Best 1AA Light Under $20?

[JNieporte]

I'm looking to buy four of the same light; they'll be back-up lights for a group. I would really like something nice like Novatac or Fenix, but remember I have to buy four of them. For this reason, I've limited my budget to $20 each, and that includes shipping. I'm 100% set on the single AA format, as AAs are extremely easy to find and I'll just load the lights initially with energizer Lithiums. Clicky is necessary; no twisties. I'd like a pretty even throw-to-flood ratio. Below are the single AA lights that I own that fit this criteria; please let me know if there's something else I should be looking at.

Energizer 1-Watt

This costs about $15 at my local Target and comes with an alkaline cell. 35 lumens, pocket clip, more throw than flood. I like this, but I'd like something that's brighter.

Brinkmann Armormax AA
Image here... http://i.pgcdn.com/pi/75/80/57/758057975_640.jpg

Cost is around $14 on-line, and that means around $19 including shipping. Comes with an alkaline. 53 lumens. I really like this light, and it would be perfect if it had a "low" mode added in.

Leatherman Monarch 400
At Amazon... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002HRF7QG/?tag=cpf0b6-20

Cost is $23 on-line, and even with free shipping over $25, I think that's too much. The light is nice, but it's 45 lumens and a tad bulky in the head.

Romisen RC-G2 II NW
http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-231/Romisen-RC-dsh-G2-II-NW/Detail

$20 ($29 including shipping) each on-line. 105 OTF lumens, XP-G R4 LED. This is a thrower for one AA, but it's a tad expensive if buying multiples.

CityCat AA:
Three modes, 110 lumens on high. This light would be perfect if it weren't extremely smooth.

Thoughts?

 

[Gilfner]

I have been EDC'ing a Life Gear 1AA for a while now (close to a year). 80 lumens, one mode (full on/off), Tough so far, bit of a thrower, smooth reflector, rubber grip sleave. Here's a thread on it: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?230096-Life-Gear-lights

I paid ~$30 for it, but I see it on EBAY for ~$20 (Item# 160575633297).
Here it is on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004G8Q9EI/?tag=cpf0b6-20

Got a Zebralight SC51 on the way, so the Life Gear will go into a backup role for me.

 

[think2x]

This one is in your budget. It's the older emitter but I bought one for a friend and he ABSOLUTELY LOVES it.

 

[Schuey2002]

I have the Brinkmann Armormax AA. The beam is fantastic. And it will throw quite a good distance for such a small light.

But, mine has not been completely reliable. I think that has something to do with either the reverse clickie or the spring in the tailcap. If it wasn't for that, I would highly recommend picking one up..

 

[maskman]

Romisen RC-G2 II NW
http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-231/Romisen-RC-dsh-G2-II-NW/Detail

$20 ($29 including shipping) each on-line. 105 OTF lumens, XP-G R4 LED. This is a thrower for one AA, but it's a tad expensive if buying multiples.

This is the one I give as a gift quite often. You probably want to recalculate your figures. First use the CPF discount code and get the initial cost down. Then add all four lights to the shopping cart and enter your zip code. Next hit the "update" tab and you should find that shipping for all four lights is way less than a bag of chips. The end result is you will be under $20 per light.

 

[rmteo]

I have given away many 10's of these http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...Smallsun-ZY-A29-8-3-mode-1x-AA-Flood-to-Throw

1xAA, about 110-120 lumens (they claim 150), 3 modes, flood-to-throw focusing, <$7 each for 3+ (shipping included) - bottom light in picture.

 

[ncbill]

Anything this cheap with a moon mode?

 

[cistallus]

iTP A2 EOS (for OP; for ncbill: not that I know of)

 

[archwizard]

Hi All. I'm also looking to buy an affordable single-AA cree led light. l need one that will give me preferably 3 modes: high above 100 lumens, mid 60 lumens and low around 10. What would you recommend for around the same $20 excl. shipping?

If I use the low mode for reading a map or a book, what output would be most suitable? 10 lumens or higher?

Thanks for any answer to my noob questions.

 

[JNieporte]

I have given away many 10's of these http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...Smallsun-ZY-A29-8-3-mode-1x-AA-Flood-to-Throw

1xAA, about 110-120 lumens (they claim 150), 3 modes, flood-to-throw focusing, <$7 each for 3+ (shipping included) - bottom light in picture.

You give me one?
Well, trade for a few at least...

 

[rmteo]

I can sell you 4 for less than half your budget ($28 for 4 lights + $6 for USPS Priority Mail, total $34). PM if interested. Here is a link to the light http://www.dealextreme.com/p/small-...-zoom-convex-lens-led-flashlight-1-x-aa-90635

 

[qwertyydude]

My favorite is my Uniquefire G10. It uses the newer brighter XP-G R5 led. Makes for a nice smooth beam, has decent throw, but is definitely geared more for close to middle distance with a hotspot about twice as big as an XP-G P60 module.

The really nice thing is dual tailcap o-ring seals. Once you give it the standard once over teardown and rebuild necessary for all Chinese lights, it's rock solid reliable and 100% waterproof. Tested it for a half hour on submerged in a cup of water, zero water intrusion. Nice thing too is on a 14500 it's insanely bright, overall light output as much as any XP-G light out there, but gets hot pretty fast since it's so small.

Best of all only about $13 on DX.

 

[Tanglefoot]

+1 for Romisen RC-G2 in any variety from Shiningbeam. Fast service, great light.

I have the Sipik SK68 and really like that as well. I'm just tickled what that light does for $9.20.

 

[skyfire]

got my Icon Link on sale for $19.99.

well worth that price.

 

[Norm]

Best 1AA Light Under $20?, Sounds like it belongs in Budget lights, moved - Norm

 

[roopeseta]

I suggest: Ultrafire MCU-C7 R5

Works with 123 or AA. It comes with extension tube. 3 modes, high, low and blink. It is very bright and I have it. Brighter than fenix p1d q5. Claims 280 lumen on max.

 

[gcbryan]

If the OP is still looking for a light do a Google search both for image and sales info for Ultrafire BJO8A.

I got it for $16 with free shipping and it shipped from the US for I got it in 4 days. Single AA/14500 one mode (I think there are multi-modes available) uses XR-E so throws well comes with a light OP reflector. It has a screw in brass pill so should be good for heat dissipation, It easy to take apart if you want to modify it in any way.

It's easy to replace the switch and I changed the reverse clicky out to a forward clicky using one of the Romisen $2 models.

 

[deadrx7conv]

http://www.dorcy.com/p-423-41-4261-alumina-40-lumen-led-flashlight.aspx

 

[trooplewis]

Another vote for the Uniquefire G10, and the Ultrafire U20 also works. Both use the R5 emitter. THe U20 can also use 14500 batteries, but not the G10.

 

[MichaelW]

The Romisen RC-G2 with the xp-g isn't as much a thrower as the old xr-e one is.
You can get 1 cool-white Black, 1 cool-white Gray, 1 neutral-white Black, 1 neutral-white Gray, just so everybody remembers which one is theirs.

or 5 of the old neutral xr-e for you $80 price constraint.