Please recommend me a keychain flashlight

shockjockey24 said:
if you're lookin for ultra light (weight-wise) I'd go with a photon, worst part is the two replacement batteries cost as much as the light :(
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Get the 4 led version that recharges off a AAA battery, D-cell or computer port. Bright as hell, super light and cheap to operate.
 
I have the fenix LD01r5 cree. Its a little shorter than the solitare, three position twist switch 80 lumans on 1 AAA
 
4sevens quirk, great light not a lot of $, and multiple modes and bight as can be.
 
I use a Fenix E05. Costs about $20, runs on 1 AAA. The single brightness setting is all I need. It produces plenty of light, weighs almost nothing, and doesn't feel bulky at all on my keychain. I tend to drop my keys a lot so the little flashlight has survived dozens of falls onto concrete, asphalt, etc. Keeps on working like nothing happened. For $20 you can't go wrong.
 
Awesome! Thanks a lot guys. I think I am going to pick up one of the Fenix lights. I have to decide between the models I guess. They do all seem pretty similar.
 
ooitzoo said:
I think I am going to pick up one of the Fenix lights. I have to decide between the models I guess. They do all seem pretty similar.
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If you want to go obsessive, these are the most detailed comparisons I found:

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http://www.lygte-info.dk/review/Beamshot%20AAA%20lights%202011-03%20UK.html

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http://www.lygte-info.dk/review/Beamshoot%20AAA%20comparison%20UK.html

Much more there, some of it in Danish.

You are correct, there are a boatload of AAA keychain lights and a lot of similarity.

What do you want it for? Just to find your footing in the dark, keyholes, fuse boxes etc.? Or do you sometimes need a powerful spotlight?

How much are you willing to pay? The price range isn't huge, but you probably want to conserve your knife money ;)

Then there are secondary features. Case material, color and finish. Keychains and attachment points. Pocket clips and reversible pocket clips (to wear on your hat). Do you need it to "stand tall" (tail stand)?

I have carried a Fenix E01 and given them as Christmahanukwanzakah presents. They are well made and cheap and they come in pretty colors. I rarely need a brighter light, but for critter-spotting after dark (coons and possums) I switched to an ITP A3 EOS "upgrade edition" with a Cree XP-G R5 LED.
 
shockjockey24 said:
I'd go with a photon, worst part is the two replacement batteries cost as much as the light :(
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Photons are very cool, and extremely light weight. Downside is that they aren't regulated, so the output immediately begins to diminish. The button cell batteries have become very inexpensive, however - darn near free on ebay - if you buy a small lot like 10 or or so. 10x for $2.25 shipped, for example.

But with an AAA light, you can find those batteries anywhere. There is a pro and a con with everything, I guess. Just have to find the right balance.
 
My vote goes to the Streamlight Microlight. Great little flashlight. Powerful little light, water tight....I don't leave home without it!!
 
I have a Fenix E01 on my keyring for a couple of years now and it works great for what I need it for. It's light and cheap and AAA batteries are widely available.
 
http://nitecore.com/goods.php?id=3

Nitecore EZ AA R5 Approx.-$40.00
Features
World's smallest and most powerful single AA flashlight
Premium Cree XP-G R5 LED enables a life span of 50000 hours
Maximum output of 160 lumens
Maximum runtime of up to 32 hours
Infinite brightness ramping offers unprecedented versatility in a pocket-size flashlight
A robust twist-activated switch ensures overall reliability and durability
Military grade aluminum alloy
HA III Military grade hard anodized
Extensive knurling for excellent grip
Reverse polarity protection
Water resistant to IPX-8 standard
A computer designed alloy reflector produces a smooth and balanced beam profile
Impact-resistant optical-grade glass lens with anti-reflective coating
Tailstand as a candle

Output & Runtime:
Maximum 160 lumens 1 hours 15 minutes
Minimum 6 lumens 32 hours

NitecoreEZAAR5.JPG
 
I love my 4Sevens Preon Revo SS, but apparently it's discontinued:(. I also have a Illuminati "Upgrade", which is a great light, but the tiny keyring hole means only a thin, weak keyring can fit through it, so it never found a place on my keyring.
 
I've had the Fenix E05 and the Photon II which both are good lights. I rather like the ones that use either one single AAA or one AA battery. My favorite although perhaps a bit on the big side for lighting for the key ring is the Streamlight Protac 1AA Professional Tactical. Its 50 lumens on high which is not super high but I've found on its high setting its very much like more powerful lights on low which is what I use them on most of the time anyways. The intuitive button on the Streamlight is quite easy to use and the fold over style pocket clip (imagine that) on the handle makes carry quite convenient.

On another note and to save a little money the TerraLUX TLF1C1AA is about as good as I've found in key ring lights. I predict that this one may actually bump the long time champ out of my pocket as its brighter, uses the same battery and is actually smaller. So it could be this is worth looking at especially since you can find them for $20 and some change at some places. Not a bad light at all for a twenty spot!
 
Cant say more than what's been said , so many good lights!

I tend to look for value over high $ and if you are like me there is -thankfully - a ton of great lights to choose from!

Last year I bought more lights than knives and I have found AAA style to be my favorite. Sitting in front of me are
Fenix E05 , iTP A3 EOS and a new Thrunite Ti ( Firefly mode :cool: ) , all of which have seen pocket time , I still like the Fenix the best for EDC mainly because it is a little tank. Well , all of them are very well made but the Fenix just seems to jump in my watch pocket first.
By the way if you are going to get a couple good AAA or even AA lights , I highly recommend a little AA/AAA charger and a set or two of rechargable batteries , you will save a lot of money and you are doing something good for the Earth to boot.

When it comes to lights, just like knives , there are GREAT values to be had for us working men who do not have a lot of disposable cash - personally I care not where a light was produced as long as it is not a blatant rip-off/copy.
I say start with Fenix , you cannot go wrong.

closing , it saddens me that Maglite has chosen to stubbornly go the way of the dinosaur , I have two Solitaires that I bought the year before last , both of which just quit working one day. I will not waste any more of my hard earned cash on a Maglite when companies like Fenix simply do it better....

Tostig
 
I've been using the stainless steel Maratac AAA light from county comm on my keychain for about the last year or so. (replaced an ancient ARC AAA) 3 levels of brightness. It turns out to be a much better light than I anticipated. for me it has been one tough little light. NO complaints. I've been thinking of getting several more to stash in cars and such but haven't got around to it.

Grizz
 
I have a Fenix P1D I like. It is powered by one CR123 and seems almost as powerful as my SureFire that takes two. I used to clip it to my travel laptop bag and it has held up for more than a year. The black anodization has worn off is places. It has been discontinued, but it would be worth a look at its successor. I would prefer a non Chinese brand, but haven't seen one I like in the right size. Most keychain flashlights are too low powered.
 
For close to 10 years, I carried a Gerber sonic AAA and I was okay with it. But last summer I up graded to a Fenix EO1, and I love this little light. Simple, good light output so I can see where I'm going in the dark, rugged, and easy to change batteries. I also played with the Photon 2 lite, and the Princeton Tech equivalent of it. Didn't like them at all. The 2016 coin cells were expensive, and the darn Photon needed a really tiny phillips to take out 4 little screws to open it up. A real PITA!

Now I stick with the single AAA twist on metal lights, and Fenix has my loyalty. I really love the EO1 so much I bought more of them and use as gifts. Light weight enough for a keyring, bright enough to find your way around in the dark, and simple. No multiple modes to screw with. I just want a light to turn on and see so I don't break my neck. I don't need to blind a raccoon at 100 yards.

Carl.
 
My 4sevens Q mini 123 is a cute little thing....it's always on me...
 

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Been carrying the same fenix L0D Q4 (in olive HAIII) on my keys for a few years now without a problem. Only complaint I have is I could wish for a sturdier clip to use as a ballcap headlamp. But functionally (and practically, as a keychain light) it is fantastic. Ended up picking up a spare one from REI when they went on close out just in case something happens to this one!
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. I got my Fenix E05 in the mail today (from Amazon) and its on my keys now. Its an awesome little light for $18. Thanks again for all of the suggestions. I really appreciate it.
 
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