Looking for a new 2 AA battery flashlight for EDC.

Admittedly, I am not a flashlight geek and never plan to be, so I am not at all, interested in all the geeky details or comparisons of esoteric features I would never understand, etc.

All I need is a simple, yet reliable flashlight with a couple of brightness settings to choose from. Price point is $50.00 - $75.00.

Thanks for any recommendations.

https://www.rei.com/product/124307/fenix-fd20-focus-flashlight
The Fenix FD20 would meet your specs. It is available from a lot of online retailers, not just the one referenced above. I am sure there are others, but Fenix is a quality brand, and reliable

I appreciate yur desire for simplicity and utility, but I would suggest you consider lights that run on a single 18650 rechargeable battery. They are about the same size and bulk but with significantly increased capability. You really should put rechargeable AAs in the Fenix light or similar for a variety of reasons, including ultimate cost. This means you purchase a charging station. If you do that, you might as well get one that will handle lithium-ion batteries. i believe you will be glad you did.

I am not a flashlight geek, and I could care less about beam quality and other things that are raved about endlessly on various forums. But I am very happy I am carrying lithium-ion units. Mash on the button and you get light, every time....

I switched to rechargeable AA & AAA batteries because I lost too many electronic devices (including flashlights) to leaking alkaline batteries. NiMH batteries just don’t seem to leak at all.

Thanks for the link. I did see those lights when I was looking earlier today. As for the AA batteries, I have about 30-40 AA Eneloops, so I am good for awhile for rechargeables and which is why I am specifically looking for an AA compatible flashlight.

I'm curious ... How are you carrying an EDC two AA flashlight? They seem kind of big (long) to me for EDC, unless you're carrying it in a bag of some kind.

My EDC is in pocket, so I carry a one AAA ARC light. It is not super bright, but enough if needed. Honestly, these days I usually carry my smartphone, and I've started thinking that with a flashlight app it is actually brighter than my ARC light. Maybe I'd be better using that ARC pocket space for something else (like a tiny compass?).

I've pretty much moved 100% to using LED headlamps (Princeton Tec EOS using three AAA batteries) since they allow me to be hands-free, are amazingly bright at high, just right amount of light in pitch darkness at low (think inside a tent), and allow use of alkaline, nickel metal hydride, or lithium batteries.

I've eliminated my EDC flashlight in favor of my smartphone. I might put a CR2032 light back on my keychain, but my keychain is already over gross with two car fobs.

I clip a 1xAAA LED light to the right hip pocket of my trousers for EDC. IMO it’s better to keep the battery in my cellphone available for calls rather than use its battery for light when a simple 1xAAA provides better illumination and doesn’t compromise my comms.

Yes, I have a bag, which nowadays is mainly used for work and contains the usual EDC items. Outside of work, I don't usually carry an EDC bag as it is not too often, that I am not far from home, work or vehicle and I detest carrying anything in my pockets or on my key chain. Of course, any traveling outside our immediate area is a different situation and some EDC is carried.



We have real bad power at work - and no one seems to grab the concept that they should think about having their own light source. And so, the only fear I have against using a flashlight app on my phone is that if I lend my phone out - the borrower drops and breaks the phone. Replacing a standalone flashlight is much cheaper and much less hassle then starting over with a new phone.



Yes, I have a couple of headlamps that are used for outdoor activities, but sometimes pulling out a flashlight is much easier.

The simple answer is to not lend out your phone, but you knew that.

Rather than a 2xAA, why not get two 1xAA LED lights. One you can lend if you think the other person absolutely reliable (the answer is “no, otherwise he’d have his own light”. The second light is not a loaner, not ever.

AA flashlights at CountyComm. I have both an older version of the Ti 1xAA and the current version of the Cu 1xAA. Both have the same simple interface, are very reliable and provide enough light — three modes, Low-Medium-High (5, 45 & 205 lumen). There are no strobes, S-O-S or other modes that are rarely if ever used.

I have had a lot of good luck with Fenix. Durable switches and good form factors. You can find one to fit your needs and it won't cost too much.

... or, you can get two Fenix E12 1xAA flashlights. Same idea as my post above, one to give away lend to your unequipped friend and one to keep so your cellphone battery can be saved for calls.

I recently bought a fenix e20, a little cheaper and quite good. I also have several streamlight yellow aa polymer flashlights, about 21 each, and if I was going to be lending my flashlights out, that’s what I would choose.

I was looking at the E20 also which is $50.00 here and I have a $15.00 credit with MEC (equivalent Canadian store to REI in the USA) so it would bring the purchase down to $35.00

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5048-839/E20-Flashlight

I am also eyeing the LD22, which is $76.00 - $15.00 credit, makes it $51.00
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5046-349/LD22-Flashlight

Again, I am no flashlight geek and really just looking for what is the best for the dollar. For my simple needs, is a $76.00 flashlight all that much better then a $50.00 model?

Hey Teslin, before you buy, check your PM. I might have solutions in my surplus bin.

I EDC a Fenix TK22 among a whole lot of other stuff (1-2kg). Carry my stuff in a vest; Fjällräven Reporter vest.So there you have it, no need for bag.

Aren't you doing this the wrong way round? Most people have a need and then chose the solution.
You've decided on 2xAA solution before asking does it provide what you need?
qjs

As with most other things, you get what you pay for. Cheap flashlights will fail quickly, usually in the switch. I have gone through many cheap ones, just to try them out, looking for cost effectiveness. I always end up with a good one, which lasts. Fenix and Streamlight have served well and lasted.

That hasn't been my experience with flashlights. MAG-LITE is inexpensive and lasts for years, even the size the OP is asking. They don't have the features the OP is asking for either.

Jeanette Isabelle

I tend to agree with Montanero.
MAG-LITE flashlights may be inexpensive but they are not really cheap (I have seen flashlights for less than a quarter of the price of a MAG-LITE). The ruggedness of the MAG-LITE partly results from the lack of electronics.
My oldest MAG-LITE is about 30 years old. Despite the fact that it took quite a bit of punishment on hunting and fishing trips it still is in a very good condition.
The cheap flashlights I have seen often failed before the original set of batteries was depleted.

Logistics may be a part of the needs. With a plentyful supply of AA cells a device using those cells may be preferable.

Mag Lite is not a cheap flashlight. They are durable and innovated the small lights. I am referring to the ones you find at the hardware stores where you get a pack of 5 for $10 and such things.

Oh, you were referring to the "promotional" units featuring the name of a battery company.

Jeanette Isabelle

Maglites are about as state of the art as Model T's. At one time (70s) they were about the best, but the company missed the LED revolution, and they are now archaic.

There are now numerous good brands, better in every way.

MAG-LITE was late on the LED bandwagon. In some aspect, they are still not on board not until they offer an LED bulb for incandescent flashlights. My reason for bringing them into this conversation has nothing to do with technology.

Jeanette Isabelle

I agreed with comments on Fenix.

I like the older Fenix E01. They are single AAA- one brightness, about 11.00 Not too dim, not too bright, JUST Right.

I like the newer LD05. Single AAA 3 brightness levels Dims level allows more time.

I differ regarding rechargeable- I like Lithium Light, great life, no leaks ever. my oldest Fenix e01 is on its 2nd lithium in 8 years. No bash on rechargables, I agree on the theory.

I EDC single battery light for size, even though I like 2 battery lights.

The e12 is a single AA, the E20 is a 2 AA...

I have had several Maglights across time. There are 6 or 7 LED adapters available. I like the Nightize one.
Link to Nightize (This is info only, not to buy- I am not affiliated)
https://www.niteize.com/collection/LED-Upgrades.asp

If you have a maglite, keep it, upgrade it, use the batteries you like best. (Keep in mind, Maglite have very tight clearance, once you get a leak inside maglite you need a sledgehammer the get the %%% %%% batteries out, and need to sand the inside for a half hour to ever use it again--- ask me how I know...sigh)

+1
I have an LED replacement bulb in both my 2xD & 3xD Maglites. IIRC the bulb has electronic regulation circuitry inside which allow them to operate with the wide voltage differences of 2-6 D batteries. Definitely worth the money, new life to a flashlight I bought in 1990.

Instead of a 2xAA flashlight, I would suggest you look into a 1xAA light that can run on Alkaline, Lithium, or a rechargeable in NiMH or LiION (a.k.a. "14500"). That gives you a lot of options on how you want to power it. And you can get some darn bright flashlights in this size if that's what you want. The brightest will be when you power it with a 14500 LiION.

I like that method. A 1x and a spare battery for the same weight and room. Gives you a backup.

I will also say the Fenix is a good choice. I've got a couple of the AAA EO5 lights and they are really great - one is pocket carry and the other lives on the key chain.

Ah yes, mag-lights are great and I've got a C size that I put an LED head on and a D light that also has a new LED bulb and they are both really good lights but heavy/big. I also have a Safariland Kel-light from the '70's that uses two c cells and is still plugging away - it's on the garage work bench right now and has been "everywhere" with me over the years.

I really like and rely on SureFire lights but they are beyond the price point for the most part in this discussion... Elzetta lights are good too from what I've seen but really expensive.

I got a five pack of 'coast' lights at the local big box a couple of years ago - AA powered metal construction(one battery) and nice, bright LED bulb which cost me about 20 bucks for the pack. I've given a couple away, have one downstairs at home, one at work at my desk and another one tucked away there too. They work great and are still going strong. That's an idea too.

Paul -

I am amazed by the Surefire Titan Plus my son gave me for Christmas. But that's a 1xAAA, so getting pretty far from your initial description of what you want. However, this little 1xAAA can outdo the old three D-cell Maglights of years past.

Thanks all. I ended up with the Fenix E20. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had a $15.00 credit and so that brought the cost of the flashlight down to $35.00.

The local store was sold out, which meant I had to order it from them online and should be here after the long weekend.

Also thanks for the comments about the Maglights. I might still have a couple of the older AA models kicking around and I know at least one of these, I converted to LED, ages ago.

I'll dig them out, then take and leave them at work as backups.

Sorry to jump in so late,

for a budget conscious purchase, my brother recommended me the Zenflare F2. 2xAA, four modes (200 lum, 50 lun, 15 lun, strobo), memory function, water resistant ecc. I had a chance to use it a few weeks ago and had a good impression. It'only 12$ on Amazon Usa.

www.amazon.com/dp/B0713PL4H1/ref=twister_B071NXWH2F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I just ordered one for myself, stimulated by this very thread on 2xAA lights...