Single AA LED flashlights

[y_p_w]

When working, those cheap single AA LED lights work well, without the excessive and sometimes foolishly high price tag.

Toss a lithium battery in it, and you can just about forget about it in the glovebox or with the spare tire. It'll work when you need it.

I am no fan of alkaline batteries leaking all over everything. Rechargeables aren't for everyone.

My only worry is a phantom load. Had a popular brand flashlight that would eat batteries when not in use. You had to make an effort to unscrew the cap to avoid constant dead batteries. Just gotta remember to tighten it up before using again. Test for phantom loads, usually caused by the onboard controller/regulator sucking standby power even when the light is off... an issue with any light without a mechanical switch.

I'm thinking maybe car storage with a LSD NiMH plus a backup. Obviously heat is the enemy of any battery in storage, whether it's the shelf life of disposables or the amount of time a rechargeable stays fresh. Of course rotating in charged batteries often would help.

I've never had one of the Sanyo/FDK LSD batteries leak and affect a device - ever. I had a few that stopped working (especially in a cordless phone) and had a tiny amount of powder coming out of the positive terminal. But I've just seen way too many alkalines leak. I have a traditional MagLite AA that leaked and I can't even remove the batteries because they're pretty much fused to the barrel.

 

[john_pifer]

For an AA sized light, it’s tough to beat a Sofirn SP10v3.

For $15, you get an extremely compact flashlight that is also extremely bright, with one of the best LEDs available in terms of color rendering (the venerable 5000K color temp, 90 CRI Samsung LH351D, @ 1000 lumen output on the turbo setting).

At that price, it comes with a 14500-size LiOn battery (and charger!) as well. And it can also use NiCad and standard disposable alkaline batteries (Though the brightness is lower with those).

There’s also a magnetic tail cap available so you can conveniently hang it from anything ferrous.

Something else that’s convenient is the ability to use the pocket clip to put it on the bill of your ball cap to use as a headlamp.

There‘s also the new “Pro” variant, which uses the enthusiast “Anduril” user interface if that’s your cup of tea. But I see that version is rated a bit lower (900 lm vs. 1000 lm for the v3). It’s a few $ more.

Since I’ve become a high powered flashlight enthusiast, I’ve bought several Sofirn lights (SP35, SP10v3, SC21, IF25A, HS40, and a Wurkkos FC12, which is the same company).

You can’t beat Sofirn/Wurkkos for “bang for the buck”.

 

[JHZR2]

The UltraTac K1 is my favorite.

 

[y_p_w]

I dropped one on a hard surface and it died. Tried a bunch of things, such as a fresh battery in case maybe the shock killed just the battery. Not really all that surprised. I figured I got my money's worth, and I still have one that's still working.

The ones I got are no longer listed on Amazon, but there are other similar flashlights with the same design.

 

[y_p_w]

Not sure how good these are, but for a 6-pack for $16 and tax it doesn't sound too bad a deal. They're also single mode, and it gets a bit annoying cycling through 3 mode settings when all I really need is maximum light. Not sure how bright they are, but all I need is to be able to get around the house with the light off and maybe walking at night and being bright enough to be seen.

https://www.amazon.com/Hilngav-Flashlight-Zoomable-Flashlights-Emergency/dp/B0D3F8MNQM/

 

[alarmguy]

Hands down my favorite flashlight brand. Good stuff, industrial quality.
The Polysteel 400 (AAA batteries) and Polysteel 600 (AA batteries) are great. I have 2 400's and 1-600/700
The 600 that I have might be another model number #700 but it's the same light, the one I have came with a rechargeable battery pack though its older than the current model #700 that is rechargeable and also uses AA batteries. I like the convenience of Alkaline.

Now that I think about it, maybe I will find the box and try the rechargeable set up it came with.
Anyway, these are great flashlights that will last, long battery life with published specs depending on what power level you choose. You dont always needs full power.
Easily purchased anywhere, Including Home Depot, maybe Lowes and Amazon etc.
https://coastportland.com/collections/led-flashlights

 

[y_p_w]

Not sure how good these are, but for a 6-pack for $16 and tax it doesn't sound too bad a deal. They're also single mode, and it gets a bit annoying cycling through 3 mode settings when all I really need is maximum light. Not sure how bright they are, but all I need is to be able to get around the house with the light off and maybe walking at night and being bright enough to be seen.

https://www.amazon.com/Hilngav-Flashlight-Zoomable-Flashlights-Emergency/dp/B0D3F8MNQM/

Got them. Not trying to be anything they're not. Just a basic, single mode flashlight that uses a single AA battery. Way lighter than the chunky thing I bought when I started this topic. Probably going to give a couple to my parents to deal with getting around with the lights off.

 

[y_p_w]

I was playing around with one of the new lights and the one I have that I dropped. I swapped the end cap/switch from the old multi-mode to the single-mode light and it worked but only in one mode. Tried it the other way around, and it wouldn’t turn on. So I guess the mode selection isn’t from any mechanism in the end cap/switch but something electronic in the body. And most definitely it’s not working because something in the body was damaged when I dropped it.

 

[LDB]

Very far from cheap but barely larger than the AA battery powering it and very bright on high. Part of my EDC and always with me.
https://www.surefire.com/titan-plus/

 

[buck91]

I did t see they came out with a AA sized titan. I need to have NOT seen that.

At least Surefire’s obstinate avoidance of neutral tints and high CRI helps me resist.