Best Alkaline 1AA LED

[Dobbler]

I want to buy several (6?) 1AA LED lights that run best on 1.5v Alkaline batteries. I'm looking in the $5-$10 range if possible. I have a JetBeam C-LE and that size/brightness would certainly be nice, but the price is 2x-3x what I want to spend.

These would be emergency/beater lights. Run time over brightness, but I want at least 40-50 lumens at the emmitter. Should I be looking at the < $10 Cree lights at DX? Other options?

EDIT: So maybe a better question is "What's the best performing 1AA light on alkaline batteries?"

 

[zulu45]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

While not in your price range, I'm personally hooked on the Nuwai X-1, which can be found at Target for $22, rebranded as River Rock. Amazing with NiMH, and even with Alkalines, decent!

 

[Flying Turtle]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I presently have a Task Force 1 AA 1 watt from Lowe's in the car as a beater light. It is probably only 20 lumens and cost $16. I recently discovered it to be a good light for sucking a battery dry and it will still light up at voltages that won't fire other (Civictor, Jetbeam) lights.

Geoff

 

[SEMIJim]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I bought a UltraFire C3 CREE for keeping in my lunchbox (similar thing), but that was over $18.

 

[jng]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I'm sure you're aware of this, but just a reminder that batteries in the car will be dead at the worst times (i.e. when you actually need them).

DX also has 0.5W nichia flashlights for 7.99, but don't think they would meet your brightness requirements.

 

[MarNav1]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I don't think you'll find much for $5-10 range. Probably have to spend $20 anyhow to
get the output your looking for.

 

[Learjet]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I'm sure you're aware of this, but just a reminder that batteries in the car will be dead at the worst times (i.e. when you actually need them).

Even with lithiums? The ones I bought the other day had a use by date of 2021.

 

[frank777]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

For that price, I would go with the Dorcy AA. Decent quality and brightness, and it won't break your budget ($10). Try Wal-Mart or Kmart.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/dorcy_aa.htm

 

[FlashCrazy]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

Definitely the Elly Cree. That's what I have in my gloveboxes. Keep an AA Alkaline in there for quick use, plus throw another battery by itself in the glovebox. This will give you 3+ hrs of runtime. Or go with an Energizer lithium for years of worry free storage. The light is great for looking under the hood, changing tires, whatever. It also has pretty good throw, in case you need to hoof it somewhere.

 

[Dobbler]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

Definitely the Elly Cree. That's what I have in my gloveboxes. Keep an AA Alkaline in there for quick use, plus throw another battery by itself in the glovebox. This will give you 3+ hrs of runtime. Or go with an Energizer lithium for years of worry free storage. The light is great for looking under the hood, changing tires, whatever. It also has pretty good throw, in case you need to hoof it somewhere.

Where to buy?

 

[alphazeta]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I have to respectfully disagree with this one. Many of the cree'd ellys do not like to turn on once the battery drops to 1.2v ~1.3v. I use my cree'd elly from DX a lot but, it won't serve as a reliable "emergency" light because of this voltage issue.

I 2nd the vote for the $18 Ultrafire C3. The build quality is great on that light.

 

[Sigman]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

Why not the Inova X1 or the Gerber Firecracker or the Gerber Tempo (though the Tempo is AAA)?

 

[Gunner12]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

Where to buy?

At Dealextreme and Kaidomain.

LinksMXDL-Style Cree P4 (DX), ELITE (Kai)

 

[Edro]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I'm sure you're aware of this, but just a reminder that batteries in the car will be dead at the worst times (i.e. when you actually need them).

True...that is of course unless you're a flashaholic like those of us here and keep back up Energizer L-91 Lithiums for the AA lights AND back up CR123's for the 123 lights AND a headlamp with back ups for that too...you'll need see and use both your hands to be really productive in the dark.

 

[selfbuilt]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I 2nd the vote for the $18 Ultrafire C3. The build quality is great on that light.

How's the runtime? My ultrafire 602A1 (earlier version with lux emitter, aka VIPPA on DX site) had a pathetic 39 min to 50% on duracell alkalines (63 min on NiMH). That light runs best on 14500 - 90 mins to 50%.

 

[Patriot]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I've seen a plastic yellow 2AA Dorcy at all three of my Target stores around here. They are $9.95 and have a orange peel reflector. I was thinking about getting one, but I really didn't need it. It actually looked decent.

 

[mpk]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

Even with lithiums? The ones I bought the other day had a use by date of 2021.

Dunno, but the automobile environment is harsh. Wide temperature extremes, humidity, etc.

 

[MattK]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

IMO an emergency leave in car light must be lithium powered. Personally, I'd go for a small, inexpensive CR123A light for this purpose.

Both my car and my wifes cars have Inova 24/7's with accessory kits in them as the 'emergency light.' I like the 24/7's for the long run times on low, the magnet/headband setup for looking under hood & changing tires.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

A 1AA fits nicely in a pocket but a headlamp is much more useful in a glove box. Repairs usually take 2 hands and a flashlight in your mouth is not very ergonomic. I helped a friend remove some hardware on her bike in a dimly lit storage room recently. My EOS headlamp allowed me to get the job done easily without tasting any metal. Yuck.

 

[FlashCrazy]

Re: Best Alkaline 1AA LED to toss in glove box?

I have to respectfully disagree with this one. Many of the cree'd ellys do not like to turn on once the battery drops to 1.2v ~1.3v. I use my cree'd elly from DX a lot but, it won't serve as a reliable "emergency" light because of this voltage issue.

That is a good point that I didn't think about. The ones I have are all ok down to 1.1V, then they don't want to turn back on. I leave a spare AA by itself in the glovebox, so it shouldn't be an issue for me. Plus, like a true flashaholic, that's not the only light in my car! :lolsign: I can hear the familiar saying from my wife now: "How many lights DO you need?!?"