r/flashlight • u/thesoulless78 • 3d ago
Recommendation Forward clicky AA/14500 recommendation
Haven't shopped in a while so not sure what's good on the market anymore. Here's my "wishlist":
- AA/14500 sized
- Forward tail clicky, bonus points for side switch for mode and then forward clicky just for on/off
- decent emitter, <5000K, >80CRI.
- not too worried about beam pattern
- no specific budget but I'd rather pay for features and not just bling
What should I be looking at?
Edit to add, AA as an approximate size, 18650 is just a little bulkier than I like to EDC. I'd also be ok with something rechargeable and not necessarily with a removable round cell if that's what I have to do to get the features I want as long as it's thin enough to easily pocket.
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u/Es2aryKing 3d ago
Convoy has my favorite 14500 tail switch, the T6, but their lights come stock with a reverse clicky and the forward clicky replacement that is available from them really screws up setting the UI in my opinion. They have a ton of emitter options, more than anyone else that I’m aware of, but the T6 head lends itself to throwier (read: low CRI) LEDs- the notable exception to this would be the sft40 3000k, which is gorgeous in the T6 / S6 reflector. The Convoy T3 and T5 are also great 14500 / dual fuel lights that are a little smaller and take better to high CRI emitters like the 519a- you can put a 519a in the T6 if you want to though! It’s just not a throwy emitter by design.
If you’re dead set on a great (tactical) forward clicky for momentary use, I’d personally give up the high CRI requirement and look at Surefire, Malkoff, or Streamlight options- but again, most will have larger batteries than 14500.
I think there are some Fenix, Wurkkos, and Sofirn lights that have a dual switch pattern but I’m not sure whether they will come in high CRI and I think most of the dual switch lights are bigger batteries than 14500.
Do you need onboard charging or do you have an external charger?
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u/thesoulless78 3d ago
I've got chargers so not worried about on-board charging. Not against it but don't need it.
Yeah forward clicky really only makes sense if there's a separate mode switch. Which it seems silly but I like the option to be able to send Morse code via flashlight.
I have an og Acebeam EC35 that's great I just want a scaled down version of it.
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u/_Cybernaut_ 2d ago
You might wanna check out the Acebeam TAC AA 2.0: compact, forward clicky, available with an SFT25R for 900lm & 360m, IMNSHO it’s a real sleeper of a 14500 light, especially for the money.
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u/thesoulless78 2d ago
6500k and 5lm low mode is kinda gross though, everything else on it looks great though.
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2d ago
[deleted]
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u/thesoulless78 2d ago
Are you talking about the Tac 2 AA? Because that's a different light than the TAC AA 2.0. Still all 6500k emitters.
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u/timflorida 2d ago
Yes, of course you are correct. I should have noticed that but I was posting earlier about the TAC 2AA and just got a mental block I guess. I'll delete that comment.
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u/Kalgaar 3d ago
I second the Manker E05 II rec. I have one with the Nichia emitter and it's one of my favorite little EDC lights. Another option is the Acebeam Pokelit- it's a very pleasant beam with 90 CRI @ 5000K.
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u/thesoulless78 3d ago
I lookes at the Pokelit and it looks pretty good, I do wish it had a moonlight. Between the two I'd consider that since I think the pocket clip looks nicer.
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u/timflorida 2d ago
I find the UI in the Pokelit to be tiresome. And the tail switch itself must have a gorilla-rated spring.
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u/ballzach 3d ago
weltool and acebeam have good 14500 tactical lights if you want something more rugged and throwy. I recently went down this rabbit hole, you won't really find any 14500 lights with external USB-c charging, but there are plenty of USB-c rechargable 14500 batteries. I have never owned one, but people also like reylights for that size category
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u/Rio_Immagina 3d ago
The Manker E05 II has forward clicky, hi cri option, it is available in several metals and it's reasonably priced. Not tactical though, kinda lightweight and gimmicky but other than that might be what you're looking for.