Single AA Flashlight

[TWBryan]

           I ran a search,but didn't find the answer I was looking for. I'm considering buying a keychain type light,as a backup/alternative to my innova X5. My specs are as follows:

LED
Single battery,either AA or AAA.
Reliable
Well-built
Lanyard attachment
Under $20

         Appreciate any suggestions.

[Benner]

How about this mate https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_49&products_id=102  great fenix build quality, runs off of 1 AAA battery and is quite bright for a little keychain light.  It is also $19.99 and that includes shipping worldwide.

[Benner]

There is a good review of it here;
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_e0.htm

[TWBryan]

Benner-That looks good.What kind of a switch does it have? Do you twist the tailcap like an Innova?

[Benner]

No it's a twistie head.  Pretty reliable though.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'd suggest the Gerber Infinity Ultra from either EDCDepot.com or HandTools.com.  Not only have I been using one for a while now, I have also bought them for several other people.  Everyone who handles this light loves it and comments on it, even people who aren't gadget types.

Def

[WhichDawg]

for that price you'll have to get a Gerber IU or go to http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/Default.aspx
or http://www.dealextreme.com/ for a chinese light.

[TWBryan]

Defender-What kind of switch on the Infinity?

Whichdawg- That darn chinese stuff, buy one now,and in an hour you'll need another.

[WhichDawg]

Defender-What kind of switch on the Infinity?

Whichdawg- That darn chinese stuff, buy one now,and in an hour you'll need another.

the Gerber is a twisty and yes the chinese stuff is hit and miss but sometimes you get lucky
I got a nice ultrafire 1AAA that I really like.

Here's the Gerber Infinity Ultra;

[WhichDawg]

in the hand;

[Dtrain]

I know that they are not fancy,or that bright anymore,how about a MiniMag Soltaire.

They are....

1.Cheap
2.Reliable
3.Easily replaceable
4.Durable

Dtrain

[Leatherman123]

Why don't you shoot for the Inova X1?/! I love Inova lights.. I just bought an X03 and love it! I have the X1, X5 (blk and titanium), X0, X03, Vic 2AA. 2 microlights, and lastly the T5- the T5 is by far my favorite!

[Carthas]

You guys realise that fenix is a chinese company right?

http://www.fenixlight.com/company/index.htm

TWBryan: Fenix have an L1D that takes AA and has a tailcap clickie as the switch if that's your thing. Streamlight's Microstream takes a single AAA battery and has a tailcap clickie as well.

[Roadie]

You guys realise that fenix is a chinese company right?

http://www.fenixlight.com/company/index.htm

Doesn't stop them putting out some great lights...especially for the price!

[Benner]

You guys realise that fenix is a chinese company right?

http://www.fenixlight.com/company/index.htm

Doesn't stop them putting out some great lights...especially for the price!

I agree, still a damn good light.

[NutSAK]

Defender-What kind of switch on the Infinity?

Whichdawg- That darn chinese stuff, buy one now,and in an hour you'll need another.

The Infinity is a tailcap twisty, as stated, but it can be used as a momentary pushbutton if you only back it off 1/4 turn or so.

[Carthas]

You guys realise that fenix is a chinese company right?

http://www.fenixlight.com/company/index.htm

Doesn't stop them putting out some great lights...especially for the price!

I agree, still a damn good light.

I'm not disagreeing with you, just pointing out that not all chinese lights are junk

[AJ]

Why don't you shoot for the Inova X1?/! I love Inova lights.. I just bought an X03 and love it! I have the X1, X5 (blk and titanium), X0, X03, Vic 2AA. 2 microlights, and lastly the T5- the T5 is by far my favorite!

I have been using the X1 daily at work for over a year now without any problems. I like the size and light output.

[WhichDawg]

You guys realise that fenix is a chinese company right?

http://www.fenixlight.com/company/index.htm

Doesn't stop them putting out some great lights...especially for the price!

I agree, still a damn good light.

I'm not disagreeing with you, just pointing out that not all chinese lights are junk

If you read the original post he asked for "under 20" bucks, and they are over that. 
and here I thought "Made in China" on my fenix's meant China-Town in Chicago! 
I do wonder why Fenix quality control and performance is so much better than other chinese lights.

[Carthas]

If you read the original post he asked for "under 20" bucks, and they are over that. 
and here I thought "Made in China" on my fenix's meant China-Town in Chicago! 
I do wonder why Fenix quality control and performance is so much better than other chinese lights.

The little E0 can be had for just under US$20. The Streamlight Microstream can be had for a similar price too I think:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/streamlight-microstream-led-pen-light.html

Apologies if I'm wrong with the prices, my shopping is normally done in $AU, which seems to be twice the US price plus 20% when it comes to flashlights and multitools

A lot of Western companies make their gear in China. Fenix is all Chinese AFAIK. As you said, it's odd that a product made AND owned by a Chinese company makes such a good light.

[TWBryan]

            Guys thanks for the advice and links. I'm looking at a number of them,and have revised my specs to include a tailcap twisty switch. Main reason being I've had maglighth solitaires with the head twisty switch that have failed me. I guess in the running now is the Gerber Infinity. I also see there are S&W flashlights in this range. Anybody know anything about them?

[Leatherman123]

I was going to buy one at walmart for 28 but I decided to go to target and buy the X03! You still cannot go wrong with the X1!

[NutSAK]

I'm starting to think that L123 likes the Inova X1.

[Leatherman123]

You bet!

[TWBryan]

            Well,I like Inova,is the X1 a tailcap switch?

[Leatherman123]

You can press the tail switch to have it on momentarily but you can twist it to keep it on.

[TWBryan]

          The front runners then are the Inova X1 and the Gerber Inifinity.

[ringzero]

            Guys thanks for the advice and links. I'm looking at a number of them,and have revised my specs to include a tailcap twisty switch. Main reason being I've had maglighth solitaires with the head twisty switch that have failed me. I guess in the running now is the Gerber Infinity. I also see there are S&W flashlights in this range. Anybody know anything about them?

Haven't any experience with the SW lights, but do have the Gerber IU and Fenix E1, which are decent little lights.

However, IMHO, the SL Microstream:
http://www.brightguy.com/products/Streamlight_MicroStream_LED_Flashlight.php
offers way more than the Gerber and Fenix models available in your pricerange.

Microstream has a very useful output for close to medium distance.  Small soft spot with lots of bright spill.  Not too bright for looking at a map, but still throws usable light out 30 to 40 feet to light something up.  Way more throw than the Gerber or Fenix.

If you don't like the pushbutton, you can turn it on and unscrew the tailcap a few turns.  The Microstream will now function as a tailcap-twisty switch light.  Plus, you still have momentary capability using the pushbutton!

1AAAs in general make better keychain lights than 1AAs.  I still like my Gerber IU as a reliable, long runtime backup light, but it's too big for a keychain light and its output is outclassed by more modern lights.

Microstream is the best "bang for the buck" 1AAA light I've ever owned.

.

[NutSAK]

How is the runtime on the Microstream?

[ringzero]

How is the runtime on the Microstream?

I'm not sure but seem to recall it's about the same as the Fenix E1.  I've never tested mine for runtime.  Somebody over on CPF probably has done runtime tests by now.

The way I use keychain lights - a few seconds to a few minutes at a time - isn't good for estimating runtime.

If the OP needs longer runtime, the Fenix E0 or the Gerber IU would be better choices than SL Microstream or Fenix E1.
 
The Inova X1 has very poor runtime for a 1AA light in its output class!

Gerber Firecracker is also in your price range and is a very good light judging from reviews I've read.  Better output and throw than the Gerber IU and still has fairly decent runtime.

Lots of very decent lights available these days for under 20 bucks!

.