Best AA edc flashlight?

[defloyd77]

I've been looking at the i5t from Olight to replace my aging EagleTac 2xAAA EDC. The Olight has the simplest tail cap switch, similar to my current light. Show me something better, with just as simple of a switch, for under $30 and I'll buy it.

If you like the i5T, check out the i5R, it's on sale currently. It has a boost in output on high over the standard i5T and comes with a rechargeable (but proprietary) 14500, but you can also use standard AA cells.

I'd be all over it myself as I did it's simplicity and Olight's optics, but I can't stand plain cool white LEDs.

 

[aznsx]

Does anyone know a AA light that has the brightness adjust on the bezel, with tail clicky on/off? I never see this but to me this would be such a better system then button cycling which I hate. Next best thing is ramping which few do but someone mentioned the sofirn does so may have to check that out.

I just want a bezel with nice clicky twist settings like you see in diver watches. So satisfying.

I erroneously posted info on the wrong model light yesterday, so I'm correcting that malfunction here. This is the light I had intended to post info on, which is a AA light that incorporates output level selection by head rotation positions, with primary tailcap momentary / maintained on / off function. I cannot tell whether the head selection positions 'click' / have detents or not. It's currently available with a selection of emitters (4) from a U.S. distributor.

D25A2 Tactical

www.eagtac.com

 

[gl22man]

I would pick either the fenix e12 v2, lumintop tool aa 2.0 or lumintop edc aa over the i5t. The lumintop’s have the added advantage of being able to use a 14500 also.

I'm pretty sure the i5t can also use the 14500 battery but you would only have 1 mode which would be high! I also like the fact when using a 14500 in the tool AA the tail clickie lights up Blue although I'm sure that will drain the battery quicker..

 

[vadimax]

I've had a ton of AA lights but sold them all except for my Ti Tool 2.0 with LH351D 5k led. It's on me everyday even if I have another larger light already. It fits my needs perfectly and always works when I need it to.

View attachment 26402

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I'm waiting on the Corvus to be made, maybe that can knock the Tool off of the AA list.


Maybe.

My wifie has "stolen" this one in copper from me And I switched to FWAA.

 

[kreisl]

random chime in by me (i doht frequent cpf anymore, there are funner thinx in life to njoy)…

i doht use 1xAA/14500 flashlights anymore but if i did, i would take the eagtac titanium. slim, short, light-weight, powerful, efficient, great pocket clip, timeless beautiful looks. top matured electronics/design (re-iterations over years). and the model is still in the catalog. says it all.

truly a timeless gem.

 

[kerneldrop]

If I don't go Malkoff or Peak then I'm partial to these.
I just put these AA/14500 together.... both have the excellent Tool AA driver, McClicky switch, potted, orings on each end, and 519a LEDs.
One is a dedomed 4500k and other is a 5700k.

I wouldn't spend too much money on an import light....component wise they are all the same. A $15 import will have the same electronics as the $70 import.

 

[knucklegary]

How about a Malkoff MDC AA with a custom-built head...

This has a Lumens Factory teardrop head with a H17Fx driving a 219b 4000K. This could also be built with a AA/14500 driver for primary compatibility.

View attachment 26474

Who did your LF head rebuild?

 

[Duster1671]

Who did your LF head rebuild?

I did it myself. Pretty straightforward mod.

 

[knucklegary]

So these e series heads are not potted?

H17fx is a great driver, I have it in a couple flashlights..

Nice job!

 

[Duster1671]

Thanks!

Correct, not potted. If you take the bezel ring/lens off, the whole module comes out. Then the reflector unscrews and you're left with a bare pill with MCPCB on one side and driver on the other. The MCPCB is glued down with thermal epoxy, but other than that it's easy to work on.

The H17Fx is great. I love the customization, and especially the double tap for high. Can't use the highest levels with a 219b, of course, but I had no problem programming the highest mode for level 20 or 21 (I think those are 1.5A and 2.1A respectively). 2.1A seems to be fine for the 219b in this host, but time will tell.

 

[Gaffle]

Whether it's worth a shyte, I'll add 2 cents here. My HDS has spoilt meh, especially after a 18650 tube, oof (but only clicky style, no rotary for me yet). Now a MD2 is also carried around by myself. After years of programming I can appreciate a forward click and head twist, you know what I mean. KISS makes lasting impressions on a device. I like to own lasting products if I can. I don't come to CPF often due to no interest in current lights. Precursor has been set.

Now, awhile back I bought my wife a Fenix EO1 as a key chain light for her purse. That rode around for a long time. One day we turn it on and it's dead. I just recently replaced this light with a Peak Eiger Ultra. I am highly impressed with this Peak. Made in USA which I like, epoxy head for durability, the light is turned on via a head twist. QTC technology, as material is compressed more electricity flows, allows the light to ramp from dim to bright. It's not perfect and there is some flickering, but it still ramps. Fast twist gives full bright. One option of light has no tail switch, and the other option has a keychain end that can be replaced with a momentary button. Very simplistic and I'm sure a long running item.

Were I to get a AA light I would get the Peak LED Logan with 17500 tube and have access to a whole bunch of battery types. This light wouldn't be for any like "tactical" carry, just good ole general purpose. Put it in anyone's hand and they will figure it out.

 

[jon_slider]

Nitecore D10 is a great AA light, but no longer made, same for the Sunwayman V11r.

Presently, one of the best AA lights imo, is the Sofirn SP10 Pro, because it has an excellent ramping UI, with excellent firefly levels.

output shown is using AA eneloop:

modding photos here:

 

[pancakeayaka]

I like AA and AA-compatible flashlights. My favorite EDC lights are Streamlight Protac 90 and 1L-1AA.
The Olight i5T is nice but I want more throw. Is there any single AA/nimh thrower with simple low/hi forward clicky tailswitch?

 

[Trout River]

With the AA MDC, it's easy. Just turn the light on in any mode and wait at least a second, even in low/low mode. It always comes back on in low/low. If you want to stage it to come on in a higher mode just quickly go through the modes less than a second and stop one level before you want it to come on in. Works just like my MDC (2) CR123A/16650 head. Compared to a lot of Chinese lights, this is an extremely simple U.I.

I'm actually thinking about getting another one maybe in 5700K.

 

[sween1911]

Love the Streamlight Protac 1L1AA. You can do the ten-tap to make it a single-output light or 2-level or 2-level with strobe.
I love being able to make it a single-mode high output for simplicity. Can run on 1 AA or 1 CR123. Pretty handy and flexible.

 

[aznsx]

Love the Streamlight Protac 1L1AA. You can do the ten-tap to make it a single-output light or 2-level or 2-level with strobe.
I love being able to make it a single-mode high output for simplicity. Can run on 1 AA or 1 CR123. Pretty handy and flexible.

After several years of intending to order one 'any day now', I finally have one still in the shipping box sitting on my dining table waiting to be opened. If there's any flashlight purchase that's a true 'no brainer' for me, this is it, and I expect to enjoy and benefit from using it for many years. This is one I'm sure I'll love before even putting my hands on it. It's clearly a AA-capable light that's just 'designed for me'. It'll likely be loaded with LFP 16340s most of the time.

 

[Monocrom]

Okay, so this might be cheating but Streamlight 1L/1AA model gets the nod from me. Dual fuel LED light that can use one CR123 lithium primary or a single AA primary battery. Without the need for a separate sleeve if you switch over from CR123 to AA. Plus, if you're careful screwing down the tailcap, yes you can use one AAA battery as a light source. What's not to love?

 

[tango44]

Wow! just a couple of members like the Streamlight Protac 1LAA, this is my daily carry and works fine and is though as steel, love the light for $40 at Bass pro on sale!