Best single AAA pocket flashlight?

[zimm]

What's the hot ticket currently? My last EDC torch was an aluminum Maratac and I loved it, but it's lost. So I'm seeking a replacement and with technology going so fast, is there a better ultra light, ultra small AAA torch out there?

 

[kreisl]

Still the maratac number 1.

 

[StandardBattery]

The "Best" is of course subjective. What's the "hot ticket currently" only slightly less so.

Look in the reviews section for AAA lights to see what current. Many Like the Lumintop Tool Copper and Ti. Copper and Ti Maratac is still fairly popular, but they are not the good value they once were, but sometimes you can get a deal. The Astrolux A01 is quite hot, but not because it's necessarily the best, but it's good value and comes in many colors. There is always the Surefilre Titan Plus, as well as the PK Designs PL2 which is actually pretty nice but pricey. The Jetbeam Jet-u is quite popular right now for an aluminum light that offers great value and is a quite nice looking light, similar I'd say to early Maratac, but better clip and lanyard attachment, although it uses an optic.

I recommend you do some reading now.

 

[Mercyfulfate1777]

I really like the 120 lumen silver I3E Olight. I also have the Copper I3E CU Olight.

 

[brighterthanthesun]

Ultratac K18. 350 lumens on a Lithium cell, works great with NiMH, electronic lock out and less than 3 inches long.

 

[SixCats!]

Yep! Everyone should own a Lumintop Tool. I mean, come on, a single cell AAA Tail Clicky with three modes! Love mine! In fact, I plan to purchase a "backup" Lumintop Tool.
Good price as well.

SixCats!

 

[ZMZ67]

I really like the 120 lumen silver I3E Olight. I also have the Copper I3E CU Olight.

Generally I like CR123 and CR2 lights but I am finding the I3E useful at times.I have the 90 lumen model and the single level combined with the small size turns out to be very practical. Compared to some other lights the I3E is pretty basic so maybe not the "hot ticket" the OP is looking for but there is a limited edition I3S in brass with 3 levels and a higher max than the I3E. The I3S is longer than the I3E but otherwise similar.

 

[gurdygurds]

These three AAA lights are all the best to me in one way or another. Tool AAA with Preon P1 Gen 2 head, Fenix E01, and a Ti3 XP-L NW.
image by Six Pound Cat, on Flickr

 

[zimm]

Thanks fellas. I'll look through those. I like the twist head because I carry the light in the same pocket as my vehicle key and a skeletool clipped in there too. The darn iPhone plus takes up the whole other pocket. So smaller and lighter is better, brightness comes in third, price is fourth.

 

[LarcKen]

I've been surprised for awhile with my Jetbeam Jet-u. Amazing quality in such a low price. Seriously, it feels like 30$ light instead of 10$.
I have similar lights for comparison from Olight, Fenix, Thrunite, and Astrolux. And the Jet-u is the better of the lot.
One of the problem from twist lights are most of them have flickers when turning on or off, some even jumped modes sometimes. But not the Jet-u, it's just rock solid on and off.
I can't trigger the glitch even if i tried to twist it very slowly. it's just that good. Silky smooth thread, Perfect machining, you name it.
Very recommended.

 

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

While I still love the LF2XT, it's very hard to find one nowadays. Some of my favorite newer ones are the Lumintoop Tool - I have the Ti version with the electronic switch and love it. This clip is pretty decent but wish it was a bit more deep pocket carry. I also really like the Prometheus Beta QR v2, the Brass one with the 3-levels and Nichia 219B with the Prometheus clip. It's a twisty with a little weight to it, three very useful levels, one of the best AAA clips I've used.

I am probably more critical than most and most of the AAA lights seem like cheap junk to me that haven't been well thought out except for carrying on a keychain. I don't carry a keychain so that rules out a whole bunch of lights.

 

[greenlight]

I like the jet-u because of the twist switch and nice lanyard attachment.

 

[brighterthanthesun]

Ultratac K18. 350 lumens on a Lithium cell, works great with NiMH, electronic lock out and less than 3 inches long.

In addition, you can get the K18 with a tiny charging module that allows you to charge the Lithium cell with a micro-USB.

 

[Wal44]

I like the L08 from L3 Illumination. It has a Nichia 219 led and 4 modes ranging from .09 moonlight to 90 lumens on high. It starts on moonlight and gets progressively brighter with each twist. Moonlight is good for moving around the house at night and not bothering anybody.

 

[jon_slider]

I also really like the L08 w Nichia and 4 modes

the aluminum Tool w Nichia is a best buy, light weight.

The Copper Too w Nichia is my personal favorite.

Tool heads fit on Maratac bodies

the TipCRI is one of the lightest options with a Nichia

see my post in the copper lights thread for where to find CuMaratac AAA in stock. Also copper tool for just $25. Fwiw the aluminum tool w Nichia is $20. And alum tool w cool white is now under $10 (but I don't use cool white since I became a Nichia fan)

 

[blindedbythenight]

As mentioned already the ultratac k18 is cheap and a wow with a lithium battery in, the side button is a rare thing in this size light and the ergonomic loop on the base means it won't come off your keyring...this is at the expense of it not being able to tail stand. Personally...I have just sent a lumintop tool back as I didn't like it. What I use daily multiple times is the thrunite Ti3...brilliantly useful levels with high being really bright. Love it...though hate the piddly hole to attach it to keyring.

 

[jon_slider]

I have just sent a lumintop tool back as I didn't like it. What I use daily multiple times is the thrunite Ti3...brilliantly useful levels with high being really bright. Love it...though hate the piddly hole to attach it to keyring.

different choices for different needs, maybe you could give more detail as to why you dislike the tool..

I have a Thrunite Ti3 Titanium and dislike that it starts on Low, especially because the Low is really really low, like, .04. I agree the High is really bright, but its also really greenish.. I hate the tint.

I much prefer the Tool with Nichia, and it starts on medium, which is my most used mode, so I like that it comes first, plus the low of 3 lumens is to me, much more useful than the low of the Thrunite.. I agree the pocket clip of the Tool does not let the light ride deep enough, but personally I dont clip to a pocket. I do like to clip to a hat, so the reversible clip is important to me.

I do really like the keyring attachment of the thrunite, but I put a small ring on it, I dont connect direct to a large keyring. I do not consider the Tool a keyring light, the connection point puts the keyring in touch with the clickie button. Here is how I created a quick release option for my AAA lights.. a small clip on my keyring.. You can see all my pocket clips are reversed for hat use.

yes the Thrunite and Maratac are brighter than a Tool with Nichia, but I mostly use Medium, hardly ever do I use High, I use low more often than High. I do not buy AAA lights for use on high, and brightness is not a personal priority. High CRI IS my priority. Neither Thrunite nor Maratac offer Nichia, nor does Olight.

I also had a Prometheus Beta Copper, love the Nichia, but the light is way too heavy for my minimalist keyring. I sold it when I discovered it uses PWM. FWIW the Copper Worm is very similar, has the Nichia also, and NoPWM.. Neither light has a reversible pocket clip option.

The 10440 K18 lasts for less than 15 minutes on high, and it is not High CRI.. its brightness will impress, but not for long.. depends on individual needs and preferences.

Here is what I actually carry, a Maratac body with a Tool w Nichia head

size comparison.. fwiw, the Titanium Tool is very nice, but it is not efficient on High mode. Left to right, Maratac, TiTool, CuTool, L11c

 

[blindedbythenight]

different choices for different needs, maybe you could give more detail as to why you dislike the tool..

I have a Thrunite Ti3 Titanium and dislike that it starts on Low, especially because the Low is really really low, like, .04. I agree the High is really bright, but its also really greenish.. I hate the tint.

I much prefer the Tool with Nichia, and it starts on medium, which is my most used mode, so I like that it comes first, plus the low of 3 lumens is to me, much more useful than the low of the Thrunite.. I agree the pocket clip of the Tool does not let the light ride deep enough, but personally I dont clip to a pocket. I do like to clip to a hat, so the reversible clip is important to me.

I do really like the keyring attachment of the thrunite, but I put a small ring on it, I dont connect direct to a large keyring. I do not consider the Tool a keyring light, the connection point puts the keyring in touch with the clickie button. Here is how I created a quick release option for my AAA lights.. a small clip on my keyring.. You can see all my pocket clips are reversed for hat use.

yes the Thrunite and Maratac are brighter than a Tool with Nichia, but I mostly use Medium, hardly ever do I use High, I use low more often than High. I do not buy AAA lights for use on high, and brightness is not a personal priority. High CRI IS my priority. Neither Thrunite nor Maratac offer Nichia, nor does Olight.

I also had a Prometheus Beta Copper, love the Nichia, but the light is way too heavy for my minimalist keyring. I sold it when I discovered it uses PWM. FWIW the Copper Worm is very similar, has the Nichia also, and NoPWM.. Neither light has a reversible pocket clip option.

The 10440 K18 lasts for less than 15 minutes on high, and it is not High CRI.. its brightness will impress, but not for long.. depends on individual needs and preferences.

Here is what I actually carry, a Maratac body with a Tool w Nichia head

size comparison.. fwiw, the Titanium Tool is very nice, but it is not efficient on High mode. Left to right, Maratac, TiTool, CuTool, L11c

As you say personal preference and what works for one doesn't for the next. Personally I plonk my aaa down as a candle often sometimes as a nightlight on the low and sometimes to illuminate a whole room...on high. Medium gets used if I want the light on for a longer amount of time but more often than not its high and low get used. (i used strobe to annoy my mother in law at the weekend other than that its redundant to me). Thw tool won't tail stand so it was on a downward slide from there...I had heard so many good things about it I wanted to try but I have a bright aaa that won't tail stand (K18) so the tool just wasn't needed.

I think thw best aaa is the one YOU use and as such you can't really tell someone else what is their best.

My Ti3 is a nightlight, a bath toy for my kids, a candle, a headlamp and more and it is the torch I always carry...I'll be honest I can't think what more I want in a aaa....if thrunite did a lithium ion ti3 that would be great and I would like a maratac v3 or a surefire titan...maybe a right angle aaa is my next step.

I do sometimes fantasize about having a bullet belt slung over my shoulder filled entirely with aaa lights haha.

 

[jon_slider]

As you say personal preference and what works for one doesn't for the next. Personally I plonk my aaa down as a candle often sometimes as a nightlight on the low and sometimes to illuminate a whole room...on high. Medium gets used if I want the light on for a longer amount of time but more often than not its high and low get used. (i used strobe to annoy my mother in law at the weekend other than that its redundant to me). Thw tool won't tail stand so it was on a downward slide from there...I had heard so many good things about it I wanted to try but I have a bright aaa that won't tail stand (K18) so the tool just wasn't needed.

I think thw best aaa is the one YOU use and as such you can't really tell someone else what is their best.

My Ti3 is a nightlight, a bath toy for my kids, a candle, a headlamp and more and it is the torch I always carry...I'll be honest I can't think what more I want in a aaa....if thrunite did a lithium ion ti3 that would be great and I would like a maratac v3 or a surefire titan...maybe a right angle aaa is my next step.

I do sometimes fantasize about having a bullet belt slung over my shoulder filled entirely with aaa lights haha.

I agree the Ti3 low makes it a Fantastic night light. Only the L08 reaches that low.
I also agree that the Tool wont tailstand, which is one reason I put the Nichia Tool Head on my Maratac Body (except the TiTool, or the ones with the magnet tail cap do tail stand nicely)
imo the strobe of the Ti3 is also useful for directing traffic, flagging down a bus.. letting cars know Im a pedestrian crossing the street (but I never actually do any of those things.. lol)

I do not recommend the Tool for its brightness, I think if brightness is a priority, the Ti3 is a better choice. The primary reason I recommend the Tool, is because it offers a Nichia. But it sounds like you tried a cool white Tool.. Im glad you returned it

If you wanted to put a Nichia tool head on your Ti3, you can, it works. Then you get tailstanding plus High CRI.. but, if nighlight is a priority, only the L08 can give you the Nichia experience at sublumen nightlight levels..

Im all about Nichia.. to me the best light has High CRI..
otoh, for people who prioritize brightness over CRI, which most of the flashlight market does, I agree the K18 and Ti3 are great choices

for nightlight application, also in cool white, the Olight i3s has a very useful 0.5 lumen low. my i3s also has really nice threads, they work really smoothly. It is also a light that starts on Medium, like the Tool.

for lights that start on low first, the Ti3, and L08 have that feature covered.
for lights that start on medium first, Tool, Olight
nichia lights, L08, Tool, Worm, Prometheus
sublumen lows (nightlights), L08, Ti3, Olight i3s

regarding 10440 options, Vinh offers a ToolVn (which means a Lego to the Maratac could host 10440 safely too)

 

[blindedbythenight]

I am I'm afraid all about the brightness over the natural colours...but...and this is a big but...I find myself here on this forum as a relative infant in the world of lights and as I tip toe into new pastures I am sure I will see the benefit of nichia in time. A slightly shallow aspect I find myself indulging in at the moment is the aesthetic of the light...I just love the look and feel of my Ti3 whereas the olight aaa does nothing for me, in this respect the tool was visually appealing and to the touch. The maratac TPF is my next aaa I think.