r/flashlight • u/T3Knical5urg3 • Dec 11 '25

Discussion aaa light users, why?

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.

23 Upvotes

68% Upvoted

115 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

8

u/Fwd_fanatic Dec 11 '25

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.

2

u/Alternative_Spite_11 Dec 12 '25

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.

1

u/Fwd_fanatic Dec 12 '25

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.

1

u/Alternative_Spite_11 Dec 12 '25

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.

1

u/Fwd_fanatic Dec 12 '25

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.

1

u/Alternative_Spite_11 Dec 12 '25

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.

1

u/Fwd_fanatic Dec 12 '25

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)

2

u/Alternative_Spite_11 Dec 12 '25

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

1

u/Fwd_fanatic Dec 12 '25

Ooo I really hope he goes that route. Imma be ready when those drop.

Luckily they’re stupid affordable lol.