First Keychain Light

[xiton]

Hey all,

Looking for my first purchase into the world of flashlights. I'm interested in getting a small keychain light that I can have with me all the time. From a quick read, I've noticed a lot of people recommending the ITP A3 Eos, perhaps the Upgraded version.

Would anyone care to suggest other options to this that may be better? I'd like to keep my budget at $40 and under.

Thanks everyone!

 

[joe1512]

The itp A3 is great, but maxes out at 80 lumens. It is small and light though. Get the upgrade version as 3 modes is very handy.

If you want more power, the itp A1 is the way to go. It uses a CR123 battery made for digital cameras. You can get them online cheaper or at home depot, etc if desperate.
I use a rechargable CR123 myself, but I already had a specialized charger. Depending on expected use, you may or may not wanna go this route. You can always do so later.
In comparison, the A1 is 1 cm shorter, but is almost twice as fat. It has a 3,30, 200 lumen modes (vs 2,18,80 of the A3).

If you want minimum weight and size, and don't need ridiculous output, the A3 will be great. Get a L92 Energizer Ultimate Lithium battery for it. Its a lot lighter, has better runtime and won't leak.

 

[xiton]

I keep going back and forth. Part of me wants a small "keychain" light, but the other is really interested in something with a better power supply and longer runtime. Form factor would have to remain small since my job won't allow me to bring in a large light due to security here.

Thanks for the A1 recommendation, I'll check it out!

 

[sol-leks]

You might also want to check out the new quark mini cr2. Only drawback with that light is cr2 batteries can sometimes be hard to find offline.

 

[don.gwapo]

I'd go for the A1 or A3 since your on a budget. And your change can buy a couple of lithium batteries in either CR123 or AAA. I do have an A1 myself and I really like it a lot. It's alway's on my keys and it's size never interfere with me.

 

[jag-engr]

Part of me wants a small "keychain" light, but the other is really interested in something with a better power supply and longer runtime.

You can get a "keychain" light with plenty of run-time and power. All of the following are available with three primary operation modes. All are reasonably efficient, and most are available in titanium and many of the iTP lights are available in stainless steel.

Quark Options:
Preon 1 - AAA format
Quark Mini CR2
Quark Mini CR123
Quark Mini AA

iTP Options:
A1 EOS - CR123 format
A2 EOS - AA format
A3 EOS - AAA format

 

[Blinding-Lights]

I want to try the Quark CR2. I have the Nitecore CR2, but I'm not too happy with it.:thumbsdow

 

[Ian2381]

ITP A3 Stainless steel. Small, durable and looks really nice in a key chain.:twothumbs

 

[petergunn]

iTP A1 SS - simply awesome and I'm not even into twisties.

~200 real lumens (see: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=260659 - end of post #1), and it takes protected 16340 cells no problem.

-PG

 

[gcbryan]

You can do what I did and buy both of the lights you're looking at!

I was looking at the Ultrafire 602c (1)AAA which is about 80 lumens and is barely bigger than the battery. It's $15.

For more output I was looking at the Akoray K-109 (3 mode programmable). It uses (1) CR123 and outputs 220 lumen max. It's a little larger due to the battery size and is $20.

Which one is use depends on what I'm wearing. Most times during the day it's the Ultrafire. At night with casual clothes on it's more likely to be the Akoray.

For $35 total you can lose.

 

[brett09]

Fenix E01 gets my vote. Cheap, small, reliable, and durable.

 

[xiton]

iTP A1 SS - simply awesome and I'm not even into twisties.

~200 real lumens (see: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=260659 - end of post #1), and it takes protected 16340 cells no problem.

-PG

Thanks for the link. Going through I noticed the Quark AA Mini is pretty darn high on lumens as well when using the TrustFire 14500. I don't know anything about batteries powering these, though, so I wouldn't know if this is a real option for powering this light on a daily basis.

How would that compare to the A1 SS running 16340?

 

[joe1512]

I have an itp A1 EOS SS, running an AW protected RCR123 and it definitely is bright. My 700 lumen light pretty much sits on the shelf now. Not that the A1 is THAT bright, but I always have it with me, and it is plenty of light.
I have no need for hundreds of feet of throw, so I am pretty much happy with the A1.

I'd recommend a protected battery though, since you won't have low voltage warning. It fits fine, and it doesn't hurt you to have an extra layer of security.


Im sure the other 2 lights are good too, but for me, I like the Twisty (that doesn't accidently come on), the 3 well-spaced levels (low,med,hi for A1), no strobe/flash/disco, no snags or assault bezel, etc, and nice construction at a reasonable 33 bucks (for the SS version).
The others might be marginally brighter or 'better built', but cost over twice as much.

 

[xiton]

Ordered the iTP A1 EOS SS. :)

 

[ama230]

I would like to add my two cent here...

I am a nerd and am not picky at all. Also would like to add I am not jaded like 95% of the world so all of my future posts will be non bias... Now lets get to the point shall we...

There are pretty decent key chain lights out there and I first had a photon rex but my dog chewed that so a metal one is necessary and preferably non-chewable. :crazy:

I have seen the expensive ones and they are great but I don't have the funds available and am not that tedious on details. As an engineer i like to keep it as straight forward as possible. But if their are some perks like a glow in the dark ring in the head or an efficient emitter.

I have seen the ones like the quark and olight but require a battery you have to order or go to radioshack for, i do not need a complicated power source. I mainly stick with aa's or aaa's just for the convienience but also use great rechargeables, my way of being green!!!:D

The light I will be doing a review of and has no flaws whatsoever is the MARATAC AAA light. This is the smallest and brightest flashlight using a non special battery. Super easy UI and fits on the keyring with style and grace. It cost 20bucks at County Comms website and would recommend you give it a look. Do not work with them or affiliated in any way but just like to pass on the good word with a good product.

 

[joe1512]

Ive heard good things about the Maratec.
However, the OP has ordered the itp A1, so I guess that is pretty much end of thread.

Hopefully he will update us on how he likes his new light in a few days!

 

[mcnair55]

I would like to add my two cent here...

I am a nerd and am not picky at all. Also would like to add I am not jaded like 95% of the world so all of my future posts will be non bias... Now lets get to the point shall we...

There are pretty decent key chain lights out there and I first had a photon rex but my dog chewed that so a metal one is necessary and preferably non-chewable. :crazy:

I have seen the expensive ones and they are great but I don't have the funds available and am not that tedious on details. As an engineer i like to keep it as straight forward as possible. But if their are some perks like a glow in the dark ring in the head or an efficient emitter.

I have seen the ones like the quark and olight but require a battery you have to order or go to radioshack for, i do not need a complicated power source. I mainly stick with aa's or aaa's just for the convienience but also use great rechargeables, my way of being green!!!:D

The light I will be doing a review of and has no flaws whatsoever is the MARATAC AAA light. This is the smallest and brightest flashlight using a non special battery. Super easy UI and fits on the keyring with style and grace. It cost 20bucks at County Comms website and would recommend you give it a look. Do not work with them or affiliated in any way but just like to pass on the good word with a good product.

Not nit picking but your Maratac is no longer the smallest AAA,may still be the brightest but not the smallest the Nextorch K1 is smaller.

 

[xiton]

As previously stated in the thread, I did order the A1 EOS SS. I like it very much in terms of build quality and brightness. As I'm not much of a flashlight expert, I'm going to post the things I like and dislike about it so far. I'm a bit anal, so be prepared. :D

Size is good, it fits on my keychain well. I've only had one incident of the clip coming off in my pocket, but overall I have no worries about it. I'm very picky about the size of my keychains, and while it adds a bit of heft to it, I'm happy with utility it provides.

Low mode is not really usable for me. Even in complete darkness, it provides very little light. I would have preferred just a medium/high setting, or a low with half the lumens of medium. That said, medium is great, and I tend to keep it on this mode unless I feel like impressing friends with the little guys brightness.

The twisty method has no issues of coming on while in my pocket, and the threads are very smooth so the entire motion feels solid. This part I'm very happy with. The part that displeases me would be the fact that I notice mode skipping sometimes when I twist the light on. Many times the low mode is skipped and I find myself in medium. At least I think it's medium! I'm not sure if this is an issue with my twist motion, or if it's inherent of twisty flashlights.

The finish of the light is very nice, but the clip scratches the twisting portion of the head every time you turn it on or off, or even remove the batteries. It feels like a poor design decision, especially when it cuts right through the ITP logo. The portion that holds the clip onto the flashlight also scratches the bottom of it if you move the position.

Overall I love the light, and I can see that this hobby is going to continue to extend. My wallet is already feeling pressure to expand into a collection of lights.

Thanks to all for the recommendations and overall assistance in finding the perfect keychain light for me. I also hope my thoughts on the flashlight may help others in the future. :)

 

[mcnair55]

As previously stated in the thread, I did order the A1 EOS SS. I like it very much in terms of build quality and brightness. As I'm not much of a flashlight expert, I'm going to post the things I like and dislike about it so far. I'm a bit anal, so be prepared. :D

Size is good, it fits on my keychain well. I've only had one incident of the clip coming off in my pocket, but overall I have no worries about it. I'm very picky about the size of my keychains, and while it adds a bit of heft to it, I'm happy with utility it provides.

Low mode is not really usable for me. Even in complete darkness, it provides very little light. I would have preferred just a medium/high setting, or a low with half the lumens of medium. That said, medium is great, and I tend to keep it on this mode unless I feel like impressing friends with the little guys brightness.

The twisty method has no issues of coming on while in my pocket, and the threads are very smooth so the entire motion feels solid. This part I'm very happy with. The part that displeases me would be the fact that I notice mode skipping sometimes when I twist the light on. Many times the low mode is skipped and I find myself in medium. At least I think it's medium! I'm not sure if this is an issue with my twist motion, or if it's inherent of twisty flashlights.

The finish of the light is very nice, but the clip scratches the twisting portion of the head every time you turn it on or off, or even remove the batteries. It feels like a poor design decision, especially when it cuts right through the ITP logo. The portion that holds the clip onto the flashlight also scratches the bottom of it if you move the position.

Overall I love the light, and I can see that this hobby is going to continue to extend. My wallet is already feeling pressure to expand into a collection of lights.

Thanks to all for the recommendations and overall assistance in finding the perfect keychain light for me. I also hope my thoughts on the flashlight may help others in the future. :)

To help your problem with the clip,pop some shrink wrap on the clip,no more scratching.I have done it on my A1 and A3 and on some other lights I own.If you do not have any pop into your local garage and they will either give you a piece or do it for you,takes about 20 seconds to do and I doubt any garage would charge you.

Pic of A3 with shrink on clip.

 

[xiton]

Great tip on the shrink! Thanks!