I should also point out there are a number of custom or low production AA lights like the Peak Solutions Kino Bay 1w AA. Many of these lights might be very good but I don't tend to follow what is going on with them.

Another (future) possibility is the HDS "EDC" light. Check out the beamshot comparison between the EDC 60 and a SF E2e. This is a 1x123A light, but I think Henry, the designer has talked about making an AA battery tube for this light. If so, a 2xAA version of the EDC 60 would probably give a SF E2e a run for the money. And of course being a variable output light, it is a lot more flexible. There is a huge series of threads on CPF about HDS and the EDC where Henry sometimes posts. Of course, there are various other threads on CPF about this light as well.

-john