Which small cheap Flashlight?

[ampdude]

I wonder what the longevity of this ITP A3 will be? I noticed it is one of those lights that has a circuit board for the contact, I don't really like that. And I noticed it has started to flicker just before it comes fully on.

Think I might send it back now. What kind of cell contact does the Maratac AAA have?

 

[GMLRS]

For a little more itp has a stainless version of the A3 EOS, small aluminum threads are fragile. I also have a titanium version, it didnt come with a clip, which can be reversed to clip on a baseball cap. Its not a great clip though, but not bad.

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

I wonder what the longevity of this ITP A3 will be? I noticed it is one of those lights that has a circuit board for the contact, I don't really like that. And I noticed it has started to flicker just before it comes fully on.

I found mine did that until I cleaned and polished the end of the battery tube so that it makes solid contact with the circuit trace.

 

[ampdude]

The end of my battery tube has a spring contact. I guess it was just a fluke, it is not doing it anymore. Also, I thought the one I would be getting was supposed to be natural type III, but it is black type III, not a big deal really I guess. It has an 18 month warranty so if the threads or the light itself flakes out I'll send it back.

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

The end of my battery tube has a spring contact. I guess it was just a fluke, it is not doing it anymore.

I were talking bout the head end, not the tail end.

 

[ampdude]

Upon closer inspection of the threads, they are in fact quite scary, I've decided to RMA. I'm used to Surefire/HDS quality, these cheap little lights don't do it for me. I would like to try the Maratac though if the threads are decent. I suppose it has another circuit board connection?

 

[shark_za]

Nobody has mentioned a junk light yet. They are all pretty good.

The Microstream rules because its got a forward clicky switch, its tacti-cool.
If you are used to this form of activation its great. I love it.

The S1 is an upmarket E01, same output and runtime (swap the head with a E01 even) with the addition of a rear reverse clicky switch and a nice clip.
It will make a better EDC light than the E01 but the Fenix will probably be more durable.
The switch does feel very solid and hardy though.

I'm going to have to buy a S2 now, having the S1 and S3.

If you only have $20 to spend on a torch then get the E01.
Its the most dependable tough little thing there is, it wont let you down and will run for many hours as a constant low blue level.
I can see these running in 20 years time if batteries are available then.
You can have more fun and use out of the others but the E01 is the banker.

 

[rydude07]

How does the gerber infinity ultra compare to the fenix or the streamlights?

Also, the arc aaa seems like an expensive version of the e01 lol.

 

[mcnair55]

Also consider the new Nextorch K1 smaller than the Fenix EO1 smarter looking and a nicer brighter beam but I have both and the EO1 is bomb proof and out weighs others with its long run times but I collect tiny lights and I give each one a turn rather than just look at them or display them.

 

[f22shift]

itp ftw

 

[rydude07]

Seems like the itp is the winner.

Thanks for giving me your opinions.

What is your opinions on the streamlight microstream or stylus pro and which do you like better? Doesnt seem like much of you recommend the streamlights:shrug:

 

[mcnair55]

Seems like the itp is the winner.

Thanks for giving me your opinions.

What is your opinions on the streamlight microstream or stylus pro and which do you like better? Doesnt seem like much of you recommend the streamlights:shrug:

Plenty of the members like the Microstream and the Stylus Pro just do a search plenty on here about them.My main EDC till my ITP came along was the Microstream and as from next week will be again because I miss it,been using it for over 2 years,never missed a beat and runs well on standard or eneloop type and on Lithium actually is brighter,a very good quality light and in fact I have 3 other Streamlight products as I am a big fan of them.Last week I sold my Stylus Pro which was nearly new simply because I collect only single cell lights.

 

[rydude07]

So the microstream and stylus pro are about the same? between the 2 which is better.

I guess if i want a cheap long runtime light i should go with the fenix.

ANd ITP for 3 modes.

 

[cm_mtb]

So the microstream and stylus pro are about the same? between the 2 which is better.

I guess if i want a cheap long runtime light i should go with the fenix.

ANd ITP for 3 modes.

Yup, about the same. Neither is "better"; do you value extra runtime and a little more brightness, or smaller size? I haven't used the other lights on your list, but I really like my Microstream. Very useful beam with fairly nice tint, and the forward clicky is great too. I've accidentally dropped it multiple times onto a hard surface without issue.

 

[rydude07]

Would you guys rather go for the itp a2 or a3?

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

The A3 is just so small and completely unobtrusive on a keyring that it's a joy for me. The AA should have at least twice the runtime but is quite a bit bigger. It's an each way bet for me..............

 

[rydude07]

Man so hard deciding between an a2 or a3 to complement a bigger fenix i will get soon. I wont be carrying either the a2 or a3 on my keyring because i feel it is too bulky (plus i carry a phone with a flash that I use as a flashlight)

 

[shark_za]

I first got the A3 and really liked it a lot.
It was the perfect mini light.

Then I got the A1 to see how much brighter a 3v setup with CR123 would be.
Having both I just got the A2 as well, more to complete the range than anything else.

Its now become my favourite of the lot as a general use torch. The A3 is great for keychain or neck lanyard, but if size in not a factor the AA version is better.
You just know its going to run for twice as long.
Its hard to explain, the A3 is light I USE while the A2 is a light I DEPEND on.

Its hanging on a lanyard next to my bed for power failures and such.
When I go camping I decide on a battery format and take cells and chargers for that size. Last time it was the RCR123/CR123 turn and I took the A1 with as a lanyard light.
When I take AA's then the A2 does this job.
The A3 stays near to home on its light duty role. Must be a distrust/dislike in AAA for anything but occasional carry and utility. Scenarios where I wont use the light for long periods.

Its also got to do with the feel and heft of the torch. The A2 is just right in the hand. I love it.

Once you notice the PWM flicker on the A3 you just know its there. From then on its not the same.
The A2 does not visibly suffer from this.

 

[rydude07]

I first got the A3 and really liked it a lot.
It was the perfect mini light.

Then I got the A1 to see how much brighter a 3v setup with CR123 would be.
Having both I just got the A2 as well, more to complete the range than anything else.

Its now become my favourite of the lot as a general use torch. The A3 is great for keychain or neck lanyard, but if size in not a factor the AA version is better.
You just know its going to run for twice as long.
Its hard to explain, the A3 is light I USE while the A2 is a light I DEPEND on.

Its hanging on a lanyard next to my bed for power failures and such.
When I go camping I decide on a battery format and take cells and chargers for that size. Last time it was the RCR123/CR123 turn and I took the A1 with as a lanyard light.
When I take AA's then the A2 does this job.
The A3 stays near to home on its light duty role. Must be a distrust/dislike in AAA for anything but occasional carry and utility. Scenarios where I wont use the light for long periods.

Its also got to do with the feel and heft of the torch. The A2 is just right in the hand. I love it.

Once you notice the PWM flicker on the A3 you just know its there. From then on its not the same.
The A2 does not visibly suffer from this.

What is a pwm? Perfect answer. So if I am not going to put he light on my keys for everyday carry. Then I should get the aa? The aa would be a little more expensive. The aaa seems pretty cool for being so small but I guess the runtime is not tqhat good then?

 

[rydude07]

I first got the A3 and really liked it a lot.
It was the perfect mini light.

Then I got the A1 to see how much brighter a 3v setup with CR123 would be.
Having both I just got the A2 as well, more to complete the range than anything else.

Its now become my favourite of the lot as a general use torch. The A3 is great for keychain or neck lanyard, but if size in not a factor the AA version is better.
You just know its going to run for twice as long.
Its hard to explain, the A3 is light I USE while the A2 is a light I DEPEND on.

Its hanging on a lanyard next to my bed for power failures and such.
When I go camping I decide on a battery format and take cells and chargers for that size. Last time it was the RCR123/CR123 turn and I took the A1 with as a lanyard light.
When I take AA's then the A2 does this job.
The A3 stays near to home on its light duty role. Must be a distrust/dislike in AAA for anything but occasional carry and utility. Scenarios where I wont use the light for long periods.

Its also got to do with the feel and heft of the torch. The A2 is just right in the hand. I love it.

Once you notice the PWM flicker on the A3 you just know its there. From then on its not the same.
The A2 does not visibly suffer from this.

What is a pwm? Perfect answer. So if I am not going to put he light on my keys for everyday carry. Then I should get the aa? The aa would be a little more expensive. The aaa seems pretty cool for being so small but I guess the runtime is not tqhat good then?

OOPS sorry to double post