Brightest 4AA Flashlight?

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FreeBSDboy,

Actually the Surge is a 2x4AA light - it's two sets of 4 AA's in parallel. It can be run on only 4 AA's - you'll just see a diminished run time. I've sworn off them, at least in the near future, but that's another story...

I'd have to agree with freewheelin' and Illuminated. The el cheapo Big Lots / Rayovac 4AA is short and stumpy but put a decent bulb in there and the wide, deep reflector gathers all the light it can and throws it into a nice, tight beam. I've used it to inspect my chimney and eaves late at night and it's more than adequate. Figure one of those with a good Xenon or Halogen bulb, especially a 3 cell bulb that's being overdriven with rechargeables, and you've got a nice cheap and super bright spotlight.

Jon
 
I have two uk4aa, and their throw is impressive, but the beam quality is hidious.

I've read many post here at cpf indicating that the tec 40 has a nicer beam spot, so I've had one on my list to buy for some time now.

Raven
 
So, where can one buy a Big Lots / Rayovac 4AA? I've never heard of Big Lots.

Maybe someone could buy one for me and send it to me...PM me to work something out! Please! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I ended up getting 2 lights. Since I had no experience with UK, I ordered the UK 4AA with the switch and the SL4. Both have bright, tight, somewhat irregular beams. I like having a switch and not having to twist a head. The UK 4AA barely is bright enough for what I need. The SL4 works great, but is too big to carry around. I have the PT Vortec headlamp which I think has the same reflector and the Tec 40. I may to try one.
 
I must have gotten lucky with my UK 4AA AS2 (maybe Onyx will tell us how the other one works - two got shipped to me and I got to choose one).

It throws a fairly nice slightly oval beam that is fairly tight, but not as tight as my Pelican Stealthlite and both aren't anywhere NEAR how tight my 2AA SL poly is (was, it has Writeright now).

I still recommend Pelican for what ChrisM wants.
 
I have several Pelican's, JoeShmoe, I wasn't the one the post originally trying to pick out a light for.

I'm simply trying to find someone to get me one of those Big Lots 4AA flashlights mentioned in the post since there's no Big Lots anywhere near me. I haven't even heard of them!
 
Sorry Chris!

I will try to visit a couple of local Big Lots and if I find one we'll work it out.

Only thing I know is, Big Lots generally gets cool things and once they are gone that's it. I got what turned out to be a pretty nice 3D from them for cheap. Haven't seen another lately.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Raven said:
I have two uk4aa, and their throw is impressive, but the beam quality is hidious.

I've read many post here at cpf indicating that the tec 40 has a nicer beam spot, so I've had one on my list to buy for some time now.

Raven


[/ QUOTE ]

You might want to try the UK4AA with UK's "480" lamp. The beams of the older lamps varied considerably in pattern and quality from one lamp to another, but the three or four 480's that I've seen are remarkably consistant. They have a very bright hotspot with a bright surround and are fairly but not excessively narrow.

The very cheap bright lights sound like a great buy, but I always feel better having a quality light that I know I can depend on, even if it costs a little more upfront.

The UK 4AA lamps can also be used in the 2L. This Mini-Classic is the smallest, toughest, longest-burning, brightest little light around.

Brightnorm
 
Search so far:

Two Big Lots over in Pasadena that have both been good to me from time to time. No Rayovac rubber 4aa to be found.

There is an "Aztec" Rubber 4AA that is $2.49 without batteries that looks functionally similar. I would have grabbed one to try out but I ABSOLUTELY don't need another incandescent light (at least like that...)

I'll try a couple more stores.

OH, and for Ravens benefit. My UK 4AA AS2 isn't more than a couple months old. And the older lights didn't have the clickie switch. So your experience is not typical.
 
The Rayovac's have a metal ring swedged around the hole in the reflector where the bulb flange sits - those Aztecs don't. I would be skeptical of overdriving a 3-cell bulb in one of those for heat reasons.

John
 
[ QUOTE ]
PlayboyJoeShmoe said:
I must have gotten lucky with my UK 4AA AS2 (maybe Onyx will tell us how the other one works - two got shipped to me and I got to choose one).

[/ QUOTE ]

Caught sight of this post: my UK 4AA is the same, tight oval beam (not Surefire oval, it's more overlapping from each side oval), decent throw (indoors). Although I noticed hairline fracture/incomplete join on the relfector
 
[ QUOTE ]
PlayboyJoeShmoe said:
Two Big Lots over in Pasadena . . .

[/ QUOTE ]

Joe,

Don't forget, this is an international Forum, you have to say Pasadena, TX!

I graduated from South Houston High School in 1979, did 2 years at San Jacinto, and 3 at U of H!

My dad still lives in PAsadena, in back of Bayshore Hospital, and my sister and family live in Deer Park!

Small world.
 
[ QUOTE ]
BuddTX said:
[ QUOTE ]
PlayboyJoeShmoe said:
Two Big Lots over in Pasadena . . .

[/ QUOTE ]

Joe,

Don't forget, this is an international Forum, you have to say Pasadena, TX!
Small world.

[/ QUOTE ]
-Good idea, and it's a national forum as well.

Our little Pasadena out here has the Rose Bowl thing, but only ONE Big Lots. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Just curious..-how many folks live in that TX Pasadena?

-excuse my further wandering off orig. topic.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
ok...thanks Playboy Joe Shmoe for looking for me. Let me know here or PM me if you find one. Thanks!
 
ChrisM,

I used the Magnum Star Xenon 3-cell with NiMH in the Rayovac 4AA light, and once I got the lamp perfectly centered (takes a little trial-n-error) and was stunned by how well it throws. Not sure about run time or lamp life, but so far the lamp shows no signs of filament notching or blackening.

BTW, look closely at the lamps you buy - I've noticed that all PR-based lamps seem to have variation on filament and/or glass envelope centering. Take the time to eyeball several and select the best ones. Smooth reflector lights seem to be most sensitive to centering the lamp for tightest and most symmetrical beam.

I bought the last 2 or 3 Rayovac 4AA's from a local Big Lots store 2 or 3 months ago and gave all but one away. I'll check again on my lunch break this coming week and see if they've gotten any more.

John
 
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