hsa
Flashlight Enthusiast
^ I wanted a copper flashlight so I bought a Pokelit. The shiny copper is real pretty and the 519a is interesting.
Quality AA Recommendations
- Thread starter High_Noon
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
I have to agree that this light has become my most purchased in the past three years. With the warm tint, I am using it as our bathroom night lights, and head lamp. Reliable, simple ui, very in expensive, very usable light options, and it draws so efficiently, that whenever another device drains any AA, i am able to get hours more low output with those old batteries that would have just been recycled. And, they are wonderful gift lights for young family members. Highly recommend.
Schokokeks
Enlightened
Well, in the "Show your AA Flashlight" thread, I think I found out I am an extreme outlier around here in that I primarily have and use AA lights, so I'm just going to dump probably way more information than you want, haha.
The short best answer: Skilhunt E2A.
It's very affordable (under $20), is made well, has a very simple UI, comes in either cool white, neutral, or warm (high CRI), has decent regulation, and is dual fuel. It even comes in anodized orange and grey! It has a floody lens, so it's perfect for indoors or lighting up about 20 feet outdoors. REAR CLICKY SWITCH UI!
Second Place: Convoy T3/T5
T3 if you want balanced beams, T5 if you want flood (like the E2A). Pick your favorite emitter. The 519A's generally all look great in any CCT. The 3500K LH351D's he has also look fantastic. The T-series is likely slightly less robust than the E2A, which is really an EDC beater. These are JUST FINE, and a GREAT VALUE, but they're clearly a budget light from China. The T-series come in 4-mode only versions, and "customizable" UI's (you choose the modes from a pre-programmed list via a clicking interface built into the light). I have more variants of these than any other AA lights. Also a rear clicky switch UI.
The longer thoughts:
I'd skip lithium ion 14500 cells, and stick to Eneloop NiMH. Unless your friend wants a hobby in electronics, keeping tabs on lithium cells requires a modicum of effort and thought. Eneloops are braindead. Charge them...use them. They hold their charge for a long time, and for about $25, you can get a great charger and four AA cells that will last a decade. So no worrying about protected, unprotected, button top, flat top, the diameter, the overall length, charging, overdischarging, storing them, etc., etc. Li-ion cells are a pain in the donkey, and anyone who says otherwise 100% has at least a few spreadsheets about their lights and/or batteries (myself included), and/or they have labels on their batteries (myself included), and "charging/storing procedures" and/or specialized battery storage cases (myself included). They are a nerd (myself included), and do not understand how much normal people do NOT want to do this. The only advantage of 14500 is you can get access to turbo modes, which tend to just drain the cells really fast. At lower outputs (under ~150 lumens), the capacity differences aren't that huge. White Eneloops also have a significantly higher cycle count for recharges (~4X; Eneloop Pro have about the same cycle lifespan as a lithium ion), so they end up being SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to use over the long term. Also, 14500 cells in pretty much ANY of these is going to get REALLY HOT, really fast.
The Lumintop Tool AA has, from what I recall, very poor regulation and mediocre durability. For the same price, the Skilhunt E2A or a Convoy T3/T5 is better.
14500 dual fuel lights TEND to have poor regulation with 14500 cells, because if you are saving money on circuits, you focus on performance for "normal" AA cells, and can just let lithium cells run things directly for "gee whiz" turbo performance - regulating both costs a little more. Of course, there are lights that do both, but we're talking a budget light, so it tends to not be the case. Convoy T-series tend to actually have good regulation in dual fuel, for what it's worth, AND they are a very reasonable priced.
Someone mentioned the Acebeam Tac AA. If you can find those, they are very cheap, and surprisingly great for a "normal AA light." Most Acebeams in AA/14500 have poor regulation, and it's the same with Li-ion in these, but they're fine with AA's. A bit large, but that's because of a DEEP reflector. Excellent throwers for the money. Very simple UI. Comes in a neutral, high CRI 519A, or in a okayish CRI mystery emitter that actually looks decent, too, AND throws very well.
Someone mentioned the Convoy T6. Great thrower. I prefer the SFT-40 in 3000K (high CRI) to the SFT-25R (which throws better than the SFT-40), but both are nice, and Convoy has good regulation. A bit of a larger head, though, but still a relatively compact light.
Someone mentioned the Weltool T1. That's about 2X the budget, and it is probably the best Chinese made AA you'll get, and it throws very far while being compact. But, it's got a very ugly cool white beam that doesn't really have a ton of spill (I am highly biased towards high CRI beams from 3000-4500K, so take that for what it's worth). This is mostly a compact tactical thrower than an every day light.
If you're going to go outside your budget, consider the Peak LED Solutions El Capitan. It's about $60 for one in hard anodized aluminum. Made in USA. It's VERY simple, and you can e-mail to ask for a single-mode light, or keep the QTC in it (which makes it pressure adjustable brightness, but is a bit wonky). It's a very basic twisty that is well made, so there's really nothing TO go wrong. The narrow beam is the more usual, and the wide has a lens on it that makes it flood. You can also buy JUST the head, and swap as you see fit. It comes in a few body types, if you want to run it with a lanyard, or even a pressure activated switch. As far as I know, there is no regulation or...any circuitry in these, so they just twist and run off the LED, so they CAN over-discharge an unprotected cell. And, the QTC offers "modes," albeit not in a consistent manner, and without the QTC, it's a single mode.
Someone mentioned the Streamlight AA offerings. Those aren't bad at all if you don't mind the hideous beams. They are also dual fuel with CR123A batteries, but I flipping hate CR123A batteries, haha. I actually run the firearm version of this on my bicycle as an emergency backup light. It's a fully rigid mountainbike, and I've had this light for years on it, and it's still going.
Sofirn USED to sell the SP10 (non-pro, no Anduril) for about $20, and that was fantastic. I only see the Pro, now, and I'd 100% NOT give that to someone who doesn't want a new hobby in configuring their UI (I don't even want that hobby).
The nitecore LA10 (LA10 CRI is my preference, if you can find it) is a fun darkhorse nomination. ~$25, and has a "lipstick" UI, so it's either a floody light, or a lantern, It's neat, but the beam is a bit ugly, and while it's a great lantern, it is a bit goofy as a hand torch. Goofy twisty UI.
My final odd suggestion: Nitecore HA11. Okay, so this is technically a headlamp, BUT you can hold it in your hand easily (even with the cords on), or just remove the cords. It also comes with a clip so it can mount on a hat brim, on a pocket, etc. Ugly white beam with a central hotspot, and then a red LED. But, it's a LOT of functionality for $20, and it's very small and light. Decent quality for a headlamp, but I doubt it's handle drops as well as anything else listed.
I think that's a good range of your options under $25 (with two being well over that, without going further down that rabbit hole).
Okay, I lied. The ultimate small budget flashlight best option is to buy a PILE of Skilhunt E3A's in high CRI for under $10 each. They're an ultra compact, single AA light, but they're kind of the ultimate budget light. Almost 100 lumens for almost an hour (or maybe 70 lumes for 45 at worst), twisty, cheap, come in colors, come with different CCT's, and it's so small and light, you can beat the **** out of it, and it's just fine.
The short best answer: Skilhunt E2A.
It's very affordable (under $20), is made well, has a very simple UI, comes in either cool white, neutral, or warm (high CRI), has decent regulation, and is dual fuel. It even comes in anodized orange and grey! It has a floody lens, so it's perfect for indoors or lighting up about 20 feet outdoors. REAR CLICKY SWITCH UI!
Second Place: Convoy T3/T5
T3 if you want balanced beams, T5 if you want flood (like the E2A). Pick your favorite emitter. The 519A's generally all look great in any CCT. The 3500K LH351D's he has also look fantastic. The T-series is likely slightly less robust than the E2A, which is really an EDC beater. These are JUST FINE, and a GREAT VALUE, but they're clearly a budget light from China. The T-series come in 4-mode only versions, and "customizable" UI's (you choose the modes from a pre-programmed list via a clicking interface built into the light). I have more variants of these than any other AA lights. Also a rear clicky switch UI.
The longer thoughts:
I'd skip lithium ion 14500 cells, and stick to Eneloop NiMH. Unless your friend wants a hobby in electronics, keeping tabs on lithium cells requires a modicum of effort and thought. Eneloops are braindead. Charge them...use them. They hold their charge for a long time, and for about $25, you can get a great charger and four AA cells that will last a decade. So no worrying about protected, unprotected, button top, flat top, the diameter, the overall length, charging, overdischarging, storing them, etc., etc. Li-ion cells are a pain in the donkey, and anyone who says otherwise 100% has at least a few spreadsheets about their lights and/or batteries (myself included), and/or they have labels on their batteries (myself included), and "charging/storing procedures" and/or specialized battery storage cases (myself included). They are a nerd (myself included), and do not understand how much normal people do NOT want to do this. The only advantage of 14500 is you can get access to turbo modes, which tend to just drain the cells really fast. At lower outputs (under ~150 lumens), the capacity differences aren't that huge. White Eneloops also have a significantly higher cycle count for recharges (~4X; Eneloop Pro have about the same cycle lifespan as a lithium ion), so they end up being SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to use over the long term. Also, 14500 cells in pretty much ANY of these is going to get REALLY HOT, really fast.
The Lumintop Tool AA has, from what I recall, very poor regulation and mediocre durability. For the same price, the Skilhunt E2A or a Convoy T3/T5 is better.
14500 dual fuel lights TEND to have poor regulation with 14500 cells, because if you are saving money on circuits, you focus on performance for "normal" AA cells, and can just let lithium cells run things directly for "gee whiz" turbo performance - regulating both costs a little more. Of course, there are lights that do both, but we're talking a budget light, so it tends to not be the case. Convoy T-series tend to actually have good regulation in dual fuel, for what it's worth, AND they are a very reasonable priced.
Someone mentioned the Acebeam Tac AA. If you can find those, they are very cheap, and surprisingly great for a "normal AA light." Most Acebeams in AA/14500 have poor regulation, and it's the same with Li-ion in these, but they're fine with AA's. A bit large, but that's because of a DEEP reflector. Excellent throwers for the money. Very simple UI. Comes in a neutral, high CRI 519A, or in a okayish CRI mystery emitter that actually looks decent, too, AND throws very well.
Someone mentioned the Convoy T6. Great thrower. I prefer the SFT-40 in 3000K (high CRI) to the SFT-25R (which throws better than the SFT-40), but both are nice, and Convoy has good regulation. A bit of a larger head, though, but still a relatively compact light.
Someone mentioned the Weltool T1. That's about 2X the budget, and it is probably the best Chinese made AA you'll get, and it throws very far while being compact. But, it's got a very ugly cool white beam that doesn't really have a ton of spill (I am highly biased towards high CRI beams from 3000-4500K, so take that for what it's worth). This is mostly a compact tactical thrower than an every day light.
If you're going to go outside your budget, consider the Peak LED Solutions El Capitan. It's about $60 for one in hard anodized aluminum. Made in USA. It's VERY simple, and you can e-mail to ask for a single-mode light, or keep the QTC in it (which makes it pressure adjustable brightness, but is a bit wonky). It's a very basic twisty that is well made, so there's really nothing TO go wrong. The narrow beam is the more usual, and the wide has a lens on it that makes it flood. You can also buy JUST the head, and swap as you see fit. It comes in a few body types, if you want to run it with a lanyard, or even a pressure activated switch. As far as I know, there is no regulation or...any circuitry in these, so they just twist and run off the LED, so they CAN over-discharge an unprotected cell. And, the QTC offers "modes," albeit not in a consistent manner, and without the QTC, it's a single mode.
Someone mentioned the Streamlight AA offerings. Those aren't bad at all if you don't mind the hideous beams. They are also dual fuel with CR123A batteries, but I flipping hate CR123A batteries, haha. I actually run the firearm version of this on my bicycle as an emergency backup light. It's a fully rigid mountainbike, and I've had this light for years on it, and it's still going.
Sofirn USED to sell the SP10 (non-pro, no Anduril) for about $20, and that was fantastic. I only see the Pro, now, and I'd 100% NOT give that to someone who doesn't want a new hobby in configuring their UI (I don't even want that hobby).
The nitecore LA10 (LA10 CRI is my preference, if you can find it) is a fun darkhorse nomination. ~$25, and has a "lipstick" UI, so it's either a floody light, or a lantern, It's neat, but the beam is a bit ugly, and while it's a great lantern, it is a bit goofy as a hand torch. Goofy twisty UI.
My final odd suggestion: Nitecore HA11. Okay, so this is technically a headlamp, BUT you can hold it in your hand easily (even with the cords on), or just remove the cords. It also comes with a clip so it can mount on a hat brim, on a pocket, etc. Ugly white beam with a central hotspot, and then a red LED. But, it's a LOT of functionality for $20, and it's very small and light. Decent quality for a headlamp, but I doubt it's handle drops as well as anything else listed.
I think that's a good range of your options under $25 (with two being well over that, without going further down that rabbit hole).
Okay, I lied. The ultimate small budget flashlight best option is to buy a PILE of Skilhunt E3A's in high CRI for under $10 each. They're an ultra compact, single AA light, but they're kind of the ultimate budget light. Almost 100 lumens for almost an hour (or maybe 70 lumes for 45 at worst), twisty, cheap, come in colors, come with different CCT's, and it's so small and light, you can beat the **** out of it, and it's just fine.
