Key Chain Flashlight

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Mar 20, 2007
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Can anyone recommend a compact key chain flashlight and places to purchase?

Thanks.
 
Can anyone recommend a compact key chain flashlight and places to purchase?

(1) The commonplace Photon 2 or any of the "fauxton" cheapo clones -
these are so small and light that they are "almost not there" on one's keyring. The Photon 2 now has an almost legendary status and can be found < $9 (but watch out for shipping) - clones or what are humorously called "Fauxtons" are all over the place and can be had for as low as < 50 cents (eg: Black Flashlight Keychain 22000mcd 10-pack at $4.73 shipped all the way from Hong Kong - some may be DoA but at 47 cents one can be more forgiving - and generous - give some away, and carry spares in the car etc.....)

(2) For a flashlight that runs on common AAA battery there is the also legendary Arc-AAA - I still have soft spot for it and obviously a lot of respect - however I feel that several years on, it has been surpassed by the new Fenix E01 (available in 5 colors - $15 shipped!!!) - this will run up to 21 hours with about 9 hours in constant level bright mode. (Fenix E01 Comparison Review )

(3) Staying with single AAA lights - the Fenix Digital L0D Q4 Olive Finish (also available in black) is about $46.50 shipped - this has 3 levels of brightness as well as strobe and SOS modes - this light is very versatile - the high level is brighter than a typical 2D flashlight and on low it will run for 8.5 hours (Fenix L0D-Q4 Comparison Review)

--
Vincent
http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
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Streamlight nano. You can get em at bass pro. They are smaller then the photon, and led lasts just as long!
 
You can't go wrong with Unknown's recommendations about flashlights. I have used his reviews whenever I need (want) a new light.

The Photon MicroLight is great because of its negligible weight. It also gives off enough light to navigate a dark parking lot or put some light on the screw it the back of the cabinet. I'm looking forward to getting the Fenix EO1 because it looks like it will be a much better "light" although at a weight penalty over the microlight.
 
Yes, UnknownVT's recommendations are really solid. I'd like to add that I used to have either a Photon or Inova Microlight on my keychain and have made the experience that the former is brighter while the latter is tougher. They're both well worth buying.

However, I've been replacing them with a Fenix P1 and haven't looked back. The sheath it comes with lends itself to keychain carry and it's just incredibly bright and built like a tank. Even the anodized finish is wear-resistant enough to withstand scratches without suffering too many scratches where the tailcap sticks out of the sheath and constantly bangs against keys.
It's not nearly as compact as the other models I mentioned, but unlike them it's fully capable of serving as a primary (non-tactical) EDC flashlight.
 
I prefer the Fenix over the Arc. A much more versatile light and just a little bigger. The Arc has a nicer finish.
 
I carried a photon2 on my keys for about 4 years, had just replaced the batteries for the first time and lost my keys! I still have my spare green led photon2 as well as a newly aquired used photon3, but I have been carrying fauxton's (22000 mcd) from dealextreme since I got 10 for under $5.

They are bright but I've had one sudden and causeless failure so far. Don't trust 'em! I highly recommend the photons; I've abused the daylight out of them including impact and crushing as well as soaking, dunking and submerging without a single problem.

One thing to be aware of after a couple years on the keychain put a little chrome polish on your finger tip and gentley massage the LED to clean up the scratches.
 
Another nice plus to the Photons (at least for me) is that many come with a small holder that has a rotating neck, an alligatorclip tail and is magnetic at the end. So, it can be clipped to a hat rim to provide illumination from above or be stuck to a metal surface to hold the light still.
photon-microlight-flexbeam-system9.jpg
 
A really like the Fenix AA lights though they aren't a keychain light.

I'm testing a Photon Proton now and really like it. Ajustable brightness with a red led option for preserving night vision is nice.
 
Absolute best keychain light right here:

Fenix P1D CE Q5

FENP1DQ5_1.jpg


decent price....multiple settings...bright and compact.

Great light!!

DAn
 
+1 on the Fenix P1D CE Q5 or Fenix Digital L0D Q4. I have both and they are very versatile. They have the same functions but run on different batteries (CR123A/135 lumens and AAA/75 lumens respectively).
The L0D is more streamlined and has a more widely available battery. The P1D is chubbier but more powerful.
So, it really depends on what you're looking for in an EDC. I generally carry the L0D for the above reasons.
I'm an international customer, so I shop at www.fenixstore.com because it has free worldwide delivery.
 
(3) Staying with single AAA lights - the Fenix Digital L0D Q4 Olive Finish (also available in black) is about $46.50 shipped - this has 3 levels of brightness as well as strobe and SOS modes - this light is very versatile - the high level is brighter than a typical 2D flashlight and on low it will run for 8.5 hours (Fenix L0D-Q4 Comparison Review)

--
Vincent
http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent


+1 on the Fenix LOD. :thumbup: I followed this recomendation before- even though I couldn't see spending close to $50.00 on a flashlight. It was the best money I've ever spent. I honestly can't imagine ever needing another flashlight for use at home/camping/driving/evenings out/ etc. Great quality, great perfomance, great durability.
 
Still using an Arc AAA-P after several years, and several potential replacements(including the Fenix E1 and E0).
I'll probably give that Fenix E01 a try, next(for $15, why not?), since it appears to have both greater brightness and runtime.
 
If you go real-thing Photon, get the Freedom. I did get the Ritter version because some goes back to ETS and because I've carried Photon Freedoms around my neck for years, but the standard black models now have a 2X brighter LED(Same packaging, this is the second time they've upgraded) for half the price. CFR has the lowest price, plus free shipping. As for the Proton, closest thing to perfection I've found if you want a full EDC light, but too big for keychain carry.
http://www.cfrlights.com/servlet/the-4/photon-freedom-micro,-LRI,/Detail
If you find yourself using the Freedom enough...Consider the ReX, which has an awesome charging system. I've taken batteries rolling around in people's cars and charged my light off them, cost per charge is one third of a cent with a NIMH, and a D cell will get you twenty charges for longer trips. However, get the Freedom first, you'll get hooked on the interface. I'm converted purely to lights with the Freedom interface, and use the basic on/off ones for kits and loaners.
 
Thank you everyone for all of the recomendations ....decisions...decisions...decisions...
 
Fenix LOD Q4 is what you want!

Just do it, you will be very very happy. Runs off a AAA, and is not that much larger than one. I think you will find out its so great that it will not ever make it on your keychain......but it WILL find a home in your watch pocket. :D

I never thought I would EDC a flashlight......till I got this little beast. (the Fenix LOD Q4 in OD green)

I know tons of people have this little guy, but I have yet to hear ONE bad thing about it. :cool:
 
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