Frys junket...

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I had the time (and actually some money!) so I hit the Frys on 45S near Nasa1.

I saw AAA, AA and 2L Inova "Bolt" lights. I grabbed a 2AA "3.8W" Bolt.

Then I happened to find one Inova Radiant 2AA in an un-molested package with $4.95 as the price. I naturally GOBBLED that up! I can't make out what it said on the original price sticker but remember at least near $20 at Target.

The Radiant has a blob of light as a "spot" with NO holes or other crud in the beam. Decnt spill surrounds the spot. There is a hint of blue/pink/purple in the beam.

The Bolt has a somewhat tighter blob, again with no artifacts of any sort. It also has nice spill. I don't see much of anything as far as tint in the beam. It looks white on 92 brightness printer paper. edit> Whoops, there is a blueish tint to the beam. It isn't enough to make me mad, but it's there...

The Bolt is about 1/8 inch shorter than a Minim*g, about 1/16 thicker at the tail and within a whisker at the bezel. The shape of the head and the rubber grip make it a bit bulkier than the mini, and it is somewaht heavier though I can't say how much at this time.

It feels good in hand! And it feels STOUT! The only thing I wash it had was a clickie, instead of the push/twist but I guess we can't have everything.

It leaves a NiteIze 1W drop in looking sick. It is in turn left for dead by a Cree on 2AA (on a Madmax+ pill).

I find the Inove Bolt 2AA quite worthy.

And the Radiant 2AA was a steal at $4.95!

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Here after MUCH Ado is a pic of the lights in mention plus a known light.

If the camera EVER does what I want of it, I'll get at least one beam shot.

And I mean MUCH! ado!

 

[parnass]

Thanks for posting the comments on the Bolt. I have seen a few of them at REI, but haven't actually had the pleasure of trying one yet.

I scored a Radiant 2C for about $7 at Target and keep it in my wife's car. Lots of spill without much throw. The spill makes it good for night walking.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Okay. With a LOT of caveots, here is a beamshot pic.

 

[byron8]

I had the time (and actually some money!) so I hit the Frys on 45S near Nasa1.

I saw AAA, AA and 2L Inova "Bolt" lights. I grabbed a 2AA "3.8W" Bolt.

Then I happened to find one Inova Radiant 2AA in an un-molested package with $4.95 as the price. I naturally GOBBLED that up! I can't make out what it said on the original price sticker but remember at least near $20 at Target.

The Radiant has a blob of light as a "spot" with NO holes or other crud in the beam. Decnt spill surrounds the spot. There is a hint of blue/pink/purple in the beam.

The Bolt has a somewhat tighter blob, again with no artifacts of any sort. It also has nice spill. I don't see much of anything as far as tint in the beam. It looks white on 92 brightness printer paper. edit> Whoops, there is a blueish tint to the beam. It isn't enough to make me mad, but it's there...

The Bolt is about 1/8 inch shorter than a Minim*g, about 1/16 thicker at the tail and within a whisker at the bezel. The shape of the head and the rubber grip make it a bit bulkier than the mini, and it is somewaht heavier though I can't say how much at this time.

It feels good in hand! And it feels STOUT! The only thing I wash it had was a clickie, instead of the push/twist but I guess we can't have everything.

It leaves a NiteIze 1W drop in looking sick. It is in turn left for dead by a Cree on 2AA (on a Madmax+ pill).

I find the Inove Bolt 2AA quite worthy.

And the Radiant 2AA was a steal at $4.95!

Since I live near that same fry's I go there once a week and don't remember seeing no $4.95 radiant. How many did they have. I am going there when they open this morning. Thanks for the tip.

 

[cratz2]

Target also closed out their 2xAA Radiants for $4.98 and the 2xAAA Radiants for about $3.

Playboy's findings reflect my own. I'm not really into 2xAA sized lights, but I'd have to say overall, the 2xAA Bolt is my favorite reasonably-priced one. And the Radiant 2xAA is a nice light for someone that doesn't need the brightest light and is wearing gloves. It definately strikes me as being way too big for a 2xAA light, but a lot of folks would probably prefer the larger diameter of the Radiant to some of the 'as small as possible' aluminum jobbies available.

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=162167

 

[DaveG]

Another vote for the 2-aa bolt,got one last week, so far seems like a good well made light.Happy with the tint of the beam on the one I got.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

As I said in the OP, I saw ONE Radiant AA in an un-molested package.

There was another in an open package, but I feel like if it got returned there must be SOMETHING wrong with it...

I would concur that the Radiant is mighty large for a 2AA. Still it would make a killer "house" light.

The Bolt AA is not completely unlike my Fenix P1 in output. That will cause it to get quite a bit of use, as I can run it for "free".
edit> The Bolt 2AA fits almost perfectly in a Pelican #2357 snap top holster. I don't care for snap top, but it goes to show that all is related.

 

[byron8]

As I said in the OP, I saw ONE Radiant AA in an un-molested package.

There was another in an open package, but I feel like if it got returned there must be SOMETHING wrong with it...

I would concur that the Radiant is mighty large for a 2AA. Still it would make a killer "house" light.

The Bolt AA is not completely unlike my Fenix P1 in output. That will cause it to get quite a bit of use, as I can run it for "free".
edit> The Bolt 2AA fits almost perfectly in a Pelican #2357 snap top holster. I don't care for snap top, but it goes to show that all is related.

Ok, lots of open junk at fry's. I am going to target on Bay Area Blvd. and see what they got and the size don't bother me for $4.98.