Need help! The best keychain led flashlight [Maglite form-factor]

[nilsk]

Hello together,

my first thread starts with questions, sorry about that.
But I need your help...

I need a new keychain flashlight for my key-bound for EDC.
The problem is, that I want to buy one of the best (available) keychain flashlights on the market.
I will use it often for short time (few seconds, minutes...) and I need a very good brightness.
I think it is better (and cheaper) to buy one really good flashligt, then a bad one.

I have a few requirements for my new flashlight:

- keychain size (MagLite form-factor)
- extreme brightness
- waterproof (nice to have)
- constant brightness
- price < 100$

I think the Fenix P1D looks good because it seems to be small and has a Luxeon III LED with 70 lumens, but I don't know...

Have you got any ideas for the right "utility" for my needs?

(sorry for my bad english)

Nils

 

[paulr]

The P1D (you want the CE version which is almost 2x as bright) is rather large for a keychain, about the same diameter as a 2AA Minimag or a little thicker, though the length is reasonable. You might consider the much smaller L0D CE which is nowhere near as bright as the P1D CE but still very impressive for a keychain light.

 

[Newuser01]

keychain size (MagLite form-factor)
- extreme brightness
- waterproof (nice to have)
- constant brightness
- price < 100$

P1D-CE.

 

[9volt]

Orb Raw NS, P1D CE, or L1D CE

 

[afraidofdark]

Hey nilsk, if by "keychain size (MagLight form-factor)" you mean you want something like the AAA Maglite Solitaire, then look at the Fenix L0D-CE. It's a single AAA light using a Cree XR-E emitter, and it is very bright (much more so than a Luxeon III) and very small.

 

[nilsk]

@afraidofdark

Yes "AAA Maglite Solitaire form-factor" would be nice, but a little bit larger seems to be ok.
If there is a flashlight, a bit larger than a AAA Maglite Solitaire, but much more brightly then the "L0D-CE" for example, then I would choose this one...

Nils

 

[afraidofdark]

If there is a flashlight, a bit larger than a AAA Maglite Solitaire, but much more brightly then the "L0D-CE" for example, then I would choose this one...
Nils

You may want to look at the lights dammitjim listed: Orb Raw NS, Fenix P1D CE, or Fenix L1D CE.

 

[9volt]

How about smaller than the Solitare, much brighter than the L0DCE, but around $150?

 

[nilsk]

@dammitjim

sounds good

I think it is better for me to buy a really good one and to keep it for many years.

 

[9volt]

If you want the smallest brightest light possible get a Draco.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=137487&highlight=draco

If cost is an issue and you still want a really small light, get the Orb Raw NS

If cost is an issue and you want batteries you can buy in a local store (CR2), get an Orb Raw, however I'm not sure if the Raw is 100% waterproof.

Look for the Cree XR-E versions in all the above lights.

If you have the money buy them all and sell the ones you don't like on the BST forum. You should get close to what you paid for nearly all of them.

 

[GeorgePaul]

I vote for the CR2 Ion. About as good as you can get for your keychain.

 

[nilsk]

Hello,

thanks for all answer.

I don't understand the difference between the ORB Raw models.
The Ns Version seems to have a 3W Twaj LED with 77 Lumens.
The other ORB Raw versions seems to have 3W Luxeon LED with 77 - 100 Lumens.
Isn't the 3W Luxeon better then the Twaj?
And what is an "optional Cree XR-E LED Emitter" ?

Should I buy the twaj version and the Cree XR-E Emitter upgrade?

@dammitjim
I read your Draco link, but I don't understand all, because my english is not so good.
I don't understand, which version of the Draco is the brightest and where to buy the Draco...?

The CR2 Ion seems to be nice too

I have absolutely no idea which one I should buy (unfortunately I do not have enough money for all)

I want a spread brightness and this should be very bright.
And I don't know which one is the best "universal candidate"

Nils

 

[GarageBoy]

TWAJ is a bin of the Lux III (T flux- WA color and J fwd voltage/ theres a chart for this)
The CREE is gonna be a LOT brighter and more efficient.

 

[9volt]

The NS, Raw and Draco all can come with a Luxeon LED or a Cree XR-E LED. The Cree is brighter but costs a little more.

NS
-Smaller than the regular Raw
-Uses special battery available from Orb
-Heavier than the regular Raw

Regular Raw
-Uses common CR2 battery
-Bigger than NS

Draco can be bought from user modamag on this forum.

 

[martonic]

Isn't it true that the very small lights get hot quickly on their "bright" settings? I have handled an Orb Raw, for example, and that seems to be the case.

I use a P1D-CE sometimes and it does not get hot. This might indicate that it is less efficient at conducting heat, perhaps reducing the LED lifetime, but at least you can use it for a while without burning your hand.

 

[9volt]

I have absolutely no idea which one I should buy (unfortunately I do not have enough money for all)

How much do you care about size? Is an AAA light small enough?

How much do you care about the cost?

 

[nilsk]

How much do you care about size? Is an AAA light small enough?

How much do you care about the cost?

I think the size of the flashlight should be small. I want to wear it on my keychain, but my keychain just in the pocket of my jacket.
So it doesn't have to be very small, but small.

The costs are important but I think if I buy a very good one for perhaps 70$ and a flashlight for the double price will only be 5% brighter, then I would choose the cheaper one.
But if the expensive flashlite is much brighter, then I would choose this one.

 

[9volt]

Get the Raw XR-E or Raw NS XR-E

 

[afraidofdark]

nilsk, the Orb web site is out of date, you can get the Orb Raw with a Cree XR-E for GBP 40.00, you don't have to pay extra for the Cree, which is good because the Cree is so much better (brighter/more efficient) than the 3W Luxeon. There is more information about the Cree Orb here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=152877

 

[TORCH_BOY]

Have you looked at the Fenix LOD CE AAA