Just one light.

[Yota]

I just picked up a Mclux PD, now I need a light to hang out with my key's.
If you could have only one choice, what would it be and why? Here are the choices:

Draco
Jil
Firefly
orb
MM Arc
or a Katokichi Ichishiki ( If I can find one for under $300)

The light will be used everyday and will ride in my pocket with my key's.

Thanks

Help a new guy out. The wife tells me I can buy one more if I can stay away from CPF for at least a month.

 

[Trashman]

Draco -- it's the smallest and is the only one that provides a bright flood, similar to a Lux V light such as a Surefire L4.

 

[glockboy]

Draco

 

[carrot]

I'd pick a low powered AAA or AA light. Fenix E0, E1, L0D-CE Peak Matterhorn, Pacific XLR, Arc-AAA-P, something along those lines. IMHO, you don't need a real pocket rocket on your keys when you have the PD, just something practical, useful, and sturdy as a backup.

 

[carlsjrman]

yeah, i'd go with the mm arc too. it's small enough that you hardly notice it, completely dependable, and aaa batteries are pretty easy to scavenge.

congrats on the new mclux!

 

[Yota]

I was hoping for a keychain light to run on high for more than 15 min.
All I need is one more light. After reading for the last five hours. I think its between the MM arc AAA or the ti draco. Any thoughts?

 

[Yota]

yeah, i'd go with the mm arc too. it's small enough that you hardly notice it, completely dependable, and aaa batteries are pretty easy to scavenge.

congrats on the new mclux!

Thanks

 

[GeorgePaul]

The titanium Draco should hold up better cosmetically than an ARC.

 

[havand]

Just 1 Fox.

I agree with what carrot said. I only carry a Fenix LOP-SE on my keyring because I often carry a 14500 light with me too. I havn't changed the battery in my lop-se yet. I can understand wanting a 'better' light than the lop-se, but I think the principle holds. Smaller amounts of light and longer run times for emergencies.

 

[Double_A]

If you look at my sig line you can see I've got thousands of dollars worth of lights. My first really great light was the Surefire 6P back in 1989 or '90. I am a very strong supporter of Surefire. I use their lights at work and bought 10 of them for my guys at work. But I also recognize that Surefire for the most part makes tactical lights that are NOT intended for the General population. So what is good for the general population.....

These days the Fenix line.

I hate to say that because I don't feel they are built robust enought to last 3-5 years we will see.

But at this "moment in time" and this may change very soon, the AAA Fenix LOD-CE and the 2-AA L2D-CE, I find very impressive!

I've got everything I need and nearly everything I want.. what I'm still chasing is the EDC Keychain LED light. It MUST be powered from a AAA cell - alkaline and Ni-MH and a lithium. It must be very bright and run an honest 60-90mins. It must have two or three levels of output.

Right now my Fenix F0D=CE is my EDC carry and will be until something kicks it's but...probably another Fenix

 

[Yota]

Double A: The first real light I ever bought was the surefire A2. But it just does not fit in my pocket that well. I was thinking of a Fenix light but have read mixed reviews. With Fenix lights batteries can be had just about any where.I really like that idea. I'am really leaning towards the Draco but the batteries have me thinking twice.

 

[Double_A]

Double A: The first real light I ever bought was the surefire A2. But it just does not fit in my pocket that well. I was thinking of a Fenix light but have read mixed reviews. With Fenix lights batteries can be had just about any where.I really like that idea. I'am really leaning towards the Draco but the batteries have me thinking twice.

It depends on where you'll be using the light and how available batteries are for it. A light without a battery is not a light.

Having said that 123's store a long time If you have a stash. But at the same time so will a combination of a couple of packs of Lithium's AAA's in reserve using Ni-MH AAA's with a solar charger for daily use....even in the poorest countries (as long as sunlight is available if the sun don't shine well...you've got other problems too)

I have a ton of Surefires and love them dearly, but a Fenix AAA cell light running off of Ni-MH rechargeable AAA's might be the ticket. My L0D-CE is outstanding!

( and remember two is one and one is none, carry a backup)

Sorry I forgot this is about keychain lights. I don't consider a 123 based light a keychange light anymore after the Fenix AAA's my Fire~Fly's are sitting idle.

 

[ViReN]

Just One Word..... Go for a Draco Ti

 

[Empyfree]

Go for something you really wont mind getting scratched up, because it will! Dosen't matter how hard/shiny/expensive the coating is, car keys will find a way through it!

 

[carrot]

Another thought: Since you already have a primary light, I would choose something that can take NiMH or Lithium or alkaline batteries, and not Lithium-ion, as Lithium-ion has the nasty habit of self-discharging faster than the other technologies in my experience. When you need to use the light it may already be dead.

 

[AndyTiedye]

Draco.

 

[kavvika]

Draco for EDC where I don't go more than a few miles away from home. Draco w/ AAA extension tube for longer trips. Now if you had an option for an L0D-CE, that would be my choice.

 

[Nereus]

I suggest Fenix P1D-CE even though it's not on your list. I have been very satisfied with it and it is my EDC.

-N

 

[Strauss]

Draco all the way It's such an amazing light, stop your search right now and go order one from modamag! You won't be sorry....

 

[Secur1]

Yet another vote for the Draco, the plain chrome i have has been riding on my keychain for almost a month now without a single scratch.