Ok,
so here's the latest up date:
Have had the lights for months now and "everyone" i show them to is blown away.
I've compared them to every light me, my buddies, my neighbors... have and hands down they are the brightest.
I"ve dropped them out of my pocket and down a flight of steel stairs, cling-clang lit and never missed a beat.
The 2 AA light has replaced my 4 D cell at work, and I've bought more of the AAA one and stashed them in my saddle bag and
glove compartment.
I found out the secret sauce on the batteries and you want to use the LSD "Low Self Discharge" type, some manufacturers call them
Hybrids. Sanyo EEnloops seem to be the gold standard, but there are comparable batteries for half the price. I bought Tenergy Centurion brand and they work great and cost 1/3 the price - 12 batteries for 10.95.
I've compared these lights to models costing 2 and 3 times as much, the look and feel are same quality and the output is higher.
I give them a 2 thumbs up.
Just yesterday I showed the A3 to my friend that rides and later sent him the link to the site I got mine at.
He wants one to stash in his saddle bag.
I'm happy to answer any questions on these lights or the batteries.
Most important thing I learned from all this is how the manufactures name the bulbs/led/emitters.
Right now the "R5" and the "S2" are the latest and best.
It goes by letter, Starting with the "P" series then "Q", then "R" and now "S"
Then they add a version number: Q5, R2, R5, S2...
P and Q are good also but the R-5, S2 are what you want to look for in a brand new light.
Hope it all helps.