I am finally going to take the plunge

[lovenhim]

Hello everyone.  Here goes.  I am going to break down and buy my first ever quality EDC flashlight.  I am in to simple and basic.  Modes are ok but not needed.  I am replacing a 7 Year old Inova X5.  I like that light but wish it were brighter, but love the flood beam because it is simply a ball of light with no hot spots.  I am asking one last time for guidence here.    I have read the posting and looked at links that have been given to me.  Here is what I am looking for:

close up use from 6 inches to 3 feet
"ball of light" no hot spots or dark spots in the beam
nothing larger than a 2AA minimag
$20-ish price range
prefer AA or AAA batteries as I have rechargeables, but am ok with CR123
name brand, looks, standing out, etc do not matter to me
function over form
want something tried and true, something that will last

I am on a budget here and that is why this purchase is a big deal because I want to get it right as I do not have money to throw away and guess.    Thank you all for your help and advice.   

[Mr. Whippy]

Maratac AAA


That's what I use.

[RichardMT]

Fenix E01...12.50.

[Kmarr]

very similar to the Maratac as mentioned, The ITP A3 EOS is perfect and a little cheaper.  About $25 shipped on ebay. It runs on one AAA.

 Or I'd reccomend the A1 which is a shorter, fatter version that runs on a cr123. Its brighter and lasts longer than the A3.

And there's the A2 which runs on a AA and is basically a longer runtime A3

[lovenhim]

What are your thoughts on this light the Romisen RC-N3 II CREE R4 2-Mode LED Flashlight ?  I like the idea of the choice of battery types you can choose to use and the glow in the dark end cap as well.

[Mr. Whippy]

If you don't mind the CR123 battery, the light mentioned by Sparky:

Romisen

Looks like a great light at a great price.  Thinking about one for myself.

[lovenhim]

OK everyone.  I have gone and done it.  I want to say thank you to everyone for the help and advice in picking my first quality, entry level flashlight.  I bought and have on the way the Romisen RC-N3 2.  I picked this model because I can use it in a short mode with a CR123 and also a longer light if I prefer with 2AA.  It may not be the best light out there but for me it seems to be a decent compromise of quality, value, and price.  I will certainly be better than the 2AA LED MiniMag I have and that 7 year old Inova X5.    I bought it from www.shiningbeam.com  It was my first purchase from them. 

[space cowboy]

Nice choice! Shiningbeam ships fast. I read the AA,s rattle a bit but, a post it note around each should cure that. Please give us a review if you can on it. Pics are not necessary unless you want to throw some pics in. I think most people know what it looks like.

[lovenhim]

I saw a review of the light on Youtube and they said that the AA's will rattle.  I was wondering about that as well.  I wonder if very thin rubber tubing around the AA's and then placed into the light will work?   

[lovenhim]

Well here it is, my www.shiningbeam.com envelope has arrived.  First things first, I did not think the light would be that small, and that is cool.  The light to me feels solid and well made, remember I am using the 2AA Minimag led and Inova X5 as my base as those are the only lights I have owned.  The new Ronisen seems bright enough to me, we will find out tonight when it is dark outside.  I am excited.  Thank you all for the help and advice.   

[Black Rose]

You can put some 16mm O-rings around the first AA cell to stop the rattling.

That's what I did when I had the RC-N3 Q5  (gave it to the mother in law to walk the dog with).

[lovenhim]

Based on your use of this flashlight, which battery setup yields a longer runtime, and which one yields the most output?  I like the size of the CR123 in the light, but AA's are easier to replace in a pinch plus I have rechargeables in AA.