Good light to use up "dead" AA batteries?

[Max]

I have a growing pile of partly dead AA batteries that I've been saving to use in an appropriate flashlight.

I figured the Infinity Ultra might be a nice choice. I shopped around and saw that they run $20-24 minimum plus shipping.

I then thought, heck for a couple bucks more, I can get an Opalec NewBeam and run three LEDs with flat output on my "dead" batteries.

Then I thought, well the Opalec goes in a MAGLITE, and I don't have a MAGLITE, so I'll need to get one of those too. And it's a two cell flashlight, so it's bigger than an Infinity.

Then I noticed that the CMG Reactor costs just a few dollars more than the Infinity Ultra, and less than the Opalec NewBeam.

Now I'm wondering, the Reactor is approximately the same size as a MAGLITE, and cheaper than the NewBeam by about the price of, er, a MAGLITE. On low batteries, which is going to put out more light?

 

[Christoph]

On low batteries the opalec will put out more light than the reactor. Judging by other unregulated LS lights.
IMVHO
Chris

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

The Reactor is designed to take advantage of Lithium AAs and is for SAR, backpacking, expeditions, and such. Not a light to use up 'dead' AAs. I have both Ultra and Reactor. Ultra would be better for this purpose. I have no experience with the Opalec.

 

[Quickbeam]

I think that just for the purpose of using up those old batteries, you would be happier with the Infinity (Regular or Ultra).

My infinity is about a year old, gets used about every few nights for about 5 minutes at a time, and it's still running on the original battery.

If the batteries are too dead the Opalec will go into low battery mode and you won't be taking advantage of the regulation.

The Reactor will be quite dim on mostly dead batteries.

You can check my Reveiws pages for info on all of the lights you mention.

 

[BuddTX]

I save all my used batteries from other lights, and they go in my Opalec Newbeam. When the red light comes on, the batteries go in the garbage.

 

[I_rv_too]

Brinkman Rebel ... $14 or so, at Walmart. Single LED. 2 AA's. Been using dead AA's in it for quite a while.

 

[PhotonRanger]

BudTX, you throw out the batteries when the Opalec red light goes on ???

I only use the red light to indicate when to recharge NiMh. After the light comes on with Alkys, I get another week or two of around the house use before the Opalec even starts to get really dim. Great circuit, saved a couple of mini-mags from a yard sale fate.

I've asked Opalec about selling the module board only, but they declined. I'd love to get one into something like a PT Blast to use up AAAs.

 

[revolvergeek]

I suspect that the Infinity Ultra would work well, or maybe a PT Tec40 with a jbechto LED cluster bulb set up to run at 4-4.5 volts.

 

[Max]

I was deciding between the Opalec and the Infinity Ultra. In the end, I'm getting both.

Both? Do I really need both? What's happening to me? Help!

 

[Rotten Ron]

My lightwave 2000 seems to run quite long on dead AAs.

 

[Monsters_Inc]

If they're good quality alkalines, try this if you're electronically inclined:

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/5185/circuit3.html

Recharge 'em for use again. Cost of those parts would probably approximate one of the above flashlights mentioned, however look at it as an investment for future batteries.

 

[Max]

I've had my Opalec NewBeam now for a couple weeks, and it's humming along just fine. I spruced it up last night by sticking a few chips of Alien Skin glow sheeting around the inside of the plastic sleeve. They give a really nice glow when the light is turned off.

My Infinity Ultra arrived today. Works just fine, but it's like carrying a roll of pennies in your pocket. I'm kidding myself if I can imagine that my life is plausibly exciting enough to justify needing a light this rugged.