Multitool.org Forum
+-

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.


I need a thin single AA flashlight.

00 Offline Fattsgalore

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 883
I need a thin single AA flashlight.
on: January 12, 2017, 03:01:49 AM
Hello all,

     I've been using one of those cheap (yet good) "cree" lights. You know the ones. Priced from $4 and up all over ebay/amazon with names pulled straight out of a comic book. It works fine, but I'm having issues fishing other things out my pockets. It's literally taken the skin off my knuckles while digging for my keys more than once. Time for an upgrade!
 
I'm looking for something thinner and smoother (it doesn't need to be devoid of texture) with over 100 lumens (don't need a bazillion lumens) and decent battery life. My budget is no more than $25...ish
Thanks in advance.

PS. I just got a Olight I3E and love it. Great keychain light.


id Offline jaya_man

  • Global Moderator
  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *
    • Posts: 9,012
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #1 on: January 12, 2017, 03:08:09 AM
Have you looked at the Jetbeam Jet-1 MK? Definitely smaller than the Cree Mini Q5. Am actually planning on getting one. Single AA and can go turbo if using 14500. :cheers:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Offline Safety1st

  • Newbie
  • *
    • Posts: 5
I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #2 on: January 12, 2017, 08:44:26 AM
Olight is my favourite.
The eos;

Edited to say - I should have put my glasses on when I read this thread - eos is AAA

For an Aa light try the S1A
« Last Edit: January 12, 2017, 11:23:43 AM by Safety1st »


us Offline leathermon

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 666
  • Better to have a tool, than be a tool.
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #3 on: January 12, 2017, 08:53:04 AM
Thrunite ti3

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk



id Offline jaya_man

  • Global Moderator
  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *
    • Posts: 9,012
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #4 on: January 12, 2017, 09:02:10 AM
Those are very nice AAA lights... i edc the Ti3 and i3E EOS... But I think FG was looking for a AA light... :cheers:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


wales Offline hiraethus

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *
    • Posts: 6,964
  • I brake for cake
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #5 on: January 12, 2017, 10:36:24 AM
Thrunite T10 - the ti version (T10T) is smooth with minimal texture but more than $25.  The basic aluminium bodied version might be ok, and is much cheaper.  Both are less than 3/4" diameter.


Offline Safety1st

  • Newbie
  • *
    • Posts: 5
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #6 on: January 12, 2017, 11:22:14 AM
Those are very nice AAA lights... i edc the Ti3 and i3E EOS... But I think FG was looking for a AA light... :cheers:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


You're absolutely right mate.. oops. My mistake lol.

In that case - an even better AA light would be the Olight S1A...  600 lumens on turbo. But the more useable and longer lasting lower brightness levels  are equally impressive.

Fenix also do a couple of nice AA lights .. which I also own. but I'd go for  the S1A Olight if I only had one choice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


00 Offline Fattsgalore

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 883
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #7 on: January 13, 2017, 02:15:07 AM
Thanks all. I love the Olight i3E. Was instantly impressed with everything about it. Bought a second for my mother.

The Jetbeam seems like a good viable option. I'll do some research.

I'm not ready to spend big bucks on a flashlight. My $5 cree runs fine so $50 is way WAY overpriced for me.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2017, 02:16:14 AM by Fattsgalore »


us Offline Blackbeard

  • *
  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 3,309
  • One Day Closer To Death
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #8 on: January 13, 2017, 04:26:25 AM
+1 on the jetbeam, had it for a few months, really nice light and super bright if you pop in 14500 lion. decent price on SPAMCORP as well


us Offline Blackbeard

  • *
  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 3,309
  • One Day Closer To Death
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #9 on: January 13, 2017, 04:38:19 AM
spamcorp lol  :facepalm:, oh well pm me if you want the site name


00 Offline Fattsgalore

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 883
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #10 on: January 13, 2017, 05:10:34 AM
I know which site you mean. Rhymes with Bear Nest.
I'm still looking and researching lights. It may take weeks for me to decide. So any and all suggestions appreciated.
The Jetbeam seems like a good option. Decent specs even with a standard AA. Thin so it won't take up much real-estate in the pocket and smooth so no grating my knuckles.

Saw some high priced stuff I liked as well. Zebralights look fantastic.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2017, 05:14:09 AM by Fattsgalore »


us Offline Blackbeard

  • *
  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 3,309
  • One Day Closer To Death
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #11 on: January 13, 2017, 05:27:34 AM
yeah thats the one lol. One issue I have with the jetbeam is the pocket clip is a bit slippy, I could see it working itself loose if you move around a lot. also check the Klarus Mi7, I posted some pics last week in this subforum. If you feel like stepping up a notch to cr123 battery, theres a lightning deal on amazon right now for olight S1 for $32, no tax either.


se Offline Fortytwo

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 1,285
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #12 on: January 13, 2017, 11:15:37 AM
The threaded accessory mount on the JetBeam's tailcap seems interesting. I assume it is a standard camera tripod mount and that means there should be plenty of cheap accessories already. There was also a picture on google where someone had a spike made for it to use it as a kubotan. Posibilities...


00 Offline Thunderpants

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 3,281
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #13 on: January 14, 2017, 11:15:06 AM
I have been using a Solarforce Z2 for about 18 months - my "walking the dogs" flashlight.
It has several modes, from really bright to super-dim. I can't think of anything bad to say about it. It lives in a jacket pocket and provides lots of light when needed. I use mine with a normal AA Eneloop rechargeable.
I got mine on ebay - it's 22 dollars shipping from Hong Kong.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solarforce-Z2-4-Mode-Cree-XP-G2-R5-LED-120-Lumens-AA-Compact-Flashlight-Red/361866267709?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40807%26meid%3D46ccccadbcb7452a810e5fcc97626f0e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D322120009365


se Offline Fortytwo

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 1,285
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #14 on: January 14, 2017, 11:42:05 AM
I have been using a Solarforce Z2 for about 18 months - my "walking the dogs" flashlight.
It has several modes, from really bright to super-dim. I can't think of anything bad to say about it. It lives in a jacket pocket and provides lots of light when needed. I use mine with a normal AA Eneloop rechargeable.
I got mine on ebay - it's 22 dollars shipping from Hong Kong.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solarforce-Z2-4-Mode-Cree-XP-G2-R5-LED-120-Lumens-AA-Compact-Flashlight-Red/361866267709?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40807%26meid%3D46ccccadbcb7452a810e5fcc97626f0e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D322120009365

I have one of these as well and it is a lot lighter than the Thrunite T10t and it feels a lot slimmer since there is no added width at the head. It's main problem is that the low mode is a bit to bright for indoor nighttime use.


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 36,651
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #15 on: January 15, 2017, 10:46:04 PM
Both the Thrunite T10 and Jetbeam Jet-1 MK are very good lights.  Depends if you want the tail switch or the twist on.  If you want I can take a side-by-side pic with something for a size reference.
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


00 Offline Fattsgalore

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 883
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #16 on: January 16, 2017, 12:40:07 AM
That would be excellent. Thank you Gareth.
If you could compare them to one of those cheap mini Cree flashlights that would be most helpful.
Can you go into detail about your experience with either and which you prefer? Also what batteries you use?
And again thank you.

And to others, thank you as well.
Solarforce Z2 can't seem to find much on them. Mind giving me a mini review?


se Offline Fortytwo

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 1,285
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #17 on: January 16, 2017, 10:00:06 AM
And to others, thank you as well.
Solarforce Z2 can't seem to find much on them. Mind giving me a mini review?

I'll give it a shot, or maybe more of a comparison to the Thrunite T10t.


As seen they are almost identical in size (and prize since Thrunite has seen fit to lower the price quite a lot). The clip is probably better on the T10t since it's screwed on and allows for deeper carry. Both give you an extra o-ring (for the Z2 the o-ring that holds the glas glows in the dark)  but Thrunite also includes a diffuser rod and spare screws for the clip.


This is without battery but including pocket clip. The T10t is just over 33% heavier. The increased diameter at the head means it feels thicker as well.


Beamshot at highest setting, the Thrunite (left) is noticeably brighter but it doesn't seem as bright as specified in comparison. The Z2 is supposed to be 120 lumen and the T10t 180 lumen.


Beamshot at lowest setting, this is where the T10t shines since it allows you to navigate in darkness without blinding you.

Lastly there are the different buttons, the Z2 uses a traditional rubber dome to access its four different modes while the T10t uses a metal button for it's three. The T10t will remember what mode you left it on while the Z2 has no memory and will start at the brightest setting. The T10t also allows you to change setting without actually "clicking" the button by pressing it just right.

Just ask if there are any more questions.


se Offline Fortytwo

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 1,285
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #18 on: January 16, 2017, 02:34:38 PM
yeah thats the one lol. One issue I have with the jetbeam is the pocket clip is a bit slippy, I could see it working itself loose if you move around a lot. also check the Klarus Mi7, I posted some pics last week in this subforum. If you feel like stepping up a notch to cr123 battery, theres a lightning deal on amazon right now for olight S1 for $32, no tax either.

I've been checking it and I would buy it if I could just find it at the cheaper eBay price while including pocket clip. Right now the pocket clip adds around 10 $ to the price.


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 36,651
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #19 on: January 16, 2017, 08:39:13 PM
That would be excellent. Thank you Gareth.
If you could compare them to one of those cheap mini Cree flashlights that would be most helpful.
Can you go into detail about your experience with either and which you prefer? Also what batteries you use?
And again thank you.

And to others, thank you as well.
Solarforce Z2 can't seem to find much on them. Mind giving me a mini review?
quick snap of the two lights with a 91mm SAK and a AA cell.  They've both got their strengths; the T10 is easier to use due to it's tail switch, the Jet-1 MK is more compact.  When it comes to that choice I'd ask myself just how often you're using the light; multiple times a day?  Then the tail switch is worth it.  Once in a blue moon?  Then the twist isn't a problem and the more compact size is better.  As you can see I normally just stick with good old Eneloops.
DSC_0127.JPG
* DSC_0127.JPG (Filesize: 273.31 KB)
« Last Edit: January 16, 2017, 08:44:14 PM by Gareth »
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 36,651
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #20 on: January 16, 2017, 08:52:16 PM
Oh, I should also say that the Jet-1 has a much tighter hot spot due to it's physically smaller LED and it's slightly larger smooth reflector.  The T10 has a wider hot spot that lights up a wider area (obviously).  Again. it's a personal choice as to what you prefer.
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


00 Offline Fattsgalore

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 883
Re: I need a thin single AA flashlight.
Reply #21 on: January 21, 2017, 03:01:25 AM
You guys are awesome.


 

Donations

Operational Funds

Help us keep the Unworkable working!
Donate with PayPal!
March Goal: $300.00
Due Date: Mar 31
Total Receipts: $379.86
PayPal Fees: $19.62
Net Balance: $360.24
Above Goal: $60.24
Site Currency: USD
120% 
March Donations

Community Links


Powered by EzPortal