Light decision help please

My first post here. I'm looking for help picking an everyday carry type light, probably in my front pocket. I am a building inspector and spend a lot of time in unlit basements and such looking at wiring. I also camp on the weekends and would like to have a small powerful light on me. Smaller is better in my mind, so I was leaning toward a AAA light, but if the AA lights are much better, I think I could carry one of those pretty easily also. So I guess I'm looking for the best performing single AAA or AA light for under $50 (I can go a little higher if need be).


1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
__x__I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!

____Less than $25.
__x__Less than $50.
____Less than $100.
____Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
__x__I'm flexible, tell we what you got.
____Other, please specify ________


3) Format:

__x__I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Keychain size.
__x__Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source:

__x__LED
____Incandescent
____HID


6) Manufacturer:

__x__I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this option can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs.


7) What battery type do you want to use?

__x__I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today's most powerful lights)
____I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
____I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)


8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

__x__I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
__x__I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I walk ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

__x__Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
__x__Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
__x__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

__x__Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
__x__30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).


11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).
__x__Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
__x__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (twist head to tighten, and the light will stay on until head is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
____I don't care.
__x__I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off is fine for me.
__x__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__x__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (hard anodized) (this is the most common for today's flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
__x__I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________.


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
__x__Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments

Hi Wevil :welcome:

There are a lot of lights that fit your criteria, you will have fun shopping for one I suspect. The $50 mark is a sweet spot for many lights that are just fantastic.

A friend of mine does forensic architecture and finds himself in dark corners a lot, and he carries a Fenix L1T, a two-mode AA light. It fits in his pocket but doesn't have a clip. A little more expensive, with more modes and a clip is the Fenix LD10.

A lot of us are also big fans of the 4Sevens Quark series. These are multi-mode lights with pocket clips. The "tactical" Quark versions are two-mode lights that you can program to use any two of the modes found in the regular series. The Quark MiNi lights are very small clipless pocket versions. You can look at 4Sevens Preon lights too, in AAA and 2xAAA versions.

There are a LOT of other choices, but these high-quality and affordable lights are a good place to start.

Be sure to check the discounts available to you from many on-line retailers, to do this you'll need to first register at the CPF Marketplace and post there at least twice: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=181841

One of my biggest questions is whether the AA offers any really big advantages over the AAA, and how comfortable is it to carry in your front pocket (like a clip on knife).

From what I've learned so far, the Maratac and ITP AAA lights seem to get good reviews for the price. Is there any real advantage to stepping up to more expensive lights, or are these pretty close to as good as it gets? I really want to buy a good one to carry with me in my pocket everyday.

Check out the iTP lights
great value for the $

A3 or A2 ? or both......:thinking:

I would second the 1XAA Quark. Look at the Regular version, it can tailstand, which can be helpful in a tent or to light a small room (ceiling bounce).These lights are also "legoable" if you decide in the future to get a different battery tube or tailcap.
Also look at the Prizm kit which allows for headlamp use, or forward directed light when clipped to a breast pocket.

The Fenix LD01. It does all you want, and some more.

1. it has three levels,
2. it uses just one AAA battery and will run up to 8 hours with it on low,
3. it is Durable (with a capital -D). Finish is really tough,
4. it fits your price range,
5. most important for an EDC: it may be the most advanced one, but if it is too big... you won't wear it, and you'll have nothing from it. This one is very small (and even more important: not too thick!) so you can have it on you really always without you noticing it, so it's there when you need it!
6. I almost forgot to mention, it is very light in weight. (UNLESS you have the stainless steel version, this one is heavy!)

Timmo.

I just ordered the Fenix LD01. I will let you know what I think of it after I get it and try it out a while.

Thank you for your input and guidance.

Unless you want the light on your keychain, AAA in NOT the way to go;

in most AAA lights, manufacturers use the smallest ppossible reflectors, resulting in a very floddy beam, useless outdoors.

I would recommend the Quark AA tactical or Fenix LD10 Q5 (NOT R5)

such a small, high-Kelvin light is unsuitable for outdoors use anyway, due to the wrong color. So, no problem in my opinion. You just don't go into the woods with such a tiny light, do you?
In this case, take your good old incan thrower and lots of batteries and a spare bulb
OR a warm white LED with turbo head, maybe? I'll try this as soon as my 4sevens warm 123^2 turbo is in...

Timmo.

Since throw is not important, the H501 would fit all of your criteria and intended use. Its a small, single AA area light. Its main function is as a hands free task light, and that something it does extremely well. There is no reflector so it will have an even wall of light, its perfect for working in close spaces.

check it out, it should about 55 from illuminationgear with the cpf discount.

Wevil, good call on the Fenix LD01, I've had an earlier version on my keychain for years. Because it's always with my keys, it is in fact the light I use most often.

The other posters are right, you won't get a lot of throw out of the small reflectors on an AAA light. I think of my larger AA lights as being more like tools, and I use them that way, when I have a task that calls for them.

But you can't go wrong with the LD01 on your keyring, it's bright and tough and tiny. Have fun with your new light!