Most reliable, light-weight single AA light?

[jondotcom]

I'm planning some long backpacking hikes (including Mt Whitney) and come to the realization that all of my single 18650 lights are really too heavy to lug along. Even my single AA lights like my C30 and sk68 are quite heavy.

I've looked at the AAA lights but they are just too small in case I have to wear gloves.

It looks like I've narrowed it down to the fenix e11, or at least this light as a benchmark. Requirements are under $30 (delivered/after tax), at least two modes, decent battery life, light-weight, and proven reliability.

Advice is appreciated.

Benchmark SPECS from fenixgear web site:
E11 Black ( 105 Lumens) Supplier's SKU: 1000-x110600
Specifications Led Type: Cree XP-E LED Max Lifespan: 50,000 Hours Max Output: 105 Lumens Max Runtime: 8.5 Hours Adjusting Level: 2 Levels Switch Type: Push-button tail cap Battery Type: 1 AA Operation Mode:

• General

Features

• Digitally regulated output - maintains constant brightness
• Made of durable aircraft-grade aluminum
• Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
• Reverse-polarity protection circuit board

In the box

• Lanyard
• Spare O-Rings
• Rubber Switch Boot

Dimension: Length:3.82 " / 9.7 cm Diameter:0.75 " / 1.9 cm Weight:
1.13 oz / 32.03 g

 

[vali]

How about a Quark MiNi AA or ITP A2?

The Fenix LD15 is a good choice too, but is over your budget, and the Olight i2 EOS is too new to know their reliability (but I think it should be no problems)

 

[jondotcom]

Thanks. I guess this is somewhat beat to death since all of the ~$30-$40 AAA and AA lights are going to be light and reliable :)

In traditional fashion, I'll probably pick up several different types and just take the lightest two with me for mission critical applications.

 

[qwertyydude]

You also have to think about it in terms of how long you'll hike for. 1 18650 has the equivalent power of 3AA nimh and is much lighter. So if you're packing extra cells, you've negated the weight savings of the 18650 light. Not to mention if you absolutely need it, an 18650 is going to be much brighter than any AA light, you can always throttle this down with a multimode light too. I've found 18650 cylindrical lights to be almost the same size as a quality rugged AA light. Just for an example my AA Uniquefire G10 is 23mm wide by 98mm long, my Trustfire TR-801 is 24mm wide and 112mm long. Very little in terms of size difference. But the TR-801 will run 3 hours on one charge on max and light output is fantastically bright. The G10 only 1 hour, li-ion on the G10 forget it, half hour, but it'll be a bright half hour though.

 

[jondotcom]

How about a Quark MiNi AA or ITP A2?

The Fenix LD15 is a good choice too, but is over your budget, and the Olight i2 EOS is too new to know their reliability (but I think it should be no problems)

Thanks for the suggestion. I pulled the trigger on the olight i2 due to the light weight (20.5g) and good battery life.

You also have to think about it in terms of how long you'll hike for. 1 18650 has the equivalent power of 3AA nimh and is much lighter. So if you're packing extra cells, you've negated the weight savings of the 18650 light. Not to mention if you absolutely need it, an 18650 is going to be much brighter than any AA light, you can always throttle this down with a multimode light too. I've found 18650 cylindrical lights to be almost the same size as a quality rugged AA light. Just for an example my AA Uniquefire G10 is 23mm wide by 98mm long, my Trustfire TR-801 is 24mm wide and 112mm long. Very little in terms of size difference. But the TR-801 will run 3 hours on one charge on max and light output is fantastically bright. The G10 only 1 hour, li-ion on the G10 forget it, half hour, but it'll be a bright half hour though.

Yeah for most hikes I lug a couple 18650 lights along and blast the trail with daylight. I'm looking to travel super-light on this one particular hike so i think I'll be good with the AA light and LR44 backup.

 

[tyrantrave]

If the ITP A2 quality is anthing like the A3, it should be a great AA torch.

 

[jondotcom]

So I went off-plan a bit and also picked up a Xeno E03 XM-L which is still lighter than by SK68 and accepts both AA and 14500. I think it will be too bright for most uses with the 14500 but that can be fun at times :).

I hadn't really heard about this light until I searched for a 14500 XM-L light:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?251654-NEW!-XM-L-Xeno-E03!!!-500LM-AA-14500-Pocket-Rocket!-(CW-NW-WW!)

 

[robostudent5000]

the lack of throw on a Xeno XML can kind of be an issue if you need to see far away. i took a warm white version w/ a 14500 to Yosemite earlier this summer and ended up not really using it much. it's awesome at lighting up everything inside of 150-200 feet but struggled to reach anything past that. it's a good choice if you're just looking for a general purpose light, but not so good if you need to see far away.

 

[march.brown]

I have two ITP-A2's and two ITP-A3's plus an ITP-A1 and all are totally reliable ... Wearing gloves , I find a twisty is easier to switch on than a clicky if you stick to AA or AAA size torches.

I find that my Solarforce L2's and L2i's when fitted with the flush bezel are great to carry in a pocket ... All my Solarforces are fitted with the three-mode dropins and all use 18650 batteries ... I particularly favour the L2i's , but that is just a personal thing.
.

 

[jondotcom]

Thanks for the suggestion. I pulled the trigger on the olight i2 due to the light weight (20.5g) and good battery life.

Been playing with this thing for two days and like it a lot. It is so tiny. The only thing that eeks me out is the thought the head might tighten (turning it on) or loosten and fall off in a pocket, but it seems snug enough to likely stay put. Can hardly wait for the xeno to arrive next (apparently the wait is 1-2 weeks on those).

Edit- The Xeno E03 XM-L arrived! Wow I hit the jackpot...really nice light. I'm set for a while now!