AA keychain lights.

Gareth · **on:** January 08, 2011, 10:52:57 AM

Anybody use these? I'm thinking 4Sevens Mini AA, Nitecore EZAA, iTP A2 etc. Are they really small enough to put on my keyring or am I best sticking to my AAA lights? Anyone got any personal recommendations?

Any thoughts most welcome.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2011, 10:56:55 AM

I used a Quark Mini AA on my keychain for a long time without any issues

Now it's my club/pub light

If you do get one, clean the excess grease off the O ring, or it can disassemble itself on your keyring like mine did

Gareth · **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2011, 11:05:42 AM

Good to know Mike, cheers mate.

I'm strongly leaning towards the iTP A2 at the moment. Partly due to price and partly due to the fact it comes with a pocket clip.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2011, 01:19:15 PM

Quote from: Gareth on January 08, 2011, 11:05:42 AM

Good to know Mike, cheers mate.

I'm strongly leaning towards the iTP A2 at the moment. Partly due to price and partly due to the fact it comes with a pocket clip.

Yeah the lack of a clip is a bit of an omission imo $:-\$

Teofilo · **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2011, 02:28:52 PM

Gareth, try Fenix' LD15

zepla · **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2011, 02:56:27 PM

I've the LD10 and I think it is to big for keychain carry. I have a lod-ce for that. The LD10 sits nicely in my bag. But I'm not sure how it compares sizewise with the above mentioned LD15 though.... My advise would be before you buy an AA for keychain carry to see if you can test it out first in a store.

rlocock · **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2011, 04:27:10 PM

I've tried a Nitecore EZAA,a Gerber Infinity,and a Fenix L1T on my keychain (all at different times

) and found them too bulky.I'm sticking with AAA for keychain carry.

Gareth · **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2011, 05:52:59 PM

Quote from: Teofilo on January 08, 2011, 02:28:52 PM

Gareth, try Fenix' LD15

(Image removed from quote.)

Yeah that's certainly on my short list.

Quote from: rlocock on January 08, 2011, 04:27:10 PM

I've tried a Nitecore EZAA,a Gerber Infinity,and a Fenix L1T on my keychain (all at different times ) and found them too bulky.I'm sticking with AAA for keychain carry.

That would indeed make for a big pocketful.

I can see the Infinity and L1T being too big as well, but I was kinda hoping that the EZAA would have been small enough. $:-\$ Cheers for the feedback.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #8 on:** January 08, 2011, 06:11:10 PM

Personally, I prefer a AAA for pocket carry if I'm at work. However, if it were the ONLY AAA device in the house, and I had other AA devices, I wouldn't hesitate to swap to a AA light for simplicity.

However, at home, I swap to a CR123X1 light due to higher output (better for farm work).

NutSAK · **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2011, 07:42:38 PM

I highly recommend the Q-MiNi AA. It's very compact, has a good UI, runs great on NiMH and very powerful on 14500 Li-Ion.

gunga · **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2011, 09:38:36 PM

I use a preon revolution (aaa) on my keychain, but have used the mini AA on it before and found the size acceptable. I'd use the mini AA, Itp,
Or Maratac AA on the keychain. They are almost identical in circuit, output and features. The differences are mostly in the body, tho the mini does have hidden strobe/SOS/beacon modes. The ezaa is okay, but I prefer the shorter length and circuit of the mini/Itp/Maratac.

nuphoria · **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2011, 09:51:51 PM

I only ever carry AAA lights on my keys and have a CR123 in my pocket.

Gareth · **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2011, 11:36:07 PM

Thanks for all the thoughts folks.

I think I'm now resolved to get myself one of the iTP A2's, the question being; do I go for the standard or the stainless version?

The standard version is a touch cheaper and is only 22g. The stainless version is heavier at 47g (not to be ignored on a keyring perhaps) but has a slightly updated emitter; a XP-E R2 rather than a XP-E Q5. Are there really any major differences in these emitters other than a few Lumen (which surely can't be enough to detect with the eye)?

jekostas · **Reply #13 on:** January 09, 2011, 12:06:25 AM

If you're going to keep it on your keychain, the stainless is way too heavy. Bad for car ignitions.

Gareth · **Reply #14 on:** January 09, 2011, 12:21:26 AM

Quote from: jekostas on January 09, 2011, 12:06:25 AM

If you're going to keep it on your keychain, the stainless is way too heavy. Bad for car ignitions.

A good thought but, luckily, I keep my car keys separate from my house keys (where I keep my torch) so isn't an issue. I am genuinely worried that the stainless will just end up feeling like a brick on my keys though, if it wasn't just so darned pretty I wouldn't even be looking at it.

Millhouse · **Reply #15 on:** January 09, 2011, 12:24:37 AM

I'd go for stainless. Much more durable whilst on your keys.

I have an ITP A3 in stainless steel. It has been bashed around my keys and dropped a few times, but still looks good.

I keep the light on a quick release clip so I can use it independently of my keys for sustained use.

Gareth · **Reply #16 on:** January 09, 2011, 02:14:43 AM

Thanks for all the opinions folks.

I've decided to bite the bullet and have ordered up a iTP A2 in the stainless steel. I'm hoping the size and weight are tolerable on my keys, but if not then I can always just go with using the pocket clip. thoughts when I get my hands on it.

gunga · **Reply #17 on:** January 09, 2011, 04:34:14 AM

Stainless is pretty hefty. Depends on if you like hefty. Note the newest Itps have r5 xp-g, but not every place sells them. Q5 to r2 is very little difference.

Gareth · **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2011, 06:26:53 PM

Got the iTP in a couple of days ago. I was a bit worried when I first picked it up as gunga is quite right in saying it's got some heft. Thankfully this seems to be less apparent when on my keys and dropped in my pocket, as always though YMMV. I'll maybe do a fuller report when I've used it some more but initial impressions are very good.

ryan1835 · **Reply #19 on:** January 15, 2011, 07:25:49 PM

ive gone off the iTP since i found out its a twisty i like clickys

Sean · **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:25:03 PM

I'm heading into the city today and want to grab a first keychain light. I'm not
sure if I should get the LD15 or the LD01/ss, R5.

NutSAK · **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:42:35 PM

My nomination goes to the LD01/ss. It's a tough light and I like the idea of having a medium mode. The medium mode would probably allow you to get more life out of a cell. The only drawback would be weight and size. The LD15 is obviously going to be lighter, and I think it's also shorter in length.

Gareth · **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:55:56 PM

I think what put me off about the LD15 was the fact it didn't have that medium mode. $:-\$ I'm a big fan of my L0D (the predecessor to the LD01) so of the two my vote would be for the LD01 stainless.

Sean · **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:56:42 PM

Thanks for your thoughts. The LD15 is a bit larger than the LD01 but is lighter
being aluminum.

Gareth · **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:57:33 PM

You could always just go for the standard LD01.

Sean · **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2011, 07:01:47 PM

I could indeed go for just the standard one. There is only an $11 dollar difference
though to get the stainless.

Gareth · **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2011, 07:09:06 PM

If you can get your hands on them then your decision is going to be a lot easier.

The 39 hour run time on low with the LD15 really is appealing as well and 8 lumen can be more light than you think.*

*I'm not helping any more am I

Sean · **Reply #27 on:** January 31, 2011, 07:12:59 PM

Yeah I can play before purchase because the shop carries the Fenix line. I agree
with you guys that having the three modes adds more versatility. I really like the
looks of the stainless.

The advantage to the LD15 is I already have duraloops ready to go in AA.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #28 on:** January 31, 2011, 07:36:49 PM

Quote from: Sean on January 31, 2011, 07:12:59 PM

Yeah I can play before purchase because the shop carries the Fenix line. I agree
with you guys that having the three modes adds more versatility. I really like the
looks of the stainless.

The advantage to the LD15 is I already have duraloops ready to go in AA.

That would be a big deciding point to me.

Sean · **Reply #29 on:** January 31, 2011, 07:38:27 PM

If I go with the LD01 then I will have to go out and purchase duraloops in AAA
and then I wonder how much of a hit I might take on runtimes with it?

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