That's a mighty big generalization, and I have a handful of lights that are all EDCed and don't reasonably fit on a keychain that say you're wrong.
It all depends on who they're being given to, and I have to suppose, given the wording of the question, that old4570 wants to know what we (mainly flashaholics) would prefer, not what people we might give lights to (mainly non-flashaholics) would prefer.
I agree with this post. The OP specifically asked: "If you were getting a EDC". So for me, the EDC I always have with me no matter what is the one on my keyring. I don't plan to but sometimes I forget to take my other lights to work, or I don't have enough pockets, or whatever. But my keys are always with me, hence Every Day Carry. That being said I agree that generally speaking, AA lights are a tad too big for keychain carry.
My EDCs are Millermodded Arc AAA, UK 2AAA eLED both on keychains.
I will carry a Civictor V1 AA in my pocket nothing bigger. The Nitecore D10 is probably acceptable as well.
As to what can be carried in a pocket I have seen pictures of a Dereelight V2 (18650, 2*CR123; turbohead) in WadeF's front pants pocket. Lots of people do that with their Surefires.
I carry a 14500 cutdown minimag in a AAA minimag holster on my belt. Used to do that with a Fenix L1P later L1T v2.0 in the Fenix issued holsters.
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If it is a gift we can ask if the giftee is a flashaholic.
For a prize we do not know who will win so will have to assume the recipient may not be interested enough to make sure he/she has an EDC on him/her.
Of course if it is at a police association or EMT event we are fairly certain the light will be carried and used so no need for keychain capable. Brighter is better with lots of runtime in this case.
