Torn Over Fenix P1D budget Type Bulk Purchase

[My3kidsfather]

I recently bought (my first) Fenix P3D Q5 from J2 and it came quickly and works as expected. Now that i have the power-lumen thing out of the way, I want to buy a number of single AA budget P1D types from DX.

I think these are the among the best of what I found at DX:
Ultrafire Cree XR-E WF-602D 1xCR123A Flashlight HA-III Gray $20.49 -sku 3379
Romisen MXDL RC-G2 Cree Flashlight Black (1xAA) $10.90 -sku 3607
SAIK RC-A2 Cree P2 AA Flashlight (Black) $13.21 -sku 5366
SAIK RC-A3 Cree AA Flashlight (Gloden) $15.55 -sku 5338.

I have reviewed threads all over the place but before I take the plunge, what do you find you are using/carrying today? What budget single AA (or single cr123a, if that is your best choice) are you finding the best of your stable?

P.S. I will be buying a bunch of them at once for all the family, and it includes two grandchildren, so it cannot be a heater- ie. cannot get more than just warm in the hand. And high lumens is not a big factor. And it must be able to use primary lithiums, because some of them are likely to be left in glove boxes, etc. for years.

So what do you think?

 

[phreeflow]

If the light is for friends and family...especially grandkids and extreme brightness is not a factor, I'd try and stay away from the CR123A flashlights. CR123A's typically have less runtime, batteries are expensive and harder to find, and you'll have to teach them to babysit the charger if you decide to purchase rechargeables for them.

There are plenty of cheap, reliable AA form factor flashlights available.

My top pick would be the original single mode Ultrafire C3 P4...you can use it with 1xAA (SKU: 1993) or 2xAA (SKU: 4452) ...equal brightness either way and runtimes are great. Also very nicely built. You can also opt for a 5-mode P4 Ultrafire C3...it's way brighter on 2xAA (SKU: 7938) but as a 1xAA (SKU: 7937) it will be dimmer but will run longer than the single mode at 1xAA. Check out SELFBUILT'S reviews. There is also a Q5 version (SKU: 10727) you can try out but I'd only recommend it with 2xAA. Of the different versions, if you're stuck on 1xAA, I'd get them the single mode P4 Ultrafire C3...it's the best overall in terms of brightness and runtime.

Of the lights you picked, the Romisen RC-G2 and the SAIK A3 are both nice lights and highly recommended. The Romisen is a nice thrower at a small size and the SAIK is well built.

Also check out some of the MTE lights on DX, like:

1) MTE 1xAA SSC-P4 42180-U Flashlight SKU: 1995

2)MTE 5-Mode 100 Lumens Rebel Flashlight SKU: 6162
3)MTE C3 20-Mode Rebel Flashlight SKU: 8752
4)MTE Cree Q5 LED 5-Mode Gift Kit w/ Duracell (1xAA) SKU: 10688

Of the MTE's, you'll have to decide single or multimode and what fits in your budget since there is a good range of prices. You really can't go wrong with any of these either.

My overall pick for single 1xAA would probably be the Ultrafire P4 C3 single mode with the 2xAA extension....it's bright enough, well built, has great runtime, and flexible...1xAA, 2xAA, or 14500 cell.
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[nerdgineer]

My early UF C3s work fine, but I've heard that the UF C3 design has gone downhill some in their later models. For current cheap 1 AA lights, I'm real impressed by this one. $13.48, the same measured output as the C3, maybe 30% better battery efficiency (based on Kai's runtime chart) than my C3 - which is saying something, about 3 times the battery efficiency of my Romisen G2s (which kinda says something about the G2s also...), aluminum reflector, glass lens, very robust and reliable so far (clean/lube threads, etc.), yada, yada...

It would be my top choice at this point.

 

[My3kidsfather]

My overall pick for single 1xAA would probably be the Ultrafire P4 C3 single mode with the 2xAA extension....it's bright enough, well built, has great runtime, and flexible...1xAA, 2xAA, or 14500 cell.
[/LEFT]

I like the look of this UF C3 P4. I appreciate your opinion and recommendation. It really is helpful that you use one of your own and know it well.

 

[My3kidsfather]

I'm real impressed by this one. $13.48, the same measured output as the C3, maybe 30% better battery efficiency (based on Kai's runtime chart) than my C3 - which is saying something, about 3 times the battery efficiency of my Romisen G2s (which kinda says something about the G2s also...), aluminum reflector, glass lens, very robust and reliable so far (clean/lube threads, etc.), yada, yada...

It would be my top choice at this point.

Good to know about the construction. You both point out runtimes are important. Thanks for that.. Super Bright. ok.

 

[Mundele]

Get the romisen RC-G2 Cheap and good.

I also like the streamlight microstream, but it's an AAA.

 

[meuge]

I got my girlfriend a single-mode Ultrafire C3. It seems to do the job just fine... it's got a ton of o-rings, and the switch is very smooth.

The RC-G2 is a great light to be used as a body for modding, but the fact is that it's too focused to be very useful at its default brightness level.

It does, however, become a great light if modded.

 

[phreeflow]

My early UF C3s work fine, but I've heard that the UF C3 design has gone downhill some in their later models. For current cheap 1 AA lights, I'm real impressed by this one. $13.48, the same measured output as the C3

I'm surprised to hear that your tests measured the output of the UF C3 and the XJC B-8 the same. KD's test lists the output of the XJC B-8 at 410lux at 1 meter, while most tests measured the UF C3 between 750lux to 1065lux at 1 meter...depending on who's testing it. Here's Selfbuilts review...http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=178942. However, I'm unsure as to whether you're comparing overall output or throw.

All in all, this light sounds nice and agree that the runtime is impressive. I may actually get one for car duty.:naughty:

Come to think of it...since you've mentioned XJC, I've been eyeing these two lights on KD that run on the newer Q2 leds with 1xAA for $13.39 ohgeez:note: the website mispelled them as UJC but they are actually XJC):

1) UJC B-6 2Modes CREE Q2 LED(1xAA):KD#: SKU3956
2) UJC B-3 CREE Q2 LED (1xAA):KD#: SKU3955

Anyone have any experience with these?

 

[My3kidsfather]

Get the romisen RC-G2 Cheap and good.

I also like the streamlight microstream, but it's an AAA.

I actually have a RC-G2 on the way now. I had already ordered three lights. Will hopefully soon know first hand whether it is a good candidate. It seems to be well thought of here.

 

[My3kidsfather]

I got my girlfriend a single-mode Ultrafire C3. It seems to do the job just fine... it's got a ton of o-rings, and the switch is very smooth.

The RC-G2 is a great light to be used as a body for modding, but the fact is that it's too focused to be very useful at its default brightness level.

It does, however, become a great light if modded.

Meuge sounds interesting. I had not read that the RC-G2 is a good hull for modding. Can I talk to you later about that? You did not say.. does your girlfriend like the C3?

 

[My3kidsfather]

I'm surprised to hear that your tests measured the output of the UF C3 and the XJC B-8 the same. KD's test lists the output of the XJC B-8 at 410lux at 1 meter, while most tests measured the UF C3 between 750lux to 1065lux at 1 meter...depending on who's testing it. Here's Selfbuilts review...http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=178942. However, I'm unsure as to whether you're comparing overall output or throw.

All in all, this light sounds nice and agree that the runtime is impressive. I may actually get one for car duty.:naughty:

Come to think of it...since you've mentioned XJC, I've been eyeing these two lights on KD that run on the newer Q2 leds with 1xAA for $13.39 ohgeez:note: the website mispelled them as UJC but they are actually XJC):

1) UJC B-6 2Modes CREE Q2 LED(1xAA):KD#: SKU3956
2) UJC B-3 CREE Q2 LED (1xAA):KD#: SKU3955

Anyone have any experience with these?

Never mind the website mispelling.. I wondered what a XJC was anyway. Now i know it's a Super Bright, or Super Bright is a XJC more properly? lol... That link to KD's tests helps. It's too bad about the build quality on the UF-C3. However many others to consider, like the above XJCs, SAIKs and Romisens. What do you think of the DX sku 5538, the SAIK RC-A3 Cree AA in gold color for $15.55? It too seems to be well thought of.

 

[My3kidsfather]

Come to think of it...since you've mentioned XJC, I've been eyeing these two lights on KD that run on the newer Q2 leds with 1xAA for $13.39 ohgeez:note: the website mispelled them as UJC but they are actually XJC):

1) UJC B-6 2Modes CREE Q2 LED(1xAA):KD#: SKU3956
2) UJC B-3 CREE Q2 LED (1xAA):KD#: SKU3955

Anyone have any experience with these?

I meant to ask you Phreeflow, have you ordered from KD before? Good service? They are new to me. Prices seem competitive.

 

[nerdgineer]

I'm surprised to hear that your tests measured the output of the UF C3 and the XJC B-8 the same. KD's test lists the output of the XJC B-8 at 410lux at 1 meter, while most tests measured the UF C3 between 750lux to 1065lux at 1 meter...depending on who's testing it...

I wasn't measuring throw, I was measuring total output in my homemade setup. The C3 has a brighter but smaller hotspot than the B-8 which also has brighter spill. Combined, their total outputs measured to be within 5% of each other (for me, anyway...).

The C3 does have the advantage of being smaller. The B-8 has thick body walls and feels bigger in hand, but they both fit my holster and I really like the B8's higher efficiency. For me, battery efficiency and regulation are the things which set the Fenixes apart from the clone crowd, and the B-8 comes very close to Fenix in those departments for like 1/3 the price...:thumbsup:

 

[phreeflow]

I wasn't measuring throw, I was measuring total output in my homemade setup. The C3 has a brighter but smaller hotspot than the B-8 which also has brighter spill. Combined, their total outputs measured to be within 5% of each other (for me, anyway...).

The C3 does have the advantage of being smaller. The B-8 has thick body walls and feels bigger in hand, but they both fit my holster and I really like the B8's higher efficiency. For me, battery efficiency and regulation are the things which set the Fenixes apart from the clone crowd, and the B-8 comes very close to Fenix in those departments for like 1/3 the price...:thumbsup:

@Nerdigneer...good info and your comparison of the B-8 to a Fenix makes it very interesting for $13 and change. Sounds like a floody EDC. Gonna have to get one now .

@My3KidsDad! KD is a comparable site to DX and I believe they use similar vendors. Only drawback to KD is that they don't really offer much data once your item is shipped. DX at least gives you a confirmation and a tracking number. But then again, KD may have updated their website by now. They are both reliable. Also, it seems some Chinese companies like Ultrafire will use multiple manufacturers to build their lights so their quality fluctuates.:shakehead :shrug:It's luck of the draw. But Romisen is pretty steady and build their lights nicely. Enjoy your RC-G2's :thumbsup:. Also, the SAIK A3 is a great choice...very nice build...I believe MXDL and SAIK are both manufactured by ROMISEN so quality is good on all except their lowest line,MXDL(so-so to horrible build).

 

[phreeflow]

Never mind the website mispelling.. I wondered what a XJC was anyway. Now i know it's a Super Bright, or Super Bright is a XJC more properly? lol... That link to KD's tests helps. It's too bad about the build quality on the UF-C3. However many others to consider, like the above XJCs, SAIKs and Romisens. What do you think of the DX sku 5538, the SAIK RC-A3 Cree AA in gold color for $15.55? It too seems to be well thought of.

Never owned a XJC before so I have no idea what they're like. But I do like @Nerdigneer's description for a cheap Fenix clone. Would still like to know if anyone's tried their Q2 versions...the B-3 and B-6. But I imagine the output isn't much brighter...maybe a tad longer runtime due to more efficient LED?:shrug: