The Pokelit AA Pocket EDC Flashlight 2023 is the perfect addition to your everyday carry.
As a pseudo-prepper, my everyday carry kits (EDC) are constantly in flux. I regularly evaluate/re-evaluate Dave Canterbury’s 10 Cs of Survival for quality, weight, and multi-purpose use: Cutting Tool, Combustion Device, Cover, Container, Cordage, Cotton Bandana, Cargo Tape, Compass, Cloth Sailing Needle, and Candling device (light).
I find organizing bags, like the pocket organizers from Maxpedition, and gear to be an adult real-life game version of Tetris, Jenga, or one of those rake-style Zen Rock Gardens. Even though I do not fear a Zombie Apocalypse, I did not have coin shortages, toilet paper shortages, medicine shortages, baby formula shortages, or pandemic lockdowns on my bingo card either. Thus, I turn to my safe space and ensure I can prepare.
Unboxing
Flashlights/Torches have become one of my favorite pieces of survival gear, likely fueled by my love of caves/recesses; I have traveled to Carlsbad Caverns, Mammoth Cave, Marengo Cave, Cumberland Caverns, and many more. From headlights to hand carry lights, to keychain style, to thrower (distance beam), to flood (broader light), to lantern style, and to handsfree options, there are several styles/needs to consider. Regarding pocket style and everyday light needs, I want a reliable light with good battery life and a reasonable throw/flood.
The Acebeam Pokelit AA EDC flashlight arrived in a classy 1 1/2 inches wide by 4 3/4 inches tall by 1 1/16 inches thick retail package. The company name was listed in a vibrant orange and bold black font atop the cover panel. I liked the splash of color on the white background and the color scheme in general. You will find a clever “Light Where You Want it” motto beneath the ACEBEAM name and above the 3 3/8 inches tall by 1/2 inches wide clear window.
Perhaps one of my favorite marketing techniques is the transparent window design allowing the consumer to see the product directly. I loved the option to see the light, to understand the light/design and I prefer the technique to flat pictures or ink-outline drawings; pictures regularly fall flat and provide a disservice to the product. The Pokelit AA EDC Flashlight product name was listed at the bottom of the panel.
The white-colored side panels provided an excellent surface for the vibrant/colorful company name on one side and a 5-year-warranty logo and product UPC sticker on the other. The rear panel, a bit busier than the others, listed the company contact information, product manufacturing labels, UPC barcode, and three QR codes with links to www.Acebeam.com, and Facebook.
I lifted the top flap, removed the clear plastic tray from the outer shell, and was immediately enamored with the aura of the Pokelit AA flashlight. Hiding beneath the clear plastic tray, you will find an 8 1/4 inches long USB-A to USB-C cable, a 6 1/4 inches long by 5/16 inches wide nylon wrist lanyard with 2 1/8 inches long thinner nylon attachment cord, and a 12-panel accordion-style instruction manual. The main compartment housed the bright, 3 3/4 inches long (with black tail button) by 11/16 inches diameter, 2-ounce weight Pokelit AA flashlight with a removable pocket clip. Before you dispose of the inner tray, search the underside compartment for a small zipper-style bag containing two additional black o-rings.
Flashlight
I loved the metallic orange color of the Pokelit AA device, the white-colored ACEBEAM and Pokelit AA name printed on the head of the flashlight, the wide-spaced, raised, grippy ridges adjacent to the head region, and the narrow ridges along the midsection of the light. The tail cap segment contained the dual-purpose pocket clip, which allowed me to secure the light within a pocket or onto the bill of a cap for hands-free light. Rotate the black clip around the light to better orient the ACEBEAM or Pokelit name. Lastly, the orange tail cap had narrow vertical ridges and a 1/4 inches tall by 3/8 inches diameter tail cap button with a rubberized raised ribbed surface.
At first glance, I was uncertain why the kit contained a USB-A to USB-C cable because there were no ports/external connection points for the cable. Additionally, I was unsure whether the head or tail segments should be unscrewed to allow access to the internal battery. I gripped each segment and twisted counterclockwise and found the head segment unscrewed. I removed the internal insulating film and the 920 mAh 3.7V/3.4Wh ACEBEAM rechargeable Li-ion battery (0.7-ounce, 2 inches long by 9/16 inches diameter).
I plugged a Klein Tools multimeter into a USB-A port on my UGREEN GaN x200 Hub and then the USB-A to USB-C cable between the multimeter and Li-ion battery. The LED at the + terminal of the battery illuminated a bright red color, while the multimeter displayed 5.05V/0.43A. After approximately two hours, the red LED changed to green and signaled a full charge. I then removed the charging cable from the 14500 Li-ion battery, inserted the negative terminal into the body of the light, and reattached the flashlight’s head/lamp segment.
The three illumination modes (low, mid, high) of the Pokelit AA flashlight can be accessed by half-pressing or fully depressing the rear tail switch. From the off position, you can half-press and hold the button to cycle through the light modes or rapidly press the buttons to access each mode. The Pokelit AA light will recall the most recent light mode/setting thanks to the included intelligent memory circuit. The most helpful segment of the instruction manual was the Technical Parameter table on page three. The table broke down the low-mid-high features of the 14500 Li-ion, Alkaline, and Ni-MH batteries. The included battery promised a low 5-lumen beam (58 hours), a mid 190-lumen beam (2 hours 21 minutes), and a high 550-330 lumen beam (35s + 1 hour 1 min).
I used the stopwatch feature on my iPhone 14 Pro Max to test the parameters. I cycled to the high beam and timed the drop in intensity that occurred at ~37 seconds. Even though the light intensity dropped lower after the initial turbo mode, it still felt uncomfortably hot. Interestingly, the manual recommended against placing the light face down or covering up an illuminated lens. While activated, I scanned the head segment of the Pokelit AA with my Nubee Infrared thermometer.
The surface temperature registered a maximum value of 129.7 degrees Fahrenheit (54.3C). Even though the flashlight turned itself off after 59 minutes-06 seconds, the battery was not fully depleted. I could use the low/mid/high features for several more minutes with the remaining battery. I wish that there was a remaining power feature with the battery or light. I removed the battery, placed it back onto charge, and added a PROCELL Alkaline battery.
I repeated the above test with the Alkaline battery and found the light had several step-downs. I compared the battery to the instruction manual and found the listed 230-150-90-80-70-50 lumens approximated the timeline (35s, 1 min 30 sec, 21 min, 9 min, 9 min, 19 min). However, instead of extinguishing after 19 minutes, the light seemed to enter low beam mode and lasted >24 hours. I stopped testing the light after an entire day of low output, even though the instruction manual noted low beam (0.5 lumen/9 days) could last a week.
The mid beam 80-70-50 lumen (42 min, 13 min, 19 min) could last over an hour. I was pleased that an extra battery could provide so much more time/use. I repeated the test with a fresh battery and the mid-beam strength and found the cycle times were close to the listed amount. Without an included battery indicator, it was challenging to prove the remaining battery life. For the final test, I replaced the rechargeable battery in the flashlight and activated the mid190-lumen beam. The light extinguished at 2 hours 25 minutes but still allowed all modes. Again, I could not test how much time remained without a battery remaining feature.
I tested the rechargeable battery/light several times over the past week for indoor and outdoor uses. The low moonlight mode proved adequate for indoor needs, searching through my backpack at night and for soft light on a trail. The mid-beam strength was a better option for lighting the path and proved adequate for inner tent needs, and indoors. The high beam turbo mode, with step down feature, did a great job providing a flood function and illuminated down trail. I used a static image of my shed from my back porch (~50 feet) and found the high beam provided good coverage. I repeated the test at ~75 feet away and noted the strength of the medium versus the high beam.
Summary
The lightweight, rechargeable Pokelit AA flashlight is a fantastic option for EDC carry. Thanks to the option to utilize the included rechargeable battery or any Alkaline or NI-MH AA battery, the ACEBEAM company lives up to its “Light Where You Want it” motto. For a sub $30 price, I did not expect to have an aircraft grade 7075 aluminum alloy shell, a memory circuit, three brightness modes, included wrist lanyard, dual action clip, tail cap button, vibrant color, grippy metallic surface, 1.5meter drop resistance, and 2meter water resistance.
I liked the neutral white LED color, the CRI>90, but I disliked the rigid/hard tail switch. As a Sofirn SC31T light fan, I missed having a holster, a side button, a strobe function, and an external indicator. As an Olight fan, I compared the Pokelit AA to the I5T EOS and I5R EOS. Although the Olights provided a max of 300-350 Lumens, the Pokelit device allowed for rechargeable and standard AA features.
Searching for the perfect EDC light is arduous, and finding the one device to fit all needs may be a fool’s errand. The Pokelit device provides excellent backup light and off-grid capabilities, thanks to the ability to use standard AA batteries. Although the battery duration seems a bit short, the feature inclusion, weight, drop rating, and waterproofing seemed relatively fair. It is not the best thrower or flood, but it is a decent jack-of-all-trades light. There will be larger lights with larger batteries that may be superior for certain circumstances. I think this light will do just fine for around camp, on trail, and for general use. I would have liked a slightly stronger low mode, but the moonlight mode was on par with devices like the Olight Perun Mini/Mini 2 and other small lights.
The Pokelit AA is available in black, dark green, and copper if you want other colors. Additionally, you can navigate to the ACEBEAM website to pick up some additional batteries. Lastly, you can consider picking up some 14500 batteries through amazon.
Learn more about the Pokelit AA Flashlight and Follow ACEBEAM on Facebook.