AAA flashlight

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Raisedby wolves

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Dec 27, 2009
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What is the best SINGLE cell AAA flashlight for the money?

I have a Surefire G2 with a Cree LED drop in, But want to buy a couple of AAA lights to throw in the pocket/purse. The Fenix LD01 has a fairly low output. You guys use any low dollar, high output alternatives?

High/Low modes would be a plus, but I don't need any strobes or bells and whistles. Just a waterproof aluminum light with a decent high output and a serviceable close quarters low output would be great.

The guys on Candlepower forums are great, but they are just too into it. All hyped up and not very practical for my needs.

Thanks in advance.

Carl-
 
For the money, the Maratac AAA is probably your very best value. It's a tad brighter than the LD01, but considerably cheaper.

The iTP A3 EOS is the same light in a slightly different form factor.

Those are probably your best low dollar alternatives.

If you don't mind spending a little more, the new Preons have the hot new emitters, and a little better output.
 
I EDC the Leatherman Serac S2. It takes a single AAA, has two settings, is plenty bright for my needs, has a waterproof metal casing with two carry options (pocket clip and lanyard), and comes in at a reasonable price point. Plus, it's nice and small. Battery life seems to be quite good, too.

All the best,

- Mike
 
I keep replacing my pocket light as new, shiny ones come out. I had the Fenix E01 for a long time. It's indestructible and goes forever, but only puts out about 10 lumens. And the light that comes out is pretty purple.

I replaced it with a stainless steel LD01. Great output, also indestructible. The low and medium levels had very little space between them, though, so it's really more of a two-stage light. Run time wasn't terrific.

Replaced that with the Maratac. Great little light. Half the price of the LD01. Very nice low, and a higher high.

Just replaced the Maratac with a single cell Preon. The Preon is definitely more floody and less throwy, but is brighter overall. Added a clicky for a few more bucks and it's a lot of fun to play with. It's light, sturdy, pretty, and bright--what's not to like?
 
The E01 is a great addition to any emergency kit. Even though it has a low output, it's sturdy as hell and can run a long, long time on a single cell. It can even get light out of most "dead" batteries for a while. I've got a couple in the emergency drawer of my house, and all of my kids have their own. It's not super shiny, but if you need light it's always going to work. Plus, my old E01 had the smoothest threads of any light I've ever handled.
 
Best single AAA for the money?
Easy for me: ITP A3 EOS Upgraded edition, $20.:thumbup:
Also been happy with the E0 (single mode, save $5; had the older small one) and the LD01 (bigger, 2.5x investment, runtimes not preferable); [both disappeared, not of my account:(], before the A3 came around, but the same value/utility isn't there. LiteFlux LX2 caught my eye with all the lip-service on CPF, but it's getting costly for pocket jewelry that might disappear, and the utility doesn't really add up any extra to non-flashaholics that don't need two UI's in one (3x+ invesment).

The ITP A3 is something I'm happy to use amidst more expensive flashlights and not feel like I'm losing anything, as well as gifting to others. It really is tiny, functions as expected, great price-point I've been waiting for, and has super runtime in low (1.5lumens for 50 hours! which is what I use most often. Sometimes the 18lumens for 4hours, and rarely the 80lumens for 55minutes when I want to just play around). It's regulated in such a way that you might notice a slight strobe effect, if you swing it around while in low; doesn't bother me, but if you're really sensitive to such things, maybe check out a light without PWM.
 
Also consider the iTP A2 EOS. It's the AA version of the A3 EOS Upgrade. Longer runtime on all modes then the A3. :thumbup: I played with my sisters A1 EOS (1-CR123A) before giving it to her and was rather impressed. It's shorter, but fatter then the A3.

Heber
 
I bought a garrity from walmart for 10 bucks that has held up nicely-nice and bright and the batteries last 3-4 hours. For a budget light it's pretty damned good.
 
The ITP A3 EOS would be the best bargain IMO, as the shipping cost from County Comm is so high when you get the Maratac.
 
If you're going AA, all sorts of options open up.

Quarks are really nice. If you want a smaller form factor, the Quark Mini is a whole lot of flashlight in a little package.
 
I sell over 100 flashlight models, and my EDC is the iTP A3 EOS SS, so that should say something. I like the Preon as well (and should have them on my site soon), but prefer the grippier texture and smaller size on the A3.

itpa3eosss.jpg


The different A3 models all have the same lumens specs, so it really just depends on what material and color you want. There are seven aluminum versions (black one mode; black, natural, blue, red, gold, purple three mode), one stainless steel, and one titanium.
 
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