports cards, coins, rocks/minerals, and interesting cheap tools. Flashlights really don't interest me that much and I really only started the thread to find a better replacement for the Duracell Daylite with the main requirements of being small and running on fewer batteries. These are all the flashlights I currently have...

- Duracell Daylte AAA
- Petzl AAA headlamp
- single cell $5 walmart AAA LED light, to keep at my desk
- $5 3 x AAA LED light I think I bought at Home Depot, to keep in the car

If I kept the Coast I would have sold the Duracell because I have no need for both, but the Duracell wont sell for much and the Coast is not really that much better then the Duracell. The Coast supposedly has about 40 lumens more, but the Duracell has a whiter light and a tighter and brighter spot at a distance. No doubt the Coast has a better close range flood though. Also I've got about 30 spare new AAA batteries that I bought a few years back that are still at 80%+ charge, which is good since all my flashlights are AAA.

I think I'm just going to return the Coast and keep the Duracell because for my limited needs the Duracell is more then adequate and I don't need more then 1 decent quality handheld light. If I didnt already have the Duracell and 30 extra batteries, and I was deciding between the Coast and the Duracell, I probably would have gotten the Coast. If I lost or broke the Duracell then I could consider what else is out there.

I like your style,wish i had read this months ago as i would be hundreds of pounds better off and the owner of 1 or 2 decent lights and not a complete muppet owning over 50.

 

[ven]

and not a complete muppet owning over 50.

Welcome to the muppet show then as i am in the same boat :laughing: