I currently have the following flashlights that I rotate in my psk:
Gerber Infinity Ultra
Inova T1
Mag Lite AA
Pelican mitylite AA
any suggestions for a good longer range flashlight that doesn't bust the $50 barrier? I am trying to stay AAA or AA battery, no cr123's or button batteries

Would look at Peak Solutions. Great little lights! I also like to stay with the AAA seeing all my lights are that and I haven't found a better one then the AAA Matterhorn (Although they are coming out with a 1watt ocean series). I hope it is OK to post the web-site. If not I apologize, only trying to help. Here it is

www.peakledsolutions.net

I forgot to mention that I do have a peak AAA 3 led on my keychain, but that isn't any good for much distance

I recently purchased the Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA Luxeon LED and the Underwater Kinetics 4AA eLED from brightguy.com. I'm impressed with both of these flashlights. The Streamlight and the UK get 4.5 and 5.0 stars respectively on a scale from 1 to 5 from flashlight reviews.com.

The Streamlight has the greatest throw of the two, and exceeds that of many CR-123 powered lights. The UK has less throw, but battery life is greater than 10 hours.

If you're looking for a 2AA flashlight, The Streamlight Jr Luxeon LED has reasonable throw, but battery life drops to one hour and twenty minutes before the light drops out of regulation and starts to dim.

Any of these lights are priced well below the $50 barrier.

considering this new Pelican LED light -- according to manufacturer it will go 32 hours on 4 AA, sounds like just what I am looking for

http://www.pelican.com/recoil.html

You realize, I guess, that by 32 hours, it's going to be a lot dimmer than when you started. Which means if you're buying it for throw, probably only the first hour or so is going to meet your requirements. And according to this it only uses a 1W Luxeon Star, so it's not really all that bright to start with. Definitely better than your other, non-luxeon star lights, but...

Edit:

I went to brightguys.com, selected "AA" battery type. This might interest you:

Gerber TX3. It's a 3 Watt luxeon star that takes 3 AA. $51

I've never used one... just went looking for a 3 Watt LS powered by AA batteries. Still, looks like a better option for throw than the Pelican.

Definitly Peak LED MAterhorn AAA. They come in 3 power levels, from standadr, through high to Ultra, and they have perfect coliour of light. Theyu are small, light, and use standard AAA bateries. They are also regulated, so you will get most light for the money, and they are waterproof.

Just my 0.02$

Hello stevez, if you have a moment would you expand on the output comparison of the Streamlight and the UK? I had narrowed it down to those two but can't afford both since I have my eye on a couple of Gerbers as well.

The UK is rated at 30 lumens compared to Streamlight's 40 lumens. Candlepower Forums, however said that the UK's 30 lumens is from the LED's mfg spec sheet and that the actual output is guesstimated at seeming like 12 lumens.

Can you do an eyeball comparison? If the UK is actually only 1/4 as bright, I'll forgo the advantages of size, water proof, run time and price and go with the Streamlight. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks!

It likely don't matter much, but I like the Streamlight TL-2, LED. It is considered a "tactical" light, but for keeping in the truck, I like it a lot. It is a LOT better than the old 6-D Maglights...only exception is that ya can't use it as a club! I am not sure of all the watt, and lumen specs, but it's on the web. i think it runs about 40 lumens though..very nice choice if the weight and size isn't a big deal. It's about the size of a regular Scorpion Streamlight. Just MY $.02 worth.