Keyring flashlight

D

DocT

Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
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What do you all think is the best and brightest keyring flashlight. I mean something small like a Victorinox classic size. It needs to be light weight, too. I have a larger light. I just want an always light. What do you recommend?
 
The MecArmy IllumineX models are tiny, light and put out more light than you would think. They're also USB rechargeable. If you're willing to deal with something a bit bigger they have some even brighter models as well.
 
Scott Free said:
Nitecore Tube. USB rechargable, and under $10!
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Yes, these are awesome. I've been carrying 2 for over a year now. Micro-USB port, so even better if you use an android phone.

Perfect for kids too since you can just charge them back up if they leave them on.
 
Fenix E01 is pretty sweet, I go for the E05 myself, but the E01 is very budget minded. single AAA.
 
Thrunite Ti works for me. Mine's an older one with a firefly mode and 100 lumen (or thereabouts) mode. New ones have 3-4 modes. A little longer than a Classic but I always have mine as a backup to my Coast P4.
 
TnC Nano-Lux puts out 750 lumens and is about the size of a AA battery. Three settings for light using twist head operation. Comes in different metals -- I have one in stainless steel and really like it. They are hand machined in the US.

Regards,

Pete
 
Best and brightest?

Peak Eiger 10250 bodied from their secondary vendor.

Second choice would be a MBI HF or HF-R.
 
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For several years now, I've been carrying a Fenix E01. It's traveled all over the country with me and a few spots outside the U.S.. It's been beat up rattling against my keys for all those years, and it's always been bright enough to see what I'm doing in dark woods or basement. It combines ruggedness, reliability, and long run time and simple operation. Twist on, twist off. No modes to mess around with. I love it so much, I keep a spare one and hand when we travel, as well as the better half keeping one on her as well.

I've had other little keyring flashlights, but once I got the Fenix E01, I never bothered with any of the others. There are brighter lights, lights with more modes that serve as advertising points to sell them, but I haven't found another little light that just serves so well to just see where you're walking in a dark room or woods trail, with a 12+ run time.

Takes up no more space than a Vic classic.
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Thanks folks. I have been busy looking up all of the suggestions. I knew you guys would come through.

I used to have a very tiny Maglite, but it is no more. So, I need to replace it.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
The MecArmy IllumineX models are tiny, light and put out more light than you would think. They're also USB rechargeable. If you're willing to deal with something a bit bigger they have some even brighter models as well.
Click to expand...

+1 for the MecArmy IllumineX. That's what I've been carrying for the past several months and love it.

I have it attached to my SAK Classic and drop it in my pocket every morning.
 
All of these suggestions are fine but I recently replaced my Maratac AAA with a Streamlight Microstream single AAA. I POWER it with a 10440 Ultrafire and it is just AMAZINGLY bright. It is bright enough for tactical use and the clicky/momentary on is vastly superior to the twist on/multi brightness lights for social use.

I didn't toss my Maratac AAA lights however and if I need the smaller size & multi brightness and can live with the twist on it is by far my favorite.

Good luck!

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I have a Fenix E01 on my key ring. One nice thing I like about it is that it uses AAA batteries, common and easy find. Not the brightest light, but the battery should last 10-11hours according to instructions.

When I first got it, I put it on my key ring as an experiment to see how useful it would be. Now it get carries all the time.

Ric
 
I'm glad people have luck with the Fenix EO1. I bought 3, 1 for myself and 2 as gifts. 2 died within six months, one worked okay although it too eventually died. (tried several new batteries, hit the connections with emery board, etc.). None of them were ever wet, left in the cold, or otherwise abused.

The 2 that died were on keychains, the one that survived a while was in my wife's purse. Maybe I just got a bad batch.
 


I've been carrying an UltraTac K18 stainless steel flashlight for the past month and like it quite a lot.

I like the side clicky switch and the ability for it to run 10440 rechargeables (Trustfire brand) for a whopping 360 lumens (even if it's only for about 20 minutes...).
It's a bit heavy being stainless steel but doesn't seem to bother me. My wife's aluminum one is lighter but I had read in a youtube review that the aluminum ones might not be able to fit protected 10440 cells (which I ought to test out). I like the increased output and if it runs out, I can always find an AAA cell in a pinch. I don't know anything about the company, but felt comfortable taking the plunge through GoingGear. My first one has a small tear in the rubber side switch, but GoingGear replaced it lightning quick. I hope the replacement switch holds up better. Just something to note.
 
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