Recommendations for best AA light

[ruf997tt]

I'm looking for something that doesn't have to be super bright (20+lm), is easy on batteries, can be left in a drawer for long periods without too much parasitic drain, reasonable quality for the price, and is relatively inexpensive (<$20).

Suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[ruf997tt]

After finding and reading other threads with similar requests I think the Romisen RC29 is what I am looking for. Consider this thread closed.

 

[keeperofdakeys]

The Xeno E03, while a little more expensive, is a very nice light. I'd checkout selfbuilt's review of it as well (on this forum).

 

[JJohn]

After finding and reading other threads with similar requests I think the Romisen RC29 is what I am looking for. Consider this thread closed.

Really?

 

[ruf997tt]

Really?

Do you have another suggestion or is it that you don't much care for the Romisen RC-29? :confused:

 

[keeperofdakeys]

Do you have another suggestion or is it that you don't much care for the Romisen RC-29? :confused:

Romisen lights and *fire lights (except genuine Surefire) tend to be lower in quality, and exagerate their lumen claims. They give the max rating for the LED, instead of OTF (off the front) values, which differ greatly if the LED is being underdriven. So most flashaholics will steer clear of them.

The truth is that they can work quite well, and if they do break (or wear out) are easy to replace. The quality can vary between models as well, with some being surprisingly good. So buying cheap flashlights is quite fine, unlike cheap batteries, which you should stay clear of (mainly Li-Ion).

Personallly I'd say the Xeno E03 wold be a much better buy, but its your choice.

 

[JJohn]

My response was questioning two things. The first was "closing of the discussion" before we all had fun giving suggestions. The second was the choice given the title "best AA light". It may be the best for your uses. There are many others I like better. They are just a bit more money but are, in my opinion, built better. Some examples are the Thrunite T10 $29, the olight I2 at $25, Fenix E11 $27. Now if you go even further with price, things get even more interesting, but that's not what you asked for.


Is it the focussing you want? If so, well then, perhaps the RC29 might be best for you. Some folks prefer the more traditional hotspot with spill that a reflector produces. All depends on how you use it.

 

[ruf997tt]

The Xeno E03, while a little more expensive, is a very nice light. I'd checkout selfbuilt's review of it as well (on this forum).

Thanks for the recommendation. I read the review and watched a few YouTube videos and ended up buying one.

 

[ruf997tt]

My response was questioning two things. The first was "closing of the discussion" before we all had fun giving suggestions. The second was the choice given the title "best AA light". It may be the best for your uses. There are many others I like better. They are just a bit more money but are, in my opinion, built better. Some examples are the Thrunite T10 $29, the olight I2 at $25, Fenix E11 $27. Now if you go even further with price, things get even more interesting, but that's not what you asked for.


Is it the focussing you want? If so, well then, perhaps the RC29 might be best for you. Some folks prefer the more traditional hotspot with spill that a reflector produces. All depends on how you use it.

I'm glad you and Keeper persevered in the discussion as it made me take a deeper look at other options. I decided that I needed to upgrade all my lighting so I will have more than one light. I will look at your suggestions as well. Thank you.

 

[dusty99]

ThruNite T10 ($20 shipped on ebay from the factory store) or SB Flashlight's L3 L10 ($21 with XP-G). Both are more pocketable than the Romisen, and don't have plastic lenses to get scratched. The build quality of the L10 is superb for such a lo-profile light, and the super-low moonlight (in the 4-mode config) is a perfect night-time map light.

 

[reppans]

^^ +1 on the T10, and Im interested in the N219 on the L10 too, but hear it has a sponge spring?

 

[dusty99]

Yes but the contact functions differently from the Ti's little spring tab. The L10 has a true twisty interface and the dense foam ring just keeps things snug. Still, these are new lights, so there is no way yet to know about real longevity. Maybe L3 will upgrade to a short metal coil spring in the future. It looks like it would fit.

 

[Norm]

Yes but the contact functions differently from the Ti's little spring tab.

Dusty are you confusing the TI with the T10, the TI is AAA and the T10 is AA with a normal twisty type of interface.

My vote is for the T 10 my favourite AA light far superior to any Romison light.

Norm

 

[ruf997tt]

I like the looks of the Thrunite T10 but I prefer a clicky rather than a twisty and I would also like the option of 14500.

 

[keeperofdakeys]

I like the looks of the Thrunite T10 but I prefer a clicky rather than a twisty and I would also like the option of 14500.

Due to the dramatic difference in voltage between a AA and 14500, you need different circuitry to get fully regulated low levels on both batteries. Most cheaper lights tend to forgo this circuitry, and make a 14500 go 'direct drive', which means you lose all low modes and tend to slightly damage the LED (this leads to an lower life, but you'd never notice this in practice). One light that is fully regulated is the Foursevens Quark, however these are $60+. So I suggest you stick with just AA for now.

Don't forget about the Xeno E03 I mentioned earlier, which is a clicky, and a very nice light.

 

[Al_D]

The Xeno E03 is great on 14500s. The only downside (XM-L Versions) is that your low is no longer low and your high is particularly outrageous.
All the current E03 V3s ship with their newest 3+3 driver ([M, L, H] + [S, LB, SOS]). It's not my favorite UI but it's decent enough for a light very well built for the price. The XP-G and XM-L versions are great and Xeno loves multiple SKUs carrying CW, NW, WW emitters. Arguably one of the best AA/14500 (based on value considering the $20-$25 street).

Some Romisens are good lights but there are so many that offer more at a higher value proposition/built quality.

 

[dusty99]

Norm: I wasn't confusing them at all, though perhaps I wasn't clear. I was comparing three lights: ThruNite's Ti and T10, and L3 Illumination's L10. "reppans" was asking about the L10, I think, but was concerned about the foam gasket, which the Ti has also (not the T10). Yes, the Ti is the AAA light with the little spring tab. I included it because it gets criticized for the foam gasket and its potential longevity, and the L10 also has a foam gasket, but I think it is less critical due to the twisty switch. The T10 has a twist switch and a coil spring in the body. I have all three here on my desk as I type this (and yes, the T10 is a nice little light).

 

[fractal]

Are you asking for a single AA light or are you open to a two cell unit?

If you are, consider the Raovac indestructable 2 x AA with lithium aa's. It will sit in your drawer for a decade and still work almost as well as the day you tossed it in. It is big enough that you will find it by feel in the drawer when the lights are off. And, it costs 20 bucks WITH the lithium aa's from your local retailer (home depot or wallmart).

 

[ruf997tt]

To all those enlightened people suggesting Xeno E03 I just want to say thanks. I received it and could not be happier with it. Exactly what I was looking for, except it cost $25 rather $20, but the extra $5 seems to be well spent.

I do have a question as the manual doesn't mention the 'hidden' modes. Anyone know how to view the extra modes?

Man, I just can't stop playing with this thing.

 

[ToyTank]

To all those enlightened people suggesting Xeno E03 I just want to say thanks. I received it and could not be happier with it. Exactly what I was looking for, except it cost $25 rather $20, but the extra $5 seems to be well spent.

I do have a question as the manual doesn't mention the 'hidden' modes. Anyone know how to view the extra modes?

Man, I just can't stop playing with this thing.

Glad you like the E03 it is a fine light. own one previously had 2. There are many decent AA lights to fit in all price ranges.

I was coming in to recommend an L10-norm beat me to it.