True this.
The AA batts are for non-collectors where the batts are real easy to find.
Because for ppl like us, we'll always have spare batts etc so the 'usefullness' of AA batts isn't there anymore.
I was thinking of getting an AA light but have decided against it.

Hey, i'm using AA and have no complaints

though i'd love a 18650 powered light.

You back yet man?

AA Flashlight does have its own "WOW" factor. Look at Fenix TK40. The 8 x AA alone is already a "WOW" factor...
Others like Nitecore EZAA (1 x AA), LiteFlux LF2XT (1 x AAA) and many others are no less "WOW" than their CR123 or 18650 cousins, the feat of engineering that goes into these AA/AAA flashlights are no less than any other "bigger" lights.
There is one "collector" flashlight that you have to take a look at from GadgetWorld2U: FBI Stainless Steel CREE LED Flashlight/Torch. The machining and optics are of very impressive quality, what's more, it's stainless steel and uses 3 x AAA! Also, it reminds you of one exquisite model from Surefire...

EDIT: also take a look at these impressive AA battery adapters: Odd Mods Battery Adapters, the 21AA version is simply...

This post has been edited by RookieDaddy: Aug 19 2009, 10:24 PM

the FBI stainless steel cree led reminds me more of a cheapo LED light. the 3xAA config itself is cheap

FBIs looks terrible ! Police is about as boarder line as it can get for me.

huh? really? haha... admittedly, the casing for its 3xAAA does need more work, other than that, the thing is really one solid rod. if you don't like the 3xAAA, you can replace it with 1x14500 (with some custom spacer). when i first handling it, i can hardly finds the separating line between the head and the body (or maybe it's time to get a new pair of spec. ), the closing gap is very fine and it produces a beam that look like E2DL (but of course not as bright!) with its optics... the photo on their LYN sales thread do no just to the light.

EDIT: come to think of it, may be it can take 17500 or 18500 battery size too... not sure, don't have those in the shop to try on... hope it doesn't go *poof* on a freshly charged cell. we tried it on polkiuj's AW 14500 which reads at 3.6-3.7V, can't remember the exact voltage reading...

This post has been edited by RookieDaddy: Aug 20 2009, 12:48 AM

4sevens quark AA rocks

Actually the FBI SS is of pretty good quality. The treads and matching are machine to quite a precise tolerances. Better than some "branded" lights! But the treads of the one we played with wasn't anything close to great. The optics do produce weird artifacts and colors though. But it looks nice and solid, kind of like a room decor. But I think it's not water resistant. Haha. =( 18500 should power it very nicely. No poof guaranteed but how long the LED lasts is another question... ]



Agreed! Oh wait... I'm biased. Haha! But then again, I'm using a 14500 with it so...

+1 rookiedaddy

AA batt lights also possess the wow factor, jus depends which one.

using the humble entry level ET p100a2 for close to 2mths already, & flashing it all over the place inside & outside im always surprised by the throw & brightness; cool tint aside which makes for a sucky outdoorsy experience (washes out colours).

heck, the security guard patrolling the neighbourhood came up to me one morning & asked me what light i was using (waa, yr flashlight very bright ah..where you buy from?) haha. i was contemplating telling him to get on LY & go look up the bright side v1, until i realised i could jus tell him to contact bro philightsophy...& i dont have his contact no

regarding surefires, i'm beginning to think they're highly overrated. that & the 'use primary cr123 batts ONLY so we can make more money selling the batteries muahaha' argument. sure they tough, reliable etc2 but when so many cpf-ers modding, lego-ing, drop-in ing them, shouldn't they be perfect out of the box? and then these same ppl complain when the lights fail, hmm.

i was getting the impression that some cpf-ers being americans get very defensive about surefire reputation, & attack ruthlessly non-us made (however it is defined) brands. i hope my comments wont ignite such a ruckus here, being we malaysians are more sopan than americanos

still, i love my 6p ori incan, & use it as an emergency backup. find it a tad heavy for edc tho, & plan to get a g2 for lighter weight.

Haha Surefires are of a different level. Personally for me it hurts to buy Surefires, but I do get the satisfaction of holding one!!

Eventhough the price is twice or triple compared to other brands and furthermore the output is less than half comparatively... But surprisingly it makes me contented! haha

I have yet to get a chinese made light myself...

+1. You have to hold a SF to know their build quality. If you are able to, get yourself an M6 and you'll know what I mean. As for China-made lights, I've bought a few previously. I sold most of them and have only the Fenix E01 at the moment.

Yea man.. If only I could afford and MAINTAIN an M6! Buying it is one thing, to maintain a high drain light like that.. Woo.. Craziness

There are MANY rechargeable options for the M6 now, and that's what I'm using. There's the 3x17670 battery holder and the 3x18650 body from FM, LEDZep's LED heads etc etc. The M6 is now one very versatile lights with many options to choose from.

Hi all!

Newbie on this forum, so please be gentle

I own few Surefires and could testify the feel of quality. And I do own Chinese lights as well.

Part of the high price of Surefire I think is due to its no-question-asked warranty. It's convenience if you're in USA though but not sure if you're in Malaysia because I heard you need to phone them if anything goes wrong.

True true..

But I really like the stock M6.. I prefer originals compared to mod for Surefires... reason being because i buy Surefires for their quality and not their lego ability.

Haha pretty different from other ppl... I don mind using the stock incan bulb with a rechargeable option..

---

Added on August 20, 2009, 1:56 pmHi,

In Malaysia the warranty for Surefires is also top notch.

Whn i had some sort of oil/chemical on my P60 refelctor... I just called Tropical Equipment and the owner herself came down and changed the bulb without any questions asked!!

That is what i call superb!

This post has been edited by Zen|th: Aug 20 2009, 01:56 PM

Part of the Surefire fun is their lego-bility. But I salute your purist treatment for your SF lights. Running an M6 on primaries is expensive. One long running option is to run the MN15 bulb for 2 hours on a set of primaries known as the X-LOLA setup.

I used to be able to claim warranties direct from the US, but recently they started using Tropical Equipment. So I had to send the part to TE and enclose a RM10 postal order for the shipping back to me. All in all, still very good for the 'no-questions-asked' warranty claims.

That's not too bad then. Less hassle as well.

HAha for me it's free.. I know the local dealer who deals with tropical equipment. So i would just give it to him and voila! Everything's settled!

I really love the origonal SF... Though it is more expensive.. But after modding it into a non-surefire light, I just feel that the 'SF quality' isnt there anymore.. haha

Wah, a week+ didnt login and we're at V2 liao..

Anyway, on AA flashlights being non-collector's item, i disagree...
I only stick to AA flashlights, whether it's AAx1 or AAx8, it doesnt matter..

You see, i travel a lot...come Oct i will be off to NZ for a couple of months.. Most of the time i would be somewhere between a mountainside and the coast, so unless i am able to get myself a reasonable hostel/motel, i wont be able to charge any CR123 bateries..and i doubt i could jst go into a mini market and buy a couple of CR123s.. Though on the other hand, AA/AAA will definitely be sold anywhere from the artic store to the desert mini mart...

Or maybe i am one collector that collect flashlights with combination of ease of use... No doubt CR123 flashlight have higher output and are smaller in size...but for my situation, i need a flashlight with 100% possibility of getting it's primary anywhere when my rechargeables ran out of juice.. Your flashlight is only as good as the batteries that powered them..without either one, it's jst a bulkier case of holding dead cells...


Added : And one more thing, i do love CR123 flashlights when i am back home in Malaysia... :>

This post has been edited by ArmorFiend: Aug 20 2009, 02:34 PM