Recommend a single stage AA light......

[kitelights]

I usually hate these kind of posts b/c they usually reflect laziness. I just don't have the time to search and would appreciate some input from those who have kept up with the latest and greatest.

I've got several multi-mode 1AA lights and I like them, but I need a single stage 1AA light for my GF's mother (Marge) who is in her 80's. She just won't deal with a multi-mode light very well.

I gave my own mother a L1P for the same reason - simplicity. It's fine for her because she only uses it occasionally and she has an ARC AAA/DS (upgrade from an older LE) on her keychain that she uses more often.

The difference for Marge is that she walks a dog and the light will be used more often and more "seriously." I would prefer to take advantage of a newer, higher efficiency LED over the Lux I in the L1P for either more output or longer runtime. She likes the size of the L1P.

I'm not interested in ANYTHING from Peak - please don't even bring it up in this thread.

She'll be using alkalines unless I get really involved later on and give her 6-8 Eneloops, get the used ones from her once a week, charge them, and rotate them out every week to two weeks.

Is there a light that will fit my criteria or do I have to settle for an older L1P?

 

[NA8]

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1995

Buy a couple and you can quickly fix any quality issues.

If you want something more expensive, there's the Lumapower LM31 and the Fenix L1Tv2. They're two stages, but pretty much idiot proof.

 

[Marduke]

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1995

Buy a couple and you can quickly fix any quality issues.

If you want something more expensive, there's the Lumapower LM31 and the Fenix L1Tv2. They're two stages, but pretty much idiot proof.

Or the C3
Or the 2xAA option for longer runtime.

 

[kitelights]

I'll eleminate the LM31 because of switching thru high and low - need on / off.

I love the L1Tv2, but it looks like it won't ship until Jan 08 and I need it before Xmas, preferably now. Looks like a light that I might get for myself - I'm growing tired of switching thru all those modes on the multi-mode Crees, but it is nice to have a high and a low.

Both of the dealextreme lights, the SSC-P4 and the Cree, look promising. For this particular gift, I'd prefer a higher quality light, but the two of these will be great gifts for my less "serious" users. Depending on your input, I might settle on one for Marge.

Any comments on them would be appreciated. Are they reliable enough to give as gifts? I've heard mixed reports about shipping from Dealextreme. Am I likely to get them for Xmas if I order them this week?

Thanks, the suggestions are just what I what.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

A nice reliable 1 AA light with one stage twist on-off would be a Lumapower F1. Much higher quality than most DX lights. I can't think of many other simple, single-mode lights other than maybe a RR in Target.

 

[LEDninja]

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1995

Buy a couple and you can quickly fix any quality issues.

If you want something more expensive, there's the Lumapower LM31 and the Fenix L1Tv2. They're two stages, but pretty much idiot proof.

All 4 of my MTE have QC stickers and they all work. Long for an AA light.

The Fenix L1Tv2RB80 is brighter on high but the low at 15 lumens is a bad compromise for walking (I prefer 30 lumens) and close in work (I prefer 4 lumens).

 

[Bror Jace]

kitelights, one thing you might want to consider is the switch type.

A stiff rear clicky might be too difficult/uncomfortable for an 80 year old woman to manipulate.

We had a thread in the general flashlight subsection dealing with lights for senior citizens and it brought up all kinds of features to make a light user-friendly ... especially for arthritic hands.

I'll see if I can find it and then link to it.

 

[Marduke]

How about an off-the-shelf MiniMag? Either the 2xAA MiniMagLED or a 2xAA incan one upgraded with a Cree dropin or SMJLED?

 

[jumpstat]

The inova X1, long runtime, small form factor single AA and its reasonably priced also.

 

[bhds]

I
I love the L1Tv2, but it looks like it won't ship until Jan 08 and I need it before Xmas, preferably now. Looks like a light that I might get for myself - I'm growing tired of switching thru all those modes on the multi-mode Crees, but it is nice to have a high and a low.

Keep in mind that on high the L1Tv2 with alkalines dims very fast. It beats the L1p output up to about the 50 minute mark. after that its pretty much done for

 

[Bror Jace]

Found the thread on flashlights for older folks:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=131556&highlight=elderly

 

[kitelights]

A nice reliable 1 AA light with one stage twist on-off would be a Lumapower F1. Much higher quality than most DX lights. I can't think of many other simple, single-mode lights other than maybe a RR in Target.

I'm avoiding twisties because of the confusion of which way to twist it for older people. My mother has carried an ARC AAA for a couple of years now and even though I've shown her how to keep it set less than a quarter turn from on, occasionally she'll twist the wrong direction and will struggle to get it back to where she can turn it on.

LEDninja All 4 of my MTE have QC stickers and they all work. Long for an AA light.

The Fenix L1Tv2RB80 is brighter on high but the low at 15 lumens is a bad compromise for walking (I prefer 30 lumens) and close in work (I prefer 4 lumens).

Slighter longer for Marge is probably a good thing - easier to hold, but less than 2AA format. Comforting to know that quality is good.

I'd have to use the Fenix to form an opinion about the settings, but 4 lumens is not enough for me to be comfortable for close up; but I'm older and need more light than I used to. The 15 depends on the beam pattern as to how well it'll work for me. I do appreciate the input - I'm not likely to jump at it now as quickly until I know more.

Bror Jace kitelights, one thing you might want to consider is the switch type.

A stiff rear clicky might be too difficult/uncomfortable for an 80 year old woman to manipulate.

We had a thread in the general flashlight subsection dealing with lights for senior citizens and it brought up all kinds of features to make a light user-friendly ... especially for arthritic hands.

I'll see if I can find it and then link to it.

My mother is using a L1P and making do. It is an effort, but not a struggle. I watched her turn it on earlier this evening when I took her home from the drs office. The bigger problem is finding which end is the switch.

I let Marge use my RexLight Sunday night and it did take some effort, but she got it. I'm fairly comfortable that it'll get much easier as she develops a feel for the clicky on this size light.

I brought two other 2AA lights for Marge to try, a Brinkmann with a BB drop in and the Costco Lux I. Both have rear clickies. The Brinkmann is slightly fatter than a Mag and has a ribbed rubber sleeve and the Costco is even bigger. They didn't interest her at all. She liked the 1AA form factor which is why I started this thread.

Marduke How about an off-the-shelf MiniMag? Either the 2xAA MiniMagLED or a 2xAA incan one upgraded with a Cree dropin or SMJLED?

Only interested in 1AA form. I've got several high dollar drop ins, but they're in Brinkmanns. If I was considering 2AA, it wouldn't include Mag - I won't support them anymore. I've still got a couple around that I haven't gotten rid of, but no more for me.

jumpstat The inova X1, long runtime, small form factor single AA and its reasonably priced also

.
I'm an admirer of Innova. I've got several X5s from way back and picked up a couple of 2AA Radiants on closeout. They make tanks, but I don't like the direction that they've gone in with with pencil beams. IIRC, that's what the X1 is now.

Seems there was one generation that had a more useable beam. If I'm wrong, or the beam with spill is still available, please let me know. That would be a good contender.

bhds Keep in mind that on high the L1Tv2 with alkalines dims very fast. It beats the L1p output up to about the 50 minute mark. after that its pretty much done for

You guys have given me some good info on this light. If I got it for myself, I'd use lithiums or rechargeables and I generally use a light for short periods, not like Marge using a light for extended periods walking a dog.

 

[NA8]

Looks like these guys MAY have the L1Tv2 in stock.

http://www.eliteled.com/products/flashlights/fenix-l1t-v2.html

 

[Marduke]

.
I'm an admirer of Innova. I've got several X5s from way back and picked up a couple of 2AA Radiants on closeout. They make tanks, but I don't like the direction that they've gone in with with pencil beams. IIRC, that's what the X1 is now.

Seems there was one generation that had a more useable beam. If I'm wrong, or the beam with spill is still available, please let me know. That would be a good contender.

There are actually 3 generations of the X1. gen1 has the spot beam, and is hard to find these days. gen 2 has a Nichia CS LED and a reflector. gen 3 uses a very underdriven Luxeon 2.0 watt (emitter spec, not what it's driven at) and has a much deeper reflector. Both gen2 and gen3 can generally still be found is some stores such as Target and Academy Sports, just check the packaging, and I would stay away from the "2.0 Watt" version. But, she would probably forget which way to twist most of the time. Might be worth checking out for yourself though.