Best AA light for NiMH Batteries...???

[LEDconvert]

Any advice as to what I should get as my next AA EDC?
I've been considering a Quark or Fenix, but I'm not sure what my priorities are.
I like the low output from the quark but would like to get a nice high/turbo too.
From what I've read on other CPF reviews, I won't get that from a Quark running AA NiMHs.

I'm sure there must be other options I'm not considering, so please hit me with suggestions!!

P.S. I've very weak impulse control, so please don't post links to bright shiny things that cost over $100...

 

[Flucero28]

Have you checked out the Nitecore D10?

http://www.batteryjunction.com/nitecore-d10-r2.html

 

[LEDconvert]

Thanks for that... hadn't considered that brand before.... interesting.

 

[jblackwood]

Who said you don't get a nice high on Ni-MH's with a Quark? Just because most people here opt to drop lithium and Li-ion batteries into their Quarks doesn't mean they're junk on Ni-MH's! They're brighter on Ni-MH's than they are on Alkaline primaries (not saying much, though).

I've got 3 Quark AA models. One in Neutral, one in R2, and one in an R5. They're all brighter than my Nitecore D10 Q5. I still carried my D10 for months after getting all the Quarks whenever I could only take one light with me for many other reasons.

Whatever light you choose, you're going to get a lot of light from one AA, especially if it's a Ni-MH. If you drop a lithium primary or Li-ion into it, watch out, blinding power (and the electronics handle all those power options flawlessly).

 

[Buckley]

+1 on the Quark!

The Quark AA running a AW 14500 is my current travel bag flashlight, and I am very pleased with this setup. I get an amazing turbo output from the 14500, find the low extremely useful, and have the option of using the ubiquitous alkaline AA in a pinch.

Having said all that, I think you will be both pleased and surprised with the max output of the Quark AA on a single NiMH. Then, down the road a few weeks or months, if you want a significant boost in max output you can buy an inexpensive lithium ion battery charger and a 14500 cell or two.

Good hunting!

PS: With regard to your weak impulse control, I recommend you do what I do when faced with temptation: Give in right away and get it over with!

 

[bspofford]

http://www.dereelight.com/javelin.htm

 

[selfbuilt]

The Quark is as well-driven on 1xAA NiMH as just about any other light of this class (see my comparison review here).

It's true the original NDI and early D10s were driven slightly higher on 1xNiMH, but I don't believe that holds any more. Even then, there was enough variability between samples to mean you may not experience it. And the NDI/D10 output tended to slightly lag the other lights on 1x14500. :shrug:

For 1xAA, I would choose a light solely on feature set and build. You can see the rest of the competition profiled in 1xAA round-up review.

 

[bighest]

Tk40!! it uses 8 xAA nimh but you'll see why!! i love minr to bits.:thumbsup:

 

[Wiggle]

The Quark (esp R5 version) has plenty of output on high with NiMH, on par with pretty much anything else out there. It certainly can run brighter with 14500 but the NiMH output is quite ample still. Visually, it is nearly as bright on 1 AA as my Fenix L2D is on 2 AA and runs for over an hour on one Duraloop.

 

[jblackwood]

Tk40!! it uses 8 xAA nimh but you'll see why!! i love minr to bits.:thumbsup:

The OP asked for a AA EDC. Unless you have a murse to carry that behemoth, I wouldn't call it an EDC.

As much as I love me some Dereelight Javelin, I don't EDC mine either. That does bring to mind the C2H . . . I'm not sure about its performance on Ni-MH, though, having jumped onto the RCR123 bandwagon months ago (you will too soon, OP, it's just a matter of time!) but that little sucker sure is a pocket cannon! It's one of the only EDC class lights with a low profile clip and good tailstanding! (Quarks fit the latter but not the former). No strobe, SOS, or beacon, it those things are important to you . . . it's also obsolete-proof. You can upgrade pills to more recent LEDs. As an example, when they first came out, XR-E pills (Q5 to be exact) were all the rage. You can still get those if you look hard enough, I suppose, but now they come stock with an XP-G R5 pill. Plus, you can choose either a smooth or orange peel (OP) reflector to suit your needs.

Though I loath when people mention tint while talking of companies, I must say, Dereelight's US vendor is one of the few people that I know of that actually specifies tint if you ask him to do so. Even without asking him to do this, I've gotten nothing but purely white lights from Dereelight (and one warmish light, but was a Q3-5A). Take a look at his thread here.

 

[joe1512]

What do you mean by 'your next AA EDC'? Did your old one poop out on your, or was it deemed insufficient for some reason?

That could affect the advice given, which is why I am asking.

 

[luke_DF]

quark AA tactical UI - this is a great EDC light. form factor, size, output, built quality, clip options. can't go wrong.

 

[LEDconvert]

Thanks all for your advice...
I'm leaning towards a Zebralight SC50 at the moment.
I reeeaaalllllly like the output levels and UI, the only 'would-like' feature missing is something to connect a keyring/lanyard. (there's also the whole back-order issue to cope with)

BTW, my current EDC is a 2 yr old Fenix L0D. It's still a great light, and it will stay on my key bunch, but my inner flashaholic is commanding me to buy a little AA number, and the more 'light-porn' I look at, the more I believe I need it !!

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

You might have more options if you use nickel-zinc (NiZn) AA cells. They deliver 1.6 to 1.7V under load, much like lithium L91 primary cells. So a Malkoff M30, M30W, M30WF, or M30F, which is regulated from 3.0V upward, would run just fine on two NiZn cells.

 

[waddup]

i have about 6 or 8 of the popular here AA lights,

they are all great on nihm.

very little difference.(maybe 40 lumens?)

they often come up for sale used in the marketplace for $25.