Bright yet inexpensive 2xAA LED flashlight?

Just wondering what the brightest bang for $ is in 2 AA powered flashlights? I see there's a Hydra 3W http://www.batteryjunction.com/hydra.html and even evil ebay has 2 x AA 3W models now. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-3-watt-Luxeon-LED-FLASH-LIGHT-TORCH_W0QQitemZ8748435933QQcategoryZ16037QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Any others worth considering? Fenix L2P?

The Hydra 3W is the same light as the EL XM-3, it does throw a decent amount of light for a 2aa, however a better choice would be the Fenix L2P
as it is almost as bright and casts a much cleaner light, it is also a lot smaller

once i get my 2xAA HDS battery pack I'll have the best AA flashlight that I know of :-D

can't wait!

If you want inexpensive there is the River Rock 2AA at Target stores for about $20. On the good side it is low priced, bright, and has good throw. On the bad side it has a spot-type beam with no sidespill, and has a bit of tint.

TORCH_BOY said:

The Hydra 3W is the same light as the EL XM-3, it does throw a decent amount of light for a 2aa, however a better choice would be the Fenix L2P
as it is almost as bright and casts a much cleaner light, it is also a lot smaller

Click to expand...

What do you mean when you say that the Fenix L2p is almost as bright?
It might be wrong to assume anything by only one source, but according to flashlightreviews, the Fenix l1p has the same overall output and better throw than the XM3, and the L2p should be slightly brighter than the L1p...

But I'm pretty tempted to buy a hydra.

I'd say Fenix L2P.

I real like the overall performance and form factor of this light.

Which is the reason why I have so many.

-Dan

Well there's something to think about. Thanks.

bjn70 said:

If you want inexpensive there is the River Rock 2AA at Target stores for about $20. On the good side it is low priced, bright, and has good throw. On the bad side it has a spot-type beam with no sidespill, and has a bit of tint.

Click to expand...

If you don't mind 2x AAA, the River Rock 0.5w 2x AAA is only $10 and a great light. Decent spillbeam, good run time. Overall output about equal to a Minimag, but in a much smaller package. Beam tint is often blueish, however.

I'll cast another vote for the River Rock 2-AA. Very nice light and impressive throw for it's size. I was outside the other night comparing it to some of my other lights and it really impressed me with it's performance. It's also a very nice looking flashlight as well.

Other than the attractive finish, I can't recommend the River Rock 2xAA lights myself. Actually, the 2xAAA light is almost as bright and has a much more useful beam and the batteries last a bit longer.

Overall, I'd have to suggest the L2P as the brightest/nicest/most cost effective 2xAA light in a turnkey package. Of course, for about $70, you can build a blindingly bright Minimag or for about $60 you can build a very bright and more usable Minimag.

Other than the attractive finish, I can't recommend the River Rock 2xAA lights myself. Actually, the 2xAAA light is almost as bright and has a much more useful beam and the batteries last a bit longer.

Overall, I'd have to suggest the L2P as the brightest/nicest/most cost effective 2xAA light in a turnkey package. Of course, for about $70, you can build a blindingly bright Minimag or for about $60 you can build a very bright and more usable Minimag.

Yes the L2P isn't that cheap and I've not heard of River Rock gear over here. Any stores that do international shipping on RR lights?

One the brightest 2xAA bang for $ might be this one from Emil
http://emilionworkshop.com/oscommerce/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=85
Regulated (apparently), 3W, a lot brighter than L1P, 1h30 runtime with 2x 2000mAh NiMh (before dimming).

Interesting, the Smartfire's body is very similar to the ebay one. There are minor differences but I'd bet they come from the same factory.

I just have to plug the L2P... more than worth the $$$ the regulation provides FOUR HOURS of constant brightness with rechargeable NiMH... I am still very impressed buy the duration of quality light it produces. Its great to just leave it on and running without concern of "running down the batteries". Four hours seems like forever at full tilt boogie!

The NexTorch MM is a contender in this category.
It smokes the L1P and quite a few 3W lights so it should fair very well against the L2P and most of the others mentioned here.
No HAIII but you do get the option of running on CR2.
Here's the runtime along with a few more pics.

glire said:

One the brightest 2xAA bang for $ might be this one from Emil
http://emilionworkshop.com/oscommerce/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=85
Regulated (apparently), 3W, a lot brighter than L1P, 1h30 runtime with 2x 2000mAh NiMh (before dimming).

Click to expand...

AXShop has the same one.
Their prices seem to be unbeatable. But their service and shipping times leave a bit to be desired.
Note: They only ship to the US.

http://www.axshop.com/details.aspx/sku-1070/

Overall, I'd have to suggest the L2P as the brightest/nicest/most cost effective 2xAA light in a turnkey package. Of course, for about $70, you can build a blindingly bright Minimag or for about $60 you can build a very bright and more usable Minimag.

Click to expand...

The L2P seems to be nice, but the original question concerned cheap, which the L2P is not.

Regarding a $60 or $70 MM, those aren't exactly cheap either, but last time I checked the the waiting line for those sandwiches was way up in the hundreds. Has production on them caught up with demand?

Inova Radiant comes to mind. Haven't tried it though.

20 bucks. Inova Radiant AA new version (don't get the old doughnutbeam version). Decent semi regulated output, bright, nice spillbeam, respectable throw. Heatsinking is also taken care of very well (there is metal to air contact), AND, only 20 freakin bucks! Great bang for the buck IMO.