Best AA LED torch ?
- Thread starter nightbeam
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geepondy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Gunner12
Flashaholic
You'll have to define best.
Best Price?
Best Feel?
Best as in brightest?
Best as in most modes?
Best throw?
.....
Best I've seen in all the stock lights would probably be the Nitecore Defender.
Best Price?
Best Feel?
Best as in brightest?
Best as in most modes?
Best throw?
.....
Best I've seen in all the stock lights would probably be the Nitecore Defender.
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angelofwar
Flashlight Enthusiast
Rayovac Sportsman 3-Watt is the best one I've seen to date...for the price anyway...it cranks out 80 lumens for a solid 2 hours on 2 AA's, has a nice tight beam, and decent throw...plus the tactical tail switch...not bad for $25...I use this for my day-to-day light at work, and have nothing bad too say about it. Hope this helps!
My vote goes to Arcmania's Maxlite series as being the best. I own a Maxlite Extreme, and it is by far the one of the most well built 1AA flashlights out there. I just wish they weren't so expensive so that I could buy more than one. But being a flashaholic dumping all my $$$ into a few flashlights just doesn't satisfy my addiction. 
Gunner12
Flashaholic
Output is actually about 60 out the front, which is still not bad for a Luxeon III light. Replace the LED with a Seoul P4 and watch the output double(or save yourself the hassle and but this light, or jump even higher and go for this light). It's great for a light that you can buy at a normal store.
:welcome:
I did this P4 upgrade and
went the PCB within a week. YMMV. It was lovely while it worked, however. 
WadeF
Flashlight Enthusiast
Check the offerings from Fenix, such as the L1D-CE and L2D-CE, available on http://www.fenix-store.com
If you check fenix-store's premium category there are some Cree Q5 L2D's.
If you check fenix-store's premium category there are some Cree Q5 L2D's.
Go to Sam's Club and try fining these bad boys http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?catg=535&item=370469&prDeTab=2#A. That's 5 bucks more than the Rayovac, but comes with 2, about the same lumens but much more runtime and has a forward clicky.
Don't think there are any real AA-throwmonster, the reflector is too small. Might even be better to get one of the bigger cheap DX/KD single AA-lights, usually have a bigger head for throw.
Another suggestion for throw in small package is Lumapower D-mini, believe it's the best throw in small package light out there, but it's a CR123-light.
Another suggestion for throw in small package is Lumapower D-mini, believe it's the best throw in small package light out there, but it's a CR123-light.
Gunner12
Flashaholic
You could get a torch like this light and drop in a fitting Aspheric lens for maximum throw(the Cree XR-E LEDs works best). Use this driver if you want even more output.
Stock, I think the best throwing AA light would be the Maxlite Extreme.
Stock, I think the best throwing AA light would be the Maxlite Extreme.
Gunner12
Flashaholic
Most powerful?
As in throw our just plain output?
Modded(9 Cree Q5, Moby ****) or stock(Shade Slayer)?
There are plenty of beamshots or the Tiablo and many other lights here on CPF.
Comparison(DBS, MRV, A8, WF-600, 3W Cree, Regelight), Tiablo A8, DBS review, Another DBS review, A8 Q5 VS DBS, I hope that gives you enough beamshots.
P.S. The Dereelight DBS has even more throw then the Tiablo A9.
As in throw our just plain output?
Modded(9 Cree Q5, Moby ****) or stock(Shade Slayer)?
There are plenty of beamshots or the Tiablo and many other lights here on CPF.
Comparison(DBS, MRV, A8, WF-600, 3W Cree, Regelight), Tiablo A8, DBS review, Another DBS review, A8 Q5 VS DBS, I hope that gives you enough beamshots.
P.S. The Dereelight DBS has even more throw then the Tiablo A9.
PlayboyJoeShmoe
Flashaholic
For a light that anybody can go into one of the big chain Brick and Mortar stores I also think the Rayovac 3W is pretty good stuff.
None of the easily available stuff are throw monsters, but out in quality dark most 1W and 3W lights do a nice job.
The throwiest AA light I own is a Streamlight 4AA LUX.
But I value a beam with a bright center fading gently out to good spill more than absolute throw....
None of the easily available stuff are throw monsters, but out in quality dark most 1W and 3W lights do a nice job.
The throwiest AA light I own is a Streamlight 4AA LUX.
But I value a beam with a bright center fading gently out to good spill more than absolute throw....
qarawol
Enlightened
My vote goes to Arcmania's Maxlite series as being the best. I own a Maxlite Extreme, and it is by far the one of the most well built 1AA flashlights out there. I just wish they weren't so expensive so that I could buy more than one. But being a flashaholic dumping all my $$$ into a few flashlights just doesn't satisfy my addiction.
I have to agree here on the ARC mania Maxlite Extreme. I have one too. As for the high price, 'ace0001a' just mentioned it... "it is by far the one of the most well built 1AA flashlights out there."
Check out the ARC mania Extreme II coming out. This will be hard to beat.
As for throw... The ARC mania single AA TTM (To The Max) TTM (Turbo Tower Module) with 3" Turbo Head. I have a custom TTM w/SSC P4 = OMG!!!! from a single AA battery.
Don't let just the prices scare you away. You are paying for Quality, Performance and a limited production Flashlight that generally keeps or increases its resale value.
Njoy...
Dereelight DBS I have yet to get a price for this.
I have CMG reactor, and yeah its a nice little light, but im hoping this Dereelight would be manytimes better.
I have CMG reactor, and yeah its a nice little light, but im hoping this Dereelight would be manytimes better.
Gunner12
Flashaholic
The above is from the DBS thread before the picture of the LED, I think the Digital module is the brightest one, but it only works with 1 18650 battery. It's about 61 pound shipped.
The DBS will be much brighter but it runs on 2 CR123 batteries or 1 18650 3.7V rechargeable Li-ion battery.
Wait, the Reactor, as in this light or this one?
The DBS has 11 time the throw or about 125 time the Lux figure of the Reactor 3 at 1 meter(160 Lux VS. the 20000 + lux of the DBS, 15 lumen VS. 170+ lumen). But the light is much wider. 16.7 cm long and 4.8 cm wide at the head.
No offense but even this light has more throw and output then the Reactor 3 and it's smaller and runs on 1 AA battery.
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Keeping in mind that technology keeps moving forward and whatever is a "throw monster" will be "out thrown" in just a few months time...
I wanted the best AA thrower myself, and in AA, as a "go to" light for bug-out situations.
I settled upon the L2D-Q5, rated at 180 lumens. I liked it so much that I've ordered another.
With the L2D-Q5, you have in one light, a "blaster" that will surprise you even when comparing it to more powerful lights like 2-CR123's (Tiablo, DBS, MRV).
The L2D's Turbo beam is not only very bright, but nice and floody at the same time with a huge hotspot that makes it more comfortable to use, but it's also a 55 hour, tail-standing candle when needed.
Additionally, one of mine is doing full time duty in my wife's car, not only for the obvious bright-light ability, but for it's strobe capability which comes in real handy when you're changing a tire on the shoulder of a crowded freeway (set it on the roof in strobe function, but do NOT point it directly into the oncoming traffic... you'll blind the oncoming drivers when you want to do is to alert them).
Even if you get one and then somehow think that it's not "throwy" enough, you'll still be glad you have one as a backup.
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The best LED i have is the Reactor that takes two AA. Its ok, and useless at the sametime.
A DBS isnt cheep, so i hope it is a big step up from the reactor.
It would be to use to check around buildings at night, and to use for self defence, do to a bit of searching in the rain etc.
Is the DBS up to the job ?
A DBS isnt cheep, so i hope it is a big step up from the reactor.
It would be to use to check around buildings at night, and to use for self defence, do to a bit of searching in the rain etc.
Is the DBS up to the job ?
