Best AA / AAA torch needed without breaking the bank

[leaky5]

We have been using some good Duracell ones for a while, but they seem to turn off on their own accord and are slightly bulky.

Mainly for dog walking, seeing where you are walking etc and mainly for the OH, so reasonably slim.

What are people using ?

 

[scarfell]

no reason not to use rechargeable torches any more, cheaper, battery lasts longer, and you're not killing the planet

I've got a cheap (£10) izone bike torch which throws out 270 lumens, but these days any LED torch will do, as long as its manufactured to UK guidelines even cheap chinese will do a very good job (main reason to get UK branded is battery saftey)

 

[TeeDee]

Got one of these - cheap and effective and a single battery. https://www.alpkit.com/products/prism-100

I think there can always be a danger of 'better and escalation' with torches - just need to ask yourself just how much usable light do you need?

I agree with the rechargeable battery comment.

 

[Old Bones]

I've had a LED Lenser P5E for a while, and its fine for a single AA torch. I bought mine from Cotswolds on a Flash sale some time ago, but they've got it still at the same price of £17 - http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/led-lenser-p5e-professional-aa-torch-e4124135?id_colour=124

In a perfect world I'd have something like a Fenix LD22, but since I can't afford one at the moment, I bought a Romisen RC-P13 http://www.dx.com/p/romisen-rc-p13-...ght-w-strap-black-3-x-aaa-324807#.WBsGnPqLRPY from DX the other day. AAA batteries, and an R5 emitter - for £8.06 great value. That brand has been very good value over the years, with the various ones I've bought generally lasting very well for the price. Unfortunately, DX seems to be stocking fewer of them, and they tend to use batteries other than AA/AAA (the little RC-G2 was cracking, but now really not available).

On my wants list is the Olight I3E - the black ones are a tenner, and give out 90 lumens on a single AAA, whilst the silver ones are rated at 120 lumens, but are about £14. http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/olight-torches/olight-i3e-eos-led-torch.html . More a keyring torch, but handy. And I notice torches direct has the Tank 007 - a brand which was often well reviewed on DX back in the day.

So you can do fine for less than a tenner via DX, or less than £20 for brands like LED Lenser. £30-45 means you can do very well. Lots of choice at the higher price range here: http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/

 

[MartiniDave]

I keep a "pound shop special" in the pocket of each of my coats sort of just in case - they are remarkably good and so much better than nothing, and no big deal if I lose one.
The torch I pick up to walk the dog is a little 2aa led job I got from Tesco - their own brand - about 3 years ago. Similar size to a mini-maglite but way brighter and the batteries last literally for years.

Dave

 

[Jared]

GearBest running the 4th group buy over on budgetlightforum for their BLF-348

An AAA stainless steel, 90 CRI, single mode for $7.

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/50034

 

[leaky5]

Thanks for the replies. I have bought one of the top rated on Gearbest to see how it goes, if it is OK I will get a few more.

 

[Bishop]

The wife carries a little Rolson 1W pocket job like this, pen style spring clip on the back so quick & easy to attachment to jacket lapel or bag strap.
Takes single AA, good for a about 12hours continuous use with a decent battery, rain proof with a magnetic base. Cost around £6-7.
Got it for dog walking duty but has been seeing regular use for reading in bed as well it's that bright.

On the flipside £2 gets you a perfectly serviceable 0.5W 9LED aluminium torch from any good £shop and a pack a of budget batteries that'll last you for weeks of use.


Like TeeDee said how much light do you need? and I would add how often?
I still use one of these dynamo torches in the allotment shed, cost me £1 best part of 4 years ago and still runs fine.

 

[TeeDee]

These are also brilliant - runs on a 9V battery and remains ready to go ( excellent for possible power cuts ) for upto 2 years.

http://www.theledlight.com/palights.html

Excellent bits of kit.

 

[jmagee]

These are also brilliant - runs on a 9V battery and remains ready to go ( excellent for possible power cuts ) for upto 2 years.

http://www.theledlight.com/palights.html

Excellent bits of kit.

Except they're out of stock since 2014 from the looks of it

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

 

[TeeDee]

Except they're out of stock since 2014 from the looks of it

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PALights/pages/7449299031



http://www.survivaldepot.co.uk/PALight_Survival/p474753_3786891.aspx

 

[petrochemicals]

I would aim for one with 3-4 aa/ aaa batteries with a second generation led in, preferably a cree xpg2 xml2 with an efficient ( R2 R3 + or S2 s3+ rating) (there are other manufacturers such as lg or nicha but I am not familiar with there ratings, and alot of torches use cree ). There are 1st gen xpg and xml torches that are efficient and other crees but you have to make sure that they are reasonably good.

If you go for a 1 or 2 battery torch it may be inefficient as the voltage has to be increaced. Also go for something with a nice colour to the beam, neutral white or 4000k 6000K, so things do not look blue.
Something like this

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/COMUNITE-30...-AA-Flashlight-Torch-/391439799787?nav=SEARCH

 

[hiho]

just got the lenser p5e from cotswolds

 

[RealGreenLighting]

I've had a LED Lenser P5E for a while, and its fine for a single AA torch. I bought mine from Cotswolds on a Flash sale some time ago, but they've got it still at the same price of £17 - http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/led-lenser-p5e-professional-aa-torch-e4124135?id_colour=124

In a perfect world I'd have something like a Fenix LD22, but since I can't afford one at the moment, I bought a Romisen RC-P13 http://www.dx.com/p/romisen-rc-p13-...ght-w-strap-black-3-x-aaa-324807#.WBsGnPqLRPY from DX the other day. AAA batteries, and an R5 emitter - for £8.06 great value. That brand has been very good value over the years, with the various ones I've bought generally lasting very well for the price. Unfortunately, DX seems to be stocking fewer of them, and they tend to use batteries other than AA/AAA (the little RC-G2 was cracking, but now really not available).

On my wants list is the Olight I3E - the black ones are a tenner, and give out 90 lumens on a single AAA, whilst the silver ones are rated at 120 lumens, but are about £14. http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/olight-torches/olight-i3e-eos-led-torch.html . More a keyring torch, but handy. And I notice torches direct has the Tank 007 - a brand which was often well reviewed on DX back in the day.

So you can do fine for less than a tenner via DX, or less than £20 for brands like LED Lenser. £30-45 means you can do very well. Lots of choice at the higher price range here: http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/

The price is not much difference,

 

[middlewolf]

I am of the opinion that lots of stuff is so "over technical" today. Here in the States we used to be able to get a Maglite 2AA Led that was just a great all around light. But now if you want one it has (twist for high and low, do this for SOS, do that for self defense strobe). If I want that I'll use the more technical light I have for emergencies here or in the bush. We need to get back to the "KISS" method. (Keep It Simple Stupid) And there are good dependable rechargeables available all over the place.

 

[leaky5]

Thanks for the replies. I have bought one of the top rated on Gearbest to see how it goes, if it is OK I will get a few more.

I have three of these now, nice and simple, single AA http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_172290.html

 

[Laurentius]

I expect because I remember the maglite solitaire from way back, that I am rather fond of keeping the LED version on my keyring, it is a vast improvement. One thing you do not want in my opinion is a torch that is too bright because you can't see anything outside of the cone of light it casts. I do have a petzl tikka for hands free usage, but the maglite is always with me.

 

[Nice65]

My most used light is an Eagletac D25A Clicky. 3 simple modes, low/med/hi. Comes on in low so you don't get blinded if your eyes are night adjusted, plenty bright on high. I'm using Energiser rechargeables that are pretty cheap and can be bought in a battery/charger bundle. Eneloops are overpriced.

Ive had this torch for a few years, even hung a Firefly tritium marker on it so I can see it in the dark. Thoroughly dependable and easy to operate.

 

[Jaeger]

Aye Up,

Dog walking: suggests possibly at least one hand occupied, two if you're cleaning up after. - Head torch - keep both hands free.

+1 For TeeDee's suggestion (cheaper versions available mind).

 

[topknot]

Got one this one, Ultrafire + batt's +charger off Ebay cheap as chips and good.