I have a MagicShine as my primary light, but would like to have a good backup light that can also be used as a regular flashlight. I first thought of the MagicShine P7 flashlight, but think it might be more useful in the long run to use my existing rechargeable AA or AAA batteries instead of having another proprietary battery and charger.

So, Is there a good flashlight using AA or AAA ? It would be good to have a handlebar mount too, unless there's a good mount I can get separately.

I'm not sure what the state of the art is now, but I like the Romisen RC-N3 I use as a back up. It would make a great helmet light. It works with 123 batteries too if you want tiny.

I have Fenix, Titanium Innovations Illumina Ti and ITP A3 AAA lights. All are very small and put out a claimed 80 to 115 Lumens. The Fenix has the brightest center spot and longest throw while the Illumina Ti has the widest center beam with the ITP about mid way in between. All are very compact lights about 1/2" in diameter and under 3" long. Very bright output keychain size lights. I do not know of a handlebar mount designed to hold lights that small however. The ITP is the best buy as the 3 brightness version is about $20 from Battery Junction.

Take a look at the Olight I 15 Infinitum. This is an AA light that claims 140 Lumens with one AA battery or 210 Lumens with a 14500 Li Ion AA size battery. The Infinitum series has continuously adjustable light output from minimum of 6 Lumens to maximum. The I15 is about .75" to .85" in diameter and 4.25" long. It fits in a Twofish light holder fine. Very versatile as it can use anything from a 1.2V NiMH to the 3.7V 14500 battery. In fact battery versatility seems to be a feature of many of the Olight flashlights.

The Quark AA2 flashlight from 4sevens.com is definitely one to consider.

Best options for bang for buck and convenience:

BEST FUNCTION & PRICE: 2 x AA option: FENIX L2D.
$55ish. It's worth it. Light, small, and has useful settings including a seizure-inducing strobe. 180 lumens, easily for 75-90 mins depending on your batteries. I don't think this can be beat for performance/weight. I've actually made this my primary running (not cycling) light with a headstrap. Fenix also has awesome customer service - you absolutely won't have any problems with this light. Nothing with similar features & build can compare for price and performance.

LOWEST FUNCTION & PRICE: 2 x AA option: Terralux Lightstar 220, with Romisen coming in a close 2nd
The Terralux is $28 from a US vendor, and is every bit as bright and effective as the Fenix. The Romisen is also as bright, but not as hefty, whereas the Terralux feels bulletproof. A tad bigger and heavier than the Fenix, and no strobe function. This has been my primary light for bike commuting - one on the bars, and if I feel like really luxurious lighting, I'll go one on the helmet as well. Same runtime as the Fenix.

For 2xAAs, I haven't found any flashlights brighter, regardless of price. I think the LEDs use in these are as good as they get for AA designs, so I don't think you'll find anything with better runtime without sacrificing brightness. (These lights run much, much longer at med or low settings.)

I've been waiting for something better to come out for the last year and a half in the AA department, but so far, there's been nothing. (P7 & Magicshine aren't AA.)

I'm actually liking my cateye uno.
1xAA
Very good runtimes(15/60, steady/flash).
Nice beam spot and colour.

You would best be served my having the aa/aaa light on your helmet with the MS light.. Lots of good choice at Shining Beam..

AA - https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...-AA/Categories

AAA - https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...AAA/Categories

I've been using a Fenix LD20 for over 2 years commuting. When I got a Magicshine last September, I moved the Fenix to my helmet. It served well as my primary light, and is fantastic as a helmet light. It weighs next to nothing and holds a charge well on AA rechargeables. I don't run mine on the turbo mode but the second-highest setting and can usually get a week of commuting on one charge. Several times my Magicshine battery has lost its charge during a commute, and the Fenix has bailed me out. It also is very easy to carry a couple spare AA batteries in case the Fenix goes dead. My only complaint is the lack of a low-battery indicator light. When its batteries get low, it fades very quickly.

Sounds like the Terralux is as good as the Fenix, for 1/2 the price ? (I don't care about strobe)

Thanks for all the replies.

I would go for the lights from Shining Beam.
This one looks like a good choice for a high power backup using AAs. https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...olestar/Detail

Yes, it is. Terralux = Fenix for brightness & runtime. A bit heavier and no strobe, but otherwise an outstanding flashlight. My go-to light for the last 18 months. The Romisens are also similar, I just like the sturdier design of the Terralux.

The Terralux Lightstar 220 I received is great on high but the low setting, which claims 100 lumens, is closer to 40 based on comparisons with other lights I have. This is also reflected in claimed run times of 1 to 1.5 hours on high and 6+ hours on Low. Most other flashlights have a much more linear relationship between claimed output and battery life.

It is a very rugged appearing 2 AA battery flashlight with plenty of light output on high but the low setting is very dim in comparison to other flashlights I have compared it to with claimed outputs in the 60 to 100 Lumens range. Not sure that my sample is typical but based on the claimed run times I suspect that it is.