Howdy,

I'm in the market for a new LED flashlight, but would like one that uses aa batteries and is nine to 11" long. Is there a site with comparisons?

Also, with so many leatherman styles available, has someone written up a table of which tool has what?

thanks,

TRO

Leatherman web site has comparisons of all the tools.

Also maglite with led drop in module is what would fit your bill.

Second the Leathermen web site.
Just got this led for my mag-light works great. The 2 d cell drop in is amazing.

C Crane Company has a really decent led light, the cc trek, that uses 3 AA batteries. I've had one for years and it's still a good light. Haven't looked in awhile, but they use to offer it as a "kit" (as a project for boyscouts and other organizations) where you could save 6 or 7 bucks (by screwing the cap on I guess). They also have a wide variety of LED replacement bulbs, including the Luxeons.

ccrane.com

Try looking at the Streamlight Twin Task series.

Here is a link ot the "D" version
http://www.brightguy.com/detail_int.php?Sku=STR51001

It features a single Xenon bulb surrounded by standard LED's. So you can choose which light you want.

I have the 2x123 version, and it is a very useful and versatile light. It rides in the emergency kit in the family mini-van.

Also note that there are some knock-off versions of these same lights if you shop around. In fact, I suspect that Streamlight buys these from some Asian company, and you can buy the exact same light with somebody else's name on it. So the posibility exists for some cost savings.

I have the full D-cell version of that Streamlight. It's a nice light, but the Xenon isn't as bright as it could be. It's nice having the combo for LED runtime and you can switch between Xenon, 5 LED and 10 LED. It's a moderately expensive light and I don't think that the LEDs are the brightest either. It is constructed well, but the main bulb did come lose right after purchase. I dug in and reset it and all has been well since.

It's not a bad light, it's just not a stellar light.

I have the 1L TwinTask, and I like it. I wish it had an end clicky, but that's pretty minor. If I had to make a real grumble, it's the bulbs- they start off great, but they dim noticiably over time.

If you like Mag products they are coming out with a line of LED flashlights "shortly." The release date keeps changing, but it should be in the next few months.

http://www.equipped.org/shot_show_2006_LED_flashlights-4.htm

Look for the MagLite section on that page. Here is a picture.

http://www.equipped.org/pp/pic10320.htm

A fully regulated, 3W Luxeon sounds good. Who knows if it will be?

The Streamlight ProPolymer Luxeon gets good feedback.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_propolyluxeon.htm

I have a Fenix L2P which I really like, though it's shorter than what you mentioned. They are high quality and affordable, though a lot of Americans are turned off by the fact that it comes from China. I like to support American business, but couldn't resist the L2P and L1P.

Take a look at the Flashlight Reviews site I linked to earlier in this post. The LED Museum is another good review site.

http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/ledleft.htm

LED technology is progressing so rapidly right now that something better will be out in a year no matter what you buy. More manufacturers are also realizing that the general public is not going to buy CR123 battery based lights, so more and more AA, AAA, C, and D cell powered lights are showing up.

This is a change. Mag must have hired an engineer.
I thought that the entire company just consisted of manufacturing and lawyers. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Their sales have most likely nose dived. So they either get with the program or go out of buisness. I brought an Aurora 1.5W L.E.D. torch (lenser type) from Maplans last Saturday. Very powerfull. Amazingly so for its size and price. Cost me £21.00), single CR123 battery, Burn time of a couple of hours. Weigh's a couple of ounces. 4" or so long. Acceptable build quality. I only use it - under most circumstances - for a few seconds or a minute at a time. So I expect that the battery will last for a year or more. If I need to use a torch for a long time then its Tikka XP time.....