Key Chain Lights? ? ?

S

Scottman

Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Messages
1,079
Last year I purchased stream light nano's for the family. Before we had princeton tec coin size lights that ran on 2032 batteries. The nano's seemed like they would be more durableThe run on IEC-LR41 batteries. This year I was thinking about getting some more LR41 batteries as my light is getting somewhat dim. At the store the replacement batteries from stream light just seem kind of expensive compared to a brand new flashlight. It seems online typing in just LR41 batteries shows some more affordable options and what appears to be the same batteries.

Back in the day I use to have a gerber AA single battery Infinity light on my key chain. I had heard reports of having too much weight on your key chain is bad for your vehicle so I switched to a lighter option. I still have a couple infinitys they run for a long time on a single AA battery albeit they dont' pump out the lumens like my jetbeam BA 10 does.


Some vehicles obviously have the key less ignition so weight doesnt' matter in light size.

I'm also seeing some good single AAA lights on the market that look lightweight, batteries are common, and they look like they wouldn't be bulky in your pocket for a key chain light. The UST Moonforce https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFyNT1S7Ns0 , thrunite, stream light etc all look interesting.
 
I'd look at the Titanium Innovations Illuminati CA1-AL LED Flashlight, I have a couple similar flashlights from older generations so the top brightness is only about 96 lumens, but the three levels come in very handy. I use the lowest setting 90% of the time, but there are often occasions that the 96 lumen setting is necessary. I have about 4 rechargable Eneloops, I change the battery about once every 2 months and use it on the low setting at least once a day. I had a couple lights with the hearing aid batteries, but often the batteries are as costly as the entire light and difficult to find. I've standardized to only rechargeable AA and AAA.

Specs on the above light:
$29.99
3 Lumens / 30+ hours
35 Lumens / 4+ hours
132 Lumens / 90+ minutes


ETA:
Here's the light I have, about $12 cheaper than the above, but not quite the output/battery life due to older gen LED
iTP A3 EOS 96 Lumen Flashlight -Upgrade Version 1 X AAA battery

$17.95
1.5 lumens (50 hours) ->Medium 18 lumens (4 hours) ->-High 96 lumens (55 minutes)
 
You are going to get a lot of suggestions for the Fenix EO1. It is a simple. reliable AAA light with 13 lumens which you will find quite adequate for an EDC light.
If you want more light than the EO1 provides there are a ton of options even just from Fenix alone.
 
As biilym says

I have a Fenix EO1 on my key chain and my Lady has one as well
Wears well

My Girls have a Mag light with a AAA
Bomb proof but not as bright
The advantage is it does not kill night vision
 
I progressed from an E01 to an E05, and recently a 2014 E05... nice to have the horsepower if you need it ...powered by a lithium cell is very lightweight... I'm giving an EDC starter kit to some friends for Christmas.... E01, with a Acme 636 whistle and US Speaker P38
 
I progressed from an E01 to an E05, and recently a 2014 E05... the 2014 version has 3 brightness levels with a high of 85 lumen, it's nice to have the horsepower if you need it ...powered by a lithium cell is very lightweight... I'm giving an EDC starter kit to some friends for Christmas.... E01, with a Acme 636 whistle and US Speaker P38

 
A keychain light doesn't have to be a big performer for me. I'm quite happy with both my Maglite Solitaire (updated Led version of course) and an old Led Lenser of which I can't recall the model number from the top of my head.
Of course, your mileage may vary.
 
I have become a die hard Fenix fan. I did carry a an old beat up Gerber sonic on my keys for years unit it went south. I bought a Fenix E01 a few years ago, and it has been great. More than enough light for a keychain light unreal world use, and battery run time is great. Very reliable, as it's been knocked around on my keys for over 2 years now and used constantly with zero failure. I ended up buying them for the members of the family so we all have light on hand every night if needed.

15291393618_5c8eef339f_c.jpg
 
I prefer a tail clicky, so I carry a Streamlight Microstream off duty. It is a great light. Less than $20. I've never wished for more light or less light. Works great for a small edc light.
 
Just a few months before heading off into the the John Muir Wilderness, I picked two of the fenix E12's up, great little deal for a 2 pack. I dig em, been used a bunch since august without having to change the battery yet.
 
I carry a Maratac AAA Rev 3 on my key ring. Not my picture, but the black and silver lights in the middle are Maratac's for size comparison.

EOS-16.jpg
 
DAVE_M said:
I carry a Maratac AAA Rev 3 on my key ring. Not my picture, but the black and silver lights in the middle are Maratac's for size comparison.

EOS-16.jpg
Click to expand...

I've already got the 2-AA "Extreme" from Maratac and love it, as well as the copper C123. I asked the wife for the copper AAA version as well as the AA version for Christmas. She doesn't understand my new fascination w/flashlights. She keeps calling my Maratacs expensive, then I showed her a $300 light in the same size.

I think the Maratacs are a great value.
 
muphasta said:
I've already got the 2-AA "Extreme" from Maratac and love it, as well as the copper C123. I asked the wife for the copper AAA version as well as the AA version for Christmas. She doesn't understand my new fascination w/flashlights. She keeps calling my Maratacs expensive, then I showed her a $300 light in the same size.

I think the Maratacs are a great value.
Click to expand...

Indeed, they are great value. I too, have a AA Extreme on the way. I'm impressed with my AAA Rev 3, so I am hoping this one is of the same quality!
 
DAVE_M said:
I carry a Maratac AAA Rev 3 on my key ring. Not my picture, but the black and silver lights in the middle are Maratac's for size comparison.

EOS-16.jpg
Click to expand...

I have a couple of silver Maratac's (third from the left) and a couple of the ITP's (far left). Three levels and plenty bright. Both are about the same but I prefer the Maratac for independent carry. I have the ITP on my keychain as it has a ring on the tail that makes it easier to attach. A little scratched up after years of carry but still works fine.
 
My key set up weighs 3.75 ounces right now with the nano. Hows that on weight for my vehicle?
 
As a dedicated "flashaholic" I have many small high end EDC lights but few are really suited for key chain use until recently with the release of the Nitecore Tube. At .34 oz.(9.6gr.), it's a thin, somewhat flat, rectangular USB rechargable 2-mode light (1 and 45 lumens) and costs less than $10. It's like a quality button cell light that never needs batteries...if "small and light weight" are important to you, do yourself a favor and check it out. Hell, for $10, you can give it away if you don't like it.
 
I get by just fine with one of the little Photon Micro Lights on my key chain. I try to keep the dang keychain down to just a truck key, a house key, and the light. I keep the real flashlights in the Maxpedition bag that goes with me all the time.
 
I find myself prefering one of those generic 3xaaa headlamps with a uniforn wide angle beam over and any hand torch for edc. Less crap on the keys and i can work with both hands. That or the built in flashlight/ camera flash on my phone.
 
Mannlicher said:
I get by just fine with one of the little Photon Micro Lights on my key chain. I try to keep the dang keychain down to just a truck key, a house key, and the light. I keep the real flashlights in the Maxpedition bag that goes with me all the time.
Click to expand...

Yep....tiny an bright enough
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top