Would like a high end AA/AAA light

[nickdolin]

Edit: After doing some reasearch with my criteria brought up lights well outside of what I expected to spend on the max side...so.. nevermind. I feel kinda silly now... 🙁

 

[BST07]

Have you looked at the Klarus Mi X6? I recently purchased one and was very happy with the finish. The intention for me was that I wanted setting that looks a little more classy than the typical HA AAA lights. I think the Klarus goes really well with your keys.

 

[pjandyho]

Somehow or rather, manufacturers don't consider AA/AAA sized light worthy of making them high end.

Have a look at McGizmo Haiku high CRI. Although the standard is a CR123 tube, you can always order a 2AA body tube for it.

EDIT: Wait wait wait... You mentioned about high end, and your price range is $60 to $70? Are you kidding? I don't suppose you are paying $100 for a Rolex if that is your comparison to high end?

 

[nickdolin]

Perhaps my price range isn't realistic... at this point I'll leave that flexible...

And yeah, I understand that the "pickings" for that form factor would be smaller than if I went with something like a CR123 or 18650 but I just enjoy the ease of AA and AAA

 

[Derek Dean]

Just off the top of my head, I wonder if a Peak light might be what you're looking for? Get one of the stainless steel models. Curt's craftsmanship is well known in these forums, and he has both AAA and AA versions available, and right in the price range you mentioned:

Check out his two main distributors:
http://www.em-mgt.com/LED/Peak.html

Go to the far left at the top where it says "Peak LED" and use the Mountain Series pull down menu. The Eiger is the AAA, and the El Capitan is the AA. Bob is a great guy to deal with and is available by phone or for live chat on that web site.

Or check out Oveready.com:
http://www.oveready.com/peak-led-flashlights/cat_54.html

They have the Eiger AAA with a SS head, but an aluminum body. Kind of neat.

Be aware that for optimum performance these lights need 3.7 volt lithium ion rechargeable cells, however, they will also run on alkaline or NiMh cells, just at lower output.

By the way, I agree that sometimes it's important to get something nice for yourself. I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[nickdolin]

Derek that's much closer to what I was expecting... but I'm not sure how to interpret their power levels... FC and L...I'm assuming that L is lumens but what is the FC? Current?

 

[pjandyho]

Perhaps my price range isn't realistic... at this point I'll leave that flexible...

And yeah, I understand that the "pickings" for that form factor would be smaller than if I went with something like a CR123 or 18650 but I just enjoy the ease of AA and AAA

Actually I might have misunderstood you. In my opinion, high end means high end. Lights like Tri V by Data and Haiku by McGizmo are high end. They all come with high end pricing. These are also custom lights made in small quantities unlike the mass produced lights available from companies like Surefire, Fenix, 4Sevens and so on. They are also the Rolls Royce and Mercedes in the flashlight world whereas Surefire is much more like a Humvee.

My apologies if I misunderstood you.

 

[pjandyho]

Derek that's much closer to what I was expecting... but I'm not sure how to interpret their power levels... FC and L...I'm assuming that L is lumens but what is the FC? Current?

I can never really understand Peak's website. I think it would be better to just order from Oveready.

 

[nickdolin]

No hard feelings... I just didn't know that High-End went that...well..high... lol
I guess more realistically I meant Mid end... lol... such as something like the Peak variety.

 

[Derek Dean]

The easiest thing would be to order the QTC model, which has variable output, from almost no light up to about 200 lumens, depending on what cell you use.

But, the best thing to do is to call or "live chat" with Bob from RMSK. He can help you select the right light to fit your needs.

But, hey, there are LOTS of very nice lights available that fit what you're looking for. Here, check out some of HJK's reviews:
http://www.lygte-info.dk/review/Reviews UK.html

Don't be in a hurry. For me, looking around is half the fun, so take your time and enjoy the experience.

Edit: If you want a single level Peak Eiger, here is a link to the page that shows how the different output levels relate to lumens values with the different types of cells. Don't try to order from that website, it's a bit outdated, but those values are reasonably accurate for the single level models:
http://www.peakledsolutions.net/Products/Eiger10440.html

Also, be aware that those single level heads are often available in either wide, medium, or narrow beam shape.

AND, the bodies come in three different styles. The LUG body is just a fixed lug on the end for keyring use. The Keyring has a removable post that will allow you quickly take the light off your keyring and tailstand it, and also insert an optional momentary switch on the end if you like. The Pocket style is the shortest, and just has a flat end.

Hope that helps.

 

[kreisler]

One of the few models with XML LED, it's probably one of the most feature-rich and powerful single AA light out there these days. High end.

JetBeam RRT-0 XM-L / US$112.00

It surely is much better than the popular, well-crafted XENO E03, but then again, for 112 bucks i'd rather buy a flashlight with a larger reflector and based on larger batteries with much higher capacity (e.g. 1x 18650, or 2x 18650), and the possibility to exchange the bulb (LED drop-in module, e.g. the P60 style dropins). To cut it short, if you buy a AAA/AA light, then dont spend more money than a XENO E03 costs (the E03 is of outstanding built quality, has XML too and costs as little as ~29.90$ which 100% perfectly matches the overall 'package'). If money doesnt matter, then dont buy a AAA/AA light (because of the obsolete AAA/AA battery technology in modern flashlights) but a 18650 light. Buying a high end AAA/AA flashlight (e.g. for 80-120$) is a silly thing to do.

That simple.

Good luck.

 

[papageorgio]

Zebralight sc51. High end light, without the high end price. Easy!

 

[fisk-king]

Actually I might have misunderstood you. In my opinion, high end means high end. Lights like Tri V by Data and Haiku by McGizmo are high end. They all come with high end pricing. These are also custom lights made in small quantities unlike the mass produced lights available from companies like Surefire, Fenix, 4Sevens and so on. They are also the Rolls Royce and Mercedes in the flashlight world whereas Surefire is much more like a Humvee.

My apologies if I misunderstood you.

If surefire is like a humvee I wonder what you could consider HDS 😀.

 

[ResQTech]

Edit: After doing some reasearch with my criteria brought up lights well outside of what I expected to spend on the max side...so.. nevermind. I feel kinda silly now... 🙁

You have to be careful with the words "high end" on this forum... 😉

 

[davecroft]

If money doesnt matter, then dont buy a AAA/AA light (because of the obsolete AAA/AA battery technology in modern flashlights) but a 18650 light. Buying a high end AAA/AA flashlight (e.g. for 80-120$) is a silly thing to do.

Good luck.

Yikes! I didn't know AA battery technology was obsolete! 😱 All my lights use AA/AAA because the batteries are so easy to get hold of. I've been tempted by Li-ion rechargeables but to be honest they sound a bit 'tricky' and CR123 just too expensive in UK.

Luckily I haven't yet spent more than £50 on an AA light but even so, that's still a lot of money to me...

 

[pjandyho]

If surefire is like a humvee I wonder what you could consider HDS 😀.

Armored Personnel Vehicle? Kidding. It was just a reference. I think both Surefire and HDS ranks side by side.

 

[pjandyho]

Yikes! I didn't know AA battery technology was obsolete! 😱 All my lights use AA/AAA because the batteries are so easy to get hold of. I've been tempted by Li-ion rechargeables but to be honest they sound a bit 'tricky' and CR123 just too expensive in UK.

Luckily I haven't yet spent more than £50 on an AA light but even so, that's still a lot of money to me...

AA alkaline technology isn't obsolete. It is meant for low drain devices. We still have plenty of low drain AA devices around that needed the life giving power of AA alkalines. For high draw flashlights, you are better off with NiMH. My personal favorite would be Eneloop. Company like Zebralight makes superb AA type lights that run super efficiently on Eneloop or any NiMH batteries. Anyway, most of my lights are still CR123 or 18650 based.

 

[Derek Dean]

Edit: After doing some reasearch with my criteria brought up lights well outside of what I expected to spend on the max side...so.. nevermind. I feel kinda silly now... 🙁

Hey, don't feel silly. You're among friends here! Trust me, with a little patience and some time spent reading here on CPF, you'll find the light you're looking for, and at the price point you're willing to pay.

I know most folks can't comprehend that some of us are willing to pay $100+ for a flashlight, let alone $400 or 500+, but then again, most folks can't imagine that there is an entire forum dedicated to flashlights either 🙂.

The trick is to enjoy the challenge of finding that one special light at a price you can both afford and justify. It might take a few weeks, or even a few months, but you'll learn so much along the way that I think you'll find it time well spent.

 

[pjandyho]

Hey, don't feel silly. You're among friends here! Trust me, with a little patience and some time spent reading here on CPF, you'll find the light you're looking for, and at the price point you're willing to pay.

I know most folks can't comprehend that some of us are willing to pay $100+ for a flashlight, let alone $400 or 500+, but then again, most folks can't imagine that there is an entire forum dedicated to flashlights either 🙂.

The trick is to enjoy the challenge of finding that one special light at a price you can both afford and justify. It might take a few weeks, or even a few months, but you'll learn so much along the way that I think you'll find it time well spent.

Agree with Derek here. Spend some time to browse through some of the threads here before coming to a decision. You will over time learn more and understand what is available and within your means.

 

[davecroft]

AA alkaline technology isn't obsolete. It is meant for low drain devices. We still have plenty of low drain AA devices around that needed the life giving power of AA alkalines. For high draw flashlights, you are better off with NiMH. My personal favorite would be Eneloop. Company like Zebralight makes superb AA type lights that run super efficiently on Eneloop or any NiMH batteries. Anyway, most of my lights are still CR123 or 18650 based.

Thanks pjandyho. The Eneloop is what I use, so I assume when kriesler said AA technology was obsolete he was referring to alkalines (he didn't specify). Panic over!