Need recommandation for a cheap light

[jzmtl]

Well I finally got a friend to sign up to cpf (well actually I even set up the account for him ), now I need to get him some cheap led light.

Looking for something less than $20 from DX or KD, use AA, one mode (maybe two), around 30 lumens so it doesn't slaughter alkaline cells.

I don't use aa lights so I'm completely unfamiliar with what's there, does such light exist?

 

[BMF]

Well I finally got a friend to sign up to cpf (well actually I even set up the account for him ), now I need to get him some cheap led light.

Looking for something less than $20 from DX or KD, use AA, one mode (maybe two), around 30 lumens so it doesn't slaughter alkaline cells.

I don't use aa lights so I'm completely unfamiliar with what's there, does such light exist?

Take a look at this thread in Market Place.

 

[Crenshaw]

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=4140

my fav budget AA, it actually looks so nice its a shelf queen..

it runs fine on alk AAs as far as i have used them

and they dont get much tougher then stainless steel. If you want black, then get the ALU version of the Ultrafire C3.:twothumbs

Crenshaw

 

[portezbie]

I'm very fond of my rc-n3, but it may be a little brighter than you want. Only 17 bucks tho, and it really is a nice light.

 

[jzmtl]

Ohh, both look pretty. But I'm concerned about romisen's 100 lumen on 1xAA, must be taxing the poor battery to death if alkaline is used.

Hmm, bessiebenny's thread shows even the c3 pulls 1.6 amp from aa and only runs for 40ish minute on nimh, not good news for alkaline cells. Strange thou, KD's site state it's 49 lumen with nimh cell, but the same light from DX pull 1.6 amp which definately would give more than 49 lumens. Unless DX and KD actually have different version of c3?

 

[paulr]

Maybe you can still get a Peak Pacific 1aa pocket ha light thru their memorial day sale (apparently on til 6/15). I think it's around 40 bux after the discount but it's a really nice light, less featureful but exudes more quality than any of those DX lights that I've tried so far.

That said if you want something cheap and super useful, try a Fenix E01, 15 bucks shipped and uses an AAA, much smaller than an AA light and bright enough for most edc purposes (around 5 lumens, doesn't sound like much these days but people have gotten too lumen hungry).

 

[portezbie]

the romisen rc-n3 i believe gets about 3 hours on full power and then drecreasing light for another 3 hours, but you're probably looking for something that'll last you a bit longer.

 

[jzmtl]

the romisen rc-n3 i believe gets about 3 hours on full power and then drecreasing light for another 3 hours, but you're probably looking for something that'll last you a bit longer.

Is that with alkaline or nimh?

 

[nerdgineer]

I like the XJC-B8. Draws about an amp (much less than other bright 1AAs), very bright, nice quality, alum OP reflector, glass lens, cheap. That was enough for me...

 

[Joshatdot]

my personal fav for a cheep AA torch is the SAIK RC-A3

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5332
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5338
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5346

 

[portezbie]

Is that with alkaline or nimh?

alkaline I think, but I haven't tested it myself

 

[baterija]

Strange thou, KD's site state it's 49 lumen with nimh cell, but the same light from DX pull 1.6 amp which definately would give more than 49 lumens. Unless DX and KD actually have different version of c3?

Don't forget it's got to pull extra current for the driver to raise the voltage by close to a multiple of 3. Throw in driver losses, and light losses through the lens and 49 lumens starts to seem reasonable out the front.

I really like my Shining beam version of the RC-G2 with Q5 linked above but it pulls pretty hard for an alkaline. 2xAA lights in general might be a good place to look since they require less current to achieve the needed voltage boost. RC-N3 is only pulling .41 amps according to bennie's numbers when using 2xAA NiMH so it might not be too bad on alkaline despite being bright.

 

[Gunner12]

I think the 3 hour runtime was with 2 NiMh batteries, 2300 mAh ones, so the battery draw would be around 770 mA.

 

[jzmtl]

Looks like it's going to be the rc-n3. Even if it gets half of the nimh runtime it'll be better than the rubber incan 2aa he has now.