I've been using a Fenix L1d/L2d for a few weeks now and discovered that its low really is not low enough for tooling around the house at night. It's even worse with lithiums, which make the low about the same as medium to my eyes.
Anyone know which decent, multi-output AA light has a very "low" low? (It has to have a pretty good high, too).
LRI/PhotonLight Proton (6x5mm Nichia CS white LEDs driven at 1.4W, IIRC, at MAX o.p. [output]+ 1 5mm red LED ~1/100th of the MAX white LED power, IIRC) or the new ProtonPro (Cree driven to produce ~2W + 1 5mm red LED).
the LOWest white o.p. is very LOW - you'll like it. and, of course, there is the red LED which on its lowest setting puts out so little light that you might need to squint a little if you are attempting to focus on the outer reaches of its lighting ability. obviously, if that's the case you just ramp it up a "notch" or two (i.e. a level or two) and get a little more light out of the red LED - perfect for preserving one's dark adaptation. however, on it's brightest red output (and perhaps even its 50% of MAX red output), it will temporarily deteriorate some aspects of one's dark adaptation - in other words even the red LED can be too bright. however, this is no cause for concern for the red LED comes on in its DIMMEST o.p. level and ramps up fr/there and the user has complete control over the choice of brightness.
this light has many, many discrete levels of brightness control and so appears to have "infinite" brightness adjustability to the eye. only the first few digital "steps" are noticeable, after which the "steps" become too small a percentage of the total light output to be perceived by the human eye as "steps" or "jumps" in output level and the brightness appears to ramp up or down smoothly. this is totally normal for this type of multi-step (aka "infinite") digital output. so, basically you have much more than just three or five levels of brightness that you can choose from.
it runs off of a single AA cell (alkaline or NiMH). burntimes range from 1.5h or a bit more (~2h for the new "Pro") at MAX output, and a Mfr. claimed 250h at the lowest o.p. levels.
this light is greatly appreciated by many on CPF. i own two of the original 6x5mm Protons and one of the newer Cree-powered ProtonPro lights. one of my very favorite lights. since you're coming fr/a Fenix background, you probably like the THROW of the Fenix light. so, i would say, in your case, skip the Original 6x5mm Proton, and go directly to the new Cree-Powered ProtonPro to preserve somewhat similar THROW while acquiring a new VERY LOW low o.p. + a red o.p.
the package is perhaps(???) the smallest 1xAA light available. IMO, as i recall as i haven't used a L1D-CE in quite a few months, the P/P-P is significantly smaller (thinner) than a Cree-powered Fenix 1xAA L1D-CE (which is also a fine light, IMO) and is probably shorter too. you'll probably find some PIX in another Thread on CPF - there are other P/P-P Threads i've seen and some very recent ones about the new Cree P-P. don't let the thinness of the P/P-P barrel/body/tube be too great a concern. it is probably as robust as any Fenix. "ribbing" is used on much of the P/P-P barrel which increases both structural strength (to radial compressive loads/forces aka "crushing" forces) and overall surface area for heat dissipation.
the P/P-P 's included clip is easily removed, if you so desire, and a clip from a MiniMagLite or CMG/Gerber Infinity[Ultra] clip fits the Proton/ProtonPro barrel. this allows the light to be clipped to a ballcap brim/visor for hands-free operation. the P/P-P's standard included clip is a very nice clip, but is meant for clipping bezel down in a pocket and so doesn't function well (though it's possible with some drawbacks) if it's clipped to a ballcap brim/visor.
the P/P-P's UI is considered by many to be very nice. i lot the UI a lot, but wish for the inclusion of what is known as "hunting" (see some Posts elsewhere on the ProtonPro and Freedom microlights which describe in details "hunting") which would make its very simple/easy to use UI even easier to use - not a bad thing by my way of thinking.
EDIT:
all Zebralights that i have to date read about, while apparently from all accounts (i don't own one) are fine lights, have no significant THROW capability as they are unfocused, unreflectored, bare/naked Cree(??? i think) LEDs. it will not meet your THROW requirements as mentioned in your Post. hence, the following Poster's mention of it being a "specialist light in many ways".
