Single AAA torch options?

  • Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.

sunndog

Full Member
May 23, 2014
3,561
477
derbyshire
So i'm after a single AAA torch. I'm well behind the times i know so thought i'd reach out to the torchists on here for some pointers.
up to now the led maglite solitair ticks all of the boxes on my list apart from a pocket clip but i know its old hat these days. I also know the pocket clip off a 2x AAA maglite fits but that would make for an expensive old torch

So whats as slender as a solitair with a pocket clip and either twist to turn on or a recessed clicky tail cap?
Focusable would be nice but by no means a deal breaker. Not bothered about modes either, the less the better
 

Jared

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 8, 2005
3,389
640
50
Wales
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Nice65

Keith_Beef

Native
Sep 9, 2003
1,366
268
55
Yvelines, north-west of Paris, France.
I have had a Maratac AAA in copper for a while; it's available with either a Cree or a Nichita LED (difference in brightness and colour). Recessed tail switch and pocket clip.

Yesterday, a couple of Maratac AAA TPF floodlights, also in copper, turned up. These are very similar to the one above, except that the LED is mounted at 90° to the barrel containing the battery. The TPF doesn't really have a switch... I was a bit disappointed at that. You unscrew the head a little (at a guess, around 15°) to turn it off, and screw it snug to turn it on.

I've found that I can fit the tail switch from my other Maratac in place of the tail cap of the TPF to have a true switch. Not ideal, because it leaves the other torch without a switch, but I'm going to look around to see if I can find just a tail switch for these TPFs.
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
How about the Duracell Tough KEY-3 at only £3.95?
OK, it looks like a Duracell battery but it will either be in your pocket or it will be dark so no one will see it :)
 

Brizzlebush

Explorer
Feb 9, 2019
581
397
Bristol
I've got one of these.
Led lenser. I really like it. Single AAA, as is my head torch so I only need to carry one size of spare.
It comes with key chain, lanyard, belt pouch (with massive rubber branding label that I cut off) and pocket clip so you have a variety of carries.
For my needs I tied some bright paracord on the split ring and kept the pocket clip and pouch. I've got enough junk on my keyring, and the paracord helps me find a small black thing, when I drop it somewhere that is really good at hiding small black things. Which usually most places for me :rolleyes2:
You can focus the beam with the slidey head and it's surprisingly bright. I think the newer version is even brighter than mine.
It's got a tail clicky button which seems sturdy enough, although I think this might fail in time. That said it's got a 7 year guarantee, so it should work for a bit, mine's well over a year old and going well. Also I didn't want it switching on accidentally as some twisty torches can.

My top tip: If you wrap a 3mm slice of bicycle inner tube around the end of the torch, it's kinder to your teeth so you can hold it in your mouth. But it does make you dribble after a bit, lol :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: GuestD

Shewie

Mod
Mod
Dec 15, 2005
24,259
24
48
Yorkshire
I use an Olight I3S as my main light during the warmer months, it doesn't throw a great deal of light but fine for camp duites
 

sunndog

Full Member
May 23, 2014
3,561
477
derbyshire
Eagletac D25A? Available with the Nichia 219 led for better colour rendition, especially greens and browns.

https://www.flashaholics.co.uk/products/eagletac-d25a-clicky.html

Loads of AAAs out there, this is just a quick post of the first that sprung to mind. The Eagletac is still a favourite of mine, it’s been running faultlessly for years. Has both recessed tailcap clicky, and a twisty head.


Sold!

Screwed on pocket clip is great and the magnet on the back will be mega useful.
Price aint bad either. That maratec looks cool, but 50 quid though!


Thanks for all the replies folks glad i didnt just get another maglite now
 

Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,438
2,859
W.Sussex
Sold!

Screwed on pocket clip is great and the magnet on the back will be mega useful.
Price aint bad either. That maratec looks cool, but 50 quid though!


Thanks for all the replies folks glad i didnt just get another maglite now

No magnet on the Eagletac, you might be confusing it with Olight. They tend to have a magnetic tailcap.
 

Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,438
2,859
W.Sussex
Ah, and I completely misread your thread title, the Eagletac is AA not AAA.

Apologies, it was really late when I posted.

However, with the constant technological improvements to torches over the last few years, you could consider a AA torch. The increased battery capacity makes a lot of difference.
 

GuestD

Need to contact Admin...
Feb 10, 2019
1,445
700
Nothing fancy, I've had one of these for a few years. There's a shop local to me sells them, and they're on Amazon for just over £10.
 

sunndog

Full Member
May 23, 2014
3,561
477
derbyshire
No magnet on the Eagletac, you might be confusing it with Olight. They tend to have a magnetic tailcap.

Meant to quote this in my post above.


Loads of great little torches on this thread. The magnetic bottom on the eagletac sold it for me though

Is it me or are they all slightly bulkier than a solitair maglite? Non seem as sleek and slender. Is it the 'tactical' infuence maybe
Just an observation
 

sunndog

Full Member
May 23, 2014
3,561
477
derbyshire
Justification in my mind is that I can have the E02 and eagletac for less than the price of a maratac so it's still a bargain and I'm saving money lol
 

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE