Choose me a AAA flashlight please!

[user24]

Hi all, my first post here but I've been reading for a while (this_is_nascar's "quick" review of the E01 was what led me here in the first place, a few months back).

I'm looking for a digitally regulated AAA LED flashlight with at least two modes going from lowest to highest. My current EDC is a fenix E01 and I'd really like something that has some more light available if I need it, but that can keep the same runtime on the lowest setting.

So what's really important to me is:

• AAA battery (for form factor as much as common availability)
• that the default setting has a run time comparable to the E01's ~10 hours
• that it is at least as a bright as the E01 in default mode
• that it is capable of going brighter
• under $60

Basically what I want is an LD01 that goes low->med->high.

Can anyone help me out? I have a few on my shortlist, but I'd like to see what the experts here at CPF have to say!

Many thanks, and apologies if I'm posting in the wrong place.

 

[Derek Dean]

Howdy user24 and welcome to CPF,
This light fits your description:
http://eliteled.com/products/flashlights/liteflux-lf2x.html

There are two things to understand about this light though:
1. There is no dedicated attachment point for a keyring.
2. Some folks find the programmable nature of this light a bit confusing.

However, it will work right out of the box by simply installing a battery and turning the bezel a quarter turn for low, then another quarter turn for high (actually I think the 2nd level is programmed at 50% right out of the box).

The neat thing is that with just a little bit of work you can set both of those 2 levels anywhere you want, so you can set the first level VERY low, medium low, or wherever....... and you can set the other level to 100%, 75%, 2%, or wherever you want. Neat.

While I like the LF2x and it does fit your criteria, it might be a bit too complicated for your first light, in which case I would recommend something this:
http://eliteled.com/products/flashlights/fenix-l0d-rb80.html

This Fenix uses a Rebel LED instead of the Cree LED used in the Fenix LD01. I feel this produces a more pleasing and useful beam. Same Fenix quality, same ease of use, and on it's lowest level it should get close to the 10 hours you are looking for (especially if you use an Energizer e2 lithium AAA battery).

In case you haven't seen it.... this is a nice review site:
http://www.light-reviews.com/

Happy hunting!

 

[carrot]

You could always check out the Leatherman Serac S2-- but it skips the "med" part-- just low and high. I wrote a review recently here: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=210489

 

[sol-leks]

I think you should just get the ld01, it looks awesome, i wish i had one, but my lod is good enough for me. The stainless steel one looks really sweet too

 

[Sgt. LED]

I think I'd just get the LD01 and find somebody to make it come on in the order I wanted it to.

I know there has to be somebody in all of CPF that can figure out how to do it!

 

[davidt1]

Howdy user24 and welcome to CPF,
This light fits your description:
http://eliteled.com/products/flashlights/liteflux-lf2x.html

There are two things to understand about this light though:
1. There is no dedicated attachment point for a keyring.
2. Some folks find the programmable nature of this light a bit confusing.

However, it will work right out of the box by simply installing a battery and turning the bezel a quarter turn for low, then another quarter turn for high (actually I think the 2nd level is programmed at 50% right out of the box).

The neat thing is that with just a little bit of work you can set both of those 2 levels anywhere you want, so you can set the first level VERY low, medium low, or wherever....... and you can set the other level to 100%, 75%, 2%, or wherever you want. Neat.

While I like the LF2x and it does fit your criteria, it might be a bit too complicated for your first light, in which case I would recommend something this:
http://eliteled.com/products/flashlights/fenix-l0d-rb80.html

This Fenix uses a Rebel LED instead of the Cree LED used in the Fenix LD01. I feel this produces a more pleasing and useful beam. Same Fenix quality, same ease of use, and on it's lowest level it should get close to the 10 hours you are looking for (especially if you use an Energizer e2 lithium AAA battery).

In case you haven't seen it.... this is a nice review site:
http://www.light-reviews.com/

Happy hunting!

I am looking for an AAA light too. The Liteflux LF2X would have been awesome if it it could stand on its tail.

 

[Derek Dean]

I am looking for an AAA light too. The Liteflux LF2X would have been awesome if it it could stand on its tail.

Yep, I found the lack of a dedicated keyring attachment point took the LF2x out of the running for me.

Luckily, there is an alternative.... although a rather expensive one:
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=206595

I got the Rebel version of the Extreme III:
http://www.lighthound.com//ARCMania...-Rebel-LED--HA-III-Natural-Finish_p_6-76.html
However, it sounds like the beam on the newer Cree R2 version is quite nice as well thanks to it's nicely designed orange peel reflector.

When I first found CPF I read and took to heart what I've found to be very good advice. Get a few GOOD lights. It's all too easy to spend a ton of money buying less expensive and not quite what you wanted types of lights...... or you can find the right one, bite the bullet and get it, and then enjoy it everyday (or every night) after that.

Before I bought the Extreme III I downloaded the .pdf manual so I could see if I felt comfortable with the operation and programming required. The manual is a bit weird in their descriptions, but there is enough info available on CPF (including some helpful Utube videos) that I decided to go for it, and while waiting for the light to arrive I read the manual several times. It only took a couple of nights of playing with the light (fun-fun-fun) to get a good grasp of how to make everything work, and once it's set it's super easy to operate.

Of course I think to get the full benefit of the Extreme III it's helpful to use 10440 lithium-ion rechargeable batteries (which run at the higher 3.7 voltage).... which is opening a whole can of worms in itself as they can be somewhat dangerous (mainly because they are too small to incorporate a protection circuit), so it's important to understand how and when to use those safely.

By the way carrot...... that was a wonderful review of the Serac lights! I'd say the S2 1xAAA might be just what user24 is looking for.

 

[zx7dave]

LD01

 

[curlyfry562]

L0D (don't forget SS) or LD01.

 

[user24]

Thanks for the replies everyone. :thumbsup:

Yep, the LD01 and the LF2x were the ones I'd jotted down as being suitable - I just wanted to make sure there wasn't some other option I was missing.

Derek Dean: I like the idea of being able to set the levels of the LF2x; I'm a programmer by trade so I reckon I should be able to get my head around it

carrot: nice review. the leatherman looks a little too large for my liking.. and.. i dunno... leatherman?
EDIT: actually it's looking more appealing now I read more into it. hrm...

Sgt. LED: if there's someone wants to give me a price for modding an L0D and an LD01 to go low->med->high that would be very interesting
I know sometimes people can be a little wary of trading with newcomers, but I'm known at SOSAK if anyone wants a character reference



Thanks again, hope to be posting some pics of my new light for y'all soon

 

[JBorneu]

I have the Liteflux LF2X. I love the UI, very nice for a twisty, and programming it is fun. But I don't like the quick-release lanyard attachement system. I'm trying to figure out a good way to connect it to mykeychain. But if you're going to use the pocket clip, you'll love everything about it.

 

[Kevo]

Here is a link to a mod for the LF2X for keychain carry. It's main purpose was so that the light would not fall off as it did with the quick attachment thing. It also has the side benefits of allowing you to keep the clip on if you like, and it tail stands. If you don't want the clip and keys at the same time, you don't really have to mod anything at all, you just need to bend a paperclip.

LF2X Key attachment mod

 

[user24]

Ok I'm going to get an LF2X-BA for my lady who has been eying up my E01 but wanted it in silver, and I'll see what that's like and decide on my new'un later (still welcoming offers for L0D modding!).

Thanks again for all the help deciding :thumbsup:

 

[Kevo]

I don't think the LF2X-BA comes with the pocket clip. Only the quick release key attachment. Not sure if that matters or not, but wanted to point it out just in case. I suspect the problem where the quick attachment comes off will be greatly reduced if the light is on keys in a purse, but since I quit carrying my purse before I got my LF2X I wouldn't know.

 

[carrot]

The Leatherman S2 is the same size as the Fenix LD01. Perhaps slightly longer.

 

[user24]

I don't think the LF2X-BA comes with the pocket clip.

yeah I know. It would matter to me, but I'd be getting the HAIII version, my lady doesn't mind the lack of a clip.

The Leatherman S2 is the same size as the Fenix LD01. Perhaps slightly longer.

Thanks, that's useful to know. It's still in the running for my one.

 

[JBorneu]

Here is a link to a mod for the LF2X for keychain carry. It's main purpose was so that the light would not fall off as it did with the quick attachment thing. It also has the side benefits of allowing you to keep the clip on if you like, and it tail stands. If you don't want the clip and keys at the same time, you don't really have to mod anything at all, you just need to bend a paperclip.

LF2X Key attachment mod

Kevo, thank you for that! I'm gonna try that tonight.

 

[mr.snakeman]

Kevo, thank you for that! I'm gonna try that tonight.

Me too, thanks Kevo.:twothumbs

 

[Woods Walker]

The Leatherman S2 is the same size as the Fenix LD01. Perhaps slightly longer.

EMS has them on sale now for 41 bucks I think. I am getting to like the clicky....