Battteries, Beacons, and Headlamps

To All:

This is just a general question to see how people feel about
standardizing on their batteries, beacons and headlamps.

For years, I have stayed with AA's, for both my beacon (a 1st generation
Ortovox F1 - only one red LED) and my headlamp (last year I replaced an
old broken one with a Black Diamond Gemini - combo halogen and LED).

It seems that almost all of the new digital beacons are using AAA's and
all of the new LED headlamps are using AAA's too. Is the AAA becoming
the new standard?

Last summer, I picked up a 4 LED headlamp to throw in my pocket for
evening hikes. I definitely does not have the range of the halogen
bulb. With my old F1 I still use the grid method when practicing
searches and I have seen how people who are new to this practice are
faster with the new digitial beacons.

Is it time for a change?

Thanks,

Steve