Need small keychain flashlight...thoughts?

[los7883]

Ok first time poster here so take it easy on me if this is a no-brainer. I am looking for a small LED light, something i can put on my keychain pref no longer than 4", operates off AAA, AA, or 123A. I would be using it on occasion for either looking under the hood or hooking up home stereo equip or just in the attic kinda stuff...kinda had my eye on the Fenix P2D but I don't believe its push button operated and would like that feature (i take that back i just saw that it does have the push button feature), is there anything 'better' than this one? Price, hopefully anything under $75...thanks in advance!!!

 

[powernoodle]

:welcome:

This is a popular subject.

Here are some threads to get you started.

:wave:

 

[Gunner12]

The P2D has a clickie, the P1D-CE does not. The P2D is a bit big for keychain IMO.

I'd recommend the L0D-CE Q4 if you want a small AAA powered light. It is a twistie though. 8% off coupon at Fenix Store is "CPF8". The Avenger has a clicke and is 1AAA. I think the coupon at Batteryjunction is "CPF2008".

 

[BIGIRON]

This is the kind of post CPFers dislike. Probably won't get any response at all. (he said with a grin)

 

[john46268]

I too recommend the L0D-CE Q4 as it has 3 brightness modes, is tough, and will be your best friend! :twothumbs

 

[BMF]

Buckle light from Kai.

 

[Ten Pointer]

Maybe someone could suggest a sticky be started and people give their input and one of those graphs can be made for best keychain flashlight and best AAA light. Just a thought.

 

[ki0ak]

Buckle light from Kai.

Of which the newest version (V3) can be found here: KD V3 1AAA SSC U-bin SX0H Buckle Flashlight.

 

[Saiga]

(quote0 "The P2D is a bit big for keychain IMO."

Heck, i feel that even my P1 is too big for a keychain, i finally yanked mine off. I put one of those "cheap" little keychain lights that come free with some light orders and love it !! I still usually carry another "real" light, but these little things are great and i ALWAYS at least have that on me. Besides that, i usually carry my luma-power LM 31 or surefire L1.

 

[unit311]

Buckle light from Kai.

I just recieved my buckle light today and im far from impressed. I believe it to be the v3, but the threads are terrible. Theyre cut badly and loosening the twisty(just enough to keep the light from turning on) makes it so loose that the cap will defenitely fall off in my pocket. I tightened it up with about 10 turns of teflon tape but it sucks that i have to do that. I would like to send it back but it would probably cost me more in the long run and I would have to wait forever to get a replacement.

 

[geepondy]

Guys, how big is the Lumapower avenger compared to an Arc AAA? The web site doesn't give size measurements. Thus far the Arc AAA is the smallest AAA light I've seen which is why I carry it.

 

[meuge]

Ok first time poster here so take it easy on me if this is a no-brainer. I am looking for a small LED light, something i can put on my keychain pref no longer than 4", operates off AAA, AA, or 123A. I would be using it on occasion for either looking under the hood or hooking up home stereo equip or just in the attic kinda stuff...kinda had my eye on the Fenix P2D but I don't believe its push button operated and would like that feature (i take that back i just saw that it does have the push button feature), is there anything 'better' than this one? Price, hopefully anything under $75...thanks in advance!!!

I can't recommend getting a push-button light for use on a keychain, as it's highly prone to having the switch be accidentally activated, or even worse, damaged.

A twist-switch light would be a far better choice for keychain carry.

The consensus here (which I support, having owned one, and given it countless times as a gift), is that the Fenix L0D-CE is the de-facto high-performance keychain light.

You can purchase the latest Q4 model at fenix-store.com in Black or Olive color.

Please take care to read the L0D-CE Review at flashlightreviews.com, and ensure that you use either a NiMH rechargeable or lithium L92 primary for this light, since they offer significantly higher performance than alkaline AAA.

 

[Illum]

I'd recommend the L0D-CE Q4 if you want a small AAA powered light. It is a twistie though. 8% off coupon at Fenix Store is "CPF8".

+1

 

[mattblick]

Guys, how big is the Lumapower avenger compared to an Arc AAA? The web site doesn't give size measurements. Thus far the Arc AAA is the smallest AAA light I've seen which is why I carry it.

The avenger has a deep reflector and space for the switching circuitry. By itself the head is almost as long as a AAA cell, and about the same diameter as a AA cell.. I would guess the whole light to be 4" long. It is the longest of my 5 AAA format lights, even with the twisty cap attached, the clickie cap adds another 1/2 inch.

Us Avenger owners have been waiting to hear about the recall that will replace the emitter and upgrade the tailcap. I am hoping when I send mine in for those repairs they just replace the entire light because it already needs Teflon tape on the threads.

 

[los7883]

Well shoot, i was reading more and it looks like i can't decide between the P1D, L0D, and P2D..I like the L0D or even the L1D cause I could use regular AA/AAA batteries with them but like the P2D and L1D because of the higher output...anybody know what would be a sufficient enough light to work with in general? I have no idea how much 9 lumens is or 40...trying to decide which would be more practical for what i would use it for...

 

[Gunner12]

The Minimaglite is around 9-10 lumen, so the L0D-CE Q4 would be a great smaller sized light. On high it has around the same output as a maglite 4D.

 

[russwm]

los7883, I am also a newbie around here. I just bought a L0d, and it is great. Not too big for a keychain, and I think you will find that either the 11 or 30 lumen modes are very sufficient for most of your everyday needs. I highly recommend it. I ordered it from www.fenix-store.com on Saturday and received it yesterday.

Before I bought the L0D, I bought a fenix l2d, and p3d after doing a lot of research on these forums. Obviously, I am very happy with the Fenix brand.

Also, after researching batteries on these forums, I bought some eneloop rechargeable NiHM batteries. It was a great decision. Consider getting some for the L0D or whatever flashlight you choose, if it uses AA or AAA.

 

[los7883]

Cool thanks for the input, yea i was thinking about a small keychain one and then another bigger one for around the house stuff. I have a Streamlight Stinger and the battery on that thing only lasts an hour, looks like the L2D is right there but I can at least use AA batteries with it...thanks for the advice!!!

 

[joema]

...looking for a small LED light, something i can put on my keychain pref no longer than 4", operates off AAA, AA, or 123A. I would be using it on occasion for either looking under the hood or hooking up home stereo equip...

The Photon ReX is a fairly powerful, flexible keychain light. It's rechargeable and has variable output, also a glow-in-the-dark button.

Will start on either dimmest level and ramp up, or the brightest level and ramp down. Dimmest level will fully preserve night vision, unlike many other lights that have a very bright "dim" level.

Beam is fairly broad, better for shorter range tasks. About $29: http://www.photonlight.com/Photon-ReX-Keychain-LED-Flashlights-p/rex-lithium-ion-rechargeable.htm

I have many other small lights but often carry the ReX because of its combination of features: small size, good output, dim low level, and rechargeable.

 

[dulridge]

The Photon ReX is a fairly powerful, flexible keychain light. It's rechargeable and has variable output, also a glow-in-the-dark button.

The ReX is almost always in my pocket, not on a keychain though the wires from the charger seem to get tangled up in everything which is why it isn't on a keyring. The GID button is not very good - I have far better GID items - look at the Zebralight plastic thingie that holds it on the headband to see how to do it.

But for a keyring light I'd look at the soon to be released Arc AAA with the Nichia GS LED. I will be getting one just as soon as the website will let me buy one. I'd recommend that to anyone.

I like the ReX though, just wouldn't put it on a keyring. It is almost always with me - only reason it won't be is that it is in the pockets of some other pair of trousers than the pair I'm wearing.

I carry three keyrings normally, all of which have fauxtons on them but one of them does not yet have an AAA light as well, there is a place waiting for the Arc just as soon as I can buy one.