Hi All, Looking for a decent, relatively inexpensive (under $20 USD) penlight that uses one or two AA batteries. Would prefer something over 20 lumens with a runtime of 10 hours or more. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
That's an option, but I was really hoping for something that took AA's. Looks like this particular light takes AAA.
Wouldn't AA size kinda defeat the purpose of being a "pen light" ??? FWIW my favorite pen light is the Streamlight Stylus, but it doesn't meet your lumen output requirement... I like these though because they are truly pen sized... at least in diameter. Good luck in your search!
I was going to recommend the Styls Pro, as well. True- it is a AAA light - but it's a true workhorse. There are a number of excellent, very well-made AA penlight-style lights out there; but keeping the cost under twenty bucks is what makes it challenging. I would still recommend the Styls Pro, for the money, in spite of the AAA batteries. By the way, the newer model is rated at 48 lumens (as opposed to the 24 lumen of the original model), but the run time rating is only 6.25 hours - so that doesn't really meet your run time requirement; however, AAA Eneloops are extremely affordable (and easy to find at your nearest Costco), and they're really low-maintenance, so you wouldn't have to buy batteries for quite a while (plus, they're only pennies, to charge), if you went this route - and you'd never have to worry about your batteries, leaking into the flashlight, either. The batteries are extremely lightweight, as well, so it would be really easy to carry backup batteries for the light, if you were going to be using it long-term, during the day/night. I can think of many models from Fenix and Foursevens, that you would love; and while they may be priced at nearly twice your budget, they'd be would be worth every penny, and would offer way beyond what you're asking for, in the way of run times and output. They also carry nice warranties, and are very ruggedly built. I guess the main questions would be: how small does the light really need to be, in diameter? Maybe that's not even a consideraion, and you want to just be able to pocket the light easily. do you need the light to be regulated (The light maintains a constant output, within a certain voltage range, i.e., it won't dim), or can it be direct drive (old school....starts fading, from the time you turn it on)? does the light need to have more than one output? (low,high) how much more would you be willing to spend, to achieve all these requirements? With all the amazing advances in LED technology, a light is no longer just a light, any more. You have lots of choices, available - but they're generally limited ony by your budget.
I'm not completely closed to the idea of AAA lights. I was hoping for AA for the convenience factor because I have so many AA Eneloops. I was thinking that AA options would give me more runtime as well. In answer to your questions: 1. Size isn't a huge consideration. I would like something that can fit into a Maxped EDC or clipped to my pocket. 2. Regulation isn't a huge consideration either. 3. I would prefer a single output and simple UI. A clicky would be preferred. 4. Ideally, I would like to keep the cost below $20. Wife will probably kill me if I spend more.
Nice light. It has a few more features than I want (not a fan of strobes), and it's a bit out of my price range, but otherwise, it looks nice.
You'll find that most penlights are powered by AAA cells, not AA. I too can vouch for the Streamlight Stylus Pro. It's not as good as Four Sevens Preon 2, but it's half the price.
I'm kind of racking my brains to see what light would actually produce a 9-hour runtime, that runs on AA batteries, that's less than twenty bucks, has one mode, and a clicky switch. It's really tough to find...but I'm still looking . I've heard so many great things about the Preon 2 that Stuey mentioned, but the run time on that one is nowhere close to the nine hours that Wishoot is asking for. I was thinking, the Fenix E11, which offers: the clicky switch (with momentary) single AA configuration the usual IPX-8 waterproof rating a great reputation among people on CPF (and here), as being an extremely heavy duty little light for its price nearly 9 hours on low (35 lumens), based on a nimh baterry, and close to 2 hours on high (115 lumens) digitally regulated output (very cool for light in this price class) only two-speed (no frills - either high, or low mode, which is based on whether the head is tightened, or loosened. tightened is always high; loosened is always low). While it is seven dollars above your 20-dollar range, you get a lot of light for the money. I don't own this particular model, but I do own three other E series lights: E15 - CR123 battery E40 - 4-AA bateries 50 - single or double 18650 battery, depending on use of the exension tube All of these are all excellent lights for the money. The E15 was the only one I actually bought, new. Here's a link to the E11 PDF manual: http://www.fenixtactical.com/manuals/fenix-e11-user-manual.pdf You'll find tons of reviews on Youtube, and several on Candle Power Forums. Good luck!
Thank you Sir! I may have to give up on this search. Seems like pretty much everything I'm looking for is powered by AAA's. I'll give some serious consideration to the suggestions above. Sounds like the Streamlight is a no-brainer.
Mini maglite LED AA model and Duracell AA meets your price and lumen criteria not sure on the run time But have been using both taking the dogs out at night for the last year on 4 battery changes
That's what first came to my mind as well, but the Mini Maglite is quite a bit larger than a penlight.
You only get so much for $20. For twice (or so) that your options get much better with multiple modes and far more impressive build quality. While budgets are a sensitive subject after donating a number of cheaper lights to friends and family I try to buy things that fit my evolving needs.
I thought of this, as well; but a) the ANSI-rated run time on the 80 lumen Mini Mag AA is only 5 hours, 45 minutes, and he wants a 9-hour run time, and b) he prefers a clicky interface. The Mini Mag is only offered up as a twisty. He'd have to buy a separate clicky switch, bringing the the final cost of the light - even not being quite as he wants it (because of the lack of run time) out of his budget. I'm not sure he'd be interested in paying beyond his budget, and still not getting all the features he'd like to have out of the light - so I didn't suggest the MiniMag. My assumption, which may be wrong, is that he wants to the use the light for extended periods (not just a few minutes at a time), and that's why he asked for a long run time. A Mini Mag will drop off in output, considerably, if used this way. I wouldn't recommend this light, for his purposes, even if all of the other criteria had been met.
Thanks guys. My search over the last 24 hours validates everything you're saying. My requirements / budget, just don't seem to coincide. I have a few AA MiniMag's around the house and while I like them (only with an LED conversion), I really want a clicky and something smaller. I'm running to Home Depot later today and hoping they'll have a AAA option that looks good (other than Defiant. Haven't had too many good experiences with this brand). If not, the Stylus Pro sounds like the best solution / compromise. Interestingly, Duracell came out with a Work and Pen Light that has some potential. While it's still a AAA, it's inexpensive and has a unique feature: It has a Dual Mode - traditional flashlight beam and extendable 360 degree work light. Amazon has it for $10. I have a Duracell AA Daylight and it's a very nice light for the price. I may just give this new model a try. http://www.amazon.com/Duracell-60-012-Daylite-Work-Light/dp/B00CJ7XN6K/ref=pd_ybh_11 -Mike-
That is what happened with me on 2 occasions the light just went dead when needed the most. There was no warning of the batteries being drained just one second light and the next dead.
I prefer the StreamLight MicroStream... It's only uses on AAA and it is a bit smaller then the pro... But both the pro and micro are great products...
Exactly. A MiniMag is more poorly regulated than me without coffee. I would eat at home one more night of the week and buy an EagleTac D25A2 Clicky. Low is 22otf lumens for 16 hours, moonlight is .5 lumens for over 200 hours. That doesn't even account for high which is almost 300 lumens. The Foursevens AAx2 Quark Pro is similar in form and function. I understand people like Streamlight and mean no offense but personally I would never buy one. Lack of modes, old tech LED's (Luxeon I recall), not really an appealing (again, personally) tint. Since flashlights are technology goods Streamlight in most cases is starting the race with a severe disadvantage.
The Fenix E11 is as close as close to your requirements as I can think of offhand. If you can compromise on the AA battery requirement, the AAA Streamlight Microstream is a good one too.
