Quality 3aaa light?

[metlarules]

Is there a quality 3aaa light with a warm tint that is multimode? I have a headlamp that operates on 3aaa and I'm looking for a small light to use the same type and amount of batteries to standardize on.:candle:

 

[LED-holic]

By definition 3AAA is not good quality. Why would anyone deliberately seek out 3AAA light is kind of mysterious to me.

 

[metlarules]

By definition 3AAA is not good quality. Why would anyone deliberately seek out 3AAA light is kind of mysterious to me.

For the above mentioned reason. It doesn't have to be a power house. Just a little bit more throw than a headlamp. I use the headlamp for up close and a flashlight for a bit more throw.

 

[LED-holic]

You're better off looking for a 1AA / 2AA light that is multi-mode, regulated, and warm output.

I'm quite tired of replacing 3AAAs at a time on lights that will go dim quickly over time.

I have a couple 3AAA headlamps but I don't use them much. They're too cheap to sell so I'll use them for garbage tasks...

 

[Turbo DV8]

By definition 3AAA is not good quality.

I missed seeing that definition. Where's that at? Although the 3AAA form factor with carrier is more cumbersome, and the energy content somewhat less for the space compared to AA, that does not mean the lights have to be of inherently poor quality. Sure, there are many poor quality 3AAA lights, but then there are many poor quality AA lights with undesireable characteristics, too. I have the Ray-O-Vac headlamp that takes 1AA cell, and let me say I seldom use it because it goes through one cell every two hours and the light does not dim at all near the end, just blinks off. Surely someone can suggest a nice quality 3AAA headlamp for metlarules.

 

[HKJ]

Is there a quality 3aaa light with a warm tint that is multimode? I have a headlamp that operates on 3aaa and I'm looking for a small light to use the same type and amount of batteries to standardize on.:candle:

The problem with 3*AA/3*AAA lights is that they can (sort of) work without any electronic regulation in them and no manufacture (I have not seen any yet (Except a maglite)) is going to put in a electronic regulation when it will work without.

Get a 1*aaa or 2*aaa light, they have proper regulation.

 

[LED-holic]

I missed seeing that definition. Where's that at? Although the 3AAA form factor with carrier is more cumbersome, and the energy content somewhat less for the space compared to AA, that does not mean the lights have to be of inherently poor quality. Sure, there are many poor quality 3AAA lights, but then there are many poor quality AA lights with undesireable characteristics, too. I have the Ray-O-Vac headlamp that takes 1AA cell, and let me say I seldom use it because it goes through one cell every two hours and the light does not dim at all near the end, just blinks off. Surely someone can suggest a nice quality 3AAA headlamp for metlarules.

3AAA lights are typically direct drive, and not as efficient or effective as regulated AA/AAA lights. This is done to save the manufacturer money so they don't have to provide regulation ciruits. Saving money to skimp on a useful feature does not equal quality.

the OP is not asking for a headlamp, he's asking a flashlight to compliment the headlamp.

 

[HKJ]

A few suggestions for lights:

For AAA lights the two best on the market are Fenix L0D and LiteFlux LF2X, both of these are single AAA lights and they do not have a warm tint.

Moving up to AA, the Fenix T20 has a warm white (Cree calls it neutral white) and uses two AA batteries. For a AA headlamp, check out the Zebralight, it is very good at short distances.

 

[cheetokhan]

It may not be what you're looking for, but I just ran across a really nice looking 3xAAA light at DX.
I really like the design of that light, but I wish it used an 18650 instead of AAA cells. I'm trying to limit my collection to CR123, and 18650 cells plus some AA lights for 'loaners'.

 

[BlueBeam22]

Is there a quality 3aaa light with a warm tint that is multimode? I have a headlamp that operates on 3aaa and I'm looking for a small light to use the same type and amount of batteries to standardize on.:candle:

One of the nicest 3aaa lights I know of is the Coleman MAX 115 lumen CREE XR-E Aluminum flashlight, sold exclusively at Walmart for $25.

I own 3 3aaa flashlights and it is the brightest and farthest throwing one of them all, it has a nice warm daylight like color beam, and has a much longer runtime than any of my other 3aaa lights (about 20-30 minutes at full brightness). It is not a multimode though.

 

[Marduke]

You would be FAR better off to avoid 3xAAA lights like the plague. There is a reason "quality" 3xAAA lights are not made. All of the decent brands know know better than to use such a POS power setup in a light they are marketing as being "quality"

 

[BlueBeam22]

You would be FAR better off to avoid 3xAAA lights like the plague. There is a reason "quality" 3xAAA lights are not made. All of the decent brands know know better than to use such a POS power setup in a light they are marketing as being "quality"

I agree with this statement.:thumbsup:

Lowes has an LED flashlight for only $30 (which I have) called the "Task Force 60X brighter 150 lumen 2C battery LED flashlight". It has twice the throw of the Coleman MAX 3aaa CREE and is MUCH brighter. The Task Force stays at full brightness for well over 1 hour (I think its actually around 2 hours) and then lasts many more hours below full brightness.

The build quality of the Task Force is also much better than the Coleman.

 

[Nitroz]

The best thing to do with AAA lights is to mod them to use one 18650 cell for much better runtime.

 

[Black Rose]

Why would anyone deliberately seek out 3AAA light is kind of mysterious to me.

We have a bunch of 3xAAA Dorcy 9-LED lights scattered around the house for emergency lights. They are compact, put out a decent amount of light, weather resistent, have a 40 hour runtime, and were on sale for $5 each.

They are not high quality lights, but they perform the task I have chosen them for very well.

 

[Turbo DV8]

3AAA lights are typically direct drive, and not as efficient or effective as regulated AA/AAA lights.

Ah, I did not know this, and have thus been re-enlightened. A regulated light would be especially important if the OP was intending to use alkalines. I have one 3AAA and one 3AA headlamp and since I only use NiMH, any apparent lack of regulation has never been manifest. Thanks for the primer!

 

[stonehold]

My son in law has the Leatherman Monarch from Costco which is an excellent 3AAA light. It's very well made, stainless steel, 145 lumens & forward clicky. He loves it. I don't know if they're still available or not bit I wouldn't mind getting one for Christmas.

 

[LEDninja]

My best 3AAA light is Romisen RC-W4 Cree LED Flashlight (3xAAA).
Bessiebenny has a review here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=199062
The reason Bessiebenny rated a couple other 3AAA lights higher is because they take multiple battery types. An unnecessary complication that may adversely affect long term reliability IMHO.

If you can afford it go for the Fenix Digital L0D Q4. 1AAA. Small enough to fit a pocket or keychain and very versatile. Review of an older version (about 1/3 less bright than the current model) here
http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_l0dce.htm

The shear volume of light produced is amazing for a single AAA cell light. My readings show that on the "high" setting the L0D-CE is producing more light overall than a 3-D Maglite. On "medium" it produces more light overall than a common 2-D cell light. All this from one AAA cell.

Youtube comparison here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isfuJ8ru7Xk
CPF members get 8% off discount code CPF8

 

[eebowler]

Priceton TEC headlamp modified with a Seoul LED. Unless you strap three E01 or similar lights together, I can't think of a better option. :shrug:

 

[Rob187]

Although LED Lenser aka Coast are not generally well regarded, the Hokus Focus model is 3AAA and is one of the better lights they make.

It is even better when a superior LED is swapped in.

I have an unmodded and modded Hokus and it is not bad at all.

 

[darknessemitter]

The problem with 3*AA/3*AAA lights is that they can (sort of) work without any electronic regulation in them and no manufacture (I have not seen any yet (Except a maglite)) is going to put in a electronic regulation when it will work without.

I think the Princeton Tec EOS headlamp is regulated and uses 3xAAA.
Maybe they wanted the flatter back surface with the 3 AAA's spread out instead of trying to build it around a single round AA.