My current penlights .

[NutSAK]

Why don't you use rechargeables? Seems to be more cost-effective 

For a couple reasons:

1) I've heard bad things about them such as they don't hold as much of a charge
2) Once charged, it's hard to keep them separated from the uncharged ones

As for #1...  I think you'll be amazed at the better runtime and more consistent output you'll get from an Eneloop over an alkaline.  Even after sitting on a shelf for a year, an Eneloop will still be at 85% charge, and will still give you as much runtime as a new alkaline.

#2 has some easy workarounds.  Use two different bins if you have a lot of them (charged/depleted), or just buy two pair, keep the charged cells in the charger (unplugged), then when you swap them out, charge them immediately and repeat.

[parnass]

Pelican recently introduced 2-level versions of the 1920 (2AAA) and 1910 (1AAA) penlights and they are winners.

I've been using the new version Pelicans in place of my Streamlights lately because the Pelicans are brighter and provide the flexibility of having 2 brightness levels from which to choose.

If you like penlights with momentary action, forward clicky tail switches, check out the new Pelicans.    Be selective when ordering so you don't get the older versions instead.

[N_N_R]

Penlights with momentary on?? Didn't know they existed...

And, hey, is this 120 lumens for nearly three hours on 2 x aa batteries ?!

[parnass]

Penlights with momentary on?? Didn't know they existed...

And, hey, is this 120 lumens for nearly three hours on 2 x aa batteries ?!

I am still using the first set of batteries (Energizer Ultimate lithium primaries) and haven't determined the runtime yet.

Hope the new Pelicans are available in your country.

[Styerman]

Looks like new Pelican ( bi level ) 1920 , for the win !

While you can't defrost steaks with them , I've always found Pelis. to be solid products . Thanks for the heads up !

Chris

[powernoodle]

The Pelican could really benefit from a strobe like the Streamlight ProTac 2AAA, IMO, though I know that a lot of guys don't care for the strobe.

[parnass]

The Pelican could really benefit from a strobe like the Streamlight ProTac 2AAA, IMO, though I know that a lot of guys don't care for the strobe.

The strobe was my chief complaint about the ProTac 2AAA.  I have to endure strobe mode before getting the ProTac into low brightness mode. The current version ProTac 2AAA does not include the "Ten Tap" programming option of the more expensive Streamlight models.

I wouldn't mind a strobe mode if it could be hidden.

If you don't require strobe mode, the new dual level Pelican 1920 is a better choice.

[Styerman]

Being a senile old bugger , I want high and low , cant see much use for the strobe . IIRC , disco died back in the seventies .

Chris

[Gareth]

While I do see a couple of uses for a strobe mode, I also think it's one of the most overused 'features' to be found on LED lights.  So while I like taking a strobe capable light out on hikes with me, I don't personally want to have to deal with a stobe ever single time I want to have a little brightness in my life.

[N_N_R]

Yes, I've also never used strobe... unless I just wanna play with the light. Moreover, if we're talking about penlights here, they're usually carried by people in shirts, that is mostly formal setting... so why do you need strobe in your office? Of course, there can always be exceptions. But mostly, I guess, the strobe setting adds to the "cool"ness of the light and increases the price. I'm pretty sure that nowadays there are people who do not consider a light complete if it doesn't offer also strobe.

[16VGTIDave]

I agree that "tactical strobes" are over done. I'd much rather have a "beacon" or "SOS" mode that offers long run times. I'm much more likely to be needing help than disorienting an attacker at night.

[Styerman]

I just bought a Mini Mag 2xAAA . It's pretty powerfull , much better than the Stylus Pro , and less artifact than my Led Lenser PH4. I still want to get the Peli. 1920 .

Tactical strobes are B.S. , for outdoor emergencies , I would prefer three flashes , and a pause . Three of anything is the international distress signal , be it gun shots , flashes , small fires , etc .

Chris

[parnass]

I just bought a Mini Mag 2xAAA . It's pretty powerfull , much better than the Stylus Pro , and less artifact than my Led Lenser PH4. I still want to get the Peli. 1920 ....

   The Mini Maglite 2AAA LED is remarkably thin and bright -- a heck of a deal for the $14 - $18 street price.  The local Target store was clearing them out for $8.48 last March.

[Gareth]

My trials and tribulations are documented on the forum somewhere, but when I did finally get my hands on a 2xAAA maglite I have to say I was very happy with it.

[Styerman]

I've got AA and AAA , not to mention AAAA covered . I have a 1xCR123 on my belt ( today a Surefire E1B ) , I have several to choose from .

I have an ARC AAA-P in a loop on my pocket notebook .

All bases well covered !

Chris

[dks]

These may qualify. 2 2AAA torches and 1 2AA torch. The 2AA one is my main in-house night light.

I got the Maglite working again yesterday.

[parnass]

I gave away some older and lower power penlights and bought a new Nite-Ize Inova XP 2AAA 144/30 lumen penlight:



These are the 2AAA penlights I use:

[Gareth]

I like the look of that new Inova Parnass.

[N_N_R]

If it's a penlight and is shorter than the average penlights, it's always good

Having had the Olight O'Pen penlight and the Preon P2, though, the lumens don't impress me

[parnass]

I like the Inova XP.   I was initially disappointed that the Inova XP runtime in high mode was only about 70 minutes using Eneloop NiMH batteries.   

But, then I measured the runtime of my favorite Pelican 1920 and found it had about the same runtime.

[enki_ck]

I like the Inova XP.   I was initially disappointed that the Inova XP runtime in high mode was only about 70 minutes using Eneloop NiMH batteries.   

But, then I measured the runtime of my favorite Pelican 1920 and found it had about the same runtime.

Uninterrupted runtime or with pauses? The runtimes are usually longer if you give the battery time to rest like in actual use conditions. I rarely need a flashlight to run on full blast for longer than a few minutes. 

[parnass]

... Uninterrupted runtime or with pauses? ...

For simplicity, my metric for measuring runtime involves continuous, uninterrupted operation.