why not rethink that whole "need" thing?
that feature does mainly 3 things: make the light more complex and prone to defect, make it not protected against the elements, make it longer than neccessary.
While a simple reflector/optic gives the overall most useable beam
In that size/power class the benefits of the zoomed out feature are not that great, while the zoom construction renders the light with nearly no spill light at all. Has a few positive points (that apply only when being zoomed out) but the disadvantages prevail.
Also that size + cemistry can be debated.
Yes, nearly we all started with 2*AA lights, but that was quite some years ago. Good to make ones own experience, but if You could take a shortcut - why not?
Li-Ion simply packs A LOT more power in a similar sized package (or - in case of 1*AA Ni-Mh vs. 1*14500 is about equal but much less "stress" on the driver)
and 2*AA is not even near a match for 1*18650, while the light(s) are almost comparable (the one being thinner & longer, while the other being shorter & thicker)
f.e., instead of 1*AA (= EDC):
have a look at the foursevens Mini MK2 "combo pack" lights. (1*CR123A)
they are a match for any of Your 1*AA lights and the in the pack included supersmall USB charger can charge
any cell! Ni-Mh as well as Li-Ion. With 750 mA even useful for big Li-Ion cells - f.e when traveling lightly
PS: yes, these medium-to-wide optic focused lights have dramatically less reach than a zoomed out zoom light. For full zoom use only they will not work