Choosing new AA light

[aEx155]

Considering I like to play with LED flashlights and the one that was pretty much occupying that position was recently killed, I'm on the search for a new flashlight.

My previous flashlight was a Romisen RC-N3 II, which I liked because it ran off of 1 or 2 AA, it ran for 3 hours on high, and it was under ~< $40. Would anyone recommend getting the same light again, or is there a better suggestion? (i.e. same price but more features)

P.S. I'm still looking for a possible fix for my light, so any help would be nice (and that would be preferred over a new light right now).

 

[sappyg]

sorry to hear about your light. you might can pick up some soldering tips on the modders subforum.
i did a quick search of selfbuilt's 1 aa roundup and the regal 2.1 looks like it might fit you criteria for a new light.

 

[NonSenCe]

there arent that many lights that actually work with 1 aa and 2 aa. (and i thought that n3 worked with cr123 and 2aa? not 1aa?) few dx lights come to mind. but those arent real upgrade.

one option.. and upgrade, would be iTP c8 for 2aa (and c7 body tube for 1aa, or c9 bodytube for 1*cr123.. same head works with them all) i like my c8t alot. i find its adjustment method actually nicer than in my nitecore d10.

other option: for simple 2AA 2-mode light eagletac p100a2.

3rd option: 1aa, akoray k106, it has 3 modes you can program to your liking, i find it very good value. (its under 22$)


***curious question.. where is that regal sold? never seen it for sale in stores i visit..***

 

[Mjolnir]

The P100A2 should offer a very good value for the price, along with a good UI and relatively high output.

 

[vali]

Flashlights accepting 1 or 2 AA? Right now I only remember 2 of them.

- Cheap: Romisen RC-I3. Adding a secod AA doesnt increase runtime, but brightness.

- Over your budget: Lumapower Connexion X2 with the extension tube.

 

[aEx155]

Ok, I'm guessing since I have found I've never used a light for more than ~ 1 hr constant-on time, I'm guessing I can drop the 2 AA requirement.

Suggestions on 1 AA multi-mode lights around $40?

EDIT: Comments on the MagicalFire DA1?

 

[nohcho]

Nitecore D10

 

[travelinman]

ITP C7 with a C8 body. 1xAA, and 2xAA plus infinite light levels and a very good UI. In the $40 - $50 range. Or you can do like I did and get the ITP C9, with a C7 and C8 body and 1 tail switch. Then you have RCR123, 1xAA and 2xAA capabilities.

 

[aEx155]

Nitecore D10

My price range is $40 and below. The D10 is a nice light, but it isn't a possibility at this time.

ITP C7 with a C8 body. 1xAA, and 2xAA plus infinite light levels and a very good UI. In the $40 - $50 range. Or you can do like I did and get the ITP C9, with a C7 and C8 body and 1 tail switch. Then you have RCR123, 1xAA and 2xAA capabilities.

To add to what I said before, I'm only looking into 1 AA NiMh lights, since I don't plan on getting any other type of cell any time soon.

 

[Mjolnir]

The P100A2 would come out to just about $40 without shipping (it is $40 at some stores, and $40 at 4-sevens after the coupon code). While you would have to pay a few dollars over your budget for shipping, you will probably get the most light for your money with the P100A2. It is about the cheapest light that is not made from some generic Chinese brand, and has a real warranty and real customer support.

 

[KiwiMark]

Flashlights accepting 1 or 2 AA? Right now I only remember 2 of them.

- Cheap: Romisen RC-I3. Adding a secod AA doesnt increase runtime, but brightness.

- Over your budget: Lumapower Connexion X2 with the extension tube.

I have 2 others:
Jetbeam Jet-I ProII & EX version (battery tubes are interchangeable, not too sure if you can buy the tube separately though - I own both torches)
Fenix L1D/L2D - I bought an L2D and then an L1D battery tube so I can use it with 1 x AA if I want to.

Unfortunately both are over the budget specified by aEx155.

On that point - aEx155 how firm are you on your budget? It seems to me that there are some really good lights available for a bit more money.

How about this:
http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297&products_id=1597
It is $57, but 4sevens do free worldwide shipping so the price is total incl. shipping. This is yet another light that you can buy a different battery tube for if you want the 1 x AA/2 x AA option. They do come with a better warranty than from Romisen - 120 months from the date of purchase.

 

[Marduke]

Fenix L1T v2.0 is $44.62 shipped.

 

[travelinman]

ITP C7 from shiningbeam $38.99 less CPF coupon 5% shipping is cheap ($2.50 I think) = < $40 :twothumbs

 

[aEx155]

ITP C7 from shiningbeam $38.99 less CPF coupon 5% shipping is cheap ($2.50 I think) = < $40 :twothumbs

Besides brightness or runtime, could someone point out what makes the ITP C7 or the L1T v2.0 worth the extra ~$15 more than something like the MF DA1?

I know the L1T is renowned for runtime, and the ITP C7 has the brightness setting thing (is it IBS? or is that something else?), but I'm not looking for that exactly... (Of course, I know the Quark was specifically designed to be the perfect flashlight for some, so I know why it's worth ~$57.)

 

[KiwiMark]

(Of course, I know the Quark was specifically designed to be the perfect flashlight for some, so I know why it's worth ~$57.)

I forgot to mention that there is an 8% discount (code: CPF8) so that the $57 would be down to $52.44 shipped. I don't know if this light appeals to you or if you are willing to stretch your budget that far. My opinion is that you should consider the dearer lights and decide if they offer enough for you to be willing to spend a bit more to have something better.

Consider this:
Person A decides to spend no more than $40 and buys a nice Romisen light. After a while it breaks and Person A considers buying another Romisen light for $40.
Person B looks at a range of lights and decides to spend more - maybe a Quark for $52 or a Nitecore D10 R2 for $58 ($63 - 8%) or whatever. After a couple of years the good quality light for under $60 is still working great!

I don't think it is always best to spend less and it isn't even always cheaper. I bought a Victorinox Cybertool and a Leatherman Wave about a decade ago and they weren't cheap, but they are still working as good as new so it is hard to say that they have worked out to be expensive. I also have some Maglite torches that I bought in 1999 that are working as well as when I bought them (actually I've modded them so they are working better than when I bought them).

 

[aEx155]

I forgot to mention that there is an 8% discount (code: CPF8) so that the $57 would be down to $52.44 shipped. I don't know if this light appeals to you or if you are willing to stretch your budget that far. My opinion is that you should consider the dearer lights and decide if they offer enough for you to be willing to spend a bit more to have something better.

Consider this:
Person A decides to spend no more than $40 and buys a nice Romisen light. After a while it breaks and Person A considers buying another Romisen light for $40.
Person B looks at a range of lights and decides to spend more - maybe a Quark for $52 or a Nitecore D10 R2 for $58 ($63 - 8%) or whatever. After a couple of years the good quality light for under $60 is still working great!

I don't think it is always best to spend less and it isn't even always cheaper. I bought a Victorinox Cybertool and a Leatherman Wave about a decade ago and they weren't cheap, but they are still working as good as new so it is hard to say that they have worked out to be expensive. I also have some Maglite torches that I bought in 1999 that are working as well as when I bought them (actually I've modded them so they are working better than when I bought them).

Well, I do understand your point: If I had gone with a costlier light to begin with I might not have been in this situation!

Anyways, your point brings upon a different question: Reliability of MagicalFire DA1?

And if I do go with the more expensive route, I'm guessing the Quark is the way to go?

 

[Marduke]

Usually anything named ___fire is dismal at best.

 

[luckee]

Well said.

 

[KiwiMark]

And if I do go with the more expensive route, I'm guessing the Quark is the way to go?

I don't know - how do you feel about the UI? I wouldn't mind owning one - they seem to be pretty good from what I have read. I also wouldn't mind owning a Nightcore D10 - the piston drive and variable output sound like cool features. I also like my Jetbeam 1 x AA & Olight 1 x 16340 lights that I EDC.

I don't work for 4sevens and have no reason to push you towards their new light, really the decision of what to get is yours alone (it is your money we are talking about after all). Have a read up on the quark and the other 1 x AA lights and make the decision based on what features are important to you.

I suggest getting the right torch for you regardless of the purchase price! And BTW the more expensive route is to buy a less reliable light that you might have to replace in a few months, go the cheaper way and get a good quality reliable light. With the 10 year warranty the Quark would not be more expensive than a cheapie unless you tend to lose stuff before it has a chance to fail.

 

[victor01]

I also stand by the suggestions of most people here, save up just a little more and get yourself a well recognized light. For me I'll go with Nitecores or 4seven's Quark any day.