Key Chain Light or AAA light.

[Scorpion1080]

Hello everyone.
Thanks for taking the time to read my thread.

I am after a very small light which I can put on my key chain. I like to keep my keys as light as possible.
At the moment I have 2 keys, leatherman squirt and a photon II light.


My budget is $100USD for the smallest, most bright and reliable light.

I have an unlimited, free supply of AAA's or anything rechargeable is just as good.


I was looking at the Draco, but they are $150+ and a bit out of my price range for a keychain light.

Can someone recommend me something very small and bright with an average runtime?


Thank you very much.

 

[04orgZx6r]

I think you would like the Liteflux LF2X you should take a look at that

 

[Scorpion1080]

I think you would like the Liteflux LF2X you should take a look at that

Wooo.. Very nice.
Ok, this is now my number one choice.


Is there anything smaller in size out there they can beat this?

 

[lengendcpf]

Wooo.. Very nice.
Ok, this is now my number one choice.


Is there anything smaller in size out there they can beat this?

Fenix L0D is smaller.

 

[guiri]

This is even smaller
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202924

 

[Scorpion1080]

Are the "Arc's" very bright?

I am after the smallest, most bright key light I can find with runtimes at about 1hour.

 

[sabre7]

If you are going to spend $100 for a light to get beat up on a keychain, $50 more shouldn't be a problem. Go for the Draco, or the Lummi Orb in sterling silver, it even includes a rechargeable battery and charger.
If you could get by with a less expensive keychain light, the Fenix E0, E01, L0D, or Liteflux LF2X would all be great choices, the E0 would be the lightest. You could buy a combination of them for around $100 too.

 

[DM51]

Some recent threads which may help you:

99 Cent Keychain Lights
Keychain beater flashlight options
The best most versatile keychain light

 

[tricker]

arc's when compared to other AAA's aren't very bright, their durable and thats their goal...

 

[parawolfe]

Save your money and just get a Streamlight Nanolight You can pick one up at Bass Pro Shops for $8. At 10 lumens it's not the screamer you are looking for but it's a nice, very small light to have on your keychain. You can get replacement batteries for it cheap at BatteryJunction.com Then spend the remaining $90 you were going to spend on a nice powerful pocket light.

 

[hazna]

What sort of lights are there that are smaller than the LOD Q4, but with comparable brightness levels. I've heard some people mention draco or aeon lights. Where abouts can i find information for this and where can you buy them?

 

[tricker]

draco info and buying thread

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=166864

 

[hazna]

I had a look at the drake thread, seems interesting... I can't seem to find much on runtime graphs or information on the turbo head.

 

[2xTrinity]

I would definitely suggest one of the LF2 variants. Availability of a low-low, and absence of flickering are the best attributes compared to other brands. I have owned all at some point, and you can see beam profile comparisons in the thread linked in my signature, as well as a comparison to an L0D-CE.

Since I posted that review I've sold all but my original LF2 Cree. I recently swapped the emitter for a Q2 5A neutral white -- though that required some fairly delicate soldering. You can see a comparison between that and the standard cool white LED under the "neutral...cool LED" link in my signature.
While you may not be interested in something as ambitious as an emitter swap on a brand new light, it is still reassuring to know that the LF2 is potenitally upgradeable. Most other AAA lights have heads epoxied shut.

 

[ARC mania]

Scorpion1080: Heres a true keychain light that's really small and made of titanium:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201086

ARC mania

 

[DM51]

I've heard some people mention draco or aeon lights.

The Aeon is available in Titanium or Hard Anodised Aluminium. I have one on my own keychain. Previously, I carried its predecessor, the CR2 Ion XT.

 

[Gunner12]

The Draco doesn't run on AAA batteries.

If those are alkaline AAA batteries, then you won't be getting too much runtime on the medium to higher modes. Those batteries have too much internal resistance to power high power LED lights well on the medium to higher modes.

I'd say either the Fenix L0D-CE Q4(8% off coupon at Fenix Store is "CPF8") or Liteflux LF2X if you want to stick with AAAs.

 

[john46268]

+1 on the L0D-Q4. You cant go wrong. :twothumbs

 

[adamlau]

The Aeon is available in Titanium or Hard Anodised Aluminium. I have one on my own keychain.

If DM51 carries one, then I would not hesitate to do the same . I say up your budget and go for the Aeon. I truly feel that it is the best overall keychain light in terms of build quality, output, runtime and size. And CR2 batteries are relatively common in most urban environments.

 

[TonkinWarrior]

My favorite keychain light is the Peak Matterhorn 1 X AAA. Tough, reliable little light.

It comes in brass, stainless steel, or HA aluminum. The brass and stainless are the most impervious to key abrasions, but the HA is the lightest for your application (about 0.8 oz.).

I recommend the 3-LED version (vs. the 1-LED) for brightness, and suggest the High Power (HP) variation for slightly better run-time. The Matty has a clean white beam with a bias towards throw but w/decent flood. Cost: $35.

Additionally, if your AAA supply includes Energizer L92 lithiums, those will enhance the Matterhorn's "regulation" (flatter discharge/output curve).

I've owned several Matterhorns, Arcs, and Fenixs -- nifty lights all. Each has their particular strengths. However, for Christmas this year, I'll be gifting a bunch of Peak Matterhorns to relatives.