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Keychain light

RF52 · 42 · 4539

se Offline RF52

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Keychain light
on: June 13, 2020, 08:54:48 PM
So my Monarch 3 just died. And beeing discontinued I need suggestions for a new backup light on my keychain.
What do you guys think is the best bang for buck keychain flashlight?

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us Offline Sos24

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #1 on: June 13, 2020, 09:15:23 PM
For a keychain light, I really like the 10180 style with charging port built in.  The 10180 style tend to be smaller yet higher max lumen than many AAA, plus can recharge using the same micro usb cord as many phones.


My favorite is a Niteye/Jetbeam Mini-1, but there are several options out there.


se Offline RF52

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #2 on: June 13, 2020, 09:31:49 PM
Thanks! Will check it out :tu:
Have you tried the nitecore tini or tiki?

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us Offline Sos24

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #3 on: June 13, 2020, 11:08:19 PM
 I know some people really like them, but I have not tried either one

Here is a picture of the Mini next to a Rambler for size comparison


se Offline RF52

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #4 on: June 13, 2020, 11:24:15 PM
Looks like a very nice size for a keychain :cheers:

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us Offline nate j

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #5 on: June 14, 2020, 07:14:33 AM
If I were in the market for a new keychain light, I'd order a Fenix E05.


se Offline RF52

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #6 on: June 15, 2020, 09:29:40 PM
I'll check that one out as well :tu:

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us Offline smiller43147

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #7 on: June 16, 2020, 02:25:16 AM
I've been happy with the OLight I1R EOS.  Built in rechargeable battery.  The new I1R EOS II should be good too.
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se Offline RF52

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #8 on: June 16, 2020, 11:53:32 AM
Thanks again :hatsoff:

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us Offline ezdog

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #9 on: June 16, 2020, 01:38:09 PM
ALL of the Nitecores turn on on my pocket no matter what I try to prevent it!
ALL OF THEM!

The Tiny built-in USB charge lights are OK but they ALL come apart in my pocket!

The E05 or E01 are great for what they are but are pretty ancient by current standards as are most lights of that vintage design.

The RovyVon seem to have no lockout at all?

I like the 4/7 Mini but good luck finding one.

The Olight S-Mini is terrific but will turn on in my pocket if left screwed together even with lockout.

I decided that I just dont need a Keychain light bad enough to roast the Nuts,if you know what I mean.

I ALWAYS have a ZL SC of some variety clipped to the top of the right pocket of pants and never have them come on unless I ask for light!

YMMV or I certainly hope so! :facepalm:


cy Offline dks

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #10 on: June 16, 2020, 02:27:42 PM
I have not bough any keychain lights for a few years but that means that what I have works and is solid.

Thus, based on heavy regular use I would recommend
Nitecore Tube series
Nitecore Tip
Tank007 E09 (if available)
I also have another one but I cannot recall the brand now

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us Offline William

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #11 on: June 16, 2020, 04:54:46 PM
Not sure about the newest version but the last Tube I got has a lockout function.


au Offline gregozedobe

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #12 on: June 16, 2020, 05:15:53 PM
So my Monarch 3 just died. And beeing discontinued I need suggestions for a new backup light on my keychain.
What do you guys think is the best bang for buck keychain flashlight?(Image removed from quote.)

At the bottom of the budget spectrum is the venerable fauxton (but buy some decent batteries for it as it will come with super cheapies)

For me the next step up is the Olight i3E EOS, and if you want something with more duration I like the NitecoreMT22A (and unusual 2xAA side by side format)

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us Offline ezdog

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #13 on: June 16, 2020, 06:22:13 PM
Not sure about the newest version but the last Tube I got has a lockout function.
(Image removed from quote.)
It does and still turns on in my pocket?
They ALL do!


se Offline RF52

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #14 on: June 16, 2020, 08:44:35 PM
Thanks guys! :cheers: Looks like I have some googling to do :tu:

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us Offline powernoodle

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #15 on: June 16, 2020, 08:48:30 PM
:doggy: :doggy: :doggy:

“Everything we call real is made of things that cannot be regarded as real. If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet.”
― Niels Bohr


se Offline RF52

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #16 on: June 16, 2020, 09:01:30 PM
Cool blue carry :like:

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us Offline cody6268

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #18 on: June 17, 2020, 04:42:54 AM
These are lights I use everyday; and find work great. I don't carry any bigger light at present. And are also quite inexpensive, pretty much all being $20 or under.

Maglite LED Solitaire. USA made, and plenty tough. 47 Lumen, 1:45 battery life, and waterproof to 1m. I left the old incandescent one I had as a kid outside in a rainstorm, and it didn't hurt it.

https://maglite.com/products/solitaire-led-flashlight

Olight i3EOS. They often give the things away as part of a promotion.  I've had 3 or 4 over the years, three of which are still in service; black, desert tan, and the UV model.  One ended up behind a wall when I was working. D'Oh! My folks keep one of the i3EOS I have as a keychain light. I don't like how it tends to get warm in use, however.  90 lumens, 45 min battery life (but is 1:15 with NiMh batteries, particularly Eneloop), IPX8 rated (dunno what that means; but it is waterproof). Pocket clip is avaiable, but I made mine from an old screwdriver's clip. $10.

https://www.olightstore.com/i3e-eos-black.html


Olight i1R 2. Its predecessor, which I got when it came out, was the only one actually on my keys. It is very bright, very small, and rechargeable with a pretty much ubiquitous Micro USB cable you've probably got a dozen of already. No expensive coin cells! I honestly avoid any light with a coin cell battery for this reason. Rechargeables have pretty much made those obsolete, and making smaller lights possible.

150 Lumen, 6 hour runtime (DISCLAIMER: only on super-low, which is 5 lumen), and IPX8 rated water resistance. $20.

https://www.olightstore.com/i1r-2-kit-double.html



se Offline RF52

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #19 on: June 17, 2020, 11:44:11 AM
Thanks cody :cheers: I will probably hold of until it gets darker here in Sweden to get one so I have time to do some research on which one of the options in this thread I like best :tu:

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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #20 on: June 24, 2020, 10:48:29 PM
My regular choices are; Nitecore TIP or Tube or Eagletac D25A Clicky.  A compact 1xAA might not be everyone's first thought for a keychain light but it works for me.
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us Offline toolguy

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #21 on: June 28, 2020, 08:48:31 PM
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."  **Edmund Burke**

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."    **Benjamin Franklin**


se Offline RF52

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #22 on: June 28, 2020, 09:30:22 PM
Got a lot of options to check out now :cheers:

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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #23 on: June 28, 2020, 09:44:26 PM
I like the Surefire Sidekick.

https://youtu.be/Iqa5PGpJ0Go


https://www.surefire.com/products/illumination/flashlights/sidekick-a/

I didn't know Surefire had done that one.  Looks like a solid option. :)
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us Offline toolguy

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #24 on: June 28, 2020, 10:05:31 PM
I didn't know Surefire had done that one.  Looks like a solid option. :)

They originally sold for $80.00.They had a sale about 2 years ago and I bought several for my family.All are still in working order and everyone is happy so far.

It's 5/60/300 illumination makes for an extraordinary key chain light.

At $30.00,accompanied by a 30 money back guarantee and customer service that is unequaled,makes this an easy decision.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."  **Edmund Burke**

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."    **Benjamin Franklin**


us Offline JustinCase

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #25 on: July 20, 2020, 11:47:43 PM
I purchased the Fenix E03R instead only because is smaller in size and it has a covered and improved USB-C charging port. Less lumens (260) than the Sidekick but bright enough for a keychain flashlight. The price of $30 for the Sidekick is not a bad at all but too big to be considered a keychain light, even though its small, plus I don't like the uncovered USB charging port with the old designed trapezoid shape micro-USB.
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us Offline Blackbeard

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #26 on: July 21, 2020, 08:05:56 AM
They originally sold for $80.00.They had a sale about 2 years ago and I bought several for my family.All are still in working order and everyone is happy so far.

It's 5/60/300 illumination makes for an extraordinary key chain light.

At $30.00,accompanied by a 30 money back guarantee and customer service that is unequaled,makes this an easy decision.

I got one at that deal price back then also, it's kinda too big for keychain though, I prefer the TIP in that format but also have the turn on problem EZDog stated so I only carry the I1R2 on keys now, never turns on and head cant come off and get lost, so I think it's worth the lower lumen output for some peace of mind.


scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #27 on: July 21, 2020, 11:24:50 AM
Thanks! Will check it out :tu:
Have you tried the nitecore tini or tiki?

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I'm loving my Tiki.  Good UI, good size, good level spacing, lantern mode etc. etc.  I'd get rid of the UV light myself but other than that it's damn near perfect for my uses.
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se Offline RF52

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #28 on: July 21, 2020, 12:30:35 PM
I'm loving my Tiki.  Good UI, good size, good level spacing, lantern mode etc. etc.  I'd get rid of the UV light myself but other than that it's damn near perfect for my uses.
Nice! Thanks :cheers:

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au Offline Echotech

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Re: Keychain light
Reply #29 on: July 22, 2020, 11:07:27 AM
Lumintop Tool AAA - push button which I prefer to twist, pretty bright for the size, 110 lumens

Nitrcore Tipi - versatile, 3 brightness levels, too big for keyring imo

MecArmy XS2 - feels nice in the hand, 2 brightness levels, small enough for keychain but perhaps a little heavy

Nitecore Tube - what more needs to be said, I’ve got 4, no problem turning on in pocket for me (so far at least), definitely my fave for keyring. Brighter than the MecArmy, lighter on the keyring,  great little light

Photon Micro - carried these for years, great size but not that bright. Nitecore tube worth the extra size for the extra brightness

Slughaus bullet v2 - not bad and great size/brightness ratio but find the twist mechanism not great and does turn on in pocket

Slughaus bullet v1 - similar to v2 but kept losing them as they’d entirely twist off in my pocket, lost a couple this way and gave up on them




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