Pocket size flashlight recommendations ?

[laikinasis]

I'm looking for a pocket size flashlight, let's say no longer than 7,5 cm (or 2,95 inches), prefferably AA / AAA battery, under 20$ and maybe from dealextreme.com, if possible. The most important feature I'm looking for is not small bright beam, but good diffused light to brigthen up 1-2 meters ahead of me.

So far I've been mostly thinking about TANK007 E06 and TANK007 TK-701. What would be your recommendations ? Thanks in advance.

 

[hyperloop]

take a look at this light. Best value for $9.99 IMHO, single mode light, 1xAA

i have given away 3 of these and my friends love it, it is much much brighter when you use a 14500 cell though. For diffusing the beam, just put some scotch tape over the lens, the frosted type not the clear ones, you know what i mean

 

[laikinasis]

Thanks ! Yet it's a little bit too long for my pocket (looking for flashlights under 8 cm).

 

[hyperloop]

this is the smallest AA light i have ever ordered from DX, it looks to be a clone of the Nitecore EZ-AA which is already one of the smallest AA lights.

look at the length of the AA alone, then add in tailcap, head length, and i dont think you can get anything much smaller.

If you move to CR123 then your options for a sub 8cm light are much wider.

 

[laikinasis]

Ok, maybe you're right. What about AAA / CR123 recommendations then ? What's the smallest and brightest flashlight ?

 

[travelinman]

ITP C9 if you can still find it. Look on shiningbeam, maybe they still have a few left.

 

[skyfire]

itp lights seem to be in your budget, ill say the quality, and outputs are better than the DX lights. plus if your in the states you wont have to order from half way around the world.

 

[hyperloop]

Ok, maybe you're right. What about AAA / CR123 recommendations then ? What's the smallest and brightest flashlight ?

i must tell you first that smallest and brightest usually means low runtime.

If you want shortest, then you should eliminate a clicky switch as that adds length to the light. One of the shortest lights on the market is the Quark Mini 123, mine is about 6.1cm long (above 2 inches) if that's the kind of length you want.

Price wise its $39 and is decently bright with 3 levels, low-med-high and hidden strobe modes which makes this a very versatile light.

The cheaper but still bright alternative is the Romisen RC C3 II Q5 this only has one mode but is darn bright, i used to own one but found that i preferred multimodes to balance output and runtime.

For AAAs, you have many many choices which you can find ranging from expensive to reasonable, shiningbeam has a good selection of AAA lights as well. Fenix and liteflux make good AAA lights too, the choice is yours.

However, AAA will not be as bright as CR123 due to voltage differences.

You can also get a few RCR123s so you can carry spares with you and also recharge them to save on costs in the long run (useful if you use or play with your lights a lot)

 

[jhc37013]

itp lights seem to be in your budget, ill say the quality, and outputs are better than the DX lights. plus if your in the states you wont have to order from half way around the world.

I agree with skyfire and if I may ask the OP why you want to order from DX?

Like mentioned already you will get alot better service if you order from shiningbeam.com and many other well respected dealers that offer less expensive lights that are still pretty good quality and offer the same service you would get if you ordered a $150 light from the same website/dealer.

Also consider batteryjunction.com and lighthound.com

 

[Egsise]

1xAA: Tank007 from DX, great deal according to Bessiebennys thread
1xAAA iTP A3 EOS Upgraded from shiningbeam, great bang for the buck, got one for my wife.

 

[choekstr]

1xAA: Tank007 from DX, great deal according to Bessiebennys thread
1xAAA iTP A3 EOS Upgraded from shiningbeam, great bang for the buck, got one for my wife.

I used to EDC the Tank007 701 until a few days ago when I received my ITP A3 EOS. Now the ITP A3 EOS has taken the place of my new pocket rocket as it is noticeably much brighter! I run both on 10440 and everyone gasps and exclaims how bright they both are. Always a conversation ensues at what it is and how bright it is and how tiny it is. Lots of fun!

The ITP A3 is the literally the size of a chap stick but is twist to turn on. Ugh. Single mode which is my preference but the Ultimate version has 3 modes in a stupid order with no memor. One of the reasons I don't own a LD01. The Tank007 701 has a tail reverse clicky but is about 20-25% longer; yet still tiny despite and is single mode.

I also ordered the Tank007 703 to see if they improved the brightness and is comparable to the ITP A3 EOS. I haven't paid the 3-5 week dues from DX yet so I can't say. :scowl:

Realize that I want very quick bursts of very bright light for say finding a keyhole, reading a menu in a dark restaurant, finding something I dropped, and damned be runtime or heat. Also I have plenty of LiIon chargers and 10440 batteries (ooh, protected 10440's just came out but yet again, still waiting to see if they fit). So please take my comments with a grain of salt and understand what my use case is when making a decision. These lights, especially the way I use them are not very practical but sure are awesome!

 

[hyperloop]

Also I have plenty of LiIon chargers and 10440 batteries (ooh, protected 10440's just came out but yet again, still waiting to see if they fit). So please take my comments with a grain of salt and understand what my use case is when making a decision. These lights, especially the way I use them are not very practical but sure are awesome!

10440s are great but in my LD01 on max, they dont get very long runtimes, after about 10 minutes, it dims tremendously, so i just stick with AAA rechargeables for mine (no leakage as can happen with alkalines, ruined an E01 that way).

 

[Egsise]

Actually the iTP A3 EOS med-lo-hi UI is not bad, 18 lumens is more than enough for normal use.
Li-ion and 100+ lumens to read the menu is like shouting to your cell phone OR TYPING WITH CAPITAL LETTERS, VERY RUDE....

 

[mvyrmnd]

If you're wanting smallest and brightest, the new A1 EOS Stainless has an XP-E R2, and promises over 200 lumens. 1 hour runtime on high. Medium mode is great for everyday and the low is a bit bright, but still good for sneaking around the house at night. They're taking preorders at GoingGear. I'm counting down the days for mine

 

[choekstr]

Oh crap, A1's are CR123 torches. I got all excited there for a moment and went off to pre-order.