Best Tactical AA Flashlight?? (Acebeam Tac 2AA, Thrunite Archer Pro S, & Thrunite Saber)

[@nature48941]

Really have been enjoying my Wurkkos TS10 Max (18650 ts10). Was pleasantly surprised to see a new addition to Anduril 2: the customizable tactical mode.

[@rothxvii5181]

Definitely going to be picking up the SFT 25 version of the Tac 2AA. Have been waiting for a good tac style 2 AA light to come out for a long time because I love the long slim form factor. No previous lights in this style had the combination of output, candela and predictable direct access to turbo I was looking for. Love that deep metallic blue colour too, have a whole bunch of black flashlights and it's nice to change things up once in a while. Price point seems very reasonable too and often see additional discounts or sales on Acebeam products. So might make a good gift light for family as I've always enjoyed giving useful gifts.

[@gohtashiraishi9157]

I received my SFT25 TAC 2AA recently and 100% agree with your reasoning. It hasn’t disappointed, but my only nitpick is that the UI is quite fiddly but so long as you use the tail switch to switch it off in Tactical mode it’s great to have dependable access to turbo. Throw is very impressive for the small form factor and the Candela output is quite blinding. Good length in the hand and the bezel feels very solid with good force multiplication. One thing that may be an issue is there’s no battery spring for the circuit board so not sure how long it would last with sustained impacts but so long as it holds up well enough in a heated situation I will happily replace it if needed

[@stevenkelby2169]

I love mine but you can never be 100% sure that the tail switch will give you turbo. It depends on how you (or the last person who touched it) left it.

[@maxlvledc]

Good point, that's a good update

[@FlashBro-r4w]

@@maxlvledchow does the Acebeam TAC 2AA hold up to voltage sag? Does it revert to a lowered “turbo setting after the batteries been used more than 50% ? Or is the driver direct drive and allow you access to turbo no matter the lowered voltage ? That’s one thing I HATED about my Nitecore MT2A Pro…

[@g-whiz286]

For an EDC flashlight, being able to locate the flashlight in complete darkness would be helpful. No one ever talks about the "breathing" mode where the power indicator in the power switch (a side switch) is faintly illuminated all the time. My Wuben C2 has this. It "breaths" blue until it needs to be charged, then it "breaths" red. The ACEBEAM 2AA does this as well (in green) but only when it is on standby. Unfortunately, in that mode, it still eats through a battery in one day, which makes it useless. My Wuben C2 has gone for months with that blue LED softly glowing up and down, ready to locate easily.

[@uzbeck2006]

I used to have AAA membership, now i only attend AA

[@Ozarkmountainoutback1]

You make some really good videos. Cep up the good work

[@IllinoisDailyCarry]

That blue TAC 2AA with SFT25R. Color me jealous.

[@Exane22]

I am very excited to get my AB Tac 2AA. I ordered it from your prime day video, but shipping got pushed out by a couple of weeks. Been looking for a good thrower for night time walks, mostly just for the fun of it.

[@Dan-dp5dz]

Watching your videos is getting really expensive. Now I have to figure out what I am going to do with 2 MORE flashlights.

[@3vil3lvis]

Must .... resist... FOMO!

[@urbandadcarry]

Dom actually posts lots of discounts and "savings" 😁

[@michaelhoskins832]

In terms of knives, I bought a Victorinox Fieldmaster because of his review. Also picked up a Gerber Suspension NXT. Curse Amazon's Black Friday sales. They finally ensnared me.

[@treypenton8490]

I use a thrunite saber and i love it!

[@diemman70]

I bought the Acebeam Tac and I agree with you in that the UI is weird. Nice light though even still.

[@life_with_ryan]

You should check out the Pelican 2370 flashlight. It's a (x2) AA battery flashlight slightly larger than the mini mag light, I carry mine in my mini mag leather belt holster. I also prefer the AA batteries because if I'm in the field at work I need to be able to swap batteries quickly so it works well for me, I also don't mind carrying a larger flashlight. I think you might like the UI on the flashlight, and it has a tail switch as well. Then it has a magnetic collar on it that allows you to switch between green, white or red light, I like having the ability to switch to the red light at night if i dont want to mess with my night vision. Also it's fully waterproof as well.

[@tonyd9799]

The Archer Pro V2 can be easily opened and the battery removed. It’s not glued together and there is an O-ring sealing it. The battery is customized with positive and negative terminals on the top.

[@maxlvledc]

Ah, good to know

[@1spiralout]

Not mine. How? The description and reviews all say non removable

[@tonyd9799]

@@1spiralout again, i’m talking about the Archer Pro V2. Wrap a rubber band around the head just below the part that unscrews to conceal the charging port. Mine came apart fairly easily. I think people are just assuming it’s not a replaceable battery. It actually has three springs. One tail spring and two separate nested positive and negative springs at the driver end.

[@1spiralout]

@@tonyd9799 Yes, the Pro V2. I could see the joint between the head and tube and had tried pretty much everything other than the vice grips with no luck. I just used the vice with a rubber band around it voila! There was no glue residue to be found and the threads were even greased but that sucker was on tight

[@Madman6505]

Sometimes, it seems like the designers of these flashlights don't use flashlights. Just like with software UX design, they should do usability testing on each model, revise based on feedback, then release THAT as the next model. Repeat that for about 10 models, and you would have something special.

[@ThisJustIn81]

I really like the best saber but you're right it really should have had a moonlight but it isn't a deal breaker for me and I'll carry sometimes for sure.

[@ajohnson6416]

Great video!! As always, super thorough! Question about the batteries for the Acebeam Tac; can I put lithium AA batteries in it? You lost me on the voltage thing. Didn't know if the alkaline batteries had different voltage than the lithium. Sorry if that's a dumb question, but had to ask. And yes, you made me spend more money LOL!

[@808mkduffer]

re: battery nomenclature, 14500 breaks down as 14 50 0 where 14 is diameter in mm, 50 is length in mm and the last 0 indicates it's a round/cylindrical cell. I'm assuming that Acebeam is slightly departing from normal naming conventions and suspect that the 100 (in 14100) is 100 mm length, with the last "0" being omitted. Similarly, an 18650 is 18 mm in diameter, 65 mm in length. 21700 also follows this standard. It's not unheard of for the last "0" to be omitted, as in the 4680.

[@eric_schaaf]

Different route, but I have the Coast XPH30R 1200 Lumen USB-C Rechargeable Dual Power Headlamp. $50 on Amazon. Turbo mode is insane! I wear it winter wading. Can’t recommend it enough.

[@FlashBro-r4w]

Yeah…. But does it have the SFT25-R led? That’s what is so DOPE about the Acebeam TAC 2AA light. The next gen led

[@DanielTAGyota]

Convoy T4.

[@JP-wj6yg]

I've heard issues about the ace beam getting too hot. Have you seen any issue with yours?

[@geraldroberts4721]

UI can be a deal breaker. My Thrunite TN12Pro is the perfect one for me and my go-to for everything around the house, inside and out. The only downside I've found with it is the heat that comes after 30 seconds on turbo, easy fix, don't leave turbo on for 30 seconds.

[@project.mirari]

I've seen multiple "complaints" about flashlights heating up after a while on TURBO. What do you guys need a full 60 seconds of turbo for? I'm genuinely surprised people make this common complaint about "defensive" oriented flashlights.

[@geraldroberts4721]

@@project.mirari running off coyotes and other predators is the main reason I run mine on turbo for any kind of extended time. Nightime is not the right time to start throwing bullets downrange through livestock pens. Guardian dogs bark and keep them out of the pens, the light shining on them spooks them off.

[@MBroam]

I like both the Thrunite and the Acebeam. The Thrunite's beam however looks very blue, was that something in recording or is it that cool? Also to answer your question, universal charging for me beats proprietary hands down. Universal charging means recharging things in a disaster is much easier. I spent nearly a week and a half carrying lights/powerpacks/rechargable fans/etc to places with power during Hurricane Helene and a proprietary charger would have made that more complicated in a time that was complicated enough already.

[@toddmarrazzo187]

Morning Dom. Sharing Leatherman is having an insider sale. 15% off up to five items including the arc and obsidian

[@maxlvledc]

On it!

[@johnlagomarsino924]

I’m looking for a tactical flashlight with side light (“Cob”) that can light simultaneously. I need both on together because I ride my bicycle at night and use the tactical mount on the handlebars. I use the side light to illuminate my speedometer while using the main lamp as a headlight.

[@petercoyne4413]

Already bought a couple for presents and one for myself for international travel! Love it

[@Triaz357]

The two things that are deal breakers for me on a light is memory mode and proprietary chargers. I don’t seem to mind memory mode on dual switches where you can still click the tail switch and get to high or turbo or whatever. I really really want to try the warrior 3 but that magnetic charger is holding me off. I don’t even want micro usb anymore. I have updated my iPhone to C and plan on updating my iPad to C soon and I just don’t want to have to keep up with another charger at home, in my truck or in my work truck just for a flashlight.

[@RAID5_Aesthetic]

So with the Tac 2AA I cannot open in moonlight? It Always opens on Turbo?

[@propblast82nd]

Isn’t a non replaceable battery an issue ?

[@xtanwolff]

Can the TAC 2AA head or body swap with the original TAC AA?

[@Auror37]

Would have been nice to show beam and throw on these.

[@stevelee6667]

good video

[@Nothingactual]

Can you compare the longer acebeam one to the nitecore MT2A Pro. There is a longer nitecore which I havent seen in your arsenal yet. 😊

[@maxlvledc]

I covered it, acebeam wins hands down

[@BOOSTEDLASER]

FENIX BY FAR BEST...THAT NO STANDBY CURRENT DRAW ALONE IS A DEAL MAKER

[@RAID5_Aesthetic]

I bought Halloween Olights for Disney World. It does suck that for the ArkFlex I need to bring, and not lose, a tiny, and flimsy, proprietary charging cable.

[@alexdrockhound9497]

I like flashlights to have a 25, 200, 500 lumen 3 mode option.

[@davidhinks1284]

What happens if you compare with the nitecore mt2aa , ??

[@maxlvledc]

Definitely better than then the Nitecore

[@FlashBro-r4w]

I have the Nitecore MT2A Pro The battery sag is UNREAL and lowers the turbo output after a few uses of turbo… it….. SUCKS….

[@incavulator]

I bought one of the Sabers for $11. Super bright, great light especially for the money. I didn't have it in my pocket for more than an hour and it turned itself on so it's a no-go for me for a daily carry. It needs a lockout feature, or a recessed/protected switch.

[@EvilTwinRC51]

If you loosen the head a 1/4 turn it won’t come on in your pocket.

[@incavulator]

@@EvilTwinRC51 Great idea. Thanks!!

[@EvilTwinRC51]

@@incavulatorno problem 🙏. I had the same issue and remembered that when they sent it to me the head was backed off 1/2 a turn to keep it from coming on in shipping.

[@dustinw.5090]

Got the BSS prime day for 11 dollars with battery even though it said no battery

[@maxlvledc]

yep! sick right?

[@Logan2070]

I am not impressed with the cheap thrunite archer flashlights. I bought two, one was faulty, they replaced it but the switch on them is janky, needs fins.

[@ParkerBinion]

Informative, thank you Dom. I wish the MT1A had a tactical mode or some way to instant access to turbo. Strobe would also be nice. Relying on memory mode is not ideal. You are slave to the last setting. It's brighter than the Weltool Pro Tac, but I prefer the Weltool UI.

[@maxlvledc]

Actually weltool is far brighter at 23,000cd vs 15,700 from nitecore.

[@DonofrioHaSbagliato]

It's not. It has more intensity, but the nitecore is brighter, as it has more lumens. Also, the nitecore has much better spill, making it more useful than the weltool in most scenarios imho

[@SirPraiseSun]

he sounds like T90 EDC edition =D

[@cityproofdad]

Klarus xt1a is the best tactical AA

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

I search the internet for a beam shot comparison between the TAC AA and 2AA. NOTHING? I like the TAC AA but this SFT 25 2AA version has slightly more candela and throw and a longer run time according to spec but I don't really like pen lights so much. The TAC AA needed to be 18650 as it does not last long on high with the 14500 and has an occasionally annoying Saturn ring.

[@MicaelSantana450]

Hey MaxlclEDC I just recieved my Leatherman Surge M390 blade replacement would you be interested in testing it? I tried in doing a review on it, but i dont have good tripods and the youtube know how to do it I could send you my brand new Leatherman Surge + M390 and 420hc blade to test I only ask to get it returned when youre done :D First impression is= im very impressed! sorry to write you here and on a flashlight video, just commented here, because its your newest video, so I assume you see my comment faster have a nice day I live in Canada ottawa btw

[@maxlvledc]

Appreciated! But I have the m390 blade already as well.

[@MicaelSantana450]

@@maxlvledc oh you do?? Have you a video about it? Thanks for the reply though

[@maxlvledc]

@@MicaelSantana450 not yet! Soon!

[@HalloweenStalker666]

No Stream Light? The new SL Protac 2AA-X..? Updating its SL Protac 2AA. Really...?

[@DanielTAGyota]

4:46 VERY important stipulation, easy pass - no one should be made aware of its existence (...😂) fr though

[@SharkoonBln]

Any flashlight that requires a user manual is e-waste in 5 years.

[@LawAbidingCitizen117]

Why is that?

[@ThatCrazyRCGuy67]

Lol

[@vp2747]

Can you explain?

[@mrRoverkane]

You must strictly use candles and hate customization

[@jayc7673]

I agree with the acebeam tac 2 it feels like a troll flashlight only meant to fool idiots

[@destroismaisonsm]

No streamlight, no Fenix light Are you serious? Ok it was a "best of" from Amawong product How much does he pay you ? Or how much does it cost to be part of your "best of" ?

[@maxlvledc]

Nope, NONE OF THOSE ARE IN THE BALLPARK ON STATS.

[@ronhuyck9987]

I would prefer US made instead of Chinese.

[@maxlvledc]

No such thing as an affordable USA made flashlight is also good. I looked and I keep looking

[@renexwing1546]

You want to pay five times as much and use technology from 2019? Then buy made in the USA.

[@FlashBro-r4w]

Exactly. That’s why everything is made reasonably in china. If it was made in USA we’d be effed.