Help choosing AA light

[aEx155]

Been looking for a new 2-3 mode AA clicky light for a while now. Recently I narrowed it down to the ITP SA1, where I found a good deal on on eBay. Even more recently, though, I saw in the Budget Lights forum that there was a low-voltage XP-G P60 dropin from Solarforce for $15 (I would need a host, though).

As always, I am having a hard decision and I really want to chose well since I probably won't be able to get another light for a while (convincing my parent to order my first light was hard enough).

I like the smaller size of the SA1 and the fact that it was many reviews is a plus. The other option, though, is a bit larger, and is untested as of yet, but has a slightly lower price for (hopefully) similar performance.

Your thoughts?

 

[bansuri]

That drop-in looks nice!
If you build it post impressions. A nice P60 drop-in with that voltage range could follow you around for a long time.

This is always handy:
- Solarforce R&D driver circuit to protect Li-ion battery from over-discharging

 

[aEx155]

This is always handy:
- Solarforce R&D driver circuit to protect Li-ion battery from over-discharging

What confuses me is the fact that this is stated to be able to be run on 2xAA batteries = 2.4v (NiMh).

Isn't that below the safe cutoff for LiIon batteries? Do other drivers in this voltage range with this feature malfunction on 2xAA batteries?

 

[Rocketman]

I recommend the Fenix LD10 or the 4Sevens Quark AA. I like my LD10 so much I can't really be objective.:ohgeez:

I don't know much about the inexpensive lights as that isn't my interest and the only drop-ins I have bought have been Malkoff's and they are for the 123 lithium batteries. Why don't you write Malkoff Devices and ask them if they could make you a prototype drop-in for a AA light. Maybe that's not a good idea though because AA batteries aren't so good. Maybe the new AA lithium batteries are strong enough for a serious drop-in?

 

[bansuri]

Some lights detect the battery voltage at battery change and perform based on that voltage, others have to be programmed via user input, and yet another needs a small copper PCB trace cut to enable the feature.
You may need to get the manual in your hands before you'll know.

 

[krevo]

I was on the same quest and ended up getting two.

A Nitecore D11 and a Zebralight SC50w+

Both have been excellent so far.

 

[notsofast]

I would go for the ITP. I had one but the low wasn't low enough for me. I liked the size and the UI.

Like you I prefer smaller lights except when it is a dedicated thrower or lumen monster.

Find an enjoyable way to make money and feed your flashlight pleasures without parental constraints.

 

[vickers214]

Hi, I would go with the sa1 as long as it doesnt have pulse width modulation, my a3 did and I noticed it a lot so I gave it away. But I like the form factor of a single aa, and the sa1 has an r2 I think, and all xpg s Ive had on aa power are green as they come, but I think an eagle tac p100a2 the same money as the sa1:) I have just got a pn20 and its brilliant as well

 

[mcnair55]

I would have a good look at he Fenix LD10R,a very nice light with plenty of modes,loving mine very much.Single AA cell with a turbo mode if you need that little extra high and you can notice the difference,has had a good review on here.

 

[LEDninja]

From another thread it seemed the OP had a budget limit of ~$45 (IMPOSED BY PARENTS) which puts the Fenix LD10, Zebralight and D11 out of reach.

 

[aEx155]

From another thread it seemed the OP had a budget limit of ~$45 (IMPOSED BY PARENTS) which puts the Fenix LD10, Zebralight and D11 out of reach.

Yes, pretty much.

The $30+free shipping seems like a good deal for the SA1 (looks like the stock reduced from 3 to 1 recently...I will have to act faster)

selfbuilt's review said that the light did use PWM for lower modes but it was a fairly high frequency, so I'm not sure about that. The only other PWM-dimmed light I've had was the RC-N3 II, and I didn't mind the strobe anyways.

I think I will go with the SA1, unless there is a 1xAA P60 host out there (I've only been able to find 2xAA hosts), since I like the smaller size and the drop-in is still untested.

 

[B0wz3r]

Yes, pretty much.

The $30+free shipping seems like a good deal for the SA1 (looks like the stock reduced from 3 to 1 recently...I will have to act faster)

selfbuilt's review said that the light did use PWM for lower modes but it was a fairly high frequency, so I'm not sure about that. The only other PWM-dimmed light I've had was the RC-N3 II, and I didn't mind the strobe anyways.

I think I will go with the SA1, unless there is a 1xAA P60 host out there (I've only been able to find 2xAA hosts), since I like the smaller size and the drop-in is still untested.

I'd say that given your budget, the iTP is a good choice. Romisens are nifty little lights (I bought my son one of the 1xAA throw to flood models recently) but they're still a step down from iTP's.

 

[tandem]

I think I will go with the SA1, unless there is a 1xAA P60 host out there (I've only been able to find 2xAA hosts), since I like the smaller size and the drop-in is still untested.

A 1xAA light will be smaller and much more pocketable even if you could find a P60 host and drop in that would run correctly (meaning to your needs) on 1xAA.

The front bezel on many P60 hosts is almost double the diameter of a Fenix LD10 (just eyeballing two lights here). There's also typically a lot more mass in most P60 hosts because they tend to be expected to support lights being pushed harder = more heat generated.

If you prefer smaller to larger, then stick with an integrated 1xAA light (or go to 1xAAA!). These will tend to be 4 inches plus or minus; the new Zebralight SC51 is only 3.15 inches long!

Given your budget you might consider browsing the for sale items in CPF Marketplace. Often some good deals can be had on like new items.

 

[jsr]

Wow that's a good price on an ITP. Those normally go for $40, so you're getting 25% already. For the price, you won't be able to beat the quality or performance of the ITP. I'd go for that one.
And I've bought from Marrs Inc before and they delivered really fast and have great deals on ITPs.
Another option is the ITP C7R or C7T...they also go for $30, but are the slightly older version of the SA1. The UI is nice though and outputs aren't that much different, nor is the size. Both are ITPs though and you can't go wrong with them.

 

[aEx155]

What I have decided to do is get the SA1 from eBay. The stock is already down to one left, and I don't want to miss out on the deal. I'll hold out on the dropin+P60 combo until some test results come in.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[aEx155]

The day my parents decided to order was the day the last item was sold. I'm really disappointed since it was literally the best and only deal my parents were going to allow. $1/8% (minus shipping) from Shiningbeam really doesn't compare to off $10/25%...

Does anyone else know where I can find this light at a discount? Or maybe discount codes for BatteryJunction.com or lightjunction.com?

 

[yowzer]

Does anyone else know where I can find this light at a discount? Or maybe discount codes for BatteryJunction.com or lightjunction.com?

Create an account over on cpfmarketplace. There's a sticky in the good deals subforum there with information about most dealer's cpf discounts.

Light suggestion: Jetbeam BK135A, though it sounds like it's a bit out of your price range.