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Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life

ca Offline Werkzeug

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Hey all. I'm looking to pick up a cheap AA flashlight (in other words, under $15.00 USD) -- I'm not so interested in the strength of the light, but rather in longer battery life.

Any recommendations?

I've been really pleased with Fasttech.com, so if it's a model they have in stock, that'd be excellent.

Thanks in advance!
"When you are playing with an MT, you briefly forget about the things that worry you and drag you down. It's like a drug addiction, without the weight loss, loss of family and job, and decaying teeth." — powernoodle


hr Offline enki_ck

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #1 on: December 21, 2014, 11:59:22 AM
What interface are you looking for? Clicky switch or a twist operated one where you have to tighten the head to turn it on? Single low mode or multi with one low for runtime and higher options available if needed?


ca Offline Werkzeug

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #2 on: December 21, 2014, 12:02:48 PM
Ideally, I'd like a reverse clicky with one mode, but I'm open to other suggestions!
"When you are playing with an MT, you briefly forget about the things that worry you and drag you down. It's like a drug addiction, without the weight loss, loss of family and job, and decaying teeth." — powernoodle


hr Offline enki_ck

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #3 on: December 21, 2014, 12:27:37 PM
I can't remember any off the top of my head that I'd recommend. Lots of options for powerful single mode clickies with shorter run times but quality low mode singles... :think:

There are many cheap ones for under $5 but again nothing I'd recommend. Maybe dks will have some options for you.


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #4 on: December 21, 2014, 01:15:27 PM
Not a clicky, but the Gerber Infinity Ultra might fit the bill? There bombproof and I once got 78 hours out of an alkaline battery too. Nice flood that gives a huge spread of usable light, and if you shop around you should get one for that budget :)

Sent from the astropathic choir.

Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


spam Offline comis

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #5 on: December 21, 2014, 03:54:48 PM
Not a clicky, but the Gerber Infinity Ultra might fit the bill? There bombproof and I once got 78 hours out of an alkaline battery too. Nice flood that gives a huge spread of usable light, and if you shop around you should get one for that budget :)

Sent from the astropathic choir.



I second this suggestion, even though it is not the brightest, and sure as hell it does yield one of the longest battery life.  I actually did a mod to it, and polish the 'reflector' a bit to give it a little boost on hotspot and overall output.

« Last Edit: December 21, 2014, 04:03:17 PM by comis »


cy Offline dks

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #6 on: December 21, 2014, 04:25:04 PM
As mentioned previously there are lots of powerful AA torches, but the quality/run time will not be the best.

For example these will give decent running time, in their low modes:
http://www.[url=http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,55947.0.html]SPAMCORP.com/CREE-XPE-Q5-600-Lumen-7W-Zoomable-LED-Flashlight-1x14500-p-907006.html[/url]

For decent quality I would look into Romisen or Fenix.

The fenix E21 has an 8 hour low mode but maybe expensive..

How long a run time do you want? Various trustfire, ultrafire etc with AAs will have a longer running (a few hours) low mode.

The Romisen RC-G2 has an instantaneous on clicky switch and is single mode.

http://www.[url=http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,55947.0.html]SPAMCORP.com/Romisen-RC-G2-CREE-Q5-LED-Flashlight-Silver(1xAA)-p-72050.html[/url]     2.5 hours run time

It is also within your budget.

Nearly all are available in most of the Chinese sites.

If you look in the review section there is a thread with various, cheap options
« Last Edit: December 21, 2014, 04:31:55 PM by dks »
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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #7 on: December 21, 2014, 05:19:05 PM
If it's run time you are after then the Gerber Infinity is hard to beat. :tu:
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


gb Offline Man in the Moon

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #8 on: December 21, 2014, 06:02:51 PM
I have to agree  about the  Gerber IU- using the cheapest alkaline battery mine was still producing a useful glow after 103 hours, the final 20 minutes being fully submerged in water !  :D


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #9 on: December 21, 2014, 06:30:15 PM
They are an incredible little light aren't they :)
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


ca Offline Werkzeug

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #10 on: December 22, 2014, 02:35:08 AM
Many thanks everybody. I love this place -- such great advice!

I'm definitely going to look into the Gerber Infinity Ultra. At 100 hours, it sounds perfect!

I may also drop down to an AAA and go with the Fenix E01, since I've heard really good things about their run time and durability (people putting them in ice etc.).

Of course, I'll probably just buy both...
« Last Edit: December 22, 2014, 02:37:20 AM by Werkzeug »
"When you are playing with an MT, you briefly forget about the things that worry you and drag you down. It's like a drug addiction, without the weight loss, loss of family and job, and decaying teeth." — powernoodle


ca Offline jcs0001

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #11 on: December 22, 2014, 02:43:45 AM
The fenix e01 doesn't have the nicest beam (it's pretty cold) but they are darn near indestructible.  My wife has had one for at least a year now and it still works.  Unbelievable!!

They are quite inexpensive considering the quality.

John


us Offline nate j

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #12 on: December 22, 2014, 04:06:38 AM
If you're willing to part with an extra $10 or so, you might look at the Fenix E12.  Single AA, tail switch, rated at 40 hours in low (8 lumen) mode...


spam Offline comis

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #13 on: December 22, 2014, 06:19:40 AM
Personally, if I am looking for ultra reliability/battery life/usability, I would probably look for old tech single stage 5mm led light, twisty switch and easy to find battery(AA), and Gerber Infinity Ultra does fit the bill nicely.   :)

Otherwise, I think any twisty 1AA or 1AAA led light made by reputable maker, such as Fenix and 4sevens, are also pretty decent as a choice.  I have mixed feeling about clicky on a small light, it takes up more room and less reliable, which is an antithesis to everything I would want for a small keychain light.


us Offline parnass

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #14 on: December 22, 2014, 01:02:32 PM
FWIW, the Gerber Infinity Ultra is ruggedly built, but the dimmest light I own.  It is far dimmer than the old ARC and Peak AAA lights and has never gotten much use because it doesn't provide enough useful light for me to see things.

I bought it new several years ago at REI.

Suggest you consider alternative lights.
Retired engineer, author.

A man with one multitool always knows exactly which to use. A man with many multitools is never quite sure. - parnass


us Offline Sazabi

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #15 on: December 22, 2014, 07:01:44 PM
Another one, or should I say 20 votes for the Gerber Infinity Ultra (M, if you can find one), one for each I own. :D


no Offline Grathr

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #16 on: December 22, 2014, 07:06:47 PM
Looks like I need a Gerber Infinity as a backup light for hiking. :D


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gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #17 on: December 22, 2014, 07:56:45 PM
Yeah you do mate :)

Sent from the astropathic choir.

Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


us Offline Sazabi

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #18 on: December 22, 2014, 08:38:36 PM
FWIW, the Gerber Infinity Ultra is ruggedly built, but the dimmest light I own.  It is far dimmer than the old ARC and Peak AAA lights and has never gotten much use because it doesn't provide enough useful light for me to see things.

I bought it new several years ago at REI.

Suggest you consider alternative lights.

Parnass, it sounds like you should find something you'd like to trade it for and send that useless flashlight to me. ;)  :pok:


hr Offline enki_ck

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #19 on: December 22, 2014, 09:55:51 PM
FWIW, the Gerber Infinity Ultra is ruggedly built, but the dimmest light I own.  It is far dimmer than the old ARC and Peak AAA lights and has never gotten much use because it doesn't provide enough useful light for me to see things.

I bought it new several years ago at REI.

Suggest you consider alternative lights.

Parnass, it sounds like you should find something you'd like to trade it for and send that useless flashlight to me. ;)  :pok:

So, Rex, you're in need of a Gerber Infinity? :rofl:



us Offline Sazabi

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #20 on: December 22, 2014, 10:10:36 PM
FWIW, the Gerber Infinity Ultra is ruggedly built, but the dimmest light I own.  It is far dimmer than the old ARC and Peak AAA lights and has never gotten much use because it doesn't provide enough useful light for me to see things.

I bought it new several years ago at REI.

Suggest you consider alternative lights.

Parnass, it sounds like you should find something you'd like to trade it for and send that useless flashlight to me. ;)  :pok:

So, Rex, you're in need of a Gerber Infinity? :rofl:

About as much as I need another hole in my head, but I like to keep my eyes open for opportunities. :P


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #21 on: December 22, 2014, 10:18:20 PM
They are definitely a light everyone should have :)

Sent from the astropathic choir.

Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


us Offline parnass

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #22 on: December 23, 2014, 01:57:54 PM
FWIW, the Gerber Infinity Ultra is ruggedly built, but the dimmest light I own.  It is far dimmer than the old ARC and Peak AAA lights and has never gotten much use because it doesn't provide enough useful light for me to see things.

I bought it new several years ago at REI.

Suggest you consider alternative lights.

Parnass, it sounds like you should find something you'd like to trade it for and send that useless flashlight to me. ;)  :pok:

If you lived nearby I would just hand it to you for free.
Retired engineer, author.

A man with one multitool always knows exactly which to use. A man with many multitools is never quite sure. - parnass


us Offline Sazabi

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Re: Recommendations? Looking for a cheap AA with long battery life
Reply #23 on: December 23, 2014, 03:51:23 PM
FWIW, the Gerber Infinity Ultra is ruggedly built, but the dimmest light I own.  It is far dimmer than the old ARC and Peak AAA lights and has never gotten much use because it doesn't provide enough useful light for me to see things.

I bought it new several years ago at REI.

Suggest you consider alternative lights.

Parnass, it sounds like you should find something you'd like to trade it for and send that useless flashlight to me. ;)  :pok:

If you lived nearby I would just hand it to you for free.

Well think of a SAK, knife, multitool, or other gadget; we can work out a trade. ;)


 

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