MecArmy Lights?

Insipid Moniker

Insipid Moniker

Joined
Feb 28, 2011
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I've been eyeing keychain lights and I was going to pick up a Nitecore Tube, but then the MecArmy Illuminex-4 caught my eye. Seems like it would be a bit more durable, and 130 lumens in a tiny package with a micro USB port for recharging all for $25 seems like a heck of a deal. Anyone have any experience with the brand? I've got nothing against Chinese made products, but I'm always wary of new companies especially with budget offerings.
 
I'm interested to hear, too! Nitecore Tube is nice but I'm not fond of its boxy shape and rubbery button, and the Illuminex-4's micro-USB port seems more nicely protected. Curious to know its actual runtimes esp at 130 lum.
 
I just picked up a MecArmy SGN3 keychain light. First impressions are good - build quality seems solid - all modes work as stated, the red and uv capability are nice bonuses.

I will report back in a few months as I am planning on edc'ing this one and using the heck out of it.
 
I've had a CooYoo Quantum (same light, rebranded) on my keychain for about a month and a half... it's a really rugged little guy. No cosmetic issues, or even scratches after that time on my keys, including a couple of drops. I love the keychain attachment method - it's very robust looking. Charging is really fast, right around an hour - the charger turns off when the light is fully charged so you don't need to worry about over-charging the battery. The optics are more spot than flood which is ideal for my EDC uses - it can light up a house/tree/object 50+ yards away at night and the low mode, while still kind of bright, isn't terribly blinding in low light. Bright is really useful and all I *really* need in an EDC light. Tint is "neutral" I think - not cool white but not warm either, no unpleasant colors, no rings in the beam. I like the two stage twisty - I've never had a light with this UI before and I enjoy it quite a lot. It's survived a couple of quick dunks In water and survived, but I would not trust it for extensive submersion - the O rings are wimpy... speaking of, my copy does eat O rings as I've gone through two (and only charged the light 4x). They're definitely low quality and I need to work on sourcing some better ones.

That's all I can think of now, if you have any other questions let me know! I like it a *lot* and if I lost it or it crapped out, I'd buy another, no hesitation.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention, I have the SS version rather than aluminum
 
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HeathH said:
I've had a CooYoo Quantum (same light, rebranded) on my keychain for about a month and a half... it's a really rugged little guy. No cosmetic issues, or even scratches after that time on my keys, including a couple of drops. I love the keychain attachment method - it's very robust looking. Charging is really fast, right around an hour - the charger turns off when the light is fully charged so you don't need to worry about over-charging the battery. The optics are more spot than flood which is ideal for my EDC uses - it can light up a house/tree/object 50+ yards away at night and the low mode, while still kind of bright, isn't terribly blinding in low light. Bright is really useful and all I *really* need in an EDC light. Tint is "neutral" I think - not cool white but not warm either, no unpleasant colors, no rings in the beam. I like the two stage twisty - I've never had a light with this UI before and I enjoy it quite a lot. It's survived a couple of quick dunks In water and survived, but I would not trust it for extensive submersion - the O rings are wimpy... speaking of, my copy does eat O rings as I've gone through two (and only charged the light 4x). They're definitely low quality and I need to work on sourcing some better ones.

That's all I can think of now, if you have any other questions let me know! I like it a *lot* and if I lost it or it crapped out, I'd buy another, no hesitation.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention, I have the SS version rather than aluminum
Click to expand...

Thanks, that helps quite a bit!
 
rje58 said:
I just picked up a MecArmy SGN3 keychain light. First impressions are good - build quality seems solid - all modes work as stated, the red and uv capability are nice bonuses.

I will report back in a few months as I am planning on edc'ing this one and using the heck out of it.
Click to expand...

Just looked this one up, and I'm extremely interested in hearing your opinion on it. I carry 2 AAA flashlights on my keychain, a 4Sevens Preon Revo SS and an Arc AAA UV. This could replace both of them. I'm dubious about the advertised runtime though. 160 lumens for an hour out of a 280mAh battery? I like the idea of a USB rechargeable keychain light, so some of their other lights seem like a good replacement too.
 
I would suggest nanolight by streamlight- quite inexpensive and very bright.
After over 8 months of hard use in sub zero and 100 plus degrees if functions quite well, its also waterproof and shock proof. And very very small.

Oh and under $10 follow the link and enjoy
 
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painkilleraz said:
I would suggest nanolight by streamlight- quite inexpensive and very bright.
After over 8 months of hard use in sub zero and 100 plus degrees if functions quite well, its also waterproof and shock proof. And very very small.

Oh and under $10 follow the link and enjoy
Click to expand...
10 lumens max, 4 button celll batteries that have to be replaced every few hours of use. Glad it works for you.
 
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rje58 said:
10 lumens max, 4 button celll batteries that have to be replaced every few hours of use. Glad it works for you.
Click to expand...

If you keep a keychain light on for 2 hours straight...lol...is all I have.

As for lumins, the Chinese regularily overstate the lumins of their lights by 100's :)

This one nicely lights a building interior, and around 25 yards out of doors. Which in a keychain is all I need. Rechargeables almost always especially chinese made crap out rather quickly. So replacing a battery is essential in my book.

The batteries are quite inexpensive meaning for the same 6 months people are getting with theirs i spend the same and get ...a streamlight.

Flashlights are like knives, trying to find one perfect one is ridiculous. - but I appreciate your wonderful response and the obvious intelligence with which your decision making is made.

Especially as being able to recharge is beneficial

Be sure to let me know how it continues working. Ill use this one for my (keychain - 4 grams - 1 inch long) and you use that large light on your keychain :)

My go bag has a larger much better one.

My apologies for responding didnt realize your choice was the only one that mattered.
 
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HeathH said:
I've had a CooYoo Quantum (same light, rebranded) on my keychain for about a month and a half... it's a really rugged little guy. No cosmetic issues, or even scratches after that time on my keys, including a couple of drops. I love the keychain attachment method - it's very robust looking. Charging is really fast, right around an hour - the charger turns off when the light is fully charged so you don't need to worry about over-charging the battery. The optics are more spot than flood which is ideal for my EDC uses - it can light up a house/tree/object 50+ yards away at night and the low mode, while still kind of bright, isn't terribly blinding in low light. Bright is really useful and all I *really* need in an EDC light. Tint is "neutral" I think - not cool white but not warm either, no unpleasant colors, no rings in the beam. I like the two stage twisty - I've never had a light with this UI before and I enjoy it quite a lot. It's survived a couple of quick dunks In water and survived, but I would not trust it for extensive submersion - the O rings are wimpy... speaking of, my copy does eat O rings as I've gone through two (and only charged the light 4x). They're definitely low quality and I need to work on sourcing some better ones.

That's all I can think of now, if you have any other questions let me know! I like it a *lot* and if I lost it or it crapped out, I'd buy another, no hesitation.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention, I have the SS version rather than aluminum
Click to expand...

That one looks quite nice.
 
painkilleraz said:
If you keep a keychain light on for 2 hours straight...lol...is all I have.

As for lumins, the Chinese regularily overstate the lumins of their lights by 100's :)

This one nicely lights a building interior, and around 25 yards out of doors. Which in a keychain is all I need. Rechargeables almost always especially chinese made crap out rather quickly. So replacing a battery is essential in my book.

The batteries are quite inexpensive meaning for the same 6 months people are getting with theirs i spend the same and get ...a streamlight.

Flashlights are like knives, trying to find one perfect one is ridiculous. - but I appreciate your wonderful response and the obvious intelligence with which your decision making is made.

Especially as being able to recharge is beneficial

Be sure to let me know how it continues working. Ill use this one for my (keychain - 4 grams - 1 inch long) and you use that large light on your keychain :)

My go bag has a larger much better one.

My apologies for responding didnt realize your choice was the only one that mattered.
Click to expand...
All I did was list the lumens, battery type and an approximation of the manufacturers claimed runtime (none of which had been provided) and say that I was glad it worked for you. It's unfortunate that you took such offense at such a simple, factual and courteous message. Merry Christmas!
 
rje58 said:
All I did was list the lumens, battery type and an approximation of the manufacturers claimed runtime (none of which had been provided) and say that I was glad it worked for you. It's unfortunate that you took such offense at such a simple, factual and courteous message. Merry Christmas!
Click to expand...

Lmao, murikans, cause taking responsibility for snide underhanded rudeness is never possible. Deuces chico
 
painkilleraz said:
Lmao, murikans, cause taking responsibility for snide underhanded rudeness is never possible. Deuces chico
Click to expand...
It might be possible, but I don't see you doing it. You're the one who is being rude, not me. You busted into a MecArmy lights thread with Streamlight links for starters, and it's been all downhill and low brow for you from there.
 
I have been carrying mine for almost a week now. I really like it! BUT the only issue I have is that twice it has turned on in my front pocket - which I have kept empty otherwise! The 160 lumen high is plenty bright for most tasks. It turns on in medium, which is fine because that's the mode I will most commonly use, a compromise between high output and long runtimes. The low is pretty low and fine for preserving most of your night vision. The UV and red modes are nice to have, as well. As long as the inadvertent activation doesn't continue to happen in my pocket, this will be my pocket EDC for a long time. I have other other lights I carry in my backpack, and in my car.

Planterz said:
Just looked this one up, and I'm extremely interested in hearing your opinion on it. I carry 2 AAA flashlights on my keychain, a 4Sevens Preon Revo SS and an Arc AAA UV. This could replace both of them. I'm dubious about the advertised runtime though. 160 lumens for an hour out of a 280mAh battery? I like the idea of a USB rechargeable keychain light, so some of their other lights seem like a good replacement too.
Click to expand...
 
No problem guys, candlepower is the BF for lights if you didn't already gather that. Same obsessions, but flashlights :D

I suggest you poke around. Good luck!
 
rje58 said:
I have been carrying mine for almost a week now. I really like it! BUT the only issue I have is that twice it has turned on in my front pocket - which I have kept empty otherwise! The 160 lumen high is plenty bright for most tasks. It turns on in medium, which is fine because that's the mode I will most commonly use, a compromise between high output and long runtimes. The low is pretty low and fine for preserving most of your night vision. The UV and red modes are nice to have, as well. As long as the inadvertent activation doesn't continue to happen in my pocket, this will be my pocket EDC for a long time. I have other other lights I carry in my backpack, and in my car.
Click to expand...

Thank you. The controls were a worry of mine, particularly accidentally turning on in my pocket. And I do keep a lot of crap in my keychain pocket.
 
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