ugaarguy
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2006
- Messages
- 13,828
Alkaline batteries, inherent to their chemistry, give off corrosive gas as they age. This starts as soon as they leave the factory. Put them into an o-ring sealed, air and water tight tube (aka any decent quality flashlight body) and they gas will sooner or later eat through the battery casing. This then leads to the corrosive wet electrolyte leaking, followed by further corrosion and swelling of battery case, ultimately resulting in a ruined flashlight (or other device). So, I don't like giving AA / AAA lights to non- flashlight people. Yes, you could get a pack of lithium AA / AAA batteries, or NiMH batteries and charger, and explain why they shouldn't use alkalines. But most people will forget, ignore, or not believe you, in my experience. When that first lithium or NiMH dies, and they can't find the spares, then they'll put an alkaleak in the light, use it for whatever, forget about for a few weeks / months / years, and come back to a ruined flashlight. So, get them a light that can't take common AA/AAA alkalines. Integrated USB charging solves the problem of keeping it juiced.
TL,DR: Alkalines will eventually leak and ruin the light. Remove the temptation and don't get them a light that can use commonly found alkaleak batteries. You can get lights with integrated charging for the same price or slightly more anyway.
So, recommendations:
Already mentioned Nightcore Tube. Built in lithium battery and micro USB charge port. Smaller than most car key fobs. Weighs about nothing, so great chance they'll actually carry it. Very simple two mode operation with equally simple push button UI. Cost about $10.
Olight i1R. Built in lithium battery that's replaceable. Easy twist on for low, twist further for high UI. Nicer, because it has an anodized aluminum body. Still tiny, still light, still priced under $20.
Thrunite T1. New light from an established company. Olight Baton killer with included 18350 battery and standard micro USB charge port built into the body of the light. Regularly $40, but currently $35 with a click to apply coupon at Amazon. Super useful firefly mode for preserving night vision and/or ultra-long run time for power outages. Magnetic base so you can tick to a car hood or fridge or whatever. Two way clip so you can stick it on your hat and have an improv headlamp. EDC size light that's bigger than the above, but still small enough to very easily carry in a pocket. UI is a light more involved, but it's not Anduril or Bistro. Anyone who uses a smart phone can use this light. Also has crazy bright turbo mode he can impress his friends with, so maybe he'll actually carry it.
Rofis R1. Also $35 on Amazon. Take most of the above features, but sub in a slightly smaller 16340 battery and magnetic induction charging. Slightly longer than above, because the head can rotate and turn it into a right angle light. Has detents at the straight and 90 degree ends, but can sit anywhere in between. Comes with a headband so you can use it as a headlamp. With the head rotated you can also use the pocket clip to clip it to your shirt collar or pocket and use it hands free without a hat or the headband. Magnete removed from tail cap if you want to. If you're worried they'll lose the USB A to proprietary magnetic connnector charging cord, then for an extra $7 or so you can get your kid (or whomever you're giving it to) a Fenix or Olight or other reputable brand 16340 battery with micro USB charge port built into the battery. This light can also run on regular disposable CR123 lithium batteries. So, you can get your kid (or whoever) a few of those to go with it. Even if they leave it in their sock drawer, when the first power outage hits in their dorm room or apartment, they can use their phone to see to get to this real light. Since single use CR123 lithium batteries have 10+ year shelf life, they'll have batteries and a light that are much more likely to be working than the AA/AAA light put an alkaleak into. I think this is the most complete package, and it's still attainable for under $50 even with the add-ons I listed. ETA: With head rotated you can also use the pocket clip to clip the light to your shirt collar or pocket, and use it hands free without the need for a hat or the included headband.
TL,DR: Alkalines will eventually leak and ruin the light. Remove the temptation and don't get them a light that can use commonly found alkaleak batteries. You can get lights with integrated charging for the same price or slightly more anyway.
So, recommendations:
Already mentioned Nightcore Tube. Built in lithium battery and micro USB charge port. Smaller than most car key fobs. Weighs about nothing, so great chance they'll actually carry it. Very simple two mode operation with equally simple push button UI. Cost about $10.
Olight i1R. Built in lithium battery that's replaceable. Easy twist on for low, twist further for high UI. Nicer, because it has an anodized aluminum body. Still tiny, still light, still priced under $20.
Thrunite T1. New light from an established company. Olight Baton killer with included 18350 battery and standard micro USB charge port built into the body of the light. Regularly $40, but currently $35 with a click to apply coupon at Amazon. Super useful firefly mode for preserving night vision and/or ultra-long run time for power outages. Magnetic base so you can tick to a car hood or fridge or whatever. Two way clip so you can stick it on your hat and have an improv headlamp. EDC size light that's bigger than the above, but still small enough to very easily carry in a pocket. UI is a light more involved, but it's not Anduril or Bistro. Anyone who uses a smart phone can use this light. Also has crazy bright turbo mode he can impress his friends with, so maybe he'll actually carry it.
Rofis R1. Also $35 on Amazon. Take most of the above features, but sub in a slightly smaller 16340 battery and magnetic induction charging. Slightly longer than above, because the head can rotate and turn it into a right angle light. Has detents at the straight and 90 degree ends, but can sit anywhere in between. Comes with a headband so you can use it as a headlamp. With the head rotated you can also use the pocket clip to clip it to your shirt collar or pocket and use it hands free without a hat or the headband. Magnete removed from tail cap if you want to. If you're worried they'll lose the USB A to proprietary magnetic connnector charging cord, then for an extra $7 or so you can get your kid (or whomever you're giving it to) a Fenix or Olight or other reputable brand 16340 battery with micro USB charge port built into the battery. This light can also run on regular disposable CR123 lithium batteries. So, you can get your kid (or whoever) a few of those to go with it. Even if they leave it in their sock drawer, when the first power outage hits in their dorm room or apartment, they can use their phone to see to get to this real light. Since single use CR123 lithium batteries have 10+ year shelf life, they'll have batteries and a light that are much more likely to be working than the AA/AAA light put an alkaleak into. I think this is the most complete package, and it's still attainable for under $50 even with the add-ons I listed. ETA: With head rotated you can also use the pocket clip to clip the light to your shirt collar or pocket, and use it hands free without the need for a hat or the included headband.
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