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AA pen type flashlight suggestions?

tez929rr

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Anyway, I'm a little curious as to why NOT rechargeable is one of the OP's specific requirements.
While I can’t speak for the OP, I generally avoid rechargeable lights simply because I can’t pick up a charged battery and keep going. The Eneloops are fine because I can swap them out but in the case of, for example, my HF folding light if it runs out of battery I have to put it on the charger and use something else. Not as big a deal in the shop but annoying when on the road. Battery management is a PITA anyway.

Firefighting has gone to lots of battery powered equipment but we can leave it on chargers in vehicles with shoreline connectors so it’s always charged and ready to go.
 
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Crazyjake8493

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While I can’t speak for the OP, I generally avoid rechargeable lights simply because I can’t pick up a charged battery and keep going. The Eneloops are fine because I can swap them out but in the case of, for example, my HF folding light if it runs out of battery I have to put it on the charger and use something else. Not as big a deal in the shop but annoying when on the road. Battery management is a PITA anyway.

Firefighting has gone to lots of battery powered equipment but we can leave it on chargers in vehicles with shoreline connectors so it’s always charged and ready to go.
I think that falls on the user just as much as the equipment. I plug in my Streamlight USB every night on the nightstand next to my phone. I use it a lot every day at work and have never had it die in the 3 years I've been using it. No different than a cell phone, really.
 

tez929rr

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I think that falls on the user just as much as the equipment. I plug in my Streamlight USB every night on the nightstand next to my phone. I use it a lot every day at work and have never had it die in the 3 years I've been using it. No different than a cell phone, really.
That’e the difference between an everyday use item and stuff that, for example, rides around in your car. Like I said, battery management is a PITA.
 

Shovelhead

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When I need a flashlight, I need it now, not after I wait for it to charge. Much better for me to change out a battery.
I suspect you youngsters that are accustomed to plugging in all yer wireless **** ever night it’s no big deal.
If my mobile phone goes dead, it’s far from ruining my day. LOL

I like the little stream lights other than the on/off button being pretty hard to mash.
 

ATC

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VA
While I can’t speak for the OP, I generally avoid rechargeable lights simply because I can’t pick up a charged battery and keep going. The Eneloops are fine because I can swap them out but in the case of, for example, my HF folding light if it runs out of battery I have to put it on the charger and use something else. Not as big a deal in the shop but annoying when on the road. Battery management is a PITA anyway.

Firefighting has gone to lots of battery powered equipment but we can leave it on chargers in vehicles with shoreline connectors so it’s always charged and ready to go.

When I need a flashlight, I need it now, not after I wait for it to charge. Much better for me to change out a battery.
I suspect you youngsters that are accustomed to plugging in all yer wireless **** ever night it’s no big deal.
If my mobile phone goes dead, it’s far from ruining my day. LOL

I agree. I won't buy a rechargeable flashlight.
 

ChevyEFI

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If I needed one "right now," I might run to O'Reilly's and pick up a Coast brand light. I have one that sits in my daily carry backpack that has an easily slidable adjustment of the beam. It's a 1xAa, and the rubber click switch is on the end. It should hit all your checkmarks. The LED is better than a converted 2xAA mag light by far.
 

dfiler2

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My last few have been rechargeable, I make sure the port on the light matches the one on my phone. It has really worked out well I have never had it go dead while I'm using it. I probably plug it in once or twice a week depending on how much I use it or when I use for a long time.
 

number9

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I’ve bought a bunch of these off of Amazon. Cheap and reliable. The first bunch were labelled Cree but these look identical.
Link
Been using these about 10yrs, love them. They’re rugged, bright, adjustable beam, small enough to stuff in a pocket or hold in your mouth if needed, take 1 AA, and cheap enough to not worry about it when you loose one.

Just ordered 5 more this morning actually. I keep one in stashed in every vehicle, in garage cabinet, work bench, in my shop, on my desk, anywhere I may need a flashlight. Can’t beat them in my book.
 

Hubmonkey

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I have one of these for a while now and it is flawless.. just wish the clip was reversed so I could clip it to bill of a hat...

 

number9

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Anyway, I'm a little curious as to why NOT rechargeable is one of the OP's specific requirements.

Why does it matter? His requirements aren’t the same as yours, why should he have to justify or explain to you WHY his requirements don’t align with yours?
 

mike93lx

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Why does it matter? His requirements aren’t the same as yours, why should he have to justify or explain to you WHY his requirements don’t align with yours?
Why does it matter that the question was asked? And where did you see that poster say he has to explain himself? You aren't ever curious? In this case, it could give some insight as to better recommendations.
 
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Kuma601

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Excellent suggestions!!

One reason for an AA is the ease of swapping the Eneloops between devices. The USB-C isn't off the table, just for this I will not have to find out that one moment it is working and next moment it needs to be charged for 45m to 1.5 hours. One thing if these USB-C lights have user accessible cell/s but if sealed then it's is down when it needs to be charged.

The Streamlight 1L-AA crossed my mind too as it can be powered by a 123 or AA which fits my main criteria that comes in at 150 lumens on an AA. The Olight also has appeal even though the output is more. The AAA ones have improved too just some have shorter run times over the AA variants. Some good deals for BF so I'll be looking!

Thanks!
 
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BigSteve63

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I am a fan of the Olight usb rechargeable for its compactness and hi low functions. It also has a clip on it that holds it in my pocket or onto the bill of my hat for hands free option which is more handy that I realized
This ^^^ - my EDC
 

ZRX61

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I found some spiffy looking ones at Walmart a few weeks ago, tested one, worked great. Got to the check out & the gal tested all of them.... the other three didn't work so I left all four of them right there..
 
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Kuma601

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I've bought a variety of lights from HD, Lowes, Walmart and yes, some of them have come with depleted batteries. Bummer to think that it has a good cell in it when it doesn't. Those Costco Duracell lights have been decent since the batteries are not installed. Just cannot tell how the emitter color is or how the beam patterns are.

I have some of the small folding stand type ones and it emits a greenish light. Yuck!
 

bwringer

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One reason for an AA is the ease of swapping the Eneloops between devices. The USB-C isn't off the table, just for this I will not have to find out that one moment it is working and next moment it needs to be charged for 45m to 1.5 hours. One thing if these USB-C lights have user accessible cell/s but if sealed then it's is down when it needs to be charged.
I'll definitely agree that swappable rechargeable cells, in a standard size, is pretty much the ideal!

The Horror Fright "Bauer" stick light is quite nice in that regard -- unscrew the end and pop in a standard 18650 cell. I've found very few other swappable/rechargeable lights, but an AA light that works well with Eneloops is a great step in that direction.
 

Mezz2006

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Clintonville, WI
OP this one is on sale at Amazon and should meet your needs. I've got a couple of their micro stream lights for camping and they've never failed even when one went through the washing machine.

This is my go to light as well. I have a couple of them, very durable, and batteries seem to last forever (spec calls out 8hrs). I also have a Coast G20, but the Streamlight Stylus Pro is significantly better in my opinion.
 

duneslider

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Jan 20, 2013
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I have multiple streamlight stylus pro lights and I really like them. They do have a usb chargeable version now but the replaceable battery version is way cheaper and the batteries last a long time.
 

brownbagg

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Mar 20, 2006
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i got have close to 500 lumnen for my inspection, so I go through flash lights regular, I had one three pack that was bright enough but gave them away within a week. you had to go through all three modes before it turned off. I need off and on, why do they make a flashing mode? o got a couple hardhat rechargeable, I like. Every xmas I will recieved about three flashlights as gifts, and i enjoy all of them. flash lights and m&ms, im happy
 
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Hos

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Jun 14, 2015
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Olight ie3 I’m lost without. Single aaa battery and twist on off so it doesn’t get switched on in pocket.
 
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Kuma601

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I have an Olight ie3 on the keychain. Nice little light that so far has been great!

That Streamlight a few posts up is the one picked. So many great sales I'll likely get some others.
 
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