best utility AAA

[tricker]

peak, arc,fenix,streamlight,mag other?


please post a light from your experiences and resist the urge to look at other's suggestions :thumbsup:

 

[datiLED]

The Arc AAA-P. It is the best utility AAA light available. I would recommend the DS version.

 

[Empath]

It would be the Parknix, wouldn't it?

Really... you've created a thread that will go nowhere, except to generate disagreement.

We can try it for awhile, but you left out the one I find of the best utility. That's the Streamlight Microstream.

 

[ViReN]

For $15 Fenix E01 is irresistible.. consider 10 hours regulated run time and a GS LED
Recent Arc GS has quality issues. Original Arc's were the Best...
Peak are good, but flat regulation is not there.

Empath is correct.... this has every chance of becoming a Arc Vs Fenix vs Peak.... sadly Already lot of threads are becoming the 'battle' ground for the brand loyalists

 

[tricker]

It would be the Parknix, wouldn't it?

Really... you've created a thread that will go nowhere, except to generate disagreement.

We can try it for awhile, but you left out the one I find of the best utility. That's the Streamlight Microstream.

i hope they will just recommend one, and resist the urge to turn this into the normal "fenix vs ....." thread.....and i didn't leave it out, i am really looking for suggestions and hadn't heard of that one

 

[lyrrag]

+1 for the Micro Stream 1xAAA. Best bang for the buck. Call Fox International for the CPF price.

 

[nerdgineer]

Of those I've actually owned, I like the Fenix E1 the most. Very compact (like all Fenix AAAs), HA (ditto), AR glass, spring loaded twisty (ditto), perfect regulation (2 hrs with alky, 3.5 with nimh, 5.5 with E2 to 50%), a very useful ~ 12 lumen light level, and about half the price of the L0D when it was still available.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

The Fenix E01

 

[fasuto]

Liteflux LF2 (or LF2x)

 

[GPB]

I have had the Tiablo MA1 for a few weeks now and really like it. Its very bright for its size ( Tiablo claims over 100 lumens ) but it costs about $40. It seems fairly sturdy and is holding up well. Burn time on high is 1.3 hours I think, but there is a low speed that would give you a little longer run time.

 

[arty]

I always have an old ARC P CS on my car keys, but I also have a Peak Matterhorn 3LED stainelss with a pocket body in my pocket.
THis could all change when my Liteflux LF2 arrives.

 

[BentHeadTX]

Utility AAA?
I am assuming you are talking about a tool version of an AAA light. For me, that is the Peak Baltic with HA-III aluminum or stainless steel. Mine is the SP (highest level) output with SSC LED, HA-III with the tail ring removed and covered with on of their optional stainless plugs.
It resides in the small pockets on the side of my Leatherman Charge Ti holster, runs on Eneloop rechargables, takes a beating and eats batteries. If I really need another battery, I just pull one out of my keychain light and press on.
I have had Arcs, L0D Q4, LF2X, Kaidomain AAA and the Baltic works the best for utility. Second place for utility is the L0D Q4. I have a E01 on backorder since the LF2X disconnected itself from my keychain my sons lost the L0D Q4 and I cracked the lens on the Kaidomain I have a lithium AAA waiting for the E01 and am hopeful it will remain on my keychain a long time.
For me, having a high output Baltic in the LM Charge holster and a low output/long runtime E01 on the keys should keep my needs covered. My Arc AAA red LED is the light for blackout...
I like Arcs, Fenix and Peak lights... guess I can't join the Church of Arc, Temple of Fenix or the Cathedral of Peak. Can't we all just get along? (All hail choice!)

 

[Crenshaw]

i would vote the LF2x or LODq4 for all around utility. Low, and high modes. Simplicity, the ARC-P

Crenshaw

 

[pbs357]

Depending on your designed use, I'd have to +2 on the Streamlight Microstream. It says it's 20 lumens, but it seems brighter than my LODQ4 (on E2 Lithium) on Medium/Primary setting. Throws VERY well for a AAA light too. It also comes with a neck lanyard. I really like it!

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Tricker,

I get a lot of "utility" from my LumensFactory pen light.

Tom

 

[Lee1959]

I have always liked the AAA form and find them to be among the most handy lights. I used a Mag Solitare and AAA Minimag for many years as my EDC.

Nowdays I carry a Fenix L0P every day along with a Streamlight Stylus Pro or Inova AAA Bolt.

I guess they are all pretty close in my mind for utility use, the L0P perhaps has an edge because of its small carry size.

If it turns out to be rugged and reliable like it seems it will, the E01 might be a very good choice also, at a hard to beat price.

 

[gadget_lover]

I've carried an ARC AAA premium since 2003. It's always a backup to the EDC on my belt. It's served well.

I saw a lot of small bright lights at CPF lunches, and finally broke down this year and tried the Fenix lights. I picked up a P2D RB100 ( Big, fat CR123 light using a Rebel) and really liked it. I liked it enough to order a spare, and that's when I picked up an LOD RB80 to go with it.

The LOD is about the size of my ARC, but it's a LOT brighter and has multi levels. It made a nice backup to my EDC. When my wife's purse light died, I talked her into accepting the LOD as a replacement. I can always pick up another one.

The next day they announced the Rebel recall.


When the rebel based LOD lights become available agin, I'd recommend one. Small, light, bright, with run time that seems to equal a nichia based light.

Daniel

 

[tedjanxt]

please post a light from your experiences

Streamlight Microstream body with an L0D-Q4 head. It's my *every* day, *every* night carry (meaning my neck lanyard light)

Expensive to build, but worth it in lumens, I had the machinist at work make me a delrin threaded cap for the L0D body and it rides with an extra E2 lithium on my keys. So two for one, killer Fenix with a nice tailswitch, and a spare battery carrier...

*edit* the heads on the Streamlights died after I boiled 'em (in a baggie) to loosen the threadlocker, YMMV

 

[Badbeams3]

Fenix E01 without a doubt is the best. Cheap $15 price means you don`t care if lost or scratched up... plenty enough light for most tasks... 10 hr constant bright burn time... long predictable batt life...proven dependability (assumming it`s like the E0). No switch to go bad... Buy 3 for the price of many others. Simply the best. Nothing else even comes close.

Now remember...be nice guys.

 

[Polar Light]

Streamlight Microstream body with an L0D-Q4 head. It's my *every* day, *every* night carry (meaning my neck lanyard light)

I have to agree. Easily accessable levels of light in compact size.

Pic of my favourite light: