I'm ready for a change in philosophy.

[IMightBeWrong]

I love my E1B, I've carried it for far longer than any other light I've had, but I'm starting to get tired of the runtimes. I'm also getting tired of buying CR123s and want to be able to buy cheaper and more plentiful batteries, in this case AAs. I'm looking for a light that doesn't stick too far out of my pocket and that will run a good amount of time with decent brightness. I'm more concerned with runtime than output, but I don't want a 2xAA light only pumping 100lm either. Lastly, the light NEEDS to be durable!

The only thing I DON'T want to hear recommended is 4Sevens. I like the designs, but in my use with 3 of them they simply have NOT held up well over time. Price isn't a huge deal, either. I'm willing to pay SF prices and thereabouts for a light.

Thanks!

 

[archimedes]

Peak Logan 17500 (runs 1xAA, or CR123A with adapter) in stainless ?

If 2xAA is not too big, maybe a McGizmo (2xAA) Haiku ?

 

[yliu]

I've never had any problems with premium lights, from brands like Fenix, Olight, Sunwayman etc.

Therefore I'd suggest the LD15, which is probably one of the smallest AA light you can find.

 

[Warbler]

what's wrong with cr123 batteries? I thought they provided a longer runtime than AA batteries?

 

[Ezeriel]

what's wrong with cr123 batteries? I thought they provided a longer runtime than AA batteries?

not always... if it's honkin' bright, it won't have good runtimes. Lots of times CR123/18650 lights take advantage of their ability to be brighter, at the cost of runtimes. Or use less efficient circuitry, because they can get away with it.


lets see.. the EB1 is 110 lumens for 1.3 hours... "Tested Lumen Value 80 lumens"

good lordy, that's awful....




It does have a tir lens, so it's a thrower (3900lux), I wonder if it loses 100 lumens to that optic... I dunno...



OP, if you want your light to have better throw, the Fenix E25 may be one of the better ones in production (6112cd), since it uses the new XP-E R4,
it doesn't have a tailcap though, so it's not very tactical. (Converting lux to cd is near impossible.. so I just pretend they are all the same.. which is usually true)
...and at it's 90 lumens setting it has a 6 hour runtime; 187 for 2 hours 20 minutes.

...so at it's 90 lumens setting it will likely put your Surefire to shame for throw, brightness and runtime.


The Fenix LD22 (S2 led) has less throw, 3100cd, but like the E25, it's much brighter, and also has more modes, and lower levels, it has a forward clicky tailcap. If you mostly use your light for indoors stuff or walking in the woods, this is the one you want.

Somewhere in between the two is the E21 with 5200cd. It has a simple two-level UI, forward clicky, cheap and bright, 170 lumens for 2 hours 15 minutes; 54 for 11 hours
At 54 lumens the E21 will likely throw just as far as your surefire, but be less bright overall. Compared to 54, he E1bs 80 is a hardly noticeable increase.



Fenix is a step down in quality from surefire, but it's likely to be their next closest competitor.

 

[Warbler]

not always... if it's honkin' bright, it won't have good runtimes. Lots of times CR123/18650 lights take advantage of their ability to be brighter, at the cost of runtimes. Or use less efficient circuitry, because they can get away with it.


lets see.. the EB1 is 110 lumens for 1.3 hours... "Tested Lumen Value 80 lumens"

good lordy, that's awful....

maybe that is true in some cases, but look at these two flashlights from foursevens:

http://www.foursevens.com/products/flashlights/Tactical

the Quark Tactical QT2L-X battery type:cr123A(2); Max Lumen:360; Min Lumen:.2; Max runtime:600 hours; Min runtime:2 hours

the Quark Tactical QT2A-X battery type:AA(2); Max Lumen:280; Min Lumen:.2; Max runtime:360 hours; Min runtime: 1 hour

both flash lights are exactly the same, except one uses cr123A batteries and the other uses AA batteries. the one using the cr123a batteries not only has more lumens, but also longer runtimes.

 

[selfbuilt]

Just thinking outside of the box, but what about less expensive CR123A cells for your E1B?

I am not suggesting sacrificing quality - but in my testing, Panasonic made-in-USA cells are identical in every way to Surefire-branded cells. Ditto for Duracell. Both Panasonic and Duracell can be found for cheaper than Surefire online. It is generally believed that Panasonic makes the Surefire cells (and to the same specs).

The other made-in-USA cells (Energizer, Rayovac, Battery Station, Streamlight) are all identical to each other in my testing, and very close to the Surefire/Panasonic/Duracells in performance. Again, it is generally believed that these are all made in the same plant (but that doesn't mean to the same specs). That said, they have all performed within 4% of my Surefire/Panasonic/Duracells, and can be found for just slightly over $1 each online. :shrug:

 

[Up All Night]

Grab an E2DL, screw the head and tail on the E1B body and run an rcr123. The E2DL tail provides a better grip for larger hands!! It's clear you don't want to hear how great my Quark AA on a 14500 is. XP-G R5 flavour!

 

[fyrstormer]

If you're willing to use a 2xAA light, why not use a 1x18650 light? It'll run a long time and be less bulky than a 2xAA light. As a bonus, you won't be throwing away valuable resources when the batteries run dry.

 

[Korgath]

If you're willing to use a 2xAA light, why not use a 1x18650 light? It'll run a long time and be less bulky than a 2xAA light. As a bonus, you won't be throwing away valuable resources when the batteries run dry.

OP wants batteries with are cheaper and more plentiful aka AA's 😛

 

[skyfire]

if youre really that concerned with runtimes. rechargeable 18650 li-ions is the way to go.
runtimes with alkaline AA cells would be a considerable downgrade. alkalines usually cant supply enough for a flat regulation. 2xAA might, but in that size, 18650 would be much better.

if you you find your E1B to be brighter than you need, you might want to look at the E1L. itll run around 4 hours on high. i havent tested mine, but thats what it says on the box, and surefire is usually on the conservative side about their runtimes, much like their lumens rating.

 

[Samy]

Get a zebralight SC51 for AA compatibility or if you want to blow everything else out of the water, a zebralight SC600. Everything else pales in comparison to their size & output.

cheers

 

[BLUE LED]

I moded my E1B with a XR-E R2 and different driver to accpet the higher voltage of single AW 16340 cell. I too was going through far too many CR123A's.

If you can live with a slightly bigger light, then the Eagletac D25LC2 XP-G2 twisty will give you much better runtimes and will accept 18650 and CR123A's.

 

[fyrstormer]

OP wants batteries with are cheaper and more plentiful aka AA's 😛

Unless the OP is willing to use a 4xAA light, they won't get enough power and runtime to match Li-Ions.

 

[IMightBeWrong]

I can get a pack of 4 AAs in Lithium from my work for literally half the price of a pack of 2 CR123s. That's one of the reasons I'm looking at different lights. Thanks for the recommendations so far, guys!