Best / Brightest AAA/AA light for under $20

I want a light for my friend that runs off AAA's or AA's any number. I want to get it for him as a gift. I would like to keep it limited to a light from DX or KD. I would like the lumen output to be over 100.

So far a few that look good are:

Ultrafire C3

Romisen RC-W4

I would like output to be at least 30-40 minutes, 1hr is better. No lithium only lights, just ones that can run off both.

Any other options / Suggestions?

Thanks! :thumbsup:

Romisen RC-G2

Romisen RC-N3

Aye, my vote goes for the RC-N3, it feels great in the hand, bright, decent runtime, forward clicky.

I have no first hand experience but I'd keep an eye on this one. I like the fact that it's been changed to a spring loaded type twisty which is my favorite kind of switch.

nerdgineer said:

I have no first hand experience but I'd keep an eye on this one. I like the fact that it's been changed to a spring loaded type twisty which is my favorite kind of switch.

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+1, but order the Q5 version for only $3 more.

Bigsy said:

Aye, my vote goes for the RC-N3, it feels great in the hand, bright, decent runtime, forward clicky.

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+1

The RC-N3 is superb and I may get another one. The Ultrafire 606 also takes 2aa's and is brighter.

The RC-G2 is great and very well made for $11 but is not so bright and nowhere near 100 lumens. I still love mine though even unmodified.

My Ultrafire C3 5-mode was not a good light and I was dissapointed with it but others have had better experiences.

Avoid 3aaa lights if possible.

It would be hard if not impossible to find a decent stock AAA/AA powered and over 100 lumen at that price range. Some 3 AAA light might be able to hit over 100 lumen, but that will only last a few minutes on alkaline batteries, much better runtime with NiMh batteries.

I'd pick the RC-N3 for AA powered at that price range.

The KD AAA light will have really short runtime.

Have you checked out my thread? I've revied most of those so you'll be able to make a direct comparison of output / runtime.
But I haven't got every photos / run-times tests yet complete. I'll get them up when I have some more free time at night. =)

Anyways, RC-N3 with 2AA isn't that super bright.
RC-W4 with 3AAA is much brighter and still runs for over 35mins.

Also, no one has reviewed this yet but..
You may also consider this KD Buckle V4 AAA flashlight with a Cree Q5.
Q5 is driven at current regulated 350mA. So it's good for 100+ lumens.
I expect runtime to be ~30 mins. I think it could be a winner imo.

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...d.php?t=178248

Will the KD Buckle Light Q5 take a rechargeable lithium safely?

No it will fry the circuit

@ Centropolis are you talking about a 10440, or a energizer lithium 1.7v cell?

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I wouldn't mind the KD Buckle Q5 for myself, but I wanted my friends light to have more practical run time.

How bright is the RC-N3 on two Ni-Hm's? I really like the clip and the ability to make it a 1xCR123A light...

Should be around 60 lumen from what I've seen.

If you like the RC-G2 at all check out the RC-G2 with Q5

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=177920

With shipping the the CPF discount its a touch over the 20 dollar limit but better spill. Not strictly speaking a DX/KD light but he got a special run with the upgraded emitter on a light that's normally carried there. Bennie also reviewed it in his thread.

Bigsy said:

Aye, my vote goes for the RC-N3, it feels great in the hand, bright, decent runtime, forward clicky.

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This flashlight sounds too good to be true. Some concern about using a RCR123. Do you have any thoughts?

Frankiarmz said:

This flashlight sounds too good to be true. Some concern about using a RCR123. Do you have any thoughts?

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Check my review thread for some RC-N3 runtimes / output measurements.
Also, Ernsanada has a review in the review forum also.

Both the RC-G2 and RC-N3 are too weak.

The RC-W4 seems to be a lot brighter. 135 lux vs 60 of the RC-G2. Over double the brightness? How about the lumens?

jasonck08 said:

The RC-W4 seems to be a lot brighter. 135 lux vs 60 of the RC-G2. Over double the brightness? How about the lumens?

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You seems to be referring to my lightbox values. It's not scientific but I believe my lightbox values are quite close to actual lumens values plus or minus up to 15% of error/variations. So yes. It is about double the brightness. I can tell the difference even by just looking at the two beams side by side. It's coz RC-G2 is about 1W max where as RC-W4 runs at around 3W at the LED coz of the driver and input voltage difference.

Curious...

Can the RC-N3 be configured to a 1AA format, using just the AA extender tube by itself? A 1x14500 should give longer run times than a 1xRCR123.

Nope.

Anyone know anything about the ROMISEN RC-U4... It's a little more than I'd like to spend but it looks nice... Or the RC-KF Both look nice...