What's the best flashlight (read that...brightest, longest lasting, cheapest) flashlight that runs on aa or aaa batteries?
I know there are other lights out there that run on photo batteries and other stuff, but I'm looking for what's out there. I have an original minimag but it's just not bright enough for the woods.
Purpose?
Brightest: something like a surefire Longest lasting: led Cheapest: walmart
If you want something aa or aaa I would go with a LED light.
Yep, if you have a MiniMag, you are really handicapping yourself. There are TONS of excellent headlamps and flashlights out there.
AAA are the smallest any on average will give the least time on a set of batteries.
AA are the best balance of power and time and also the best one to go with to standardize your equiptment. Light, GPS, Camera, you name it, lots of stuff runs AA.
If you want the best, longest lasting lights, you can step up to the CR123. An excellent one is the Main Beam by Brothers of the Bow.
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best double a, i have found yet, super bright and very long lasting. (COLEMAN MAX)
x2 Coleman line
Its starting to look like the AA flashlights are collectors items and antiques. everything is AAA anymore. Whats a D battery used for...LOL
I had a surefire and loved it other than buying those expensive batteries. I lost it and went to buy anotrher one and they were sold out. I stumbled accross this one. Its an "ATAC A2" Flashlight. It uses 2 AA bateries and is as bright as the surefire. It has 162 Lumens on the high setting and 15 on the low.
Hmmmm...I've always like my minimag lights. I bought a conversion kit to turn it into an LED. Batteries now last a LONG time.
Colman Max, is a great light. It runs on AA, and it costs les than $30.00. Plus it has a red and even a blue led on it as well.
Try one of these and you will give all your mini mags away. I did that a long time ago :D
http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=160
If you actually use a flashlight on a regular basis then get any Fenix model using 2 AA batteries. You can buy AA at any convenience store. AAA don't have the life unless you use a handful of them.
This model is like carrying an auto headlight.
http://www.fenixtactical.com/fenix-ld22.html
Another vote for AA batteries in an LED flashlight.
Energizer has come a long way since they got a bunch military contracts. I'm a flashlight nut. The new Energizer's are sweet.
Rob
Another vote for Fenix. Best lights I have used.
I had some original Maglights in the past,right now they are really obsolete.You can go with the led upgrade for it,but still you'll have low power,they are good to find your way in the dark without spooking animals(not as good as a led green or red lights anyway)
If you really need something more powerful you can go with the Fenix/Surefire or other Chinese staff(that produce anyway the most famous brands)saving you at least the 80% of the cost.Make a search on Google.
With a AA size flashlight you now have more power than older 3D sized ones.The one I have on my pocket has a single AA battery and it is working since long time with a very brigth and powerful light perfect to track a deer at dark.It costs $10 and it is better than my $180 Surefire with 2 123 batteries.
Sounds as though I am the exception here. I use a $1 (with batteries) WalMart light and keep a couple on hand in case I lose one (which usually happens). They are not as bright as a more expensive one, but work fine for what I need.
The Fenix that they have on Brothers of the Bow are pretty amazing.
With multiple power settings the batteries can last quite a while. And they are a lot of fun to play with. They do use the 123 batteries.
Get the one uncle Gene and Barry sell. Best flashlight I've ever used. Done with mag lights now. All the guys who camp with me are planning on buying one after seeing or using mine.
Never enough pocket size flashlights IMO. Most important to me are lumens (brightness). Looking for dead deer after dark I want something bright. Not so much headed out to the stand in the morning.
Dorcy 5.5" 40 lumen w/(3) AAA. Carry extra batts for when you accidentally hit the on switch in your waist pack.
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I stopped using a flashlight years ago and went to a Petzel LED headlamp........VERY bright and runs off of 3 AAA batteries......
Steve O said get the one from Gene and barry at brothers of the bow it is awesome and well worth the money best light I have used.
Does anyone use or recommend the Fenix LD 25 ?
QuoteOriginally posted by cacciatore:
If you really need something more powerful you can go with the Fenix/Surefire or other Chinese staff(that produce anyway the most famous brands)saving you at least the 80% of the cost.Make a search on Google.
With a AA size flashlight you now have more power than older 3D sized ones.
X-2
Stream light 2AA high/low/strobe should you need it. Their EMS model runs low to high and runs on one AA.
I love streamlight flashlights. I use them for work everyday and have a headlamp and 3 aa flaslight each for hunting and work. They also have WONDERFUL customer service and warranty.
Another vote for Coleman. For the money, it's pretty well made, sturdy aluminum, bright LED, and takes 3 AAA batteries. I think it came with Duracell batteries. Not the brightest light ever, but pretty good for the size/type of batteries. About 90 lumens. Fits easily in a coat pocket. $20. No complaints at all. I got mine at Wally World.
The one I've found that I really like is the streamlight protac that uses two aa batteries. The batteries last a long time and it is super bright.
I have used a good number of different, but I now have a fenix E21, best light I ever owned, and i won't look back. Try one, you will like it.
Tony
The Fenix light is priceless. Enough said
Fenix hands down. Get the aa version
Petzel headlamp, 3 aaa batteries. Works for what I need it to. If I need to beat an animal to death or see further than 50yds, I still pull out the 4D maglite.
Here's the link you need:
http://www.brothersofthebow.com/html/mainbeam.html
Once I began using these lights . . . well, let me put it this way, I sold or gave away all of my other flashlights. One set of batteries can last me a season! The Main Beam is BRIGHT, even at the lower settings AND gives you a CLEAN field of light - NO annoying cast shadows.
x2
It will be well worth it, cost wise, in the long run to switch over to Gene and Barrys light (the Main Beam).
Only flash light I own any more.
If I can hijack this for a second...what about the same question but with an adustable flood? I've been looking for an affordable one to use as my hog light for at night. I have a mount for one I just need one that I can adjust how wide the flood is depending on the distance I plan to be shooting.
I love my SureFire P6, very high quality construction, but true, the batteries are expensive. A few good on-line sources if you buy in bulk.
BUT....
I REALLY love my Streamlight Ultra Stinger. It's not a carry around light. But for tracking deer at night or anything around the house or truck or camp, oustanding. It cost $125 and is rechargeable both AC and DC and goes forever on a charge. Really bright.
Today I bought a Streamlight ProTac 2AA. It will work fine for me. A big up-grade from my AA converted MiniMag.
I have a surefire that uses 2 cr123LED version... 100 lumens 1HR
Nice light, but... then a got a fenix headlamp using 1 AA... 3 levels perfect for bow hunting... 3 lumens for sneaking in/out of the stand... 97 lumens (over 2 hrs)
on one AA over 2 CR123... Easy choice!!!
Then if needed I bought the mac daddy TK 41 with 8 AA batteries and a WHOPPING 800 Lumens...
I am a Fenix Fan!!!
Sorry, I am going to blame it on the darn flood protection... Guess St Judes is doing well tonight!!!
Fenix...hands down. Get them at Brothers of the Bow website (Wensels) I bought one and loved it, then bought 3 more for my boys for birthday presents. They all love them also. If you misplace it, you will go into a panic from the thought of it actually being lost! For such a small unit they put of an incredible amount of light.....great for blood trailing after dark.
Mike
Check the Fenix headlamp Hp10, powerful as one flashlight and hands free, great tool for the outdoors, tracking, camp tasks...is amazing !!!!
QuoteIf I can hijack this for a second...what about the same question but with an adustable flood? I've been looking for an affordable one to use as my hog light for at night. I have a mount for one I just need one that I can adjust how wide the flood is depending on the distance I plan to be shooting.
Here ya go.4x light adjusts from flood to spotlight
http://www.shrewbows.com/nebo_flashlight/
Here's a youtube review on the RedLine light by NEBO. This guy should have gotten his ducks in a row before he started his review, but such as it is... here it is..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRS3CV2JyhE
http://www.shrewbows.com/nebo_flashlight/
Really like the looks of that nebo. I think that is what I'm looking for, thanks!
FENIX. PD2. Hard to beat. I own SEVERAL. BILL
Really like the Mag-Lite XL200. Runs on three AAA's and it works out well because my little Petzl headlamps also run on AAA's.
When something goes bump in the night, I end up with the Surefire in one hand and something a little more powerful in the other. That said, this excellent tactical light is not the best for long tracking sessions because it gets hot fast and burns out quick . . and (as mentioned) those 123 batteries ain't cheap.
I'll use anything else for the majority of my basic tracking, but when the trail runs thin, the Surefire comes back out.
Two is one . . . One is none. One to use . . . One to lose.
Kingsnake :deadhorse:
Thanks for the idea Ron, I like the looks of that one.
Thanks to this thread, I just bought my third Fenix. I just got that LD12 mentioned earlier in the thread. Wow--a lot of light (115 lumens) for 1-AA, and good longevity (97hrs) on low. I also have the Brothers of the Bow model and a TK20 with 2-AA's.
UP....
Fenix
Primos ph-6 flashlight is the best light for the money you can buy. It last forever and is extremely bright.
This is the brightest aa light I've ever seen and they are so cheap in price, you'll end up getting several. They are actually brighter if you use a rechargeable 3.7V battery. I have the Surefires but for $5.99 this one can't be beat. Get extra because if you show one of your buddies, it'll be gone!
Can't add link but search for Cree 7 watt 300 lumen led flashlight.
Fenix along with the rest. Their headlamp is awesome too.
Felix, AA . I use good rechargeable batteries . Well made . Maxx
I have a fenix and my wife wanted something to see our dogs at night outside. After reading this I looked and found a Coleman 500lumes and 265lumes that runs on 6 AA batteries.
This baby is bright and may need one for the truck.
It was $80 but seems well worth it.
Looked at many and compared the lumes = brightness.
To big for pocket but great backpack/truck/house light.
my favorite is a stream light,, not sure the model because its wrapped in hockey tape but its bright.. for walking in and out of the woods in the dark nothing beats the streamlight styless with the 1 LED which I have in green,, doesn't spook deer but can be seen for 2 miles with the cap off or leave the cap on which has a BB size hole in the tip that cannot be seen from the side but the green circle on the ground can be seen along with your legs when walking so I don't get shot but one of the sound hunters.
Throw in a LED bulb & your done.
I'll have to try them out look nice
Mini Cree 7w. 400 lumins off of one AA battery.
Oh, and they are about $8 each!!
I love my fenix lights. I have one in my pocket every day. Also check out jet beam, olight, and 4 sevens.