Keychain button-battery lights?

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joe1512

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A few searches did not really turn up much. I was wondering if there are any preferred brands/models for keychain lights that are very very small.

Ive read the roundup on 1xCR123 lights and they look good. However, I was curious about small LED lights that use button-style batteries.

When I ordered batteries from lighthound, they sent me a little keychain light for free. It works really well and got me thinking about it.

I wouldn't really want a keychain flashlight per se, but a small button-light would be doable.

Any thoughts?
 
There is a small light roundup 6 months ago, but unfortunately they only really review top of the line $150+ lights!

I was mostly wondering if there were any lights that are a reasonable compromise between cheapo 50 cent squeezie lights and 200 dollar titanium mini-lights.

I'll have to check out the Photon Freedom.
 
I got fed up with changing CR2016s so, I replaced every article with a keychain light that I frequently use from CR2016 based key chain light with a Fenix E01....:whistle:
 
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The Photon Freedom is the cream of the crop in this category. For the budget minded, the X-Light from LRI (the company behind Photon Light) is an excellent alternative, and for those who want even brighter in a similar, and rechargeable package, try the Rex, also from LRI.

These lights are phenomenal and great to attach to bags, jackets, keys...
 
The Photon Rex is about 20 bucks and can be recharged from any battery. Very versatile light, adjustable, flash, very bright. I have had one clipped to my coat zipper for two years I think I charged it 3 times.
 
joe1512 said:
A few searches did not really turn up much. I was wondering if there are any preferred brands/models for keychain lights that are very very small...

...When I ordered batteries from lighthound, they sent me a little keychain light for free. It works really well and got me thinking about it.

I wouldn't really want a keychain flashlight per se, but a small button-light would be doable.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Speaking of Lighthound, I just ordered a ThruNite TiKey Titanium LED Flashlight which uses 3 x LR44 / AG13 batteries, from them for $22.99.
Here's the link: http://www.lighthound.com/ThruNite-...ashlight--3-x-LR44-AG13-batteries_p_3163.html
I'm still waiting for it to arrive which should be sometime this week. I had a bunch of new LR44 button cells but I can't remember what I bought them for, so when I saw this I figured what the heck. Max output is 10 lumens for about 3+ hrs according to the site.
 
Photon Fanatic's La Petite Killer is the nicest light of this type, if you can find one. It's a titanium twisty that runs on one SR44-type cell, with a boost converter, sort of a 1AAA light in minuature. There is also an 1AAA configuration that runs at higher power. Both are pretty expensive by everyday standards but they are really wonderful little gems.

I used to sort of collect coin cell squeeze lights and have reviewed a lot of them. Yes the Photon Freedom is the nicest however the 50 cent "fauxtons" are about the best value in flashlightdom. Buy a couple 10-packs to hand out lights to your friends and family.

The coin lights last for a pretty long time under typical non-flashaholic keychain duty, which means lighting a keyhole or making your way across a darkened room once in a while. If you use them a lot, though, you're better off with a 1aaa light. The coin lights are best for backup, convenience, gifts, etc.
 
Saying the Photon Freedom isn't worth having because there's a cheap knockoff is like saying a Surefire C2 isn't worth having because there's a Solarfire knockoff.
 
Flying Turtle said:
Check out the Photon Freedom. It's probably the best light of this type.

Geoff
Click to expand...

Flying Turtle had the answer first.I always have a Photon Freedom on my keychain.The Photon II is also very good if you want a simple on/off light.The "fauxton" nock-offs are great as give away lights but are not up to the quality of the real Photons IME.
 
carrot said:
Saying the Photon Freedom isn't worth having because there's a cheap knockoff is like saying a Surefire C2 isn't worth having because there's a Solarfire knockoff.
Click to expand...

I have a Freedom and it's a technical marvel but I never use it. I do keep a Photon II on my keys (alongside my LPK) and I prefer its simplicity to the Freedom. Fauxtons are generally Photon II knockoffs and I agree that they're not quite as good, but they're often fairly close (closer than the Solarfire/C2 comparison) and are cheap enough that they're basically disposable (I use them as sources of batteries for my Photons). I tend to feel that these squeeze-type coin lights are best suited for light-duty, occasional use; and for that purpose, simple and cheap is a sensible approach. Even the Freedom doesn't seem likely to physically survive more than some moderate number of battery changes. If you want something for more frequent use, you're probably better off with a metal light.

Not mentioned so far: the Streamlight Nano and the version of it that Doug Ritter sells. There are a couple of other threads about them and some CPF'ers really like them.
 
NaturalMystic said:
The La Petite Killer is pretty nice but I'd be hard pressed to spend $95 to $105US for a button cell flashlight.
Click to expand...

This is the best small flashlight ever made. They are no longer in production. I am wearing mine around my neck everyday without fail.

It really is a great custom piece, and we may never see anything that reaches it's level of quality, realibility, and size for a while, if ever.
 
I like the Inova Microlight with the translucent body. It's inexpensive, you can change the batteries when needed, has several modes including a fairly bright high, and can be found at Target if you want to pick one up today.
 
i've had dozens of different keychain lights, Photon are the best ones.
 
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