Source
r/flashlight•
Tim_Pollard

1xAA EDC Torch with Straight-forward UI

Sadly I've lost my Fenix L1T :-(, so I'm looking for a new EDC torch.

Purpose: General EDC; shining a light into basements, car engines, etc. I did occasionally use my L1T as a [mediocre] spotlight in the woods.

Size: No specific requirements; just a standard 1xAA torch

Battery Type & Quantity: 1xAA, though something with a 2xAA extender might be cool.

Price Range: <$50

Type: Pocket carry

Lumens & Beam: >100 lumens, more spot than beam

Switch Type: End-cap forward clicky by preference, but see below.

Anything Else? Waterproof and reliable

The UI is the big deal for me; I want something where I can easily turn on dim mode or bright mode straight away (I don't care if it has any modes beyond that; I'm pretty sure I've only ever used a strobe light to annoy family for example). The L1T had a usable solution in that the tail clicky just turned it on and off, and you could rotate the head a little to the right or left to choose between dim or bright. My Zebralight headlight has a decent UI in that if you just press the button quickly it turns to bright mode, or if you hold it down it starts rotating through the modes, starting with the dimmest. (It's a reverse clicky though, so not quite as nice)

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Posted Jan 7, 2016, 11:31 PM UTC

58
Zak•

Zebralight doesn't use a reverse-clicky; it's an electronic switch that's actuated when pressed down, unlike a reverse-clicky, which is a mechanical switch that's on when released and off when depressed. No momentary, though.

The Nitecore MT10A has approximately the UI you requested, as does the Armytek Partner A1.

4
Tim_PollardOP•

Ah, thanks for the recommendations. (and the correction on Zebralight switch)

The Armytek Partner A1 looks like the better of those to me, I'll have to look into it a bit more. (Though I'm not a fan of it's appearance.)

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EyeballFryer•

Do you need to switch between high and low modes while the flashlight is on without doing a full click on the switch?

Do you ever half press the switch for momentary on? Or do you always fully press the switch to turn the light on?

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Tim_PollardOP•

Do you need to switch between high and low modes while the flashlight is on without doing a full click on the switch?

I probably do on occasion, but it's not actually required (I can switch the flashlight off to change the mode).

Do you ever half press the switch for momentary on? Or do you always fully press the switch to turn the light on?

Yes, but I'm willing to sacrifice that if it's otherwise a good UI.

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EyeballFryer•

All right. Here are a couple of lights I found earlier today that's might fit what you want:

  1. Nitecore MT1A. It has a power button in the tail and you twist the head to switch between 2 mode cycles. When the head is tight, you are in Turbo only mode, and there is no mode switching. When the head is loose, you can switch between Hi > Med > Lo > SOS > Strobe, and the last mode you used will be memorized.

    So if you never half press the power button, you can twist the head to switch between Turbo and whatever other mode you want. That's sounds the same as the way your Fenix L1T worked.

    Edit: I think a single half press would be OK. I think it's multiple half presses that changes the mode when the head is in the loose mode cycle.

  2. Sunwayman R10A. It's a 2 mode light, no memory, forward clicky. That means from off, a single full press is always high, and a quick half press + full press is always low. The disadvantage is that when the light is already on, you need a quick full press + another full press to switch modes.

    If you choose to order from illumn.com, you can use the promo code "Reddit" for a 15% discount.

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Tim_PollardOP•

Thanks. I just noticed the MT1A myself, which certainly looks like a decent choice for what I want. (And essentially the same as the Partner A1 from Armytek recommended above)

Another option is the Klarus P1A and Jetbeam BA10 that look like they actually has the same UI as the L1T I used to have.

And thanks for pointing out the coupon code.

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zcbtjwj•

The Zebralight SC52w is availible on illumn for about $53 with the coupon code. That was the cheapest I could find it. Same UI as the headlamps I think (if not, very similar).
Can also take a 14500 for longer runtimes and a higher output for the first minute.

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Tim_PollardOP•

Thanks, I'm probably going to go for a tail-cap switch, but with the small spot on that one it looks like it would make a good spotlight.

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