Help needed with AA light

karlro

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jun 4, 2010
Messages
3
Hi people.
First post but long time lurker.
I would appreciate some help and advice for a new light. I currently own a Fenix ld20, a great light but I searching for a single aa light with a lower low- mode setting.
I been reading about the Nitecore d10 and it seems like a great light, but my budget is a bit low by the moment so I need something cheaper.
I also been reading about the Quark AA, but I prefer a clickswitch instead of the Quarks twist switch.I hope some one could give me some advice.
Thanks in advance.
And apologise for my bad English.

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in Finland___________.
_X___I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :)

____Less than $25.
__X__Less than $50.
____Less than $100.
____Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
____I'm flexible, tell we what you gotJ.
____Other, please specify ________


3) Format:

___x_I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Keychain size.
__x__Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source:

__x__LED
____Incandescent
____HID


6) Manufacturer:

_x___I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
__x__I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this option can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs.


7) What battery type do you want to use?

___x_I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today's most powerful lights)
____I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
____I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)


8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

__x__I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
___x_I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I walk ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

__x__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
___x_30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

__x__Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).


11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).
___x_Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

___I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
__x__I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (twist head to tighten, and the light will stay on until head is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__x__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (hard anodized) (this is the most common for today's flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
__x__I don't care.
__x__I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________.


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments
 
Welcome to CPF, karlro :)

As you are looking for an LED light, I'll move your thread to the LED Flashlights section.
 
Hello and :welcome:

Their is plenty of lights to fit your budget but the Jetbeam Jet-I Pro v3 is one of the best AA light I have along with the Zebralight SC50. It has three modes and each can be programed to whatever output you choose, with the textured (OP) reflector the beam is pretty nice and throws very well. The Jet-I has a pretty good low mode I think its about 5 lumens. It is slightly above your $50 price range but can be had at bugoutgear for $56 with your CPF discount of 20% off and shipping is free if your in the US. Use code cpfjet at checkout

http://blackforce.stores.yahoo.net/jetipro.html

Also have a look at another great AA light the Zebralight SC50, it is very small with a wide floody beam nicely made with very good anodized finish Zebralight is known for.The SC50 has a lower low than the Jetbeam I would say 1-2 lumens on it's lowest mode. The digital switch is one of my favorite UI's (User Interface) along with the Jetbeam I.B.S and Jetbeam selector ring UI.

http://illuminationgear.com/184082.html

Check out this page for more info on your CPF discounts. http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=181841
 
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Do you really hate the twisty that much?

You can get an itp A2 for around 20 bucks and it has 3 modes, 2, 18, 80 lumens in a floody pattern. Unless you really loathe twisty, I'd consider it. It is also a very small light.

40 bucks gets you an itp SA1 1xAA.
http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_19&products_id=374

It has infinite brightness adjustment which is pretty cool, lots of modes, and a smooth reflector for adequate throw. It uses a clicky for on/off and a seperate side doodad to change modes. This means you get all the advantages of an instant-on, or 1 mode light, plus lots of adjustment potential.
It also is about 50% brighter than the A2. (120 lumens)
 
Thank you very much for your answear, that's exactly what I am looking for. The Jetbeam seems like a great light, with the different battery options.


Hello and :welcome:

Their is plenty of lights to fit your budget but the Jetbeam Jet-I Pro v3 is one of the best AA light I have along with the Zebralight SC50. It has three modes and each can be programed to whatever output you choose, with the textured (OP) reflector the beam is pretty nice and throws very well. The Jet-I has a pretty good low mode I think its about 5 lumens. It is slightly above your $50 price range but can be had at bugoutgear for $56 with your CPF discount of 20% off and shipping is free if your in the US. Use code cpfjet at checkout

http://blackforce.stores.yahoo.net/jetipro.html

Also have a look at another great AA light the Zebralight SC50, it is very small with a wide floody beam nicely made with very good anodized finish Zebralight is known for.The SC50 has a lower low than the Jetbeam I would say 1-2 lumens on it's lowest mode. The digital switch is one of my favorite UI's (User Interface) along with the Jetbeam I.B.S and Jetbeam selector ring UI.

http://illuminationgear.com/184082.html

Check out this page for more info on your CPF discounts. http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=181841
 
Thanks for the tip. The iTP light seems like good light also. A clicky for on/off and side doodad to change modes could definitely work also.
 
There's the Fenix LD10, it's just about bang on budget with the CPF discount.
 
+1 for the Jetbeam Jet-I Pro 3.0

I love mine.
 
Last edited:
+2 for the jetbeam Jet-1 pro 3.0

Got mine today and it works great. You can program how bright you want it to be. Also you can use AA and 14500's.
 
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