UK 4AA vs. SL 4AA vs. 4AA Responder vs ...?

[ikendu]

I want to get a bright, spot, 4AA light to supplement my PT Attitude when I walk in the dark with my dog (on a country road). I use the Attitude to light my way, but the dog ranges up and down, back and forth and I sometimes want to light up the dog to see where she is (no leash).

I use NiMH in the Attitude and would like to use NiMH in the supplemental spot light as well (I really hate the thought of spent alkalines or expensive lithium 123s ending up in the landfill).

Since I will be carrying both, I want both to fit in a jeans pocket (one on the left and one on the right). Since the Attitude will be on, I want the supplemental bright spot to be turned on with one hand. Since the Attitude puts out a nice flood beam, I don't need spot to flood adjustability.

Lights I've been considering include:

UK 4AA w/Switch (AS2) $16 at Brightguy
Koehler-Bright Star / LSI 4AA Responder $18 at Brightguy
Streamlight 4AA Pro Polymer $21 at Brightguy

Anyone got experience say with 2 of these lights to compare size, beam quality, switch, pocket-ability, etc.? ...or some other recommendation?

I've already tried the 4AA Camper and found the switch to be unreliable.

Thanks!

 

[Raven]

I have a UK 4aa, and to my untrained eyes, it seems to put out an amount of light equal to my maglight 6C!

Raven

 

[txwest]

I own the 1st 2 & have used the 3rd. The one you didn't mention you should consider is the PT40. If you remove the O-ring, it is easy to operate with 1 hand. All 4 of these lights are very close in output. Close enough not to be a determining factor. The PT40 & the Responder are the ones that use PR base bulbs so you can put a bulb in that will work brightly on NiMH batteries. The UK 4AA will be the easiest to pocket carry, because of the size of the head. All the lights but the PT40 could use WrightRite to cleanup the beam. The PT40 has a textured reflector. Because of your desire to use NiMH & have a bright light, I'ld have to pick the PT40 or the Responder. TTS has the PT40 for about $5 less than BG has the Responder (not on sale anymore), but since the PT40 wasn't on your list, I'ld have to recomend the Responder 4AA. TX

 

[ikendu]

I tried the PT40 w/KPR103...really bright, but the case pressure deformed my NiMH AAs (quite common I've heard). Some posts talk about using tin foil in the bottom to maintain reliable contact. I just returned my PT40.

I saw a post on the Responder about the bulb or batteries being hard to change?...and another that mentioned the switch being so hard to activate it took two hands? I am very much attracted to the standard PR type bulb though.

Comments? Thanks!

 

[BeamChucker]

I have had a UK, a few PT40's, and now a Responder. I haven't seen a Streamlight 4AA but will probably get one eventually. Everyone seems to like it. I really like this size flashlight for my purposes. The Responder is my favorite of the 3 I've tried. They are all waterproof. The Responder is has a tailswitch with temporary on or permanent on capability. The UK is now redesigned with a thumbswitch. I like the tailswitch location better. The Streamlight has a tailswitch but I think it only has temporary on but this may have been changed recently. The Responder uses PR based bulbs which is versatile. You can substitute Carley's, leds in PR bases or whatever. It is focusable to a very tight spot with no hole in the middle but you'll get the hole when you make the spot too big (just like everything else). The spot is very bright. the spot is as bright as my 4X123 mod with a 9.6V Dewalt battery (The spot from the Dewalt is much bigger but no brighter).

The metal contact strip fell out in my UK and wouldn't stay in. I'm one of the few that is not a PT fan. I like their dimpled reflector, but I've had 3 PT's now and every one had the mirror coating peel off. I like my Responder. It doesn't get treated well and it doesn't seem to care.

Streamchucker

 

[txwest]

I've used NiMH in my PT40 since I got it, with no problem. I do use the tinfoil, but hey, how much does that cost. As far as changeing the batteries & bulb in the Resonder, takes about 20 seconds, if you don't rush. I don't have any problem with the push button on mine. Probably takes less pressure than my LX, & I've never had a problem with it either. TX

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Ditto Txwest,I bought the 4aa responder from BG on sale and while the flood focus is ringy and spotty the tight beam focus throws pretty well.Overall i'm quite satisfied.

 

[BeamChucker]

Ikendu, I don't understand the comment about the batteries on the Responder being hard to change. Nothing could be simpler. They are in series though to get the effect of the hole 6 volts without having to put a troublesome lead back up the body of the flashlight. You have to put two down and two up. Just tilt the flashlight one way and they slide in easy as pie. It's harder to do on the UK in my opinion and that's not difficult. As for the switch being hard to operate. I can understand that somewhat. The temporary on feature is easy to operate. The permanent on feature takes a bit more pressure. The bit about using two hands is an exaggeration.

Streamchucker

 

[txwest]

I think the secret to turning it on easy (push button on the Responder) is your grip & what finger you use. Either grasp the body between your middle finger & ring finger & use the joint of your thumb to push the button; or grasp it in the overhand position, but instead of useing your thumb, shift your hand & use the tip of your index finger. TX
BTW
The Responder has springs in the bottom of the light for the batteries to ride on, so you won't have the contact problem with rechargeables you have with the PT40.

 

[FNG]

Surge?

 

[BeamChucker]

Yes, a Surge can run on 4AA's as well as 8AA's.

 

[flashfan]

Surge is a little large for the pocket, but the switching is good for one-handed operation.

I've purchased the UKE Q40, PT Tec 40 and Koehler 4AA Responder. Looked at the SL 4AA too, but decided against it--can't remember why.

I agree with txwest that the Q40 and Responder beams need the aid of WriteRight. In the end, the Tec 40 was selected for general, overall use. The beam is quite broad however, so if you need the light to reach farther, the UKE might be better.

The new switch on the UKE 4AA is also a big plus (this one is on my wish list). Just my opinion.

 

[ikendu]

Originally posted by StreamChucker:
I don't understand the comment about the...Responder being hard to change.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I did the search again and found the post I had read:

Originally posted by Geoff in Philly:
I have the 6v. lantern...changing the bulb is a huge!!! PITA.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">So...not about the Responder at all!
I should be reading the posts more closely!

 

[ikendu]

Looks like it is coming down to the UK 4AA or the Responder.

As far as beam quality, I'll be using the tight spot only (maybe the flood in a pinch). So...Responder tight spot seems OK? Does the head stay firmly where you've set the focus so that as it comes in and out of the pocket...it'll stay set where you left it last?

For those of you that have used both, looks like the UK will slide in and out of the pocket a little easier...but is the Responder OK for this as well?

Also...if I end up with the Responder, any leads on the best price? Anyone know if this is available at a chain store of some type? I don't remember seeing it in any of my flashlight foraging expeditions.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[BeamChucker]

If you want to put it in your pocket, I'd go with the UK. The head is much slimmer than the one the Responder. The head on the Responder would stay in place but I do find myself inadvertently trying to use the head to turn it on instead of the switch. This is because I have other flashlights that turn on using the head and I forget sometimes going to the Responder. It's sort of like going between an automatic and a stick shift everyday. You reach for the floor when the stick is on the steering column...

Streamchucker

 

[Lurker]

If you want to see where your dog is, have you considered hanging a light on your dog? Then you don't have to blind her with the spotlight and if there are any drivers on your country road, they can see Spot also. Maybe she's a frustrated flashaholic anyway- you never know!

 

[BuddTX]

Ikendu,

I do not have most of the lights you mentioned, but I do the same thing, and use my lights for the same thing, almost daily, and that is walk my dog in darkness.

While I like to play with my lights, and grab different lights on different nights, but here are my recommendations. Maybe you can use some of this info, or even share some of your own suggestions.

For walking around the neighborhood:

I have 3 Attitude's mounted (velcroed) to my 16 ft retractable leash. A great combination, although if I had to do it again, I might choose to get 3 Streamlight Clipmates, and remove the clip and mount them to my retractable leash. The SL Clipmates are a little lighter (weight) and smaller (3 aaa's vs 4), and a little brighter also.

LED's are great lights to have to be seen (by motorists), and do not have that penetrating "spot lights" lights like an incandecent, so you don't get the neighbors spooked.

For walking in dark fields or dirt roads, away from most ambient light:

I like to have a two light approach:

LED always on, and powerful incandecent in my hand to see what kind of mischief my Hadley Sue is getting into.

Right now, my two favorite LED combinations are my Mr. Bulk LGI or my Streamlight 3c, 10 LED light. You have to use them both seperately to appreciate them both.

The LGI is my BRIGHTEST LED, but it still maintains most of your "night vision"

Last night, all I had was my LGI, and I found some new trails that I had not been down before, and was amazed on how much PUNCH this LED had. I like the LED's to light up the imediate area around me, and let the dog always know where I am (she walkes off leash on the trails) but this LGI was lighting up nicely, trees and areas 100-150 feet away. I was very impressed. I often put my Lambda Illuminator and my LGI on my belt, using two of these holders, and man it works great!:

Last night however, I was wishing I had this with me:

I have one, but it was at home.

While not as bright, and a little bit heavier/bigger, the Streamlight 3c, 10 LED light is a much WIDER light and is also very nice.

If you were starting your walk at 5:00, and did not know if you were going to make it home by dark, the 4aa, 7led light from ST is much nicer to slip into your pocket.

Now in the OTHER hand, (not ON the other hand, actually IN the other hand), I have my modified Brinkmann Legend LX, with a SureFire P61 bulb in it.

While it is supposed to have only 20 minutes of light I find that it lasts for a long while, BECAUSE YOU ONLY NEED IT FOR A SHORT BURST OF TIME, MOST OF THE TIME . My current set of batteries has been in there almost a month. That's because the LED is always on, the LX/P61 is only used when I need lots of light. AND lots of light it gives, in a very small package. The standard LX is just as bright, just with not as big as a hot spot.

I think the secret is to keep your night vision, that way, the extreme white and wide, gentle light of the Luxeon LED or LED cluster just puts out a wall of light (to your wide open puppels), and yet, if you look to the side, you can still see, as your eyes are accustomed to the dark.

Hope this helps, and enjoy walking your dog in the dark. I do! I actually have a red blinking collar for her, along with two pellican mini flashers attached so I can see where she is in the dark!

 

[ikendu]

Lots of good advice here...

I do have a blinking LED on the dog collar...works pretty good. Although, I do like to spot light the dog just to see what's going on -maybe that's just a good excuse to get another flashlight.

We'll also use it camping for those "What the heck was that?!" times -maybe also just a good excuse to get another flashlight.

I bought a Brinkmann LX and really like it a lot! Although, I'm still looking for a AA based bright spot light 'cause if I'm using it routinely, I just hate the thought of using up expensive batteries. I've given the LX to my daughter as a winter emergency car light (I use a minimag on Lithium AAs for my own car light).

Streamlight 4AA LED vs. the Attitude; the SL sounds like a really great light, although, I am committed to using NiMH and there posts on the forum warning that use away from this light. The Attitude could be brighter...but I was previously happy with an Infinity Blue-Green, so you can see I can be satisfied with just a little light for the basic walk (on a paved street, virtually no traffic, no tree roots or branches to watch out for).

Actually, my wife and I kind of enjoy the dark of the night and the stars so minimal light helps preserve our night vision. Sometimes she even asks me to turn off the Infinity.

...so, any more comments about the Responder pocketability or pricing/availability?

Thanks!

 

[brightnorm]

Originally posted by BuddTX:

Last night however, I was wishing I had this with me:

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Which one?

Brightnorm

 

[FNG]

LOL