Are there any 4AA lights that compare?

[jbrett14]

Getting close to ordering my next light, and so far, my research is leading me to one of the EagleTac 100C or 20C Series lights.

There were a couple members in here who had recommended the Fenix TK20 in my other thread about best lights under $50. No doubt, this light looks to be, as attested by those members, a fantastic light. But for my purposes, it just does not have the runtime I am looking for.

What I am now wondering, is there a light out there, in this same price range (even up to $60), that has as much light output and quality of beam, as the ET lights, AND as much runtime (2+ hours at full brightness), but rather in a 4AA version?

I have seen some 8AA lights that meet those specs, but I do not want another 8AA light. I bought one years ago by Princeton Tec, and although it was one of the brightest lights of it's time, I hate dealing with 8 batteries and I would prefer a smaller light, with a maximum of 4 batteries if I go to a AA type of light.

 

[sol-leks]

you just dont find many 4AA lights, which is a pity because I think there is a lot of potential there.

Maybe you'd be interested in the ITP polestar that uses 6AA's?

 

[monkeyboy]

Here are my opinions on the LED lenser frogman 4AA.

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

As far as I know, there are only one 4AA LED light; it's a 2x2 plastic light by Underwater Kinetics. I've been tempted to buy the incan version and see if I can get a P60 drop-in to work in it. But the lens, bezel, and body are plastic, so I'm not sure how well it will shed heat.

I've built myself a 4AA body by taking a FiveMega 3x18500 body, adding a FiveMega 102mm extension, and inserting a copper plumbing tube so the 4 AAs don't rattle. The body is a bit too long; I've had to add a makeshift spacer. I'm awaiting a couple 6V nominal (4.8V) xenon lamps from Lumens Factory before I actually use it.

 

[waddup]

coast/led lenser p14

 

[joe1512]

So, what is so terribly difficult about 8 AA? I mean, with 4AAs you are simply changing the batteries twice as much (assuming same lumens, usage, etc).

Sure it is heavier, but not by a huge margin. A 4xAA light doesn't have a particularly great profile... there is nothing elegant you can really do with it except make a sqare-ish 2x2 battery configuration.

The Fenix TK40 is an 8xAA light, but you can only use 4 AAs if desired and it works fine. That would lessen its weight a bit. It costs a lot though.


There are quite a few good alternatives to 4xAA lights though. Any light with 1 18650 will have the same energy density and will be a lot smaller. Many such lights can use 2 CR123s instead for decent output and the same small profile if you want to avoid using specialized 18650s. You can buy CR123s in semi-bulk for pretty cheap, and they are available in stores.

 

[LED_Thrift]

Here is a recent thread titled "4 x AA Light?" with some good 4AAs mentioned.

 

[carrot]

Check the lineup of Pelican, Streamlight, and Underwater Kinetics. Maybe Tektite too.

 

[jbrett14]

So, what is so terribly difficult about 8 AA? I mean, with 4AAs you are simply changing the batteries twice as much (assuming same lumens, usage, etc).

Excellent point.

Perhaps my frustrations with the 8 AA configuration are unjustified when it comes to LED lights. My only experience was with a PT halogen light, which consumed the 8 batteries rather fast. This has obviously left a negative thought in my mind.

Perhaps I should consider that TK40 after all, even though I don't care for the method for loading the batteries. It's output looks FANTASTIC, and the runtime graphs indicate a near perfect level of regulation. But the price is steep for me.