RELIABLE, ECONOMIC, MINIMAL FEATURES, MODERATE OUTPUT, AA LIGHT ?

[Saiga]

Hi guys, long time no see. I'm looking to pick up and stash a couple extra lights, as gifts for unenlightened family, and as possible future loaners. Single AA is a possibility, but double AA is really what I'm after.
I'm looking for suggestions on something very economical (say, sub $25), that's highly reliable, with as few features as humanly possible (though a power-saving 'low' is fine, but definitely prefer no strobe and multi-settings).
Twisty or clicky is fine.
I also prefer a more practical, moderate output, rather than a huge thrower, as this is more for indoor, routine household use. Extended run-time is more desirable than impressive output.
I'm thinking something like the Ray-o-vac Indestructable AA might be close to ideal,( $15 at Home Depot, I believe) though I'd prefer even less out put than the 100/30 lumens of this light ( like maybe 60/5, if I had the option).
Anyway, you get the idea,any suggestions are much appreciated........

 

[Poppy]

The 2 AA indestructible immediately came to mind, except that it is more a thrower than a flooder. A small piece of diffusion tape supposedly turns it into a nice beam. It is built like a tank... like a piece of black pipe with rubber bumpers on the ends. It can tail stand, and can be a decent power outage light. Definitely high on my loaner list of lights.

 

[mcnair55]

A visit to Walmart etc will sort you out nicely loads in there to fit your budget.My mate works for Dorcy in the US&A and he has plenty like you are after.

 

[FlashKat]

I like these http://www.sbflashlights.com/L3-Illumination-L10-Colors-Cree-XPG2-p278.html

 

[Poppy]

A visit to Walmart etc will sort you out nicely loads in there to fit your budget.My mate works for Dorcy in the US&A and he has plenty like you are after.

I'm sorry my friend, but you would probably be surprised how few AA and 2AA lights Walmart carries, on their shelves. If one looks at their website, it seems that they carry every light under the sun, but, however, within their four walls, that isn't so. Regarding the Dorsey brand, you might find some 6v floating lanterns, and some 2D cell lights.

The one nearest my house used to carry a 2xAA Rayovac with a PR2 led bulb for a whopping $1.50 model EVB2AALED-B rated at 12 lumens for 23 hours. The beam is different shades of green, blue, and white, and has lots of rings, but it does tail stand and burns eneloops. I can only find one of the four or so that I bought, but you don't see me crying. Each time I am in Walmart, I look to see if they re-stocked them. I have a bunch of AA Duraloops and not too many lights to use them.

During my last trip to walmart, I noted that they added a selection of coleman, and ozark trail lights that take 6 and 8 AA cells, but the only two I can recall that they had that took 2AA cells were a Maglight 2AA, and the Rayovac 2AA indestructible. They had coast lights, but IIRC they were of the 3xAAA variety.

I like these http://www.sbflashlights.com/L3-Illumination-L10-Colors-Cree-XPG2-p278.html

Geez, I was looking at those L10's just the other day. They are a great suggestion.

 

[mcnair55]

I'm sorry my friend, but you would probably be surprised how few AA and 2AA lights Walmart carries, on their shelves. If one looks at their website, it seems that they carry every light under the sun, but, however, within their four walls, that isn't so. Regarding the Dorsey brand, you might find some 6v floating lanterns, and some 2D cell lights.

The one nearest my house used to carry a 2xAA Rayovac with a PR2 led bulb for a whopping $1.50 model EVB2AALED-B rated at 12 lumens for 23 hours. The beam is different shades of green, blue, and white, and has lots of rings, but it does tail stand and burns eneloops. I can only find one of the four or so that I bought, but you don't see me crying. Each time I am in Walmart, I look to see if they re-stocked them. I have a bunch of AA Duraloops and not too many lights to use them.

During my last trip to walmart, I noted that they added a selection of coleman, and ozark trail lights that take 6 and 8 AA cells, but the only two I can recall that they had that took 2AA cells were a Maglight 2AA, and the Rayovac 2AA indestructible. They had coast lights, but IIRC they were of the 3xAAA variety.


Geez, I was looking at those L10's just the other day. They are a great suggestion.

That is why i always but etc meaning that type of store Target/Costco for example.

 

[Poppy]

That is why i always but etc meaning that type of store Target/Costco for example.

Yeah... Target has pretty much the same with even less of a selection.

One would think that there would be a larger selection of 2AA lights in the budget/mass market. Certainly there are more 3xAAA lights. My guess is that 3AAA lights are cheaper to make with fewer electronics to bump the voltage up to feed the LED, but I really don't know.

 

[mcnair55]

Yeah... Target has pretty much the same with even less of a selection.

One would think that there would be a larger selection of 2AA lights in the budget/mass market. Certainly there are more 3xAAA lights. My guess is that 3AAA lights are cheaper to make with fewer electronics to bump the voltage up to feed the LED, but I really don't know.

I hate those 3AAA lights you can buy them over here for next to nothing and they are rubbish.Personally i find Costco good,they were doing a good deal last year on a pack of 5 Snap On branded pen lights for about £25 ish and good quality as well.

 

[Poppy]

I hate those 3AAA lights you can buy them over here for next to nothing and they are rubbish.Personally i find Costco good,they were doing a good deal last year on a pack of 5 Snap On branded pen lights for about £25 ish and good quality as well.

Snap On is a Quailty tool manufacturer, I would expect a light branded by them would be of good quality. Occasionally Costco is mentioned in the "Good Deals" section of http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/forum.php

Personally my very brief encounter with Costco is that one needs to be aware of current prices when he shops there, or at similar "membership" stores. Good deals can certainly be had, but one may also pay more there for some things, than he could get the same item at a local supermarket. They do apparently, sometimes have good prices on some flashlights, and sometimes good prices for eneloops. Do they typically have a large selection of lights, or just the deal of the month?

 

[TEEJ]

Snap On is a Quailty tool manufacturer, I would expect a light branded by them would be of good quality. Occasionally Costco is mentioned in the "Good Deals" section of http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/forum.php

Personally my very brief encounter with Costco is that one needs to be aware of current prices when he shops there, or at similar "membership" stores. Good deals can certainly be had, but one may also pay more there for some things, than he could get the same item at a local supermarket. They do apparently, sometimes have good prices on some flashlights, and sometimes good prices for eneloops. Do they typically have a large selection of lights, or just the deal of the month?

Snap on tools (Wrenches for pro mechanics, etc)...are quality tools. The lights they sell in box stores are rubbish though, I had tried some.

For cheap lights, Lowes and Home Depot, around here at least, have a better selection than Costco, etc.

 

[Poppy]

Thanks TEEJ,
On the subject of rubbish penlights, I picked up a Dorcy 2 AAA penlight model 41-1218 at Kmart a few weeks ago. It has an "angry blue" tint. :sick2: I expected it to be better since it sports a nichia led.

 

[TEEJ]

Thanks TEEJ,
On the subject of rubbish penlights, I picked up a Dorcy 2 AAA penlight model 41-1218 at Kmart a few weeks ago. It has an "angry blue" tint. :sick2: I expected it to be better since it sports a nichia led.

Nichia makes more LED than just the 219 high CRI.

Its like "CREE LED!" you see bandied about in ads....they make a variety of price points.



Angry Blue is on the low price point part of the spectrum...as blue's the cheapest color.

 

[Charles L.]

If single AA is OK with you, consider the L3 Illumination L10. If you search, you can find them with a Nichia 219 emitter (nice tint) for about $25.00. Four output levels, simple to use.

 

[lionesser]

I do not have very much experience with lights. However, my go to brand is Fenix. On the Fenix product line up the two models that come to mind are the e12, 8/50/130 on a single aa or ld01 27/10/80 on a single aaa. I regularly carry the e12 since its launch and rely on it for my daily tasks.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I like these http://www.sbflashlights.com/L3-Illumination-L10-Colors-Cree-XPG2-p278.html

I have an XP-G2 4 mode version and for not a lot of money, it's small and packs a pretty good punch. Moonlight mode is a nice option, as is being able to run on a 14500 li-ion cells.

Cool designer colors, as well.

Chris