AAA flashlight wanted - 2 modes, some advice needed

[Raukodur]

Me and my brother are looking for flashlights. Both live in the UK, so ideally ones which are available here and we do not need to ship in from the states.

Little things, using a singe AAA battery, ideally with 2 modes, one which gives low lumens but long life, and vice versa.

Ideally very strong build, but then I think most small lights are made of metal of one kind or another, so they all fit that bill.

And relatively cheap, nothing more than £20 if possible.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[Millhouse]

At the moment, my personal preference is the ITP A3 in stainless steel. It is a 3 mode light, medium, low and high mode.

I prefer stainless steel as the light is on my keyring and gets bashed about. I run mine on a AAA Eneloop.

Got mine from http://www.ledfiretorches.co.uk/itp-a3-eos-r5-stainless-steel.html

[Raukodur]

That looks like it fills the bill. On the same website, the black version of the same torch is £5 cheaper, how come?

[Gareth]

the first 2-mode AAA that came to mind was this one: http://www.ledfiretorches.co.uk/eagletac-pn20a-keychain-torch.html  Breaks you £20 budget though.

[Gareth]

That looks like it fills the bill. On the same website, the black version of the same torch is £5 cheaper, how come?

the black one will be in aluminium rather than the steel one Milhouse first linked too.

[Raukodur]

Ah, that makes sense.

That pn20a is also very nice, would work out same price as the original suggestion.

[5hif7y]

i get all my lights in the uk from flashlightaholics check it out http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/

the new Olight i3 EOS are worth looking at for the price http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/olight.html

[Raukodur]

That seems like a very reasonable price, and a good flashlight, thanks for the info.

Anyone has experience of it maybe compared to the other two flashlights recommended in the thread?

[jekostas]

That seems like a very reasonable price, and a good flashlight, thanks for the info.

Anyone has experience of it maybe compared to the other two flashlights recommended in the thread?

The Olight is the same light as the ITP A3.  They were the same company but Olight discontinued the ITP brand and rolled the most popular lights under their own name.  You'll pay a touch more for the newer Olight branded lights but you'll get upgraded emitters.

[Raukodur]

Thanks for the info, so it seems a good flashlight for a reasonable price.

Anyone have experience of:

http://www.survivaldepot.co.uk/MARATAC__AAA_EXTREME_FLASHLIGHT/p474753_4769378.aspx

The maratac AAA extreme flashlight. Bit over my price range, but I am thinking of buying the titaner whistle from that website so postage would be free (for both items, as opposed to buying separately).

[5hif7y]

ive not had one but i no that maratac make some cool like so its would probable be worth getting.

[Flying Dutchman]

I have a few single AAA lights:

(2) Maratac AAA - Nice light with 3 output levels, extremely compact. I have the black Aluminum version (light) and the polished stainless version (pretty & heavy). Uses rotating head to activate. The levels come in at M-L-H in the rotation which is nice, because the 18 lumen middle setting is great for most applications. The low 1.5 lumen setting is good for very up-close, but not much for standing & looking at the ground. The high is 80 lumens and that's very very bright! Has removable pocket clip.

Leatherman Serac S2 - 2 modes (5low & 35high) is also a nice option made of anodized aluminum. Uses a tail-clicky for the output levels. Removable pocket clip on this one, and considerably longer than the Maratac.

Streamlight Microstream - Very nice tactical looking light. The flat black finish is very nice. I love the pocket clip on this, it is fixed permanently on the body, but is still a dual action. Dual action (my own term) meaning it clips in your pocket like a pen but will also clip to the bill of a baseball hat & point outward. Very nice not having to flip pocket clip around in the dark & risk dropping it. This is a single mode at 28 lumens, which is a very nice amount. Its good close up and throws across a room no problem. Options are nice, sometimes less is more. This one is a tail cap clicky also. Same size (near identical) to Serac S2.

Fenix E05 - Single mode again at 27 lumens, which again is a great choice for a single mode. This light is a head twist action & resides on my keychain, very compact as well and has a Nice & sturdy aluminum body too.

That's all I have to offer, enjoy & good luck!

[Raukodur]

Thanks Dutchman, it sounds like there isn't too much to differentiate the Maratac and the Olight earlier recomended, except the price, and I am assuming the Maratac is built a bit mroe heavy duty.

[Raukodur]

So far the pricing, size and features of the OLIGHT I3 EOS CREE R5 is most tempting.

Only thing about it is I wished it looked a bit more 'indestructable' - don't know why it looks like it isn't too rugged. Which, given its size and price, would be fair enough.

Any other suggestions?

[Gareth]

So far the pricing, size and features of the OLIGHT I3 EOS CREE R5 is most tempting.

Only thing about it is I wished it looked a bit more 'indestructable' - don't know why it looks like it isn't too rugged. Which, given its size and price, would be fair enough.

Any other suggestions?

I wouldn't worry about it too much mate, they've not had any issues AFAIK, nor it's much older predecessor the iTP A3.  No less rugged than any of the other options IMO.

[Millhouse]

These lights are quite tough, I've not had one die on me yet.

My first AAA light was a Fenix L0D which was on my keys for a while. It was dropped a few times and bashed around with my keys, but it still worked. The anodising though was in poor shape. Hence my preference for stainless steel for a keychain light.

[Raukodur]

Thanks for the reassurances 

[Raukodur]

Arrived today, and I was quite shocked by how small this thing is. And so bright! The clip is perfect to prevent this thing from rolling, and will work well to secure this thing to the new sheath metropolicity is making for me.

So overall, reasonable price, good product,  from me. Thank for you for the recommendation!