The ultimate 2 x AA Flashlight? Thoughts please

[africanexperience]

So over time I intend to build a small collection (that get used) of the best 2 x AA lights. So far the Malkoff twisty I have and love it. I am not willing to contemplate other battery formats due to location (and an investment in eneloops and charger etc). So what are the 'best' AA lights? My criteria are reliability, durability, build quality, point of origin and beam quality. What I don't want is; complex multi/disco modes, super crenelated ninja tactical type design and questionable reliability.

So far my list goes:
- Malkoff little twisty AA and VME head (running a M31LL).
- Surefire Outdoorsman AA
- HDS 2x AA (if and when they ever manage this)
- McGizmo 2 xAA pak with Titanium VME head and M31WL (not sure I would actually pay that for a light but damn its tempting!). Or a McGizmo head..?

Any other suggestions or comments ?

Edit (New suggestions):
- Peak Logan 2 x AA (SS QTC)
- Elzetta Host (3 cell tube) and Malkoff drop in

 

[oKtosiTe]

Have you looked into 4Sevens' offerings?

 

[dss_777]

If these are truly user flashlights, I'd find the one you like best and get 3 or 4 or them. The Malkoffs are my personal favorites, and I have several. The only difference among them is the dropin.

I'd also get a headlamp or two, either a suiteable Zerbralights version, or the Surefire Saint.

IMO, with quality lights, the only thing lacking should be redundancy.

Cheers!

 

[shagaholik]

hi there, noob here. was going to ask same question about best AA/AAA flashlight. was looking at the 4Sevens Quark "X" AA² as well as a few of the Fenix lights. is there any post that already done review and comparison?

 

[archimedes]

So over time I intend to build a small collection (that get used) of the best 2 x AA lights. So far the Malkoff twisty I have and love it. I am not willing to contemplate other battery formats due to location (and an investment in eneloops and charger etc). So what are the 'best' AA lights? My criteria are reliability, durability, build quality, point of origin and beam quality. What I don't want is; complex multi/disco modes, super crenelated ninja tactical type design and questionable reliability.

So far my list goes:
- Malkoff little twisty AA and VME head (running a M31LL).
- Surefire Outdoorsman AA
- HDS 2x AA (if and when they ever manage this)
- McGizmo 2 xAA pak with Titanium VME head and M31WL (not sure I would actually pay that for a light but damn its tempting!). Or a McGizmo head..?

Any other suggestions or comments ?

With that list above, probably should add Peak :)

The Pamir model is available in 2xAA style ... but if you are also interested in single AA, there are versions of the Logan, Volcan, and El Capitan for 1xAA (& 14500).

EDIT: Could also consider the Elzetta "3-cell" host, which will fit 2xAA (you can use a sleeve to decrease battery rattle), with your choice of compatible drop-in (such as your Malkoff).

 

[eh4]

Yeah the Malkoff Twisty 2AA looks to be the light that the minimag almost is, with multiple dropins, super simple mechanism.
As far as ultimate goes it is probably about as reliable as a light could be.

 

[brandocommando]

Here is my only AA light... A Solarforce L2r with a Malkoff M31 HCRI. I like it quite a bit.:thumbsup:

The host was only like $15.00 or something and I added a $5.00 SS bezel ring.

I used to have a Fenix LD25 also. That is a sweet light... I sold it and have regretted it ever since, I am waiting for one to come up on CPFMP so I can grab another one. Nice neutral white tint, good throw, good run times, hidden modes, forward clicky/momentary activation, and a cool grippy rubberized aluminum body.

If I were to get a McGizmo 2AA clicky pac, (and I have been looking at them lately,) I would just go ahead and get the complete light with a Haiku or maybe a Mule head.

Sounds like it will be a cool collection, I love 2AA lights, I don't know why I don't have more...

 

[africanexperience]

With that list above, probably should add Peak :)

The Pamir model is available in 2xAA style ... but if you are also interested in single AA, there are versions of the Logan, Volcan, and El Capitan for 1xAA (& 14500).

EDIT: Could also consider the Elzetta "3-cell" host, which will fit 2xAA (you can use a sleeve to decrease battery rattle), with your choice of compatible drop-in (such as your Malkoff).

Fantastic - for some reason I had discounted Peak as I find it difficult to browse their range apart from the ones sold at Oveready! The Elzetta is a nice light too. I guess it would be top of the list were I weapon mounting. Good recommendations!

 

[africanexperience]

If these are truly user flashlights, I'd find the one you like best and get 3 or 4 or them. The Malkoffs are my personal favorites, and I have several. The only difference among them is the dropin.

I'd also get a headlamp or two, either a suiteable Zerbralights version, or the Surefire Saint.

IMO, with quality lights, the only thing lacking should be redundancy.

Cheers!

Thanks! Yes they are/would be user lights - I live and work in a remote National Park in Africa surrounded by wildlife capable of well, eating us... No firearms so a flashlight and a bear banger is our life line. For this reason my 'ultimate' AA light list as you can see is weighted towards simple, durable lights with not too many 'electronics'. From tests and reviews here HDS and McGizmo I would consider - but to be honest the fenix, 4Sevens, Jetbeam etc are not gonna make my list. Zebralight certainly not. Its not that I dislike these lights, its just that I will trust them less than others. And yes I do carry several lights ;-) The SF Saint is a nice recommendation, and funnily enough I am looking for an AA HL but I will likely get a Petzl. Cheers

 

[jsalmika]

Have you looked into 4Sevens' offerings?

I like them - Quarks are the only ones I have in 2AA format in addition to Fenix TK20. Regular or tactical UI, plenty of modes, nice runtimes and legoable.

PS. Welcome to the forum, oKtosiTe!

 

[brandocommando]

If you really want a light without too many "electronics" then you do not want an HDS..

The Malkoff module with a 2AA twisty body and a VME head would be your best bet, that's as bombproof of a host as you are going to find anywhere.

Now that I think about it, I may actually have to get one of those for my M31HCRI...

 

[LumensMaximus]

Surprised no mention of the Sunwayman V20A, I guess they haven't sold too many yet, don't see any reviews either but the single AA Sunwayman's seem to be selling quite well. I'm a CR123 fan but thought I should have a couple of double AA models just in case and decided to purchase the V20A. It's become my new nightstand light for now. Seems very well made, machining is top notch, this is a tail clicky model with a variable speed rotating bezel to adjust brightness. Low is super low and adjusts very smoothly up to quite bright. The clip is the weak point, pretty flimsy IMO but I only use clips for one reason, anti roll :thumbsup:

 

[FaithinGod]

africanexperience,

I have the same reliability/dependability desires that you have for an AA light, (though I am not in the same environment, with life at risk). I have come to the same conclusions as you have on which manufacturers of AA lights would best suit my needs.

In my reviews on this forum, I have read of the Peak QTC pill, variable output being inconsistent. Members have reported that, after the light has heated up somewhat, the light would change to a higher level, sometimes, immediately to "high" when turned on, or it would not stay in a lower level of output and would automatically move to a higher output on it's own.

There have also been reports here on the QTC material wear, even with the protection of the "pill", in which that wear would cause inconsistent light level output and so require removing the QTC pill, cleaning the QTC material and then reassembling it and resuming use of the flashlight. The QTC material is apparently delicate and the "Pill" protection is not sufficient to prevent wear when used a lot.

Although, it has been reported here also that any QTC Peak light can be used on its highest setting with the QTC Pill or the QTC material removed. But there may be a risk of overheating the LED if used for an extended time on that high/full output, which can cause LED failure if it gets too hot.

FaithinGod

 

[africanexperience]

FaithinGod:
Althogh I had sort of forgotten/not researched Peak in 2 x AA form I do have an Eiger with the QTC pill in it, and while I have only had it for less than a month my feelings are that the QTC is not for everyone. Now mine is a low output hi CRI one so it doesn't really get hot, but certainly after a lot of playing with it it does not always stay on the exact same level... but close enough for me. To get max output I really have to tighten down the head - like so much that it actually very slightly crushes the battery top a wee bit. But now for the pros;
1) I bought the Eiger as a little back up light and for mostly indoor use (reading in bed, that sort of thing). It absolutely excels at this. I don't know what output it is, but last night I left a very depleted battery in it and woke up at 1am and read for a bit then deliberately left it running... 6 hours later there was still good useful light coming out. For me that is essential as a back up light
2) I actually really like the 'analogue' feel of the QTC... like turning a knob on a decent amplifier rather than sliding a finger across a touch screen if you know what I mean.
3) If the pill fails it's no big deal - I can use it on high until a source a new one, and I know this light will give me hours of use (maybe not super bright, but for its intended use its fine).
4) It oozes quality - mine is SS and it feels solid and just right. Perfect. I know it's not regulated (i think!), but for my use for this light I actually think that is an advantage.

In summary they are a bit flawed, but in a way that works for me!

Brandocommando:

100% agreed. As I mentioned in the first post the Malkoff Little Twisty AA is the one on the list I have at the moment. You couldn't ask for a simpler light - and the thing feels so good... anodizing, machining, size and slimness as well as the clean and simple design.

 

[Kestrel]

So what are the 'best' AA lights? My criteria are reliability, durability, build quality, point of origin and beam quality.

I'm wondering about your prior thread:

[...] I need advice on what light you guys would consider. Most important being reliability, next important is run time, next is AA or AAA powered. So far I am leaning towards SF Outdoorsman AA but the price is difficult to accept, but for me it is probably worth it. Kind of scared off these Chinese LED torches now!

It may have been more considerate to just extend your prior thread, as many posters here will just go over the same ground that was explored two months ago ...


Edit: Like this reply in another one of your threads from two days ago:

Surefire 2xAA is also good probably in the same reliability area. Is about 6.6 inches long and it has 2 levels: low and high. Surefire is a very reliable light as good as HDS. Check it out see if that works for you. Marketplace is a good place to start around $150 give or take.

It's frustrating for some here to take the time to post answers to queries, just to see the OP open new threads and see the same material covered again and again ...

 

[africanexperience]

apologies, please close, delete or whatever

 

[Kestrel]

That's OK, perhaps the best approach might be additional clarification compared to prior threads as to what you are looking for specifically and what was lacking and/or what info wouldn't work out from prior suggestions that were made.

Best regards,

 

[tricker]

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh56/tricker50/DSC_0199.jpg


maybe this will encourage you

 

[FaithinGod]

Kestrel,

Could the very similar threads started by africanexperience be merged? I know I find it immensely helpful the more all such similar information is in one thread.

africanexperiece,

Thank you for that information about your experience with the Peak Eiger QTC High CRI.

Could you tell us how many turns of the head on your Peak Eiger is required to turn it on?

I have one of the older Peak Pacific models which is AA size (in stainless steel). The momentary switch has always behaved inconsistently to the extent that I usually don't use it. But that momentary switch (when installed in place of the key ring) allowed for the head to be twisted only a 1/4 turn to turn on the light, rather than a full 1 1/2 turns (as when the key ring was installed instead of the momentary switch). This was better since I turn it on and off frequently.

Also that frequent use has lead to thread wear, such that it has become too worn on that end of the battery case for repeated twisting (despite good lubing and cleaning of the threads). But I reversed the tail switch and head on the battery case to resume using the head twist method of turning on the light.

Nonetheless, that Peak Pacific is no doubt extremely durable, and reliable. I have used it for many years.

FaithinGod

 

[africanexperience]

Hi Faith, the Eiger I find that I have the head screwed in such that it switches on between a quarter and half a turn screwed in. At that the head is very secure and I haven't yet had it on in my pocket. Hope that helps.