Hey all! It's been a few years since I've paid attention to the world of flashlights, and I'm in the market for a new keychain light. Some of my biggest criteria are size (in particular, length doesn't matter too much to me as long as it's less than a few inches, but I'd like to keep as small a diameter as possible), and having a good moonlight / firefly mode that turns on first (almost the lower the better, but definitely < 0.5 lumens). Would also like some modes up to higher brightnesses, but no real need to go past 200 lumens, as it'll be a relatively close-in use case light.
Beyond that, I don't really care about battery type (the small diameter pushes me towards AAA cells, but I'm happy to go with a more exotic lithium), I _really_ care about build quality, and I'm more than happy to spend extra to not have to buy something else again later. I would like either a high CRI light, or a warm-white. Pure, unnecessary bonus points if there's a easy way to use a red-filter with the light.
As far as UI goes, I'm pretty agnostic about clicky vs twisty / etc, except to say that very high reliability is extremely important to me, so I'd like to avoid anything likely to fail over < 5 years.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
_XX_This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
_XX_Essentially unlimited.
3) Format:
_XX_I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
_XX_MICRO - Keychain size.
5) Emitter/Light source:
_XX_LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
_XX_I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
_XX_I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
7) What power source do you want to use?
_XX_I don't know/I need more information on power sources.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
_XX_I want to be able to walk around a completely dark room, without ruining my night vision (>0.5 lumens).
_XX_I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
_XX_I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
_XX_I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
_XX_All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
_XX_Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
_XX_Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
_XX_Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
_XX_Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
_XX_I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
_XX_I want multiple light levels. (Would love roughly 3 levels; low / med / high)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
_XX_I don't know.
15) Water resistance
_XX_IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
_XX_Other_Keychain________________________________________ ____
Beyond that, I don't really care about battery type (the small diameter pushes me towards AAA cells, but I'm happy to go with a more exotic lithium), I _really_ care about build quality, and I'm more than happy to spend extra to not have to buy something else again later. I would like either a high CRI light, or a warm-white. Pure, unnecessary bonus points if there's a easy way to use a red-filter with the light.
As far as UI goes, I'm pretty agnostic about clicky vs twisty / etc, except to say that very high reliability is extremely important to me, so I'd like to avoid anything likely to fail over < 5 years.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
_XX_This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
_XX_Essentially unlimited.
3) Format:
_XX_I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
_XX_MICRO - Keychain size.
5) Emitter/Light source:
_XX_LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
_XX_I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
_XX_I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
7) What power source do you want to use?
_XX_I don't know/I need more information on power sources.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
_XX_I want to be able to walk around a completely dark room, without ruining my night vision (>0.5 lumens).
_XX_I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
_XX_I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
_XX_I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
_XX_All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
_XX_Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
_XX_Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
_XX_Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
_XX_Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
_XX_I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
_XX_I want multiple light levels. (Would love roughly 3 levels; low / med / high)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
_XX_I don't know.
15) Water resistance
_XX_IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
_XX_Other_Keychain________________________________________ ____