Looking for 2 AA, specific needs, desires

[Wits' End]

I'm posting, because I haven't been around much lately. Life happens and a satisfaction with the lights I have and a rapidly changing LED flashlight market/manufacturing/technology, it really makes my head spin [sometimes literally-life w/ mild vertigo ☺].

I'll give my parameters first, below I'll list my EDC lights.

1. LED
2. 2xAA [possibly 4 AA, see #3]
3. must fit in Nite Ize Pouch, bezel diameter a factor.
4. Well built, quality, prefer aluminum.
5. Tail-switch, more for length
6. minimum 3 brightness levels [4 if you count off]
7. Some sort of beacon/strobe mode, use for marking a location.
8. Bright-This is the light used to check for animals in the dark.
9. Decent throw, this is the light I normally walk with, as well as above. Better to warn a bear off than surprise it.
10. Price-less than $100, I'm hoping for my children pooling together for my birthday.

I know there are many lights that meet the parameters above. I would like those that have personal experience with them to say what they like/don't. My lights get used daily, this one the most often, for the longest time. Please ask questions, about my needs, I'll try to check in at least once a day.
One note/question there is a 'newer' Fenix light that has 4 AA's in a 2x2 configuration. Will that fit in a loose 2xAA light pouch? It is plastic, durable?

Anyhow...I normally carry a minimum of 3 lights. Up to last week, I had [forgive the lack of model #'s]. Carry % refers to 24 hour day.
☼1 AA NiteCore PD-piston encased AA, variable brightness-cycles with a button hold, I'd guess 3-60 lumen, Carried ~98% of the time on a lanyard around neck. Note: This has four holes for small split ring/lanyard attachment. The two holes that allow for 'candle mode' are worn through, any suggestions for not wearing through the other two?
☼1AAA 4Sevens Preon, with tail-switch, three brightness levels, 'hidden' SOS, strobe, blink/locate. Carried ~50% clipped in breast pocket.
☼A 2AA Sunwayman, ring controlled variable brightness.--This is the light I'm looking to replace. Carried ~60% in Nite Ize pouch, must be an older style, holds pocket tool (SwissTool Spirit) and a 2AA light, as well as a few misc small things-AA batts ☺

 

[Knight_Light]

Quark Tactical QT2A-X. It just has everything you want.

 

[Vortus]

There are a few 3AA and 4AA options. The Eagletac GX25A3, Nitecore EA4, Sunwayman has one cannot remember it though, and the new Lumintop SD10. The 2xAA i'd recommend is the Eagletac P20A2 MKII. 4 modes, has strobe and beacon that are hidden but accessible. Can change out the led to suite simply by changing the modules. From assorted cool to neutral to IR to UV. Has a nice optional tail stand tail, and a filter kit with a red, blue, and green filter along with a white diffuser. Ive given one to both my father and father in law after both proved unable to maintain lithium rechargeables. Easy to use tough lights that are ok in a pocket. Sorry, cannot say much about the fenix cept they make good lights.

 

[Labrador72]

[...]One note/question there is a 'newer' Fenix light that has 4 AA's in a 2x2 configuration. Will that fit in a loose 2xAA light pouch? It is plastic, durable?

You mean the LD41? I don't have it but no reason to believe it's not durable: Fenix Lights from the LD series are pretty good, not as rugged as the TK series but can still take a lot of abuse. It has a fairly nice UI with both the clicky and mode switch on the tail. I doubt it would fit in a 2xAA holster though, even a loose one: diameter is 40mm so it's nearly twice as wide as one of their 2xAA lights. You get a different type of beam with more throw and wider angle of illumination.

There's also the E40: it's one of their budget lights. I thin the body may be plastic! Not worth it IMO - as bulky as the LD41 above and you can get a 2xAA that are as bright or even brighter - though with much shorter runtimes. The main selling point of this light is probably the lower price.

Hope it helps and enjoy the light!


Link removed as per the banner at the top of the page
Why has my link been removed? - Norm

 

[ltsba]

the 4*AA flashlight, nitecore EA4 and sunwayman D40A, 2*AA flashlight, the thrunite Neutron 2A, and Archer 2A,

 

[Wits' End]

OK, I pulled the 4 mentioned lights, [plus a few alternates from 4Sevens]
With 4Sevens get 25% off on purchases over $100, all are in same ballpark. I'm going to print these specs and take it home to look over.
I've had limited experience with warm lights-color ☺, so far I prefer cool white for general, outdoor use. Any input?
I asked a few red questions below.

From Eagle Tac's site
EagleTac - EagleTac P20A2 MKII XM-L 360 Lumen Our Price: $59.42

• EagleTac P20A2 MKII with the Cree XM-L LED Rated at an incredible 360 lumens with 272 OTF is powered by 2 common AA batteries.
• Specifications:
  Dimensions: Length: 6.3 inch (16.1cm), Body Diameter: 0.8 inch (2.1cm), Head Diameter: 1 inch (26cm)
  Body Weight (excluding batteries): 3.2 ounces (91grams)
  Two CR123A lithium batteries (button-top cells only) I assume this is an error ☺
  Operating Voltage Range: 2.0V to 3.3V (button-top cells only)
  Runtimes and output:
  Low/General/Turbo: 100+/8/1.5 hours
  LED Lumen: 11/83/282(360)
  ANSI FL-1: 9/64/215(272)
  
  
  Flashlight operation:
  Forward click switch, soft press for momentary or click for constant on. Change from high to general mode by twisting head. The tail switch activated strobe now comes disabled until the operator enables it with 15 continuous presses within 10 seconds. To deactivate strobe repeat the activation method. With the strobe enabled every other press goes to strobe. When left off for more than one second the circuit resets and starts on high again. There is a special hidden function which includes Low (5 lumen), Strobe, Beacon and SOS. The hidden modes are easily accessed by a double twist of the head when the light is on in either high or general mode.
  
  ***************************************************

From 4Sevens site
[h=1]Quark Tactical QT2A-X $78.00[/h]

Dimensions	Length: 5.8 inches/Body diameter: 0.86 inches/Head diameter: 0.86 inches/Weight (without batteries): 2.2 oz
LED Emitter	CREE XM-L2
Voltage range	0.9V-4.2V
Spot Beam	Angle: 11 Degree / Diameter at 3 meters: 580mm
Flood Beam	Angle: 71.9 Degree / Diameter at 3 meters: 4.3 meters
Brightness Levels	Moonlight: 0.3 lumens, 15 days / Low: 2.7 lumens, 3 days / Medium: 24 lumens, 20 hrs / High: 115 lumens, 2.5 hrs / Maximum: 280 lumens, 0.8 hrs
Special Modes	Strobe: 280 lumens, 1.6 hrs / SOS: 280 lumens, 3 hrs / Beacon: 0-280 lumens pulse, 8 hrs
Reflector	Textured
Body Material	Type-III hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum
Bezel Material	Type-III hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum
Lens Material	Impact-resistant glass, sapphire coating, antireflective coating

[h=1]Quark Turbo QB2A--$75.00[/h]This looks good for better throw, probably fit, as the holster opens up for a flap.

Dimensions	Length: 6.2 inches/Body diameter: 0.9 inches/Head diameter: 1.2 inches/Weight (without batteries): 3 oz
LED Emitter	CREE XP-G2
Voltage range	0.9V-4.2V
Spot Beam	Angle: 9.5 Degree / Diameter at 3 meters: 580mm
Flood Beam	Angle: 59.1 Degree / Diameter at 3 meters: 3.4 meters
Brightness Levels	Moonlight: 0.2 lumens, 30 days, 1ma / Low: 4 lumens, 5 days, 10ma / Medium: 22 lumens, 24 hrs, 50ma / High: 85 lumens, 5 hrs, 250ma / Maximum: 205 lumens, 1.3 hrs, 700ma
Special Modes	Strobe: 205 lumens, 2.5 hrs / SOS / Beacon: 0-205 lumens pulse, 18 hrs

[h=1]Quark Tactical QT2A--$66.00[/h]This is a bit cheaper

Dimensions	Length: 5.8 inches/Body diameter: 0.86 inches/Head diameter: 0.86 inches/Weight (without batteries): 2.2 oz
LED Emitter	CREE XP-G2
Voltage range	0.9V-4.2V
Spot Beam	Angle: 11 Degree / Diameter at 3 meters: 580mm
Flood Beam	Angle: 71.9 Degree / Diameter at 3 meters: 4.3 meters
Brightness Levels	Moonlight: 0.2 lumens, 30 days, 1ma / Low: 4 lumens, 5 days, 10ma / Medium: 22 lumens, 24 hrs, 50ma / High: 85 lumens, 5 hrs, 250ma / Maximum: 205 lumens, 1.3 hrs, 700ma
Special Modes	Strobe: 205 lumens, 2.5 hrs / SOS / Beacon: 0-205 lumens pulse, 18 hrs

*************************************************************************************
From ThruNite store
[h=1]ThruNite Neutron 2A Cree XM-L T6 LED Flashlight 260 Lumen---$45[/h]
- Dimensions: Length: 6 in (152 mm), Diameter: 0.87 in (22.1 mm), Weight: 75g (without battery)
- General Mode: 0.09lumen (280hrs) 9 lumen (86hrs) -> 40 lumen (13hrs) -> 135 lumen (4.2hrs) -> SOS Turbo Mode: 260 Lumen(2.1hrs) -> Strobe
- LED Emitter: Premium Cree XM-L T6
- OP reflector
- Stainless steel bezel
- 5 current-regulated output levels
- 2 flash modes: Strobe, SOS
- Reverse-click switch
- Square threads for a lifetime of smooth operation
- Type-III Hard Anodized finish
- Sapphire coated lens
- Removable clips
- IPX-8 Waterproofing
- T-6061 Aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Capable of standing up securely on a flat surface to use in "candle mode"
- Two modes (7 types) of output selected by turning the bezel Operation:
- Turn on/off by fully pressing the reverse clicky switch (i.e. click needed to turn on).
- With the head slightly loosened, you get one of five possible modes. Soft-press the switch to advance through Firefly,Low, Medium, High, and SOS, in repeating sequence.
- The light has mode memory, and retains the last setting used when With the bezel fully tightened, you get Turbo.
-Soft-press to advance to rapid Strobe (soft-press again or turn off to get back to Turbo).
- There is no memory for the head-tightened mode - you always get Turbo on activation with the head tightened.

[h=1]ThruNite Archer 2A 272lumens CREE XP-G2 LED Flashlight--$55[/h]- Feature and specification
- LED: CREE XP-G2 LED with a lifespan of 20+ years of run time.
- Max 272lumen output using 2 1.2v 2800mAh rechargeable AA batteries.
- Firefly:0.2lm.678hours; Low:24lm.22hours;Mid90lm.5hours;Max Output:272lm.75minutes;Strobe:272lm.2.5hours.
- Working voltage:0.9v to 4.2v.
- Removable steel pocket clip.
- Max run time:678hours(Firefly mode)
- Max beam distance:251meters.
- Peak beam intensity:4187cd.
- Impact resistant:10meters.
- Waterproof to IPX-8 Standard
- 152mm lenght,22.10mm bezel dismeter.
- Weight: 75g without battery.
- Aircraft grade aluminum body structure.
- premium type III hard anodized anti-abrasive finish.
- Ultra-clear tempered glass lens with anti-reflective coating.
- Momentary forward click tactical switch.
- programmable memory function
- Strobe mode for tactial and emergency use.
- Low,medium and high modes to balance power consumption and light output.
- Smooth reflector for max light output.
- Highly focused beam for maximum distance
- Stainless steel front striking bezel.
- Tactical knurling for firm girp.
- Streamlined body design
- Reversed polarity protection.
- Durable T-shaped thread.
- Intelligent highly effcient circuit board esign for max performance and long run time. Operation
Press the tail cap half way to momentarily activate the light, completely press the tail cap to click, the light will stay on. Push the tail cap again to click, the light will go off.
Switching between different modes:
Firefly-low-medium-high-strobe,click to turn the light on, then loosen the head by one eighth of a circle, tighten the head back gently, the light will move on to the next mode/function,repeating the same step will cycle the light through all the functions in the order above, then the light will stay at the particular function set by the user.
***********************************************************************************

 

[Labrador72]

From Eagle Tac's site
EagleTac - EagleTac P20A2 MKII XM-L 360 Lumen Our Price: $59.42

• EagleTac P20A2 MKII with the Cree XM-L LED Rated at an incredible 360 lumens with 272 OTF is powered by 2 common AA batteries.
• Specifications:
  Dimensions: Length: 6.3 inch (16.1cm), Body Diameter: 0.8 inch (2.1cm), Head Diameter: 1 inch (26cm)
  Body Weight (excluding batteries): 3.2 ounces (91grams)
  Two CR123A lithium batteries (button-top cells only) I assume this is an error ☺
  Operating Voltage Range: 2.0V to 3.3V (button-top cells only)
  Runtimes and output:
  Low/General/Turbo: 100+/8/1.5 hours
  LED Lumen: 11/83/282(360)
  ANSI FL-1: 9/64/215(272)

Yes it must be a mix-up with the P20C2 Mk II. The P20A2 is supposed to take AAs.

 

[Wits' End]

Right now I'm leaning toward the Quark Turbo. The EagleTac is a close runner.
I have two points favoring the QT between these two similar lights.
1st is David-4Sevens, he has brought his company up and I think deserves my support.
2nd is what one comparison I looked at said was a few more features on the QT, simple opperation but access to extra features. I had an original DSpeck FireFly that had all sorts of modes, I only got rid of it because it was 123 powered. So extra modes in this light don't scare me :)

Any other thoughts?

Now I just need one of my children to buy two lights to get the 25% off, $100 or more. They're mostly appreciative of good lights, so they can give me one, an d keep one for themselves, OR Christmas for me :)

 

[BarryG]

Eagletac D25A2 is now listed at an output of 453 lumens and 318 OTF from 2xAA. User interface similar to the Quarks.
Brightest 2xAA that I've seen so far.





Barry