AAA for EDC suggestion?

[Faynard]

So I came across the EDC blog, and it has prevented me from being productive for 3 days now. I came on here, and holy crap are you guys serious about your torches. Anyway, I figure I need to get me a light to EDC - but there are so so many that I can't even bring myself to do the required research! I was hoping I could just ask you guys for a suggestion, since you guys could help me quickly narrow my choices.

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
-I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
-Preferably closer to $25, but up to $50 if necessary.

4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
-Keychain size - or possibly a small EDC size

5) Emitter/Light source:
-LED, obviously

6) Manufacturer:
-I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.


7) What battery type do you want to use?
-AAA batteries. Regular or rechargeables? Either way, but no buttons or fancy built-in batteries.

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).
-However much light AAA lights put out? Just around the house, walking around downtown, that sorta thing - I imagine that these lights are gonna impress me anyway.

9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
-Around the house, close up, walking around downtown (>1yard to 20 yards?)

10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
-I have no idea how long these are capable of running - again, I imagine that however long this type of light tends to run is going to be plenty.

11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
-Very durable - attached to keys, throw around in backpacks, usual EDC rough-housing.

12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
-I have no idea for this one. Suggestions? If I'm guessing correctly, 'forward clicky' is the light activates when you push the button, and 'reverse clicky' is the light doesn't activate until you release the button?

____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).

13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
-Multiple output levels would be neato, but not necessary. I don't know what these are: programmable, selector ring, SOS mode, beacon mode. I'm guessing those features are gonna be too fancy for my price point anyway.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating
-Aluminum? Whatever is cheap, lightweight, and durable enough.

15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
-Ability to attach to keychain. I might use a pocket clip - but I would want to be able to detach and reattach it if I change my mind (even if I have to remove screws or something).

I took down some names that I came across in browsing these forums, in case some of them fit what I need:
4sevens(several), iTP A3 EOS, McGizmo, Zebralight, Streamlight Nano, Streamlight Microstream, Maratac AAA, Fenix (several).

Thanks so much for your time in reading my giant wall of text and helping me narrow my search! I look forward to learning from your collective expertise.

 

[NCT1]

I would go with a 4Sevens Preon 1 or ReVo.

 

[tricker]

4sevens REVO is the latest and greatest(L>M>H sequence)


fenix lod has always been a good choice(M>L>H sequence)


I still like my arc AAA(tough SOB)

 

[GunnarGG]

The ITP A3 is small, AAA, works very well and you can get it for less than $25.
I just ordered a Preon Revo SS neutral white (I prefer neutral, some prefer cool white as the ITP) beacause I think it looks very nice and seems like a great light.

But if you just are going to use it and don't care very much about the looks I guess the ITP A3 is about as good for a better price.

 

[Nasty]

+1 to what Gunnar said!

ITP A3 Eos...almost a perfecct fit for your comments and a favorite of a *lot* of folks here (on the list of must have lights in fact). Cheap, well made, 3 good brightness levels (low, med, high), comes with a keychain and battery. When I found them, I immediately bought one for each my wife and I and it will stay there until something better comes along for that role.

 

[Faynard]

The ITP A3 thingy looks like it'll fit what I need, especially price-wise. However, I could go for the Preon Revo. The strobe effect sounds like a pretty nifty bonus, though A: I'd just use it to play with (though there is certainly value in that ) and B: I still don't know what the beacon or SOS modes do.

Might just get the ITP, and put the Preon on my birthday list

Also, batteries. What kinds of batteries should I use? I've seen some things that say use regular, others that say rechargables, others that say rechargables can damage the light, and one guy on Amazon said to use "Energizer Ultimate Lithium (L92)" batteries.

Thanks so much for the quick replies, and I'd love to hear more suggestions/advice!

 

[Double_A]

I would go with a 4Sevens Preon 1 or ReVo.

or even the Preon II. For another cell and two inches (5" LOA) you get over double the output. I have the Titanium Preon II coming my way, as soon as they process my order

Another suggestion is the Maratac AAA the Stainless steel.

 

[Faynard]

So I read this review of the Preon Revo and answered a few of my own questions. The strobe, beacon, and SOS seem to just be different flashy-modes for signaling, and I would definitely use those L92 batteries.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=293634

Also, I think I would prefer the Lo-Med-Hi cycle of the Revo.
One more question - I recall coupon codes being mentioned - if I could get a discount, I would totally pull the trigger on this one for myself. The ITP A3 EOS looks great for gifts - it's even on Amazon and qualifies for my Prime shipping (yay for being a student).

 

[HIDblue]

I say Preon 1 with a clicky tail cap.

 

[Notsure Fire]

Why not just go up to AA. Many more possibilities.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Also, batteries. What kinds of batteries should I use? I've seen some things that say use regular, others that say rechargables, others that say rechargables can damage the light, and one guy on Amazon said to use "Energizer Ultimate Lithium (L92)" batteries.

Thanks so much for the quick replies, and I'd love to hear more suggestions/advice!

LSD nimh and L92s either would work fine. Alkalines would work good in the medium and low modes but would suffer short runtimes on high modes so I would pass on them cept in an emergency. Eneloops or Duraloops are the best but you could even use a non LSD nimh if you didn't mind charging it more often when not using it a lot.

 

[GunnarGG]

Why not just go up to AA. Many more possibilities.

Last week I got a Quark miniAA.
It's not a HUGE light, but compared to an AAA light it's a pretty noticiable difference in size when you carry it in your pocket IMHO.

 

[Faynard]

Last week I got a Quark miniAA.
It's not a HUGE light, but compared to an AAA light it's a pretty noticiable difference in size when you carry it in your pocket IMHO.

Yeah, I know there are many more choices in the AA size - I just think I'd end up not carrying it if it wasn't tiny. I may yet get one in that size (or more likely, a 2x AA size) for throwing into various backpacks/travel bags.

Also, just to clarify:
L92 = not rechargable, just extra-beefy disposable
LSD nimh = rechargables
non-LSD nimh = what's the difference?
Eneloops/Duraloops = what are these? brand names?

I'd probably go with the L92's, but I love the fact that I'd be able to use any old AAA when it runs out and I don't have spare L92's.

Thanks again for all of your help, I could easily have been digging through reviews and such all day long without it

 

[GunnarGG]

The L92 lithium primarys are like you said extra beefy disposable, and light weight if that is important. They keep voltage up better than alkalines until they are empty. They actually have a little higher voltage and some lights don't like that really (like lowest setting is to bright) but it works fine in most lights (and other stuff). They also work fine in low temperature.

The non LSD cells works fine if you charge them and use them soon after but if you leave them for a couple of weeks they have lost a lot of there capacity and need to be charged again even if they have not been used.

The LSD cells keep something like 85% charge after 1 year so they are great. Eneloops seems to be the best or one of the best LSD cells around.
What I have understood "duraloops" is Duracells LSD batteries that are actually the same battery. They shall have white top and are made in Japan. There is what I understand also a Duracell LSD battery with black top which is made in China and maybe less good.

If you use your light I'd say Eneloops is best (cheaper). If it gets only little runtime or it's a backup light in the car for instance that get very little use the Lithium battery may be a better alternative.

 

[Faynard]

The L92 lithium primarys are like you said extra beefy disposable, and light weight if that is important. They keep voltage up better than alkalines until they are empty. They actually have a little higher voltage and some lights don't like that really (like lowest setting is to bright) but it works fine in most lights (and other stuff). They also work fine in low temperature.

The non LSD cells works fine if you charge them and use them soon after but if you leave them for a couple of weeks they have lost a lot of there capacity and need to be charged again even if they have not been used.

The LSD cells keep something like 85% charge after 1 year so they are great. Eneloops seems to be the best or one of the best LSD cells around.
What I have understood "duraloops" is Duracells LSD batteries that are actually the same battery. They shall have white top and are made in Japan. There is what I understand also a Duracell LSD battery with black top which is made in China and maybe less good.

If you use your light I'd say Eneloops is best (cheaper). If it gets only little runtime or it's a backup light in the car for instance that get very little use the Lithium battery may be a better alternative.

Based on that, I definitely wouldn't go for the non-LSD cells. I'd start with the L92's probably, and if I use it enough (probably not) I can always upgrade to Eneloops.

Thanks for the battery tips, this is all so much more involved than I imagined!

 

[SFfanman]

I'd go slightly over your $50 budget and hit up the SS REVO. You simply cannot go wrong and keychain carry or not, this thing will hold up nicely and you don't have to worry about accidentally pressing a button and having your light turn on inadvertedly.

 

[choombak]

If you are old school, then *nothing* beats the Arc AAA-P - simple and bright enough to be an excellent EDC. There is a story of a guy who lost an Arc in a stream, and later found it after 6 yrs. lodged under a rock. And guess what? It still worked! This is legendary reliability, that has not yet been proved by any AAA light on the market. Only Peak LED's AAA's come closer, but they are costly.

My iTP A3 whines, so I dislike it. The Preon ReVo SS is costly for my budget (even with the 4Sevens coupon of cpf8). ReVo is yet to prove its mettle in terms of reliability (well, all cpf is ga-ga over this light does not mean it is reliable).

For AAA EDC lights, multiple modes is an overkill, as they are required for a split second job typically.

In my order of preference, here is what you should get:
(1) Peak LED Solutions Matterhorn or Eiger (power level #3, HAIII, medium optic is best for close range and EDC).
(2) Arc AAA-P (they have improved a lot, their CS and all).
(3) Fenix E01 - very cheap, but reliable.

Once you have a fair idea about lights, you can put more money, so that you get the worth out of it. Good luck.

-Amarendra

 

[Faynard]

I'd go slightly over your $50 budget and hit up the SS REVO. You simply cannot go wrong and keychain carry or not, this thing will hold up nicely and you don't have to worry about accidentally pressing a button and having your light turn on inadvertedly.

What's the difference between the Revo and the SS Revo? If it's just the material, I don't see the point. Plus, I plan to EDC this torch - so the lighter the better, and I can't imagine aluminum not being durable enough.

Also, after checking my funds, it looks like I'm gonna get an iTP A3 EOS, and put the Revo on my birthday list, or get it on my own with birthday money. :mecry:

 

[Double_A]

What's the difference between the Revo and the SS Revo? If it's just the material, I don't see the point. Plus, I plan to EDC this torch - so the lighter the better, and I can't imagine aluminum not being durable enough.

Also, after checking my funds, it looks like I'm gonna get an iTP A3 EOS, and put the Revo on my birthday list, or get it on my own with birthday money. :mecry:

Stainless holds up much better tho

You ought to see my Aluminum L0D it has been EDC'd down to bare metal and all sharp edges are round off.

On the other hand, since this will take about 3 years this might give you an excuse to buy the latest out there.

 

[ASheep]

Another vote for the iTP A3. I have its bigger brother, the A2, in stainless steel. I've carried it every day for 7 months now, and it has taken a hell of a beating! I'm glad I got the stainless steel model, for me the extra weight is worthwhile, due to the massive increase in durability. Although, unless you really beat it around, the Aluminium version is probably better, due to the huge weight savings!

The Preon ReVo looks cool, but is way out of my price range for a AAA keychain light...