Very difficult NOT to love AAA's these days.

[StorminMatt]

Sure, I understand the energy logic. But saying AA is "almost the same size" as 18650 as you did, I can't agree with that, because 18650 occupies more than double the volume of AA. In reality, the size increase (in % volume) from AAA to AA is virtually the same as the size increase from AA to 18650.

I think what he meant is that many AA lights are not much smaller than some 18650 lights. A good examole of this would the the Zebralight SC5 vs SC62/63. There really isn't much difference in size here.

 

[gurdygurds]

Jon is the patina on this Maratac just from normal use or did you do something specific to it to get that darker color?

My titanium thrunites were possibly even grittier. Polished the threads and it helped, but for the Ti, not enough. Hoping your SS brings a smile


proof of light

 

[jon_slider]

I think what he meant is that many AA lights are not much smaller than some 18650 lights. A good examole of this would the the Zebralight SC5 vs SC62/63. There really isn't much difference in size here.

it is easier to notice differences in weight than size. For example, an 18650 weighs as much as Two AA Eneloops.. By the same token, one AA Eneloop weighs as much as 2 AAA Eneloops..

So, an 18650, just the battery, weighs as much as 4 AAA Eneloops.. size does not inform as clearly what a huge difference there is in weight.. and thats before accounting for the weight of the bodies.

Jon is the patina on this Maratac just from normal use or did you do something specific to it to get that darker color?

Normal use.
I do sometimes play with forced patina, I like to use Miracle grow to put green in the head knurling (none of the bodies have any forced patina). The green tends to wear off thought.

I periodically repolish the highlights on my coppers, particularly after playing with Patina (including after removing patina with vinegar, lemon juice, or ketchup). Sunshine Cloth is loaded with a type of Jewelers rouge, it creates a very high shine, that fades quickly.

on the left is the same ReyLight today, the green patina is almost gone, (beams from the same 3 lights below)

As a point of interest, the N219 Tool I just received is noticeably warmer than my ReyLight, or Wrom Nichias
left to right, ReyLight Tool, Copper Wrom (factory typo), Copper Tool, all on Medium w NoPWM

I dont carry the Tool bodies, but I like to have one in the car.. atm the CarTool has a Maratac head on it with a gunga swap to ReyLight driver and 3000k XPG (top light in next pic)

the bottom light is the new Tool head on my April 2015 (wPWM) Maratac. The knurling has become simpler now (cost cutting, aka quality drift)

 

[eraursls1984]

Sure, I understand the energy logic. But saying AA is "almost the same size" as 18650 as you did, I can't agree with that, because 18650 occupies more than double the volume of AA. In reality, the size increase (in % volume) from AAA to AA is virtually the same as the size increase from AA to 18650.

Of course you're better off carrying the largest of the cells you feel comfortable with, at least runtime-wise, and I think that's the main variable. I personally find the difference between the SC62 and the comparable SC52 to be large for pants pocket carry. Likewise, I suppose other folks will find the difference between comparable AAA and AA lights to be large.

I have the SC52 and 62. The head has a difference of about .03". Length isn't as big of an issue for me, but even that isn't much different. In my change pocket in jeans they feel fairly similar in size. Sure you can find mini AA twisties, but nothing that is comparable to my preferred light, the SC62, is drastically different in size. I do understand that we all have a different perspective, my main comment was really just to point out that others have similar sentiment about AA as the quoted text had for AAA.

I think what he meant is that many AA lights are not much smaller than some 18650 lights. A good examole of this would the the Zebralight SC5 vs SC62/63. There really isn't much difference in size here.

Yep, but not even just the SC5, the SC52 has almost the same head size as the 62, and about .5-.75" difference in length. The 52 feels much smaller in hand, but feels nearly as bulky as the 62 in my pocket, which is really what matters.

 

[jon_slider]

this is an AAA thread
Zebralight does not make an AAA light
Zebralight does not make a light with a Nichia LED
Zebralight does not have reversible pocket clip
Zebralight does not come in Copper, nor Titanium
Zebralights are Massively Heavy! The SC5 is even heavier than the SC52 and SC62

I suggest you guys start a thread titled, whats not to love about Zebralight

You don't love the runtime of AAA?, You don't love the brightness of AAA? You don't love the small size and low weight of AAA lights? You don't love the low price of AAA lights?
Then these are not the lights you're looking for, move along...

 

[gurdygurds]

^^^ AMEN BROTHER! I've tried to make a point to return to the lights that started it all for me now and again, just so I don't lose sight of what got me into this little hobby in the first place. Possibly the best touchstone for me is the good ol' Fenix E01. Yes, folks seem to either love them or hate them but for me they're here to stay. Small, simple, humble, rugged. I mod mine with some sandpaper to the led and reflector for a nice smooth flood beam, and also keep a white chapstick cap with black electrical tape around the sides in the nightstand for an impromptu moonlight mode. AAA :thumbsup:image by Six Pound Cat, on Flickr

 

[gurdygurds]

and here he is with my favorite "AAA" sized knife the Mini Tuff Lite.image by Six Pound Cat, on Flickr

 

[CallMeDave]

Here's some love to my Surefire Titan, with its centered attachment lug. I've got it connected with a split ring to an American made MINI-BAK Badge Retractor from KEY-BAK, and I clip it to my dress belt each morning with a freshly charged (if it saw use the day before) eneloop pro.

I've heard that people who wear dress belts don't have a need for _real_ runtime or brightness, but I find having this little guy hanging ready at my hip during the workday to be invaluable and comforting.

 

[jon_slider]

A Case Peanut is AAA size too

a 2.5" Vic Classic, Midnite Manager (pictured, and has a red LED too) or Rambler is even smaller

Surefire Titan
...
I find having this little guy hanging ready at my hip during the workday to be invaluable and comforting.

A warm Holiday Welcome to another Happy AAA flasher

 

[gurdygurds]

Todays AAA carry.....image by Six Pound Cat, on Flickr

 

[archimedes]

I've carried quite a few different AAA torches over the years.

The photos above are just a couple of newer ones I've tried recently ....

 

[jon_slider]

Todays entertainment was to test a "green" filter (masking tape), on an XPL (middle) and an N219b (right, Lumintop tool head). the left is also N219b (reylight tool head)

 

[Newguy2012]

I receive mine with a perfect package. I think the shipper was probably rough with yours. I'm Loving the clicky action and knurling on the copper. Copper feels smooth and soft unlike the titanium. Thx for the sale link.

 

[jon_slider]

Copper feels smooth and soft unlike the titanium. Thx for the sale link.

happy to share, I love mine too!

I agree the copper is polished smooth, I also like it better than the very coarse finish on the Titanium (radial machine marks over the knurling, like a Tain). Even previous Copper Tools Ive received were not as polished as this one. I also like that this one is a warmer LED, Im guessing closer to 4000k than previous.. All thumbs up!

The knurling is becoming less and less defined, and simpler to manufacture.. I like that it feels less sharp.

Here is the Tool 4000k 90CRI Nichia beam, in the middle, an excellent example of "neutral tint". On the left is a 3000k 90CRI XPL, on the right a 6000k 70CRI XPL

 

[Newguy2012]

Quite the LED collection you got there. How did you get 6000K? I don't think I can use pass 5000K. Is 6000k cool white? I think the smooth finish of the copper wear your pants less. I wonder if I can make a hole on my pant if clip it on and off with the titanium.:laughing:

 

[jon_slider]

Is 6000k cool white?

Yes, 6000k is standard for cool white flashlights including Thrunite, Olight, and Maratac AAA lights Ive had. The Olight and Maratac got LED swaps to 3000k as the next step in my exploration.

I hate the 6000k now that I know its low CRI, and after learning about Nichias. I bought the 6000k Thrunite at the beginning of my LED accumulation and until today, when I turned it into a "green" beam light, it sat in my reject pile. Actually, the body made a nice host for the head of a worm, whose body I also rejected.

The Nichia Tool has ended up being the sweet spot between the two extremes of Cool and Warm white, for general use. Here is another view of my LED selection, the colors in the reflector when off can be fun to compare too. It also shows differences between size among different models of LED

 

[fkrow]

Archimedes.

The PK-PL2 is my current favorite AAA, I have the silver and black models.

PK is working on a clip for that light,,, dual pocket and hat brim design.
Hopefully early next year release for the optional accessory.

Regards,

FK

 

[rjking]

+1 My first thrower AAA. :thumbsup:

Archimedes.

The PK-PL2 is my current favorite AAA, I have the silver and black models.

PK is working on a clip for that light,,, dual pocket and hat brim design.
Hopefully early next year release for the optional accessory.

Regards,

FK

 

[gurdygurds]

My Tis showed up today and I'm pleased! Super smooth threads with zero play. Heads have already been swapped and I think this is how they will be used at least for the time being. Worm head modded with Nichia 219 4000k will be paired up with the Tis body so I have a clip for my carry light, and the Tis head will be handling night stand duty paired with the worm body. The main draw of the AAA Thrunites are the firefly mode which I LOVE for middle of night use, and since I didn't love carrying the Worm body I think this will work. I'm satisfied with this setup.........for the rest of the day at least . Thanks Jon_Slider for the lego inspiration :thumbsup:image by Six Pound Cat, on Flickr

 

[jon_slider]

My Tis showed up today and I'm pleased! Super smooth threads with zero play.

Yay!
fwiw, my Titanium head will Not light on the Worm body
proof of NoLight

If your TiS head does light on your Worm body, You Win! (please show proof of light )