New guy needs new light

Wow, lots of accumulated knowledge here, and lots of potential choices for a new light. I'm looking for spend in the neighborhood of $75, probably for a 2 AA light I'd use in the woods, around the house, and for those things that go bump in the night. I like AA because I can find 'em anywhere and I have an Eneloops set already. Build quality and durability are important.

I see lights with multiple lighting options, from midnight to turbo, and I'd be looking for something with at least low-medium-high.

Only problem is there are so many lights that seem to fit my needs. So I turn to the experts for recommendations!

Thanks for any guidance.

best,
Mike

Welcome, Mike. You're right about there being so many worthy lights. Fenix and Quark are good places to start. You can't really go wrong with them. Are you sure you want 2AA? If you want something to have with you I'd suggest 1AA. There are some seriously bright small lights these days that are still pocket friendly. Of course that will make the decision even tougher. Check out our members reviews before taking the plunge.

Geoff

Thanks, Geoff. I'll expand the search!

The choice will come down to your preferences for the user interface, form factor, and style.

The most commonly recommended 2xAA lights around here in your price range are...

EagleTac P20A2 MKII
Quark AA2 (regular or tactical)
Fenix LD20

There are a few others, but those have the largest following. They are all outstanding lights, but different. Do some research on each, and try and decide what you like/don't like about them, then ask some specific questions once you are armed with a bit more information.

If you decide, after expanding your search, that the 1XAA form factor is for you, then I highly suggest the Zebralight SC51. Designed to be run on your Eneloops (but can run on 14500 or even Alkalines:sick2:, though there isn't much advantage to 14500's thanks to well designed circuitry)you won't find a brighter light on those cells. Multiple modes. Low-low. And according to Zebralight they've solved the PWM issue, if that even matters to you (different strokes...). Other than that I'd also suggest the Jet-I Pro V3. Great light as well and has many fans here on CPF. If you should choose to go the 2XAA route, the choices already listed would serve you well.

Look at the Dereelight Javelin 3S (3S = low, medium, high) with the XP-G. It is the best throwing 2 AA flashlight and you can get an extension tube so it can be used with 3 AA batteries to make it even brighter. The light uses the standard P60 sized dropin so it can be upgraded. You can also get the same light with an XR-E emitter for even more throw (but less flood) if needed. You can change from a OP reflector to a smooth reflector for even more throw with an XR-E. Build quality is excellent. The light is also "legoable" so the head can even but put on a single cr123a (C2H) body if ever desird. You can even get an AA extension for the C2H body and use it with the Javelin head so now you will have a single AA light (now sure how much light would come out with an eneloop in that case though - you may need to use a 14500 Lithium Ion battery in that case). Anyway - it is a great light. You can just use it as is too. It has a forward clickie and a soft click will toggle it thru each mode. Leave the light at the chosen brightness level for a second or more, and it will remember that level the next time you turn it on (memory). You will not find this is any other AA light.

If you do want a single AA light than I echo what has already been said - get the Zebralight SC51 when it comes out.

I like the sound of the sc51. But i wish i could see some beam comparisons with , say the d10. I just wonder if that light is going to be total flood oe have any throw at all. 200otf lumens on 1xaa is a big leap.

I had just did a thread on single CR123 flashlights. All the lights I had compiled on my list had AA versions. You might want to read my post. In fact I'll just compile a list derived from my thread. I will periodically update this list.

1*CR123A:

Fenix PD20 Q5: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/250989 new model: http://www.fenixlight.com/viewnproduct.asp?id=59

NITECORE ez 123: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=13

Nitecore Extreme: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=8

Nitecore EX10: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=12

Dereelight C2H: http://flashlightconnection.com/Dereelight-Flashlights/C2H/C2H-Cree-XP-G-R5-Flashlight-Black-HAIII-finish-p307.html

Olight T10: http://www.batteryjunction.com/specialedition-t10-olight.html

Zebralight SC30: http://flashlightconnection.com/Zebr...tint-p289.html

LumaPower IncenDio V3: http://www.batteryjunction.com/incendio.html

Jetbeam RRT: http://www.jetbeam.com.cn/links/pro/rrt0.aspx

4Sevens Quark 123, 123 mini: http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_43&products_id=325 ,
http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_43&products_id=1649

ITP SC1 ELUMA: http://www.batteryjunction.com/itp-sc1-flashlight.html


2* AA flashlights:

Eagletac P20A2 MkII, P100A2, P10A2: http://flashlightconnection.com/Eag...agleTac-P20A2-Mk-II-Flashlight-XP-G-p300.html, http://flashlightconnection.com/Eag...l-Series-Flashlights/EagleTac-P100A2-p62.html , http://flashlightconnection.com/Eag...al-Series-Flashlights/EagleTac-P10A2-p58.html

Fenix LD20: http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=118

Nitecore D20: http://www.nitecore.com/goods_detail.php?id=10

Dereelight Javelin: http://flashlightconnection.com/Der...n/Dereelight-Javelin-3S-XP-G-R5-LED-p283.html

Olight T25-T: http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_23&products_id=1909

Zebralight SC50: http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_20&products_id=623

Lumapower Vantage: http://www.batteryjunction.com/lumapower-vantage.html

Jetbeam JET-I PRO EX V3.0: http://www.jetbeam.com.cn/links/pro/jet1proexv3.aspx

4Seven Quark AA**, R5 Edition: http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_305&products_id=1620

ITP SA2 ELUMA: http://www.batteryjunction.com/itp-sa2-flashlight.html


:welcome:Have fun. This is just a tease to get you started. There are numerous possibilities out there. Impossible to try and list them all. I tried to choose high quality and stay away from the high budget items.


Here is my original thread:

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/292651

Thanks, guys. Lots to read, lots to learn. Good thing the boss is out of the office this morning ...

:welcome:
Nobody mentioned the Quark Mini AA2 yet. A full inch shorter than the 2AA Minimag and comes with a pocket clip. Probably the most pocketable 2AA around. Twist on off and mode change.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/292571
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The Quark AA2 (not the Mini) comes in 3 versions:
Regular - Loosen or tighten the head will bring you to moonlight or turbo mode. Then you have to click around to the mode you want.
Tactical - You program the levels you want for head loose/head tight positions from the choices available. Then just tighten or loosen the head to go to those 2 levels.
Turbo - This is a tactical with a bigger head and reflector for improved throw.
Old stock - There are still some old stock of R2 Quarks around. Less bright but with better throw.
-
4sevens has an 8% discount for CPF members. To see all the discount codes available to CPF members register and log in to CPFMP. Then the Good Deals Forum will show up. The codes are in a sticky there.

A different direction to consider is a Solar Force L2r (2AA) @ $10.99 with a Solar Force LC-1 "3 mode drop-in" @ $16.99. The P60 "drop-in" will allow you to upgrade in the future. I have many "more expensive" lights, but these are GREAT lights, and you could buy 2 (or 3) for the money!

http://www.lighthound.com/Solar-Force-L2R-Flashlight-Host-for-AA-Batteries_p_3474.html

http://www.lighthound.com/Solar-For...lashlight-Three-Modes-Low-Voltage_p_3507.html

Good luck in your search!

My .02 FWIW YMMV

For 72 dollars shipped with ggcpf10 coupon code, you can get an itp A6 Polestar from goinggear. Or get from amazon or where-ever.

It is a change in that it uses SIX AA batteries in a battery carrier and produces a nice floody beam that is rated at 700 lumens!

That is a significant bump from your typical 2xAA light for sure and you will certainly enjoy better runtime.

It has 3 nicely defined brightness levels and a fairly worthless strobe. It is great for lighting up an area and is decent build quality.



Since this is around the house type of light, I see no real advantage to a lighter 2xAA torch. If you were carrying around everyday, sure. But for the money if you are willing to spend 72, I'd rather have the extra runtime and potential brightness of the A6.

It is about the size of a 2C Maglite and fits nicely in your hand. Its around 8 inches long.