Latest Greatest AAA?

[Buddy L]

Parnass- That was a great mini-review and pic. I think I'm going to order an LD05 in black. I EDC an LD01 in stainless steel and it has served me well. I belong to a sports car owner's club and we have "tech days" where we get together and work on each other's cars. Although my LD01 is worn on a ball chain lanyard around my neck, you wouldn't believe how many times other guys have tried to walk off with my EDC. My only complaint with Fenix lights (and I have half a dozen of their models) is the absence of a good aggressive knurling on their bodies, bezels and tail caps. Otherwise, they produce very good, high performance flashlights. While I'm at it, I think that Maratac AAA machined from a billet of solid copper, would add nicely to my collection. I already own a stainless steel Maratac and enjoy it.
Thanks again for the info, advice and photos. :thumbsup:
Buddy L

 

[jcw122]

4Sevens Preon 1 and 2 are pretty strong competitors. The 2 a max output of 160 OTF lumens also.

 

[Gryphen]

What about the lf2xt with xp-g r5. It looks like a really good light, it has two user interfaces and its programmable.

 

[joe1512]

The XP-G emitter is a bit more efficient than previous ones, so the latest lights that use them will be more impressive.

However, I don't think there are any huge leaps to speak of. I heard there might be a protected AAA-sized 10440 battery available now; dunno if that is true or not. I wonder if they have an IMR 10440 yet, as the high current draw from that tiny battery is problematic.

 

[DLF]

Really ??? When ??? Do you have more info on this ???

arnold r

See here for details: http://www.fenixtactical.com/fenix-ld15.html

 

[shark_za]

The LD15 looks really good.
I'd probably say 68 lumens for 39 hours is a typo

6.8 maybe.

 

[compasillo]

The LD15 looks really good.
I'd probably say 68 lumens for 39 hours is a typo

6.8 maybe.

68 lumens doesn't make sense for a "low" mode :shakehead

 

[Chauncey Gardner]

Not the latest, but the greatest is the Liteflux LF2XT, particularly with a 10440 in it.

There is nothing else like it.

The copper Maratac has also already been mentioned and you already have the ITP (if you don't have an A3 3 mode get one).

For a compact AA the 4Sevens Mini or ITP AA are both a lot of light for the size & money.

 

[RedForest UK]

The LD15 looks really good.
I'd probably say 68 lumens for 39 hours is a typo

6.8 maybe.

If you scroll down, the runtime graphs specify the actual output on low to be 8 lumens, not 68.

it looks good, but I'm not sure Nitecore will be too happy about Fenix producing an EZAA clone.. :shrug:

 

[cityevader]

I'm also curious about the Preon II compared to the Fenix LD05, which I haven't read about yet. :thinking::candle:
Thanks a bunch.

I have/had both. The Preon II is somewhat sexier, and a hair shorter and lighter, and a bit brighter on high. For me personally, that is where the positives end.... The way I use it for inspecting things, I hated it starting on low, then med and hi. Plus I couldn't stand the switch feel of the PreonII. It was very sticky, and made mode switching difficult, especially since each time I used it dozens of times a day, I HAD to switch modes for each use.
The LD05 with it's perfectly smooth clicky (which was also nice and firm instead of the flimsy feeling Preon) works every single time, period. Plus, the Med/lo/hi UI makes it in the mode I use 98% of the time just one click away.

If your light is used mostly with dark adapted eyes, then the Preon may be better because starting on low. However, the switch just kills the functionality.



But back to your OP, I was drooling over the all copper Maratac, and especially daydreamed about the wonderful patina that would develop over time in the recesses, whilst EDC would keep the higher spots polished.

 

[Lit Up]

My favorite form factor for EDC is a 2xAAA light. I have a Fenix LD05, Streamlight Stylus Pro, and Inova Bolt, and am impressed by the first two lights.

I'm warming up to the idea of 2xAAA as EDC too. Have a Stylus Pro on the way. I'm hoping the bit wider diameter bezel will fit into the side loop on a Maxpedition M2 without any fuss. I've had that pouch lying around for awhile now and just recently discovered it again. Since having switched from a thick clamshell phone (Samsung Rugby) to a slimmer qwerty/blackberry style, that pouch has opened up to a lot of promise. I could carry the phone (in the front pouch w/ buckle), The Stylus Pro (provided it fits), a couple spare AAA's and still have practically the whole zippered compartment available.
:twothumbs

EDIT: I just thought to checkout my JVC HD pocket camcorder. Fits perfect in the zippered compartment along with 2xAAAs and could also store an extra SD card as well. Oh this is sweet. Now just wish that Stylus would get here!

 

[parnass]

I'm warming up to the idea of 2xAAA as EDC too. Have a Stylus Pro on the way. I'm hoping the bit wider diameter bezel will fit into the side loop on a Maxpedition M2 without any fuss. ...

It will. I just tried it.

The Fenix LD05 will fit, too, although it is longer and will stick out past the bottom of the M2.

 

[Lit Up]

Terrific! Thanks.

 

[pae77]

As was already mentioned by several others, the LF2XT, even though it's been around for quite a while, is an amazing light, imo, even in stock XPE neutral white form. It's an AAA light that, imo, has yet to be surpassed.

It has a great beam, great tint, excellent runtimes for a single AAA, great build quality, ability to use either of two great UI's (UI#1: the simple one, with easy access to a pretty bright max and a super low low, plus easy ramping up or down to a user selectable level that is auto memorized until changed; OR, UI #2: the additional extensively programmable Full (or fancy) UI, which allows 5 modes to be set up and customized exactly the way the user wants).

If that wasn't enough, it has yet more great features like being optimized for unprotected 10440's with a reasonable discharge rate on max which provides good runtime and is easy on the battery (and emitter) but is still plenty bright, plus ODP (over discharge protection) which also protects the battery, plus it can even report the voltage remaining in its battery to two decimal places, (e.g. 3.XX volts). It also allows the user to optionally enable a tactical momentary on/off mode as well as a 3 minute auto shut off that can also be toggled on/off.

Is there anything else in the single AAA form factor that is even in the same class?

And it's quite a bargain for all that at $62 shipped, that is if you can still find one in stock somewhere.

 

[pri0n]

I really like the sound of the liteflux but 60 bucks i a little steep for me for a little edc light. From what I'm seeing the itp a3 seems like the best option in the 20 dollar range. Are there any other important contenders in that area?

 

[pae77]

I really like the sound of the liteflux but 60 bucks i a little steep for me for a little edc light. From what I'm seeing the itp a3 seems like the best option in the 20 dollar range. Are there any other important contenders in that area?

The ITP is certainly a great value. There is a Maretec version that uses the same internal components. There are just some exterior differences that might cause a person to prefer either one over the other.

 

[cityevader]

I really like the sound of the liteflux but 60 bucks i a little steep for me for a little edc light. From what I'm seeing the itp a3 seems like the best option in the 20 dollar range.

I've had my ITP A3 for almost 2 weeks and was happy with the alkaline AAA. But I'm absolutely thrilled with the performance on a 10440 li-ion. I know I know, they discourage using one, but it's just like having nitrous oxide in your car. If used sparingly and briefly, it's fine. The light gets hot after approx 30 seconds, and by that time, the need for high output is likely gone anyway. Medium level is good for most of the time anyway.

You likely won't be disappointed regardless of battery choice...especially for the price!!! Amazon has black ones for $18.49...I got a red one for just over $20.

 

[pri0n]

Well I went ahead and bought one of the 3 mode black ones. now the waiting game....

 

[compasillo]

I really like the sound of the liteflux but 60 bucks i a little steep for me for a little edc light. From what I'm seeing the itp a3 seems like the best option in the 20 dollar range. Are there any other important contenders in that area?

In the $20ish there's nothing better...

 

[cityevader]

Well I went ahead and bought one of the 3 mode black ones. now the waiting game....

Did you get it yet?