Seeking new keychain LED

V

Vivi

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Ever since I received it in a trade I'd had a Princeton Tec Pulsar on my keychain.

I've been happy with it save for two things. I'd like to throw a little more light out and I'd like an constant on function instead of having to squeeze the light to have it shine.

I'm looking for something no more than 25$ or 30$ and preferably around the same size.

Any suggestions?
 
http://fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=22_49

Fenix EO Dart, I prefer natural finish: AAA battery, runs until the cows come home, reliable, twisty & in your price range.

That being said, I carry a Fenix LOD CE with a lion battery (UltraFire 10440) in my Mission wallet. Three levels of brightness + strobe and SOS. So bright on high that it hurts. Medium is usually sufficient. Its a bit more, however.

Lighthound is a great place to shop for edc lights and accessories.

All the best,

oregon
 
Oregon, While the lights you mentioned are very good I think they are larger and more expensive than what the OP had in mind. Take a look at the x-light I have used them and they are very very bright for their size. They also have a dimming feature along with blinking and SOS.
 
I've got a Princeton Tech pulsar with the constant on switch. I bought it at Dick's for somethng like 12 dollars, if I recall right. But I don't use it as much anymore, due to giving up on the tiny plastic keychain lights. Too much hasstle changing batteries, more expencive coin cells that not everyplace has.

I've been carrying a little Dorcy AAA from the 'mart that cost all of 4.95, throws a respectable beam of light, is all alluminum constrction, and I can change batteries in the dark by feel if I have to. Simplicity!

For two years now its been great!
 
jackknife said:
I've been carrying a little Dorcy AAA from the 'mart that cost all of 4.95, throws a respectable beam of light, is all alluminum constrction, and I can change batteries in the dark by feel if I have to. Simplicity!

For two years now its been great!
Click to expand...

Like this, tiny and brilliant, Dorcy:

Dorcy1AAABLACKWalmart004.jpg


oregon
 
I've got a Photon Micro Lite on my keychain. Its one of those tiny little squeezers, but its also got a constant on switch, about the size of a quarter. Its output is enough to find your way down a dark walkway, no more, no less, but that's what its for.

I think it was about $20 or less
 
I have had hte same Photon II white LED on my keychain for at least 4 years now. Just replaced the batteries and gave the LED surface a quick polish with polish on my finger tip. Bright enough to follow a trail or find that dropped cig under a car seat. Easily lights up an average sized room. Sure, it doesn't have much throw but for under $20 and so easy to have on you, I don't see any reason everybody shouldn't have one.
 
The Photon II lasts a long time but when one of mine ran out, it was such a PITA changing the battery, I threw it out.

Like spyder10, I got an x-light. It's fun to play with and lights up the area nicely.

I prefer my Arc AAA but I REALLY NEED a Fenix Cree. :D
 
I don't see the trouble in changing the battery. Just pop a couple screws out and the thing comes right apart. But to each their own.
 
Buck268 said:
I don't see the trouble in changing the battery. Just pop a couple screws out and the thing comes right apart. But to each their own.
Click to expand...


The problem is that once the screws come out, and the case comes apart, the LED pops out, and its a P.I.T.A. to get it all back together in a manner that it works. After the second time I had to replace the batteries, and it took me a while to screw with it to get it back together, I dumped it. Finis, over with. Now I just have a light that I unscrew the end, drop in a new AAA, screw end back on and I'm done. And it has better light to boot.

My new criteria for a pocket or keychain light is it must use a common battery found in any gas and go, thrift mart, or drug store, and be able to change batteries without a special small tool by feel in the dark. Dorcy or ARC AAA, Gerber sonicAAA have all worked well for me.
 
Some people really hate dealing with those tiny screws.... You may need reading glasses even if you don't use them to read yet. I suspect that's a lot of the reason some people hate it so much -- they can't see what they're doing. You also need a tiny phillips screwdriver, and some space to work -- the kitchen table is fine, but it's not a job you want to do on the trail at night in the dark.
 
jackknife said:
Yup, thats the one. Great light! Kind of like the Opinel of the pocket light world.:thumbup: :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Please take a look at these threads -

A Classic Revisited - Dorcy 1AAA

Dorcy 1AAA gen4 Mods

Dorcy 1AAA family portrait ;) -
DorcyAAAnewColors2.jpg


However to answer the original question -
look at the classic Photon Microlights -

The Photon 2 is basic squeeze for momentary and switch for constant ON can be found for under $9.
p2keychainledflashlightrf2.jpg


Then there is the Photon Freedom with several modes/functions - found for as low as $13 shipped.
78222437su5.jpg


--
Vincent
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I bought 3 10-packs of these for less than $15.00 & they work well. They have a constant on switch as well as the momentary & they're a fair bit brighter than I had expected. There's some differing opinions about the business but I had no problems & would buy from them again. For the price you could carry lots of spares & still be well within your budget.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1100
 
I've had a Streamlight Keymate on my car keys for a couple of years now. I've got a River Rock about the same size on my work keys. Both use button cells. Both just under 1oz by the postal scale at work. Not bad little lights. I had a Pulsar II but wasn't that impressed with it.

Frank
 
+1 on the Photon Freedom, but a BIG PLUS ONE! on the Fenix L0D CE- At the time it was the most expensive flashlight I had ever bought ($43 IIRC), but once I got it, it was all over! The Photon is still on my keychain for quick convenience, but the Fenix is amazing- its fun just to blow your friends minds with. But the real payoff is finally having a flashlight that actually lights things up. I never realized how much I was straining my eyes, or how little I could see, with ALL my other flashlights. I've already bought the 2 AA model Cree- they are definitely worth the money- after all, how many are you going to buy? Save up the extra few bucks and treat yourself- you won't be sorry!
 
I would just recomment the same as MVF. Either a Photon Freedom $9.95 from www.batteryjunction.com ! or an L0D-CE which is quite a bit more expensive :( And when considering with the L1/2D-CE or P2D-CE its only about $10 less, so you may even consider getting a bigger, but pocketable light.
 
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