P1D-CE Q5 too big for pocket keychain carry?

[jayhackett03]

Since I am cautiously jumping back into the flashlight "scene", I figured I would start some threads.

I am considering replacing my Arc AAA with an Olive P1D-CE Q5. I thought about going with the LD01, but if the P1D-CE isn't too big for pocket keychain carry, I'd rather go with that instead. CR123 just seems so much more macho. I'm just seeing what all of your opinions are on this (and creating some B.S. threads to give us something to post about).


Here's an old pic of my keychain, it still looks similar though.

 

[Tomcat!]

It's a matter of taste really. I've been EDCing a P1 on my keychain in some form for about 4 years now and I wouldn't be without it. First I had a P1, then a P1D CE, now the Q5. I prefer the short fat form 123 factor to the long thin AAA and AA because I have other EDC stuff on the keychain and don't like the longer lights poking me through the pocket. Others like the slimmer form factors. The other plus for me is having the extra power a 123 offers, and because of the main lights I carry, I prefer to have only one primary battery type. Also, a tiny single 123 light looks so much more impressive when showing off to a non-flashaholic!:twothumbs

 

[5.0Trunk]

I carry one daily and its not to big. I have been carrying it for over a year now.

 

[Sgt. LED]

NO, not in the least.

 

[Crenshaw]

P1D-CE Q5 is a must have light IMO for any flashaholic.

BUT

i personally would not carry it on my keys. I dont like my pockets to be too laden. I prefer the LF2X for keychain carry.

Crenshaw

 

[Gatsby]

Well whenever someone posts an EDC what you're carrying thread I'm always amazed at the stuff some people carry around regularly, including on their key chains, so it obviously is a matter of preference and taste.

Personally I think a CR123 based light (other than maybe a Peak Kilimanjaro) is too big for a key ring - as are just about all AA based lights.

It's coin cell, CR2 or AAA for me.

 

[p1fiend]

It's quite a shame that most lights have gotten bigger and bigger, especially the Fenix lights.

The original P1, as well as the L2D (I had mine with the custom 123 tube) were all 19mm in diameter.

The smallest Fenix now (P1, P2D, L...) is 21mm:thumbsdow.

It might not seem like much, but you can really feel the 2mm difference! I EDC a P2D now, but when I pick up my old 123 L2D or P1, it just seems so much thinner.

Wish the lights would slim back down to 19-20mm.

 

[Tomcat!]

It's quite a shame that most lights have gotten bigger and bigger, especially the Fenix lights.

The original P1, as well as the L2D (I had mine with the custom 123 tube) were all 19mm in diameter.

The smallest Fenix now (P1, P2D, L...) is 21mm:thumbsdow.

It might not seem like much, but you can really feel the 2mm difference! I EDC a P2D now, but when I pick up my old 123 L2D or P1, it just seems so much thinner.

Wish the lights would slim back down to 19-20mm.

I think they standardised the size because of the filter and diffusers they brought out. The earlier lights varied a lot in diametre, meaning that compatibility was an issue. I was an early adopter of the red filter and found it wouldn't fit all of the lights Fenix said it would. I'm guessing that having made the decision to sort out the different sizes they had to pick one to go with, so they chose whichever size was most common across the ranges.

 

[EngrPaul]

I did it for a while, but moved back to a L0D and now a LD01.

 

[RichM]

I've been carrying a P1D for years. Loose in my front pocket. I prefer that method rather than hanging with my keys.

I keep a Nichia fauxton on the keyring. (A standard fauxton before that.) I've given away more than 400 fauxtons over the last few years and I've heard some great stories about how they've been used.

I haven't found a combination I prefer more than this and I have a lot to choose from.

Rich

 

[D350Diesel]

I think it's too big, at least with all the rest of the crap (4" adjustable wrench, Swisstech tool) that's on my key ring. I went with an L0D Q4, it's about the same size as the Solitaire I used to carry.

 

[hyperloop]

I've been carrying a P1D for years. Loose in my front pocket. I prefer that method rather than hanging with my keys.

I keep a Nichia fauxton on the keyring. (A standard fauxton before that.) I've given away more than 400 fauxtons over the last few years and I've heard some great stories about how they've been used.

I haven't found a combination I prefer more than this and I have a lot to choose from.

Rich

Likewise, i carry a Romisen RC-C3 loose in my left pocket and a DX Cree R2 buckle light on my keychain. Usually have a couple of DX fauxtons for giveaways and last night at my regular watering hole, i noticed one of the waiters had a Fenix E01 on a neck lanyard to assist patrons in reading their credit card bills/drink and snack menus, now that was nice thing to see.

 

[thermal guy]

I have had a p1d on my keys for two years or so.Funny i have never really used it that much but it comes in real handy to keep a spare 123 cell

 

[saabgoblin]

While I don't own this light, not that I don't want to though, I usually EDC at least two lights. I usually carry a Peak Brass Shasta and a Peak CR123 light in addition to the Shasta and the 123 based lights are all about the same size if not a touch larger than the Fenix. Personally, I like the size and heft of a light this size and I appreciate the greater output from the Cr123 based lights. I usually feel naked with a AAA or coin cell light and I carry an old Nuwai Q3 at work on my key chain of 13 keys and I don't find it an annoying size at least for work purposes. I have really large hands and I find that I can one hand thicker twisties much easier than a AAA cell light and I prefer the substantial feel of a metal flashlight as opposed to one of the plastic coin cell lights.

This is the first Fenix product that really caught my attention and one of the reasons being is the ease with which it will attach to a key chain plus it's numerous outputs and features.

 

[crocodilo]

The answer to your question is: probably not.

My own question is: why would you put it there?

It's a great light, with a great form factor. I don't want to lug around my set of keys each time I reach for the flashlight. Besides, depending where I'm at, I might even not have any keys (think at home, for instance, or at work), but I always want to have my light.