Brightest flashlight using a single AA?

[shortylickens]

Or a single AAA?

I need something easily pocket-able to keep in a jacket or even jean pocket. Already have a quite a few Photon lights scattered around in my gun bag, emergency kits, etc. But for something to carry everyday I am still searching. Bought quite a few from Amazon over the past year and some were clearly better than others.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BQ0834/
I like this one a lot even though its just a AAA. Very bright on highest setting, and lasts a while on lower levels. (Not quite the 50 hours they claim though). If I cant find anything better I will buy a couple more of these. I also have the A1 version which uses a CR123 battery. Gave it to mom so she's have a real light walking home instead of some cheap plastic Everready junk or a 10 year old worn out Maglite. Took her a while to get used to the 3 settings but now she likes it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00062APHU
Got this a little more recently and its very nice especially being water tight, but I wonder if its possible to get an even brighter light using a single AA.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MJPRK2
Junk. I asked for a refund from Amazon and when I tried to send it back they said just keep it. With money back in hand I decided to send it to Gerber so they could have a look see and maybe improve the design. As cheap as it is I dont think they really care. Was built in Taiwan so I believe their objective was cost efficiency. The body acts as a conductor so you've got probably 5 ohms or less between the negative and positive ends. Battery just shoots current through and the body gets insanely hot. No illumination. Shame because it is sturdy and if it actually worked it would be a nice pocket light. Oh, and the bulb sticks out a little too far. According to other reviewers the thing gets damaged easily sitting inside a pocket, brushing up against keys or whatever. Hmm, guess it was never gonna be a good pocket light.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MG70PA
A slightly more successful experiment. Works well enough but is a bit bulky for what I want. Not quite as bright as the above waterproof Gerber light.

So what else should I look at?

I think the Omnivore is cool:
http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-8012.../dp/B0014BMC2S
But everyone complains the sucker is too weak and I want the brightest possible while still using easy to find batteries. Especially because I have a whole drawer full of rechargeable AA's and AAA's. I can fill up a ziplock bag with them and keep in my glove compartment. Or maybe put one two in my jacket pocket.

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-8014.../dp/B001P3OCDM
Cant tell if it needs one or two AA's.

http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-Flashlig.../dp/B004D2A02O
E05-R2 looks nice. Anybody have it?

http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-E01-Comp.../dp/B001GAOO6Y
E01 seems good. Nice they have so many reviews cuz theres no product description at all.

http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-Flashlig.../dp/B004DVIKC2
LD01 seems like a better version of the above ITP flashlight.

http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-LD15-Hig...ce-Flashlight/

http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-LD10-Lum.../dp/B004DVIJSW
Waterproof and multimode are both really nice, but not absolutely essential. I am mostly concerned with getting the brightest.

http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-LD01R2-L.../dp/B002YKL2ZQ
What the difference between the LD01 and LD01-R2?

http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-E11-Lume.../dp/B005H2PL50
Good but not fancy.

Please keep in mind I am not particularly fond of any one brand. I picked these cuz it seems like Fenix and Gerber had a good selection of AA and AAA flashlights. However I do have a lot of Amazon gift card money this Xmas so I should probably look there first.
Also, I know better than to just take the lumens or candela rating at face value. It seems manufacturers do a lot of fudging with their numbers so I need to know whats really the brightest, not just the best on paper.
I think Cree or Xenon is the brightest but not easy to find them on lights using regular batteries. All the ones I found were using at least CR123's and some used proprietary Li-Ions.

 

[Doppel]

Pretty extensive comparison! All I can really add is I bought a minimag lite that takes a AAA battery and is not LED, but just the old incandescent and it's dim as all hell. I love the larger Mag LED lights.

 

[shortylickens]

Pretty extensive comparison! All I can really add is I bought a minimag lite that takes a AAA battery and is not LED, but just the old incandescent and it's dim as all hell. I love the larger Mag LED lights.

I have a bunch of maglites and unless you get an LED replacement or you find one of the few that comes with an LED, you are not getting much for your money. A sturdy metal body is nice, I wont argue that, but if it cant be used as an effective light source you probably wont carry it around.

I got the single AAA version, double AAA (hard to find), several of the double AA with various accessory kits, a 3-AA with factory LED thats actually quite powerful but too damn long to carry around. Also have the 6-D version in my truck tool kit. Doubles as a fulcrum or club.

Actually the body of the Mag Solitaire would be perfect for pocketing but I'd need a much brighter light. Havent checked out the new generation of Maglites yet, maybe I should.

 

[Specop 007]

My advice is find or build a small light that can utilize RCR123's (Rechargeable CR123).

Best of both worlds there. Dont limit yourself to AA/AAA when rechargeable options are available.

 

[Texashiker]

For the past 20 years I have kept a Maglight solitaire on my keyring, but it uses a AAA battery.

 

[CRXican]

Fenix is good stuff. I have the LD20.

Buy here, buy today, 15% ends today:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/fenix-light-flashlights.html

 

[shortylickens]

My advice is find or build a small light that can utilize RCR123's (Rechargeable CR123).

Best of both worlds there. Dont limit yourself to AA/AAA when rechargeable options are available.

I'm not buying another charger and another batch of rechargeable batteries when what I have is already paid for and works just fine.
Plus, I am NOT trying to get the brightest pocket light ever made. I am trying to get the brightest in a single AA or AAA. And if by limit you mean "hundreds vs. thousands of options" I am just fine with that. Too much to choose from, need to narrow down the list.

But I do see why you would suggest something more advanced. My moms A1 lasts longer and provides brighter light at all three settings vs. my A3. Plus Surefire and Fenix and other companies have small tactical lights using CR123's and some of them have multiple settings, so I wouldnt necessarily have to kill my power source in 22 minutes.

 

[shortylickens]

Fenix is good stuff. I have the LD20.

Buy here, buy today, 15% ends today:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/fenix-light-flashlights.html

I was actually looking at that. Very nice but its too long and uses 2 AA's.
If I were to get it, Amazon has that as their regular price everyday. And I need to burn up my gift cards.

 

[IronWing]

Look on sites that cater to EMTs.

 

[irishScott]

4Sevens Preon I: http://www.opticsplanet.net/4-sevens...lashlight.html

70 lumens for .8 hours (or 1.8 lumens for 23 hours, among other modes) on one AAA.

 

[Doppel]

For the past 20 years I have kept a Maglight solitaire on my keyring, but it uses a AAA battery.

It isn't so bright, though, especially when using rechargeable AAAs. With an alkaline it's better but I found mine would somehow discharge the battery over time.

You know, the best pocket light I've had in a while utilizes the LED on my phone as a flash. I have it set that when video is filming the LED is on and thus I just load up the video function and have a pretty nice LED going, and it's always with me.

 

[Jeff7]

Fenix is good stuff. I have the LD20.

Buy here, buy today, 15% ends today:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/fenix-light-flashlights.html

Fenix - proof that China is in fact capable of making good quality stuff. Too bad they don't seem to be the norm.
Of course, they also cost more than most stuff out of China. A lot of people don't want to pay $40+ for a flashlight; they're ok with $5 for a multipack of plastic junk.

I've got a Fenix E20. My one complaint: Because of the power button, it can't be made to stand upright.
The mini-Maglite I had previously (incandescent) allowed you to unscrew the head and use it as a stand, so the light would act like a candle.

Other than that, it's a decent flashlight. Machined aluminum case, Cree LED emitter, a nice even spot, and it uses 2x AAs. The spot size isn't terribly adjustable, but it's also just a small flashlight with a small power source, so I didn't buy it expecting to have a massive floodlight. I was mainly tired of constantly replacing the little grain-of-wheat lamps in the Maglite.

 

[Specop 007]

Fenix - proof that China is in fact capable of making good quality stuff. Too bad they don't seem to be the norm.
Of course, they also cost more than most stuff out of China. A lot of people don't want to pay $40+ for a flashlight; they're ok with $5 for a multipack of plastic junk.

I've got a Fenix E20. My one complaint: Because of the power button, it can't be made to stand upright.
The mini-Maglite I had previously (incandescent) allowed you to unscrew the head and use it as a stand, so the light would act like a candle.

Other than that, it's a decent flashlight. Machined aluminum case, Cree LED emitter, a nice even spot, and it uses 2x AAs. The spot size isn't terribly adjustable, but it's also just a small flashlight with a small power source, so I didn't buy it expecting to have a massive floodlight. I was mainly tired of constantly replacing the little grain-of-wheat lamps in the Maglite.

China only lacks the QC piece to produce some really good products. If you can provide the QC component they can manufacture items as good as anything with the exception of highly precise products.

 

[DayLaPaul]

I have the flashlight from the first link. Keep in mind that ITP is now Olight. If you choose that model, make sure you buy the current version which has a flat tail capable of standing and a few other minor improvements.

 

[Zap]

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-8014.../dp/B001P3OCDM
Cant tell if it needs one or two AA's.

Says it comes with two AA, so I'd assume it takes both.

Brightest... My Icon Rogue 1 light from Newegg is the brightest single AA LED flashlight that I have, but unfortunately the body is huge, so it isn't compact nor lightweight.

I have an LED Lenser single AA single mode light (unknown model) that gives a great combination of small size + brightness. I have had smaller flashlights (both AA and AAA) but none have been as bright. Can't seem to find one that looks exactly like it at their site, so maybe discontinued. This is my favorite so far due to the combination of brightness and small size/light weight.

 

[T2urtle]

There was a forum that someone linked me to, they did a lot of testing with flashlights. All in like random empty basement to measure how far and bright. They compared the low end China brands, ebay brands to higher end streamlights and whatever else.

I just don't remeember where I found it, think it was a slickdeals thread over arguments on those dealaday flashlights.

 

[shortylickens]

There was a forum that someone linked me to, they did a lot of testing with flashlights. All in like random empty basement to measure how far and bright. They compared the low end China brands, ebay brands to higher end streamlights and whatever else.

I just don't remeember where I found it, think it was a slickdeals thread over arguments on those dealaday flashlights.

Spent all afternoon digging around. Found these guys
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forum.php
And they seem pretty serious.

 

[shortylickens]

OK, After digging for a bit on their forums and researching for myself, I found it. The mother of all AA flashlights.
http://www.amazon.com/JETBeam-PA10-X.../dp/B006HL1DFM

 

[Zap]

Are you f-ing kidding me? 650 lumens?

Okay, after a bit more digging, 140 lumens using a single AA, and 650 lumens using a 14500.

The EagleTac D25A Mini may be the smallest, and is pretty bright if the 168 lumens (standard disclaimers apply for these ratings) is accurate for a single AA. Plus side is the tiny size, around 17mm (.67") diameter by 80mm (3.1") length.

Only things I don't like about it are
1) Multi mode (eight?!?!?). For an EDC does anyone need more than a high/low?
2) Twisty switch instead of clicky. I've had twisty lights come on in my pocket - it burns!
3) High price. Probably be lower price with fewer modes?

 

[CRXican]

sounds like a silly gimmick light

 

[Jeff7]

sounds like a silly gimmick light

The datasheet for the XM-L gives lumen outputs of 200-280 lumens at 700mA, and it also says that they can be driven at 3000mA, at which point they'll put out 325% of their 700mA rating.
So you'll be looking at 650 - 910 lumens at the 3000mA drive current. So 650 lumens is actually on the low end of their maximum output.
Hopefully they've got good heatsinking in there.

Are you f-ing kidding me? 650 lumens?

Okay, after a bit more digging, 140 lumens using a single AA, and 650 lumens using a 14500.
...

Ah, so that's the catch.
With proper circuitry, you could surely drive the XM-L from a single AA. You'd need an efficient boost circuit, as well as a tolerance of pretty short runtimes at full brightness. (Maybe less than a minute.)
You'd probably end up draining the cell at faster than 0.5C.
Drive current is going to be 3A, at around 3.35V, drawing from a source that's rated between 2000 and 3000mAh, at 1.0 - 1.3V.
Yeah, that'll suck a AA dry pretty quick.


Candlepower forums: Yes, that's the place to go for information on flashlights and rechargeable batteries.

 

[FleshLight]

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-74/**NEW**-Olight-TC15-/Detail

 

[Fritzo]

What is it with the Internet and flashlights? I've seen whole sites dedicated to them.

 

[MotF Bane]

What is it with the Internet and flashlights? I've seen whole sites dedicated to them.

I don't get it either.

 

[Red Squirrel]

You could probably easily build one, I want to do that some day. The problem is finding a place that sells bright LED lights, and you'd probably need a resistor too. Guess you could salvage them from old electronics.

For the body, a piece of copper pipe would probably work. In fact that's brilliant (no pun intended) now that I think of it, as the body could act as the negative to bring the power back.