Best 1AA-2AA light for non-techie friends????

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drhydro

Newly Enlightened
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Sep 23, 2005
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I know I saw a thread dealing with this sometime in the past month or two, but I'm danged if I can find it....:confused:

I need some recommendations for good, bright, reliable, SIMPLE, 1AA or 2AA LED lights for some older friends- retired prof and wife, non-technical, appreciates a couple of the better lights I've gotten from fenix and dealxtreme.
Ideally, I'd like to be able to recommend a couple of things that they can get at a Target, Walmart, or Lowes for around $20... not much more.

Anyone with recent experience or observations?
 
Target carries a basic 1xAA light from Energizer for $20. Single mode, good quality, simple, has a clip. There is also a 2xAA version.

Some Sam's Clubs still carry a 2-pack of Energizer 2xAA Cree lights for about $18 ($9 per light)
 
As a non techie myself, the very first light i got was an Ultrafire C3 with the 2 x AA extension tube, running it on 2 x 2000 mAh eneloops and its plenty bright, the anodising (if it exists) isnt too hot but what the hey, its cheap and brighter than anything 2 x AA sold here in singapore.

They now have a 5 mode Ultrafire C3 but mine is the single mode one and it serves my purposes amply. The 2 x AA extension tube will give the option of running it on 1 x 14500 for brighter light levels while the 2 x AA makes it just slightly less bright (as i think its either 2.4v or 3v on 2 x AAs) than a 14500 but its a good light for general purpose use without having all those other modes.

I also have a 1st generation Jetbeam running on 1 x AA or 14500 and that is nice too as it comes with various modes to suit my needs (especially when out fishing at night and dont want to blind myself) as well a Fenix E01 backup (you'd be surprised how bright it gets in pitch blackness)

If not that then Nitecore sounds good or the Novatac but i cant justify getting those as my lights now serve my needs well enough
 
4sevens.com (Fenix-Store) has a fire sale going on now on the non-Q5 models, check the clearance section.
 
As usual in this type of thread, the suggestions you get are everything but you asked for. Computerized, multimode lights that perform poorly on non-exotic batteries.

The cheapest, simplest AA light is also not what you asked for since it's not 1AA or 2AA, but those 3AA lights with 3 to 5 5mm leds in them. I see those at Rite-aid for $7.99. Because of the three cells they don't have to have any voltage boost electronics. They don't have any computers or multiple modes, and while they are not brightness monsters, they run for a ridiculously long time on the 3 cells. They are a perfectly usable size. I have a light of this type (more expensive) made by Tek-tite near my bed and while not a high tech marvel by today's standards, it does everything I could want from such a light.
 
I would second the recommendation on the Romisen RC-G2. It's simple (one mode: on or off), well-constructed, runs on AA batteries and is quite reasonably priced. I got one for my wife as a bedside light specifically because of its simplicity.

The regular RC-G2 is dirt cheap; one of the best flashlight values for the money. However, the shipping lag can be substantial. For a little more money, you can get the Q5 version of this light from Shiningbeam.com. Their shipping is quite fast. I prefer the extra output of the Q5, but the average non-flashaholic will be pretty impressed even with the base unit from DX.

optodoofus
 
Notice that the OP wants recommedations that can be picked up at the local Walmart, Lowes ,etc.....
 
i agree with the inova if you are looking for a "best" one from a dept store. i would say river rock if you are looking for a more budget friendly brand.
 
Eveready/Nuwai Energizer 1AA... $18 at target. Its around ~35 Lumens, and will run for about 4 hours with higher capacity NiMH cells. The only thing I dont like about it is that it will drop off a cliff when the cell depletes to a certain voltage. Leaves you completely in the dark, you can't even.... :candle:

If you want a long run time, I think a Minimag AA with some kind of LED drop in would be a nice option, given your $20 cap... Made in USA too!! Lighthound has a sale ($7) on the longest running SMJLED drop in.

http://www.lighthound.com/ArcMania-...-Mini-Maglight-Flashlight-SMJLED_p_12-83.html

Theres also the solitaire upgrade, although thats AAA...
http://www.lighthound.com/ArcMania-...light-Solitaire-Flashlight-SMJLED_p_6-81.html

One of these (I can't remember which one) also drops into the 2AAA minimag.

My minimag/nite-ize setup has performed very well for a couple years. Although nite-ize quality is hit or miss it seems.

Ditto the Inova X1... its built like a brick out house. My older Version2/Nichia model has replaced my AAminimag/nite-ize as my 10 Lumen flooder. I'm thinking about picking up a current version3. I like the build quality of the X1, IMHO you are getting more for your $$ from a build quality standpoint.
 
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Try PrincetonTec. Their lower end lights (5mm based) are not as fancy or cool as CPFers like but they do offer a good amount of output, long runtime, and should be flexible enough to accommodate whatever batteries are laying around the house.
 
I've learned my lesson about giving hi-tech gifts to people who aren't hi-tech.

When gifting a bunch of lights a couple of Christmas ago, I took things to their most simplistic level -- Gerber Infinity. Takes a single AA battery of any type, alkalines are just dandy,gives useful amount of light, runs forever, and it's ON or OFF. For the average person who just wants some utility, its a good choice that doesn't place demands on the owner.
 
I'd say 2 AA will be batter because that is less torture for alkaline batteries. The Romisen RC-N3 or RC-P3(dimmer then the RC-N3 but has side clickie) are probably good choices. You can get the RC-N3 from Shiningbeam if you want the faster shipping.

5mm LED cluster lights might be even better because of the pretty even hotspot and usually longer runtime.
 
Marduke said:
The Coleman Max 2xAA at WalMart would be a good one also.
Click to expand...


I agree wholeheartedly; I've given several and they've all been well received. If you're not sure, buy one for yourself first. Instead of getting a 1AA Luxeon I for $18-20, why not a Cree for $24.88 from a company they've heard of? The 2AA form factor does better with alkalines than the 1AA's do.
 
Folks, just checked in and I THANK YOU:twothumbs:twothumbs for these pointers!!! I'll go a-shoppin' in the next coupla days and see what I can scope out- the suggestions for the multimode and mail-order stuff I appreciate, too, because I think with a little nudging these folks might become a little more interested in what's being done with this stuff. Don't think they will become CPFers, but they're purdy sharp folks and willing to explore.

Now, lessee... I can pawn off some of my older stuff on em so I can afford more.....:thinking::thinking:
 
I really liked my CMG Infinity. Quality is A1, simplicity and just a great concept.

Only problem was, it was the dimmest bulb available.

Is there anything like CMG Infinity/Gerber but brighter? And still with great run time, perhaps not as great as the original.
 
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