Titanium Innovations Illuminati

The best ultralight single AAA 132 lumen light for 2015. At 12 grams (0.4 oz), with the clip attached, there is no lighter headlamp on the market. And with a runtime on high of 1.5 hours, it has 3 times the runtime of the closest competitor in its class.

This is one of the smallest, lightest and brightest lights in the world.

• High 132 Lumens (1.5+ hrs), Med 35 Lumens (4+ hrs), Low 3 Lumens (30+ hrs)

• 2.5 inches long x 0.5 inch diameter
• 12 grams, (0.4 ounces) with clip
• Uses 1 AAA battery

The Illuminati is very similar to another light I recently reviewed, the iTP A3 EOS. So let's go over the key differences between the two.

This light has higher outputs and longer runtimes than the A3 (96 lm / 55 mins). The base on this model is flat, so it can stand on its tail, which makes it more convenient for hand free use. And the construction seems to be a little better on this light as well.

The closest competitor, the Thrunight Ti limited edition, has a higher output of 162 lumens, but the runtime is severely compromised at 30 minutes. The Medium setting is also not as useful on the Thrunite, at 12 lumens.

To lend you some perspective, a big 2D-cell Maglite only puts out 27 lumens, which is less than the Illuminati's medium setting. The low setting is nice for when you don't want to disturb others, such as when packing up at a shelter, or doing a little reading before turning in for the night. But unlike the ultralow firefly modes on other lights (1.8 lumens or less), the low on this light is still bright enough to get you down a dark trail in a pinch.  

My favorite thing about these lights is that you can clip them on your hat, creating a hands-free headlamp.

There are no complicated webbing harnesses to deal with. They weigh next to nothing, and take up almost no space in your pack compared to traditional headlamps.  

It is true that most headlamps have longer runtimes on high, but they also use multiple heavier batteries to power that extended output. AAA batteries are uberlight at 4/10's of an ounce, so it's no problem to bring backups for this light. 

Being a common size, AAA's are also easy to find along the way on thru-hikes. Or you can use rechargeable NiMh batteries if you like. The operating voltage range of this light is 0.9-3V. Unfortunately 10440 lithium ion batteries are 3.6 volts and are not recommended for use in this light.

The construction, like Maglites and most other modern flashlights, is durable hard anodized aluminum. There is an even more durable titanium version, which is surprisingly 2.5 grams heavier, for a significant increase in price.

As you can see, these tiny monsters are not much bigger than the batteries that power them. In fact, they weigh less than the AAA. The only negative about these mini-lights is that they can get lost in your pack.

The Titanium Innovations Illuminati offers the best balance of weight, brightness, and runtimes of any light in its class. And that makes it my go-to ultralight option for backpacking.