Quality AA Recommendations

[High_Noon]

A buddy asked me to recommend 4 or 5 quality lights that utilize AA batteries and are relatively inexpensive. I have little to no experience with cheaper, quality lights and I'm interested in the forum's recommendations.

Use: general purpose at the lake house

Budget: approximately $25.00 - $35.00 ea

Notes: I've yet to find a quality light in the price range I've listed - most are Chinese crap. I'm looking for a quality emitter AA light that doesn't break the bank and that has a decent amount of throw. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

EDIT: Maybe something along the lines of the old Surefire G2X but cheaper?

High_Noon

 

[troutpool]

Check out the Lumintop Tool AA 2.0. This light gets very good reviews.

 

[vadimax]

A buddy asked me to recommend 4 or 5 quality lights that utilize AA batteries and are relatively inexpensive. I have little to no experience with cheaper, quality lights and I'm interested in the forum's recommendations.

Use: general purpose at the lake house

Budget: approximately $25.00 - $35.00 ea

Notes: I've yet to find a quality light in the price range I've listed - most are Chinese crap. I'm looking for a quality emitter AA light that doesn't break the bank and that has a decent amount of throw. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

EDIT: Maybe something along the lines of the old Surefire G2X but cheaper?

High_Noon

I would offer Convoy T3 or T4 (AliExpress) with Nichia emitters. I own a T4 in Titanium which is absolutely gorgeous, but there are aluminum versions as well.

 

[glockboy]

Check out the OLIGHT I5T.

 

[High_Noon]

Thanks for the recommendations fellers. I'm reviewing them now.

Does anyone recommend an Acebeam?

 

[jacobd]

The new Convoy T6 with the 6500k SFT25r emitter. Really impressive throw, easy to use, good driver, and runs on AA

Very inexpensive

This killed the acebeam tac aa for me, due to the better emitter choices and cost factor.

 

[High_Noon]

Thanks, jacobd

 

[ghostguy6]

The Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 as already recommended but I suggest you get a 14500 cell so it will operate at its peak brightness's.
The Acebeam TAC AA or the Pokelit will work well as they have a nice beam profile. These lights also come with a usb-c rechargeable 14500 cell installed already but will also run of nimh or alkyleaks as well. The TAC AA will be more throwy than the Pokelit. I dont own any convoy lights yet but they come hightly recommended buy many members here.

Best advice I can give you is try to avoid lights that use Alkaine cells only, especially if your are leaving it unattteded for periods of time. Lithuim ion or NiMH cells wont leak like alkaline cells will.

Personally I would avoid Olight, they tend to favor proprietary cells with abnormal voltages or electrical connections so you must use their brand if you want peak performance. These cells are often out of stock or quickly discontinued which forces you to buy a new light when the cell no longer takes a charge. Olight quality seems to be hit or miss and losts of people have reported poor customer service. If you want to try them I would really do your homework on the brand before buying.

 

[High_Noon]

Thanks ghostguy6

 

[High_Noon]

if I advise my buddy to go with a lithium battery, which would be my preference over alkaline, my preference would be to get a light that utilizes 18650 batteries. An 18650 with a USB-C rechargeable would be my preference as he wouldn't need a separate battery charger.

The question is are there any quality 18650 lights in his price range and if so, any recommendations?

 

[sim1tti]

Another bump for the Lumintop Tool and any of the Convoy AA lights. Great values. Not to be overlooked is that some Tools also have Nichia emitters, and Convoy gives you a choice of emitter on most models.

Rechargeable 1.5 V 14500 Lithium Ions are the way to go, IMO. They work in most everything that regular AAs do. But since the Tool and the Convoy lights are also able to handle the 3.7V 14500 cells, this may not be applicable to you.

Emisar D4V2 stands out as a current value 18650 light as it's on sale. Unprotected cells only though. No USB charging for unprotected cells (that I know of).

Thrunite has some value models that use protected 18650s. Maybe check some of those out.

Skillhunt S2 Pro and S3 Pro are on clearance right now. No experience with them, but look to be great deals for USB rechargable 18650 lights. Protected cells.

With 18650s, just make sure you get cells that fit and are rated for enough discharge to power the light. 18650 cells vary quite a bit.

 

[High_Noon]

Thanks sim1tti. I didn't realize there was so much variability in 18650 cells. Perhaps the Lumintop Tool 2.0 or 3.0 would be the best bet with the Convoy T6 as a close second. I read a review of the Acebeam TAC, but the lack of memory & strobe might push it a bit farther down the list.

 

[this_is_nascar]

UltraTac A1. It's basically a Tool AA that always starts on low.

 

[High_Noon]

Thanks this_is_nascar, I'll take a look

 

[ghostguy6]

Thanks sim1tti. I didn't realize there was so much variability in 18650 cells. Perhaps the Lumintop Tool 2.0 or 3.0 would be the best bet with the Convoy T6 as a close second. I read a review of the Acebeam TAC, but the lack of memory & strobe might push it a bit farther down the list.

The Acebeam TAC AA does have a memory.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

Coast Polysteel 600. 4AA. 710 lumens with twist focus. $23.18 at Home Depot's website.

 

[Going_Gear]

It's outside of that price range but the Weltool T1 Pro V2 and the T1 Pro Tac are such amazing 14500 lights. I think someone mentioned the Lumintop Tool AA and Acebeam Pokelit. Both of those are in that range and are quality lights.

 

[DHart]

I like this one a lot, running with a 14500 Li-Ion rechargeable for potent output. And I keep spare Li-Ions charged up, so I can swap for a fully-charged cell whenever desired. If you use the light frequently, it's nice to be able to start each day with a fully-charged cell! (Not practical to do that when you run a primary.)

This light also runs on a AA size lithium primary. And, if you had to - in a pinch, you can run it with a ubiquitous AA alkaline.

D25A Clicky MKII

www.eagtac.com

 

[Monocrom]

Streamlight 1L-1AA.
Fantastic! Plus, it's dual-fuel and can also run on a single CR123A lithium primary too.

 

[Toulouse42]

One observation here is who will be using them. If its only your friend then any UI that he's happy with will do. However some of my lights might be used by non flashaholic family members so a simple UI might be wise. The Acebeam Pokelit AA has a simple click click click UI that any one can master in seconds. That plus a decent (supplied) 14500 gives you 600 ish very useful lumens. Lumintop Tool AA (Ver 2 or 3) also a great choice plus its cheaper than the Acebeam.

PS I don't avoid Olight but I only buy ones that use standard batteries. Nothing proprietary!!