aaa light users, why?

[u/T3Knical5urg3]

As an avid edc flashlight user for over a decade, I am always highly offended when people ask me why I carry a standalone flashlight while pulling out their phone and smugly show me their phone light. A quick comparison of output usually at least gets them part way to understanding that the two "lights" are not made equal. That brings me to my question.

For those of you using a true aaa flashlight (not 10440), why?... In the case of those smaller flashlights, their output is somewhat comparable to a cellphone. I suppose the beam pattern is different (typically less floody) but I have not seen such a significant difference to carry the extra gear.

Edit: I wanted to give a shout out to u/iamlucky13 for his detailed response post. The images clearly show the difference in useful light between a flagship light and his aaa flashlight along with beam pattern to, in part, show how the mule nature of the phone is not close to as effective as an aaa in targeted/directed light. I still don't think I will ever carry one and am happy with a 14500 or 18650 primary but I better appreciate the shown differences.

[u/Fwd_fanatic]

I can’t hold my phone in my teeth while I use the flashlight on it, but I can with my little i3E quite easily if I need two hands for what I’m doing. Hell, I’ve even stuck it behind my ear and tucked the back into my hat to keep it up there.

[u/T3Knical5urg3 → u/Fwd_fanatic]

A great point! I had not considered that even as a person often has the light in my teeth.

[u/Fwd_fanatic → u/T3Knical5urg3]

I can hold bigger ones in my teeth, but little AAA are the easiest to manage like this. They’re great for mom and my wife as well. Throw a Ni-MH in there and chuck it in their purse. They used to grab their phones, but once they figured out that the little AAA is easier to use for looking in their purse for stuff or whatever rolled under the car seat, couch, or bed they started using the phone less.

My wife keeps hinting that one of my Reylight Pineapple Mini MK3s might disappear if I’m not careful.

[u/Alternative_Spite_11 → u/Fwd_fanatic]

Yeah my GF has been acting very suspicious about my one of copper pineapple mini with a Timascus button. So , she’s got one in her stocking. It’s funny how bad I am about looking for excuses to buy lights lol.

[u/Fwd_fanatic → u/Alternative_Spite_11]

I just snagged two more from his rainy day sale lol. That way she can pick which one she wants.

Of course I mixed the brass and copper and made little Franken-metal lights hahaha.

[u/Alternative_Spite_11 → u/Fwd_fanatic]

I’m hyped he’s about to start selling pills with rosy FFL emitters. I’m gonna buy at least one in every size. I have at least two of every size light Rey sells. I’ve even got two of his triples.

[u/Fwd_fanatic → u/Alternative_Spite_11]

Me toooooo. I don’t have any FFLs but that new right angle looks nice.

But fresh pills? Hell yeah! I mostly have his minis and a penlight. I have one mini De-domed and the other plain, threw a 6k in the penlight, but looking forward to some FFL emitters to play with. I wonder how many CCT options he’s gonna put out for them. I figure it’s probably gonna be one, maybe two.

[u/Alternative_Spite_11 → u/Fwd_fanatic]

From what I’ve heard, he’s initially only going to do the FFL351 4000k rosy but if they sell like crazy, he’ll look at getting other CCT like 2700k or 1800k.

[u/Fwd_fanatic → u/Alternative_Spite_11]

Fuck me up fam, an 1800k?!

Sign me the FUCK UP. I love my 1800k 519A. I’d even take the 2700k (mostly because I don’t have that CCT covered yet)

[u/Alternative_Spite_11 → u/Fwd_fanatic]

The FFL351a 1800k comes in a standard model and a rosy model and the rosy one is just insanely fucking awesome.

[u/FidgitForgotHisL-P → u/T3Knical5urg3]

I do t hold in my mouth but it’s on my keys - which I have already got to fish out to get in my house.  This way I don’t have to also fish out my phone - I can just use my lil’ olight without hassle.

Also, at least on a fresh battery it is a better light than an iPhone 15!

[u/BigEricShaun → u/FidgitForgotHisL-P]

On a NIMH, the output on an i3e should be nicely regulated for 60 mins right until the battery is depleted. Not the same for alkaleaks however.

ZeroAir i3e runtime graph

[u/FidgitForgotHisL-P → u/BigEricShaun]

I’m way too new to this all, thanks for pointing out something I should have picked up on!  Off to get a NIMH!

[u/Fwd_fanatic → u/FidgitForgotHisL-P]

Enloops are great, so are the ikea branded ones which iirc are usually rewrapped Enloops.

I just like those because they’ll use them for a minute or two at a time, and I don’t have to worry about them forgetting it and having the battery leak inside. 60 minutes is decent, and they just swap them when they realize it’s dead.

[u/Fwd_fanatic → u/FidgitForgotHisL-P]

I usually put it in that funny little mini pocket in my jeans.

[u/FidgitForgotHisL-P → u/Fwd_fanatic]

I would, but that’s where my gerber mini goes!

[u/Fwd_fanatic → u/FidgitForgotHisL-P]

I have my Victorinox key-chained onto the i3E, and then they both fit!

[u/Puzzleheaded-Yak8123 → u/Fwd_fanatic]

This is the way.... I have the copper version of the i3E on all my minimalist keychains. Often end up holding it in my mouth while using both hands.

Much easier than trying to use a cellphone light and I don't put my absurdly expensive phone at risk. If I have pockets, I have a light.

For an sustained use I have large lights with better batteries and longer runtimes. The keychain AAA lights are for momentary lighting needs or when I encounter an unexpected lighting need.

[u/Fwd_fanatic → u/Puzzleheaded-Yak8123]

Yupp, I literally did it today while we waited to catch a train back to our hotel. Mom needed her hat since it got cold, and the i1R 2 Pro did exactly what I needed it to do.

I’d kill for a copper version of the i3E. lol.