Need help choosing 4 AA light for Peace Corp

[Inverse Square]

Hi,

In this thread Need help... I explain that my sister-inlaw is going to Africa for the Peace Corp. I need advice on choosing a reliable, efficient and durable 4 AA light. The light must use AAs as the world runs on them. This light will be the bright backup to one or more LED lights. Thanks in advance.

BTW, she leaves early June so lights must be available now.

 

[paulr]

As suggested in the other thread, Princeton Tec PT40 and lots of spare bulbs.

 

[itsme1234]

Oh, and be sure to include some "long burn" bulbs. Something like 4.8 V 200 mA. The throw is still way better than any "normal" LED light (like attitude or impact or arc AAA), but you have many hours runtime (and the bulb will last way longer).

 

[FalconFX]

Princeton Tech 40, Underwater Kenetics 4AA, or Streamlight 4AA propolymer...

If you're worried about durability like fear of a busted bulb, you pretty much have to stay away from incandescents. You might want to get yourself a BadBoy or MadMax Luxeon Star sandwich, put it into a Brinkmann Legend 2AA and carry extra AA batts...

 

[paulr]

I think you need a 5W Luxeon to equal the brightness of the 4aa incandescent lights we're describing.

Btw, the Streamlight and UKE use xenon modules, a little bit more of a nuisance to carry spares for than the Tec40's PR base bulbs.

 

[Wits' End]

How about a 6AA 5W luxeon light? Electrolumens has them. The 5W luxeons don't have the reliability of the 1W but should be good for more than a year of use.
Search through CPF or ask Wayne questions in his forum.

 

[paulr]

The Elektrolumens Blaster VI is a great light but you're talking about a metal flashlight almost as big and heavy as a 2D Mag, that really wants NiMH cells to operate. Alkalines are probably marginal. Zinc-Carbon is hopeless. Also, and the AA adapter gizmos aren't ready yet, so for now the light can only run on 123 lithiums. Nice light but IMO not really the solution for this particular problem.

Actually here's another idea: get the Streamlight 4AA LED light which appears to have the same body as their 4AA Xenon light. It's likely that the lamp assemblies are interchangeable. So you could get a xenon lamp assembly and swap it into the LED light when you need something bright. That's a hassle, but it's less stuff to pack than a whole second flashlight, so you gotta weigh the priorities.

If it were me, I'd stay with the PT40 plus spare bulbs, as mentioned.

 

[FalconFX]

Paul, the AA adaptors are already there for the Blaster VI... In fact, I turned one of Waynes Blaster II models into a Blaster VI by switching out the LS Star and putting in his 6AA triad battery holder... Very convenient... What you're talkin' about are his 3toD adaptors...

 

[paulr]

Oh cool, I didn't realize you could run the Blaster VI on that 6AA holder. Nice! It looks smaller than the 3toD system and maybe he could shrink the Blaster VI a little bit accordingly.

 

[Quickbeam]

My recommendation: Princeton Tec "Tec40". Takes PR base bulbs which are always more readily available than proprietary lamp assemblies, very durable, watertight, relatively small, doesn't cost very much (~$20.00 US).

 

[Blikbok]

For a non-flashaholic going afield, I'd recommend not to try a switch-bezel thing. Dust, dirt, water, etc. I don't own one, but I think the simplicity and price/performance of the Tec40 can't be beat. If I was going, I'd grab a bunch of PT and other inexpensive quality lights, even though I'd like to take an SF or two. Maybe they can be left behind as gifts.

Also I suggest a Pelican Mini-case or something equally rugged for storage.

 

[brightnorm]

Although my personal preference is for the longer-burning and brighter UK 4AA with its new convenient switch, the Tec 40's ability to take commonly available bulbs is an advantage, considering your destination.

There is also a recently available generally well reviewed LED replacement for a standard PR bulb that you might want to check out
EVERLED REPLACEMENT FOR PR BULB

Brightnorm

 

[Inverse Square]

Thanks guys! Great info here in this thread also. I really appreciate the input.

My sister inlaw is petite, so I think the 3d size lights would imtimidate her. She was going to bring just an unmodded mini-mag. I just could not let that happen. Maybe I will trade her for my Opelec modded Mini just to keep her from bringing hers!
Also, not being the techincal type, the lights should be easy to maintain and use.
So far it looks like the Tec40 maybe the best way to go? How easy are bulb changes for a non-flashaholic? Are the Streamlights equally as good?

 

[BuddTX]

I would take a Princeton Tec Surge and a Streamlight 4aa, 7 led light.

 

[paulr]

The Streamlight 4AA xenon uses a proprietary lamp module, the Tec40's PR bulbs are probably easier to deal with (get a bunch of KPR103's at Radio Shack for 75 cents each).

If you give her your minimag/Opalec maybe that solves your search for a general purpose LED light. There's even headbands for it and anything else you could want. The Streamlight 7led model probably does put out more light though.

 

[pedalinbob]

bulb changes with the tec-40 are very easy--honest! takes about 1 minute, and the bulbs are 2 for $1.50 for the kpr 113. the tec-40 is my favorite incan. for $10 - $13, it is a steal.

the opalec is a superb idea. i would have no problem taking an infinity ultra (low brightness), opalec (medium) and a tec 40 (high). the spent tec-40 bats could easily feed the opalec and ultra.

if you dont need the tremendous throw of the tec-40, you could instead bring an inretech, madmax or badboy.

nice thing about the minimags, is that you have many accessories, such as a nite-ize headband, etc.

personally, i would probably bring an infinity ultra (worn around neck) and an elitemax (belt holster). never have to worry about bulbs, and would have incredibly long runtimes.

the elitemax can be dimmed for night time reading and conserving batteries. also, you can place velcro on the elitemax, so you can affix it to a hat: voila! a headlamp!

good luck,
Bob

 

[Quickbeam]

Bulb changes for the Tec40 are very easy. Just pop apart the two halves of the lamp assembly and pull out the old bulb. Have her take it apart for a bulb change by herself once to make sure she knows how to do it.

Let me put it this way - of all the lights I have, the Tec40 is the favorite of the two most important females in my life - my wife and my mom - because of it's size and it's ease of use and maintenance. I'm sure your sister will love it. Make sure to get some spare bulbs for it and pack them in a film canister with a little foam for cushioning.

 

[paulr]

The Elitemax is a clever technical feat, but 100 bucks for a three-LED light with no Luxeon? You've got to be kidding, I don't care what kinds of tricks it does. The 100 bucks is much better spent on an Arc LS/2AA and a Streamlight 4AA.

I think Pedalinbob is right, for a non-flashaholic we're dealing with a three-light system at most, Tec40 (high), Infinity or Infinity Ultra (low), and something in the middle for general use. Remember that the Tec40 really needs alkaline or NiMH batteries, runtime on zinc/carbon will be ridiculously short.

If zinc/carbon AA's are easily available, the middle light should be able to run on them, which means no Luxeon. So the good candidates are the Opalec and Streamlight. I think the Streamlight is probably brighter, which means the Tec40 would be needed less often; maybe that's an advantage of it. The Opalec needs just two cells and is smaller and can use a Night-ize--also handy. So that's sort of a toss-up. I guess the Opalec seems a bit nicer so I'd go with that, YMMV.

Maybe at that point you can stop worrying about rechargeables, just include lots of spare bulbs and alkalines for the Tec40 and tell her to use the Tec40 only when she needs it, otherwise use the LED lights with local zinc/carbon cells or spent alkalines from the Tec40.

 

[pedalinbob]

paul, you really need to shut-up.

ive already been looking at that arc for 3 months now...

i havent purchased a light for myself for a WHOLE month! im pretty proud...but, nooooooooooo, you just have to plant that little seed about the arc ls...

damn you!

Bob<---pitiful...

ps yeah, the eternalight is pretty expensive, but for me proves to be a very useful tool. though the elitemax can be set up in simple mode, it may still be too gee-whiz techno for her. i bet the native people would get a kick outta the "dazzle" function!!!

you make a most excellent point: KISS. keep it simple, stupid. heck, i think i could live for a year with only 3 good lights...i think. maybe. perhaps.

no way.

 

[Inverse Square]

Based on everyone's advice and taking in to consideration the fact that it uses standard bulbs, I will give my sister inlaw a PT Tec-40 plus spare bulbs. I don't think she will need more than one Tec-40 as she will have LED lights also. She gets to fly home I think once a year so we can always re-evaluate her kit then.

See my comments about eternalight in the LED thread.

Thanks to everyone who helped!