Lowest mode / longest runtime <$14 single AA LED?

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sb56637

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
59
Hi there,

I live in a country where batteries are expensive and hard to come by, and there are daily blackouts. AA batteries are by far the best option in this region. So I'm quite happy with the nice selection of inexpensive single AA lights these days. I've been reading the reviews on this site of the Dealextreme and Kaidomain lights, especially for the multi-mode versions, and they usually mention runtime on "high" mode, but I can't find much information about maximum runtime on the "low" mode. I don't care much about the brightness of the light, I just want the one that has the longest runtime on a single AA cell. I just received a programmable Akoray K-106, and on the lowest setting it has now been running for almost 24 hours straight and barely dimming, extremely impressive. It's just a pain to try to program the lowest mode, because it ramps too quickly, and it costs almost $20. I'm looking for an additional cheaper light that has a low mode at least as low as the Akoray K-106, or something that has even longer runtime. It appears that the Cree emitters have the best combination of efficiency and price? What about OSRAM or Lumileds? Anyway, these are the requirements, in order of importance:


  1. Less than $14 shipped
  2. Single AA
  3. Clicky switch
  4. Long runtime >24 hours, it can be a single mode light, or a multi-mode with a very low setting.
  5. It would be nice if it didn't have trouble to power-on with low voltage, but if has to be I can just make sure to not turn it off.
  6. Reasonably reliable, as can be reasonably expected of a $14 light

I have a list of several that I found that have the body style and price that I like, but I'd like to know your experiences as far as runtime and build quality:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26930
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1993
http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=10048
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.29095
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18629
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18628
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26421
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5949
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.28546
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26118

Thanks a lot!
 
The akoray is probably your closest bet, but honestly I don't think any of these lights will give you what you are looking for. To get over 24 hours from a single AA you are going to need a light with good regulation, which a lot of these budgets lights just don't have.

If you can spend a little more, the first light that comes to mind that would meet at least your runtime requirements is the ITP A2:

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-189/**NEW**-ITP-A2-EOS/Detail

however, that is longer runtime than you are really looking for, is a twisty not a clicky, and over your budget.

do you think a fenix e01 could meet your needs? Even though it is a AAA light I think it is pretty close to all your requirements.

Basically, I think you need to either settle for less runtime or shell out more money.
 
Thanks for the reply!

Well, I actually have been testing a $4.00 AA Powerlight with an old AA battery that was almost dead, and it has been running now for almost 24 hours, dim but still usable at night. This would actually be a very nice option, except that lights in the $4 range tend to get flickery after a few months of use.

I think that for around $20 the Akoray programmable light is probably the best option, it is really a very nice piece of work. I think I would prefer it over the ITP A2.

I wonder about that non-programmable "Nkoray" light, if it has the same circuitry as the Akoray, and I wonder if its low setting is really low.

sol-leks said:
do you think a fenix e01 could meet your needs? Even though it is a AAA light I think it is pretty close to all your requirements.
Click to expand...
I was looking at the Fenix E01, great price for such good brand. But I still prefer AA batteries, because they sell them almost everywhere here. AAA's are available, but they cost more and are harder to find.
 
Last edited:
It is a bit old and outdated, but maybe the gerber infinity ultra?
Don't own one, but its supposed to be built like a tank and run forever. Of course its not very bright but thats not the point right?
 
sol-leks said:
It is a bit old and outdated, but maybe the gerber infinity ultra?
Don't own one, but its supposed to be built like a tank and run forever. Of course its not very bright but thats not the point right?
Click to expand...

Correct, brightness isn't my main concern. By any chance does anybody make a 3rd party clicky tailcap for it?
 
AKOray 106 (programable circuit) I modify to use 18650

Low mode I can set about 1mA = 80-100 days. o_O




but more than $14
 
Last edited:
Hmmm thanks for the tips.

And any comments on runtimes of the current cheap chinese flashlights that I linked to in my first post?
 
DX don't ship the programmable 3-mode any more anyway.

Most of the single-modes you linked won't even last an hour with an alkaline...

The following light draws 70 mA off an Eneloop when I tried now, which gives a theoretical max of 28 hours and 30 minutes from a 2Ah cell: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1137
 
Lumilater, how do you modify the current draw to only 1mA? Share the wealth. This place is in need of more frugal lights like this.
 
mfm, Ive asked several times in vain here how to estimate runtime based on current draw like you gave an example of. When you say current draw of 70mA is that current draw per hour? How does one even get this measurement?
 
Beacon of Light said:
mfm, Ive asked several times in vain here how to estimate runtime based on current draw like you gave an example of. When you say current draw of 70mA is that current draw per hour? How does one even get this measurement?
Click to expand...
The current draw is measured by inserting an ammeter in series with the circuit, for example taking the tailcap off and bridging the battery - with the flashlight body using your ammeter leads.

If you have a 70mA draw for one hour, that is a 70mAh drain. If you have a 2000mAh battery (such as an AA Eneloop), theoretically 2000/70 = 28.5 hours.

Of course, as the battery voltage goes down, the current draw will change (less for a direct drive light, more for a boost-regulated light) which will either extend the runtime or shorten it, respectively. So 28.5h is just a rough guesstimate.
 
Your absolute best option is probably going to be a Quark AA. The moon mode runs for 10 days straight on a single AA. However, it's well outside your budget.
 
I still want to know how lumilater dropped the current draw down to 1mA. Hopefully this is an easy mod that can be shown step by step as I am on the ever quest to have eternal free light eventually.
 
ditch the clicky switch requirement, there is a high risk of failure in lights this cheap.

Gerber infinity ultra would be my suggestion its around $20, ~10 Lumens and runs for a very long time. Eneloop LSD cell would be your best bet.
 
Last edited:
sb56637 said:
They don't? I just received one yesterday in the mail, and it's definitely programmable and definitely good.
Click to expand...

Lots of people who ordered it recently reported they got the actual 6-mode light instead. But who knows...
 
Maybe I'll make another thread here about that light, there's a bunch of other brands that appear to be identical to it, maybe one of them continues to be programmable.
 
sb56637 said:
I wonder about that non-programmable "Nkoray" light, if it has the same circuitry as the Akoray, and I wonder if its low setting is really low.
Click to expand...

I Have the NKoray and its really a great light and can take both AA/14500.
It has a very low low even on 14500 batteries and Can last a long time.

Not tried runtime test on medium an low modes.:grin2:
 
Beacon of Light said:
Lumilater, how do you modify the current draw to only 1mA? Share the wealth. This place is in need of more frugal lights like this.
Click to expand...

Sorry for my bad English. :)

In any mode before brightness increase. You tap the switch immediately .


Eneloop 2000 mA draw about 3-5 ma = 20-30 days

14500 800 mA draw about 1mA = 20-30 days :)
 
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