New to lights!

[smrtprts]

I am beginning to become interested in lights and want a nice budget light for EDC. I have read through much of the first page and stickies but there are just SO MANY different options.

I want something for ~$20, defender tip, no more than 4 inches long that can run off of a standard AAA or AA battery. I guess it comes down to which ever has more battery life and output. If you guys could throw a few options my way that would be great. Thanks.

 

[joe1512]

Is there any reason why you want an assault bezel? On an EDC to me, they just look dumb. I mean, whos gonna beat down something with a 3 inch long flashlight?

They will also be hard on your pants and you, as their jagged/sharp edges certainly won't be comfy.


I'd recommend the itp A series flashlights. An itp A3 EOS is a 1xAAA that is reasonably bright and very tiny with 3 brightness modes.
The A2 is an 1xAA light that is only marginally brighter, but has better runtime.
If you really want the highest brightness in a small form factor, the A1 is a CR123 light. You can order CR123s for $1.50 each online, or invest in a rechargable solution.
This light can crank up to 200 lumens which is plenty for most purposes. Even more with a RCR123/16340 battery.


The big advantage is that they are pretty cheap (around 20-25 bucks), well liked by this forum, and all fit on your keychain. As such, you can always have the light handy and don't need to carry around a 8 inch long flashlight in your pocket all the time.

The A1 for example is under 2 and a half inches long! And less than 1 inch thick.

 

[speedsix]

Seriously, when I see people with these single AA lights with the assault bezel, I wonder if they have ever been in a real situation in their life.

Forget the stupid assault bezel and concentrate on finding a flashlight that works as a flashlight. If you need to defend yourself with a AA flashlight, God help your sorry ***.

Carry a gun or some mace if you think you need to defend yourself. A flashlight a terrible weapon. Might as well carry one of those retarded aluminum Kubotons that some people carry on their key chains. Get real.

I suggest getting a flashlight that is as smooth and rounded as possible. That way when they shove it up your *** you won't get hurt as much from it!

 

[speedsix]

All that being said, I am impressed with my Romisen RC-G2. It runs off a single AA and it throws a beam very well. It can adjust with a twist to flood.

It is high quality for the price $13 delivered from DX and is a forward clicky.

The downsides to it are: only one mode which is very bright. Sometimes I don't need to burn a hole in the sidewalk. Also, it does not tail stand which I don't really care about but some people seem obsessed with this feature.

 

[joe1512]

Seriously, when I see people with these single AA lights with the assault bezel, I wonder if they have ever been in a real situation in their life.

Forget the stupid assault bezel and concentrate on finding a flashlight that works as a flashlight. If you need to defend yourself with a AA flashlight, God help your sorry ***.

Carry a gun or some mace if you think you need to defend yourself. A flashlight a terrible weapon. Might as well carry one of those retarded aluminum Kubotons that some people carry on their key chains. Get real.

I suggest getting a flashlight that is as smooth and rounded as possible. That way when they shove it up your *** you won't get hurt as much from it!

Wow, you brought me to tears this morning at work. Glad I was one of the first ones in. -3 for Diplomacy but +50 for humor.


I don't have one, but that Romisen looks really nice. The ability to go to pure flood with no hotspot is awesome for walking or doing many tasks. A lot of the time, you want to see the wires behind the TV, but really don't need a hotspot melting the plastic...

At the same time, adjusting to throw lets you focus all the energy into the hotspot, so you don't lose the 50% or so of the light that would normally be in the corona at a further distance. So you can see down the street easily.

 

[Nautic]

Flood to throw by a Romisen G2? Not mine G2 II Q5 from SB!

The C6 (RC123A) and RC 29 (AA) can do that. I can recommend both as EDC.

 

[daytec]

If you need to defend yourself with a AA flashlight, God help your sorry ***.

there is hope afer all i hear ya

 

[speedsix]

My post was meant in humor. I hope I didn't come off like an asshat. I was only saying that the strike bezel is more for looks than anything else. They also add weight and make the light uncomfortable to carry.

If you like the looks of them, don't let me stop you. I have bought a lot of things that didn't have any real use just because I thought they looked cool. Maybe it is just a phase that we all go through. Anyway, do what you want.

Personally, they are not worth the extra weight, cost and sharp edges IMHO. Flashlights are fairly fragile electronic items and I never understood why everyone wants to bash things with them. You don't see assault points on an I-POD or skull crusher spikes on a cell phone but for some reason people think it is a good idea to use their delicate flashlights as hammers.

I love the "budget" lights because they provide a nice light in a nice package for a bargain price. If I were going to use my flashlight as a self defense weapon or a emergency car window breaker or something, I would spend the cash and get a Surefire or something with a warranty. The DX lights look like SF lights but don't come with any warranty. If you smash a window with your DX SF clone and it breaks, you are out your money. If you do that with a SF, you have a warranty to fall back on. Not sure if that sort of thing is covered but the lights are built to withstand that sort of abuse better.

 

[daytec]

romensen lights are a good deal , i EDC everyday didnt mean to sound negitive