Need advice on keychain and general purpose flashlights

[Leo]

Hi all, this is my first post on CPF, I just discovered this corner of the web recently, after seeing a post about the Fenix L1D CE on the Cool Tools blog.

Some years ago, I used to carry a cheap 2xAAA pen flashlight, and it found more use than I originally expected, but the bulb eventually broke down, and I haven't bought another one. I intend to buy a Fenix L0D CE for EDC from fenix-store.com as soon as they get it in stock. However, I think I should buy two other flashlights and need advice:

First, for a keychain light, I'm looking for something small, lightweight and ultra reliable (just put it on your keyring and forget about it), that uses "coin" batteries. It does not need to be very bright, but has to be long lasting (8 or 10h I guess).
The Photon Microlight II has the right size, but I've seen reviews that say it can accidentally turn on, and drain the batteries. I will be carrying the L0D CE, so no addicional modes are required (but they don't hurt either).

Second, for a general purpose flashlight, to have in the house or car, I'm looking for a flashlight with a nice beam, with some flood, and that works well with standard alkaline batteries (not CR123), that is big and heavy enough to be useful in case of self defense (don't worry, I'm a peaceful guy ). If it is not too expensive (up to $40 or $50) I'll probably get 2, so that one stays on the car.

So, what do you recommend? Recommendations of reputable online stores that ship internationaly would also be appreciated.

 

[e2x2e]

For general purpose I'd really recommend the Rayovac Sportsman Xtreme 3Watt. I'm a big fan of this flashlight because it is bright, uses AA batteries, handy clip for hat, etc, and has decent runtime. Plus, they are made of nice machined aluminum and are ~$25. I wouldn't want to be hit in the head with one, but there are other flashlights that would hurt more.

 

[stonehold]

The Coast LED LENSER "V" uses 4 AG13 coin cells and is reliable, low cost and has a nice tail switch. The obvious choice for a car light is the 4+D Mag LED. Lots of light, durable, reasonable price, nice and club like. Welcome, and fair warning, "one is too many, and a hundred are not enough".

 

[Lee1959]

For a keychain everyone in my family uses a Photon Microlight II, ultra reliable in my experience, have used them for 10 years or better and never had a single issue, and only changed batteries one time to my knowledge. I carry a red and a white one both. They are not scorchers but provide enough light when it is needed.

I also carry a Fenix L0PSE which could be used on a keychain if one wished, just too heavy for my keys. As far as a replacement for your penlight, I recently got a Streamlight Stylus Pro and it is so far an excellant replacement for that size light.

All of the above have excellant runtimes and provide plenty of light for every day uses. I carry bigger lights for "mission/chore" specific tasks depending upon need.

 

[JCup]

I think the "Photon Microlight III" may have been the one with the turn-on-in-the-pocket problem.

The Photon Microlight II only differs from the first one by having a little plastic "lock" for the on position.

The III had a microprocessor and req'd various short or long depresses to go to low, high, strobe, etc. I had that one, and it would mysteriously enter the magic code, causing a dead set of 2016's about every third day. (It was like $26 in the day, amazing how much more you can get for that today).

I notice the LRI webpage no longer mentions this version.

Photon did some interesting things by having the LED leads plated, and makes an effort for quality.

For your car model - At $62, the Fenix L2D-CE Q5 2xAA is amazing. Fenix-store.com gets my recommendation. This light will produce a strong, clean beam (although not a pencil) and is very well made.

If you prefer, there are many 2AA choices on dealextreme.com in the $15 or $20 range...

Happy New Year!

 

[Leo]

The obvious choice for a car light is the 4+D Mag LED. Lots of light, durable, reasonable price, nice and club like. Welcome, and fair warning, "one is too many, and a hundred are not enough".

Thanks for the tip. The Mag LED seems to be an excellent value for the money, but wouldn't the 4D be a bit overboard? The Mag 3D LED seems to be more than enough. Being a widely available brand I might even be able to buy it locally.

 

[Lee1959]

As far as a car light goes I rather like the 5 C Cell maglights. Good light, fits my own medium sized hand better than the D cell, and it doubles as a nice baton if needs be. I even used it to move a huge snapping turtle one time when it was in the middle of the road. I put it by his face, he bit and held on to the tailcap while I carried him to the river. Try that with almot any other light .

 

[Leo]

I think the "Photon Microlight III" may have been the one with the turn-on-in-the-pocket problem.

For a keychain everyone in my family uses a Photon Microlight II, ultra reliable in my experience, have used them for 10 years or better and never had a single issue, and only changed batteries one time to my knowledge.[...]

Well, if it's reliable, I think I'll go with the Photon Microlight II with a white beam color. Is the site photonlight.com a safe place to buy them? The shipping rates are very nice (figures!), and I think I'll order 2 or 3.

 

[stonehold]

Thanks for the tip. The Mag LED seems to be an excellent value for the money, but wouldn't the 4D be a bit overboard? The Mag 3D LED seems to be more than enough. Being a widely available brand I might even be able to buy it locally.

Depends on the length of your arm I guess. My better half keeps a 4D in her car because a 3D is too short and a 5D is too heavy.

 

[HoopleHead]

i like the princeton tec pulsar II over the photons, and they are on sale now for $5 at botach tactical

 

[Leo]

Depends on the length of your arm I guess. My better half keeps a 4D in her car because a 3D is too short and a 5D is too heavy.

I have average height (5 feet 8), however this does not matter since I want to keep the flashlight in the glovebox, and only a 3D will fit.

 

[paulr]

The one that turns on in your pocket is the Freedom. The II doesn't have that problem. The Freedom turns out to have an undocumented setting that makes it turn itself off a few minutes after turning on, which would help with the pocket problem. You can also get various cheap clones of the II which we call "Fauxtons" (faux Photons). They are not quite as good as a real II but they are so cheap that a lot of us buy them by the bucketload and give them away to everyone in sight.

 

[Marduke]

I would recommend a pack of these
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1100

And this
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_52&products_id=370

And a MagLED (3D or 4D)
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/maglite_mag-led.htm