Show your AA flashlight

hellboy90

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Apr 1, 2020
Messages
14
Lets show your AA, 14500 flashlight
Here I have Jaxman e3 and convoy t6 🔦
IMG_20250118_133037.jpg
 
I have never seen a Zebralight runtime test on Alkaline, all I can find is performance on Eneloop..
i just want one that will run from dusk to dawn at decent brithness enough to see to get out of woods if lost yes im weird lol
 
Lets show your AA, 14500 flashlight
Here I have Jaxman e3 and convoy t6 🔦
View attachment 73101
Oh, lord...The titles of this thread has flashlight, and it's not plural...

So... AA/14500 is kind of 90% of what I am interested in...so, MAYBE I'm a real outlier here, hahaha.
AA is life, Eneloop is life.

Headlamps (the best size of headlamps):
Acebeam H16
Skilhunt H150 (3000K and 4500K)
Zebralight H53FcN
Nitecore HA11
Nitecore HA23

Not pictured (Cause I recently gave it away: Manker E02 II, warm


For the flashlights...
2xAA (not my favorite format):
Nitecore MT20A
Nitecore MT2A Pro
Convoy T4 (4000K 519A)
Malkoff MD3 (M31L 219B)
Maglite Specturm
Surefire Scout M600AA-DSS (I have another one, but it's mounted on a rifle)
Ixon IQ Premium (4xAA)

Single AA (maybe the best light size, possible single AAA, too):
MD1.5 with M31W
MDC AA Neutral (SST-20 4000K)
MDC AA 4500K 519A
Manker E05 II 519A
Weltool T1 Pro
Skilhunt M150
Acebeam Tac AA 519A
Acebeam Tac AA 6500K mystery emitter
Convoy T6 SFT-40 3000K
Convory T6 SFT-25R 5000K
Peak El Capitan Warm
Convoy T5 5700K 519A
Convoy T5 SST-20 DR
Convoy T5 W1 Amber
Convoy T3 4000K 519A
Convoy T3 LH351D 3500K
Convoy T3 219B 4500K
Convoy T3 5000K 519A
Convoy T5 2700K 519A
Sofirn SP10 5000K
Nitecore LA10 CRI
Sofirn HS05 2700K
Sofirn HS05 4000K
Streamlight Protac

Not pictured:
2x Skilhunt E2A high CRI
Several Sofirn HS05's strewn around, mostly in 4000K and 5000K.

Not pictured (recently given away):
Sofirn SP10 4000K
Elzetta G-EDA-CC
Reylight LanApples



I also have a in-between sized collection of AAA lights; a few headlamps, and maybe half a dozen flashlights.

That all being said, if anyone has questions about an AA light, there's a decent chance it's passed through my hands at some point, hahahha. I think there are some that I've had and just...forgotten about as I've given them away over the years.

Despite all this, the only lights that have died/had issues in this format:
Maglite 2xAA (it shipped with alkalines, and I didn't realize it, so I didn't remove them, and they leaked...wrecking the insides)
Sofirn HS05 (dropped frequently...still sort of works, but only in moonlight. I think another one just outright died...?)
Zebralight H53FcN (UI was jacked up from the start, and I had to unscrew the tailcap after shutting it off to even get it to come back on, which progressed into it just mostly not working)
Nitecore MT20A (it's fine, but when it falls, it dents the ends of the Eneloops inside pretty badly)
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20250118_102501416.jpg
    IMG_20250118_102501416.jpg
    2.8 MB · Views: 263
  • IMG_20250118_102917473.jpg
    IMG_20250118_102917473.jpg
    5.2 MB · Views: 1,223
Oof, AA / AAA has to be my worst format lights. But I guess it's where most of us started the journey.
I've sold several of the smaller Coast lights I had, such as the G10 and G19. Too small for my needs, so they never saw any use.

What I still have of any brand names:
Manker E02H headlamp (1x AAA)
Coast G45 (3x AAA)

2x Fenix E21 (2x AA)
Fenix HP10 (4x AA)
Streamlight Knucklehead (4x AA)
2x Fenix TK45 (8x AA)

Got some pictures of them here.
 
have you tried Alkaline in that Zebra, how well did it work?
I have not, because I don't keep alkalines on hand. I'd venture it'd work decently. It runs like a champ on an Eneloop, though I only use it on a medium output. I'm sure if you used at at a higher level, it'd have a more aggressive step down. I wouldn't know if it runs them dead, as it steps down, and that's when I usually take out my Eneloop. I think if you kept it running at that reduced power, it'd go for quite a bit. Outside of my El Capitan, none of the other lights I tried would even power on with the Eneloop after the stepdown hit (incidentally, I think I realized I have to be a bit more careful with my El Capitan, as it might run an Eneloop dead).

I would be curious if it fully discharges an Alkaline. Their page says it operates between 0.7V and 2V. I'm not sure if an alkaline has given up the ghost or has usable power at that voltage, as I try to avoid using them (and have a healthy supply of Eneloops).
 
I hope it works for you. I would suggest bringing better batteries, as a backup, just in case the Alkaline dont perform as you hope:
have you tried Alkaline in that Zebra, how well did it work?

I've used alkalines in AA zebras in a pinch. They work ok, but they step down from H1 noticeably faster than with better chemistries, I suspect from the voltage under load. As for duration, I've never dared leave an alkaline in long enough to find out how long they last.
 
i just want one that will run from dusk to dawn at decent brithness enough to see to get out of woods if lost yes im weird lol

Ask, and ye shall receive!

10 hours should get you through

As always, Malkoff to the rescue!

Re: Malkoff Runtime Graphs - CR123/Alkaline Comparo (Weekly Updates!)

M31LLL 219b Eneloop Pro



M31LLL 219b Eneloop Comparison
 
I still have not seen a Zebralight AA runtime chart using Alkaline. If anyone has one, please share.
 
My favourite is an Olight S15, it can take AA, 2AA and 14500 lithium batteries. Efficiency is highest with 2AA, and it is very bright on high. Olight showed everyone how good 2AA can be. I also have a battered Sunwayman V10A which I rather like.

I recently sold a Zebralight SC5 which I loathed, it has the UI from hell. And I sold a Jetbeam RRT01 which with the extension tube takes 1AA, or one 14500 or one 18500. It is odd that 18500 is not more popular.

I have two Sunwayman M40A which take 4AA.
 
Here's mine. Currently has an AA in it, but I keep a CR123 in my bag.
MWOaWsv[1].jpeg
 
Top