While I approve of the increasing proliferation of small-but-powerful LED flashlights, I condemn the trend to use AAA batteries, and in particular, to use THREE of them.  I don't hate too many things in this world, but AAA batteries are on that short list!  And if I am forced to use them, why in the name of all that's holy would I be forced to use them in odd numbers?  THEY AREN'T SOLD THAT WAY!

/rant

 

While I approve of the increasing proliferation of small-but-powerful LED flashlights, I condemn the trend to use AAA batteries, and in particular, to use THREE of them.  I don't hate too many things in this world, but AAA batteries are on that short list!  And if I am forced to use them, why in the name of all that's holy would I be forced to use them in odd numbers?  THEY AREN'T SOLD THAT WAY!

/rant

Hey Tom,

Its the same for hot dogs and hot dog buns. 8 or 10 hot dogs to a pack but you have to buy a dozen buns. 

While I approve of the increasing proliferation of small-but-powerful LED flashlights, I condemn the trend to use AAA batteries, and in particular, to use THREE of them.  I don't hate too many things in this world, but AAA batteries are on that short list!  And if I am forced to use them, why in the name of all that's holy would I be forced to use them in odd numbers?  THEY AREN'T SOLD THAT WAY!

/rant

Shouldn't this be in the drunken rant section. 

Tom, that is exactly what I think. That's why my Fenix flashlights take AAs.

While I approve of the increasing proliferation of small-but-powerful LED flashlights, I condemn the trend to use AAA batteries, and in particular, to use THREE of them.  I don't hate too many things in this world, but AAA batteries are on that short list!  And if I am forced to use them, why in the name of all that's holy would I be forced to use them in odd numbers?  THEY AREN'T SOLD THAT WAY!

/rant

======================
100% agree. That trend baffles me. I think most of these lights should use AA size which would greatly increase the burn time and are a common size. Ever since the little LED lights appeared on the market about 10 years ago I have resorted to buying AAA batteries in bulk at costco. It seems that a lot of other devices are going to the AAA size due to increased efficiency and smaller packaging. Just like those silly small primers in the 45 auto which drives me crazy. For 100 years the 45 auto has used LARGE primers. That irks me. Ok don't get me started on that topic...

.

I think you're right about the size thing but it is still kind of confounding to me... AAA batteries are smaller and lighter so they might be ideal for devices that need to be small and light.  But AAA batteries have a shorter battery life (I think?) so you would theoretically need more of 'em to power the device!!  I say using a single C123 battery would solve any weight/size/battery life issues. But maybe manufacturers want to appeal to a wider market by using the more readily available AAA batteries???

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Engineering:
About 6 years ago the price of bright white LEDs dropped to a reasonable level. I started to buy them and design little high efficiency lighting solutions for my home.
Generally, the common bright white LED components require 3.6 volts to fire. A single CR123 only puts out 3 volts and does not provide enough voltage to turn on an LED.
That is why you will always see 3-AAA size batteries in small LED light solutions. Wired in series, they will provide 4.5 volts which is just a little more than enough voltage to fire an LED array. It is possible to fire LEDs with lower battery voltages, but you would need to build a voltage multiplier circuit. That costs money, so those lights cost more.

Economics:
In an apples-to-apples comparison the larger AA size battery will last about TWICE as long as a similar AAA battery. So did you ever wonder why DURACELL batteries are pre-packaged with these Costco flashlight packages? It is because you will use about TWICE as many cells for a given burn time! But you will notice that the bulk packs of AA and AAA cells cost about the same. (I think the AAA is slightly greater). So for Costco and Duracell this is a win-win situation. You will use twice as many cells and you even pay more for the same number of cells. Duracell is gambling that you, the consumer, will think that since the product came with Duracells, you will continue to purchase Duracell brand batteries... Twice as many of them.

An dey thot dey was fooling dis pua dumb Hawaiian.

In actual practice, the efficiency of the LED lights is so good and the AAA batteries last so long that I don't even notice the additional expense. It is fairly insignificant for the average user.
 

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anyone else thinks that it's a liability risk to have people be able to turn on 1000 lumen flashlights and point them anywhere?

I purchased a 700 lumens flashlight a couple of years ago and it came with a warning not to look directly at the light as it will cause retinal damage.  Proceed with caution.

These bright lights are great for blinding the bad guys at night.