Quest for reliable, tiny, keychain light.

[Monocrom]

I thought my quest was over when I bought the Streamlight Nano. And indeed it was a good light. Simple UI. Hardly took up any space on my keyring. Quite reliable. And, the 10 lumens of angry-blue tint actually came in very handy on a couple of occassions while walking down a semi-darkened, private road at work. It replaced a Photon II. While not as flat as my previous keychain light, the Nano was far more waterproof. Used it outside in the rain a few times.

The Nano has one very annoying disadvantage, the head has a tendency to unscrew from the body. Other CPFers mentioned that. But all of them pocket-carried their SL Nano. I carry my keys on a short, belt clip. I figured with the Nano not rolling around in a pocket, there was no way for the head to unscrew itself. (I was wrong!)

I get to work earlier tonight, and as I'm folding my jacket to place it on the driver's seat of my car, I notice a small round object in one corner of the seat. I pick it up, and realize it's a battery. And then I realize what type of battery it is. Sure enough, the head is gone. (Along with the other button cells). It's just the hollow body hanging from my keyring.

The keys are clipped to the front of my pants. It's not as though the SL Nano had something to rub up against, every time I climbed into and out of my car. Nothing that could have caused the head to twist loose and fall off over time. It just happened on its own.

On a brighter note, the clip from the Nano is the same one used on Surefire lanyards. I might be wrong, but I believe the designation is Z33 for their lanyard model. I've got some paracord. Even have the same type of ball locks and end piece as on the SF lanyard. Now I can make my own.

Anyone have a good idea for a replacement? I heard that the Photon Freedom is actually quite water-resistant. But I'd prefer a simplier UI if I can find it. Something about the same size as the SL Nano.

 

[RedLED]

just bought two Photon Fanatic La petite Killers, and two AAA Killers.

Just got them so I Cant' say yet, but I think I am going to love them.

If you can find the La Petite Killer, get it, he stopped making it this month. Look at his custom thread

 

[parnass]

..... The Nano has one very annoying disadvantage, the head has a tendency to unscrew from the body. ....

A fishing swivel installed between your Nano and keyring will help prevent it from twisting apart. I use a swivel for the same purpose on a metal pill cannister ("spy capsule").

Swivels are sold in the fishing department of most any sporting goods store.

 

[gollum]

I keep a Draco on my keychain as back-up to my edc light(s)
the Drake is even smaller
and I also own a couple of Lummi's Wee lights ... they are pretty good value

also the photon Rex is pretty awesome
I believe the U.I. is about as good as it gets
its splash proof and very bright and rechargable

the other option that would be quite acceptable (IMHO)
is the DX button lights... Black Flashlight Keychain 22000mcd 10-pack
they are very bright and $4.57 for TEN
you can attach them to your zipper on all your clothes and backpack...
also spare ones in the car by the door everywhere and anywhere...

they also make great gifts for the unenlightened masses...

a friend at work used his to save his girlfriend from her car in a flash flood
he said it lasted for over an hour in the water and at 3 feet deep under water...he had been using it daily for usual tasks aswell so it had well and truely paid for itself (all 46cents )
when he told me and thanked me etc ... I promptly snapped a spare one off my keychain and said you better have a new one then...

another good 'un is the ITP eos for $20

 

[Gatsby]

I'd look long and hard at the Peak Eiger in 10180 or 10280 - depending on the charging solution you have available. Keep the power level down (probably less than 4 if you want decent runtime), top off the cell regularly and I doubt there is a more customizable and reliable light available.

More expensive than a Nano or Photon - but a much, much much better beam profile and rock solid build quality and reliability.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Lummi Wee.

http://www.lummi.co.uk/Wee_NS.html

 

[RAGE CAGE]

I'd look long and hard at the Peak Eiger in 10180 or 10280 - depending on the charging solution you have available. Keep the power level down (probably less than 4 if you want decent runtime), top off the cell regularly and I doubt there is a more customizable and reliable light available.

More expensive than a Nano or Photon - but a much, much much better beam profile and rock solid build quality and reliability.

+ 1 for Eiger- or even a 3 led matterhorn (both AAA) or Shasta- N cell-
Bob from RMSK (new designated retailer for Peak) has the Shasta for $15.00 in his closeout section.
I have EDC'd either a materhorn or eiger for the past 4 or 5 years.
The great part about the AAA is I can top the eneloop of everday with the charger I keep in my cube.

 

[RichS]

Muyshondt Aeon. Just got one and not looking back...so many others that swear by it as the ultimate keychain light, that it must be a strong consideration! My new favorite EDC: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=253420

 

[Gatsby]

I suppose one key question is how small and how much are you willing to pay?

The Lummi lights and Muyschondts are sweet but just to a good bit north of $100.

Is AAA too big? How about CR2 which is short but a lot fatter?

The Nano is tiny so the Draco, Drake, Wee and 10180 Eiger are going to be the closest to that size...

And the Shasta at $15 may very well be the best suggestion of price, size and rugged reliability, and N cells aren't the highest density/output cells but are small and pretty cheap and relatively easy to find.

 

[Illum]

Muyshondt Aeon.

Quite heavy on the keys though, the ignition fob on your car will thank you for it if you left it on your neck, not with the keys =P

 

[Monocrom]

I suppose one key question is how small and how much are you willing to pay?

I'd like something about the same size as the SL Nano. If I can find something small and bullet-proof reliable, I'd be willing to go over $100.

Is AAA too big? How about CR2 which is short but a lot fatter?

The former would be too long, the latter too fat for my needs.

The Nano is tiny so the Draco, Drake, Wee and 10180 Eiger are going to be the closest to that size...

And the Shasta at $15 may very well be the best suggestion of price, size and rugged reliability, and N cells aren't the highest density/output cells but are small and pretty cheap and relatively easy to find.

Definitely some excellent suggestions in this thread. I'll likely try a Photon Freedom and a Peak Shasta to begin with.

If anyone has more ideas, please share.

 

[THE_dAY]

What about this little titanium light:

http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_35&products_id=228

Made of Titanium alloy (TC4)
Resistance to impact by dropping according to US MIL-STD-810F
Waterproof
Nichia white GS LED with a life of 100,000 hours
Max output: 10 Lumens
Uses 3 Pieces of AG13 (LR44) batteries
4.6cm (Length) x 1.7cm (Diameter)
3+ hours working time

Unfortunately Monocrom, I have not heard anything about this light so I can't comment on it's quality/reliabily.

 

[Monocrom]

I've heard of it. Beam tends to be a bit uneven and angry blue. The price tag is for the Ti in it.

 

[gorn]

Here is a Peak Matterhorn with the 10180 body. I've pocket carried it for years. Great light.

 

[Benson]

I'd be inclined to try to find a way to add a #4 or so setscrew to the SLnano to limit the distance the head will untwist, but I'm afraid there's simply not room; I'd have to dig out my nano-light to check, and I'm not sure where it is.

My personal choice of keylight is a DX 10mm fauxton (with the sliding plastic tab "switch" = not very water-resistant) with the "switch" welded in place to seal it and convert to a squeeze light, and modded with a LH fauxton PCB for click-on/click-off. It's decently water-resistant (5-minute bathtub test, anyway), but my soldering-iron-as-plastic-welder approach made it ugly as homemade sin.

While that does meet your simpler UI requirement, it comes out a little bigger than the Freedom, I think, and I don't know of a decent 10mm fauxton anyway, unless you're willing to mod it to death like I did. Oh, and the 10mm LEDs in those DX fauxtons? Not consistent -- both color tint and precise focus of the dome varied a lot (from seeing the bond wire clearly to a smooth round beam, which I preferred) So if you do go this route, be sure to buy a ten-pack and sort through them for a decent one...

A fishing swivel installed between your Nano and keyring will help prevent it from twisting apart. I use a swivel for the same purpose on a metal pill cannister ("spy capsule").

Swivels are sold in the fishing department of most any sporting goods store.

Cool plan, but that would also make twisting it on and off one-handed difficult...

 

[MKLight]

All the listed lights above are great recommendations. If you really like the SL Nano, check out the eGear Pico. It is essentially the same as the Nano, but has a few advantages:

1. Designed with the help of Doug Ritter;
2. Has a battery carrier included to help reduce the chance of lost batteries and ease of changing batteries;
3. Much tighter resistance on the head to reduce the chances of losing the head - it's still easy to turn on and off one handed;
4. Seems like strong anodizing (maybe HAIII versus HAII - I believe the Nano is HAII - please correct me if I'm wrong); and
5. Offers a choice of colors - now the Nano comes in black and Breast Cancer Support Pink (nice idea ).

All in all, they are both nice COMPARABLE lights. You mentioned the keychain attachment clips - they are identical. They are very similar and complementary lights. I have both and am more accustomed to the Nano and like playing with it in my hands. I'm sure I would be just as happy with the Pico. If (and possibly when) I lose part of the Nano, I will replace it with the Pico. That said, I ALWAYS have a Photon Freedom on my keychain as well. Sometimes it's just easier to use the Photon with it's clicky switch (ie, when it's dark and I'm checking mailbox and have other things in my hand. It's easier to click the Photon Freedom then to twist the Nano. Also, the Photon Freedom can be turned on high or low intensity, which is a nice option...and if needed, SOS and Beacon modes are hidden). When it comes to price, you can get each for about the same price...although the least expensive of the bunch is the Nano.

Good luck! And let us know what you decided! :twothumbs
MK

 

[defloyd77]

All the listed lights above are great recommendations. If you really like the SL Nano, check out the eGear Pico. It is essentially the same as the Nano, but has a few advantages:

+1

 

[Guy's Dropper]

I use a Nano on my keychain as well, and I've never had a problem with it. I like it because it's small, the battery is replaceable, and it's so cheap, I don't worry about it getting scratched or lost. Try putting some thick silicone lubricant on it. That always makes my threads stickier.

 

[paulr]

If you want something a little more upscale, I really like my PF La Petite Killer Ti. It's a beautiful little titanium light, about 1 inch long and running on ONE sr44 button cell (has a dc-dc converter and Nichia GS led running at about 10 ma). There was also an AAA version that was larger.

 

[Apollo Cree]

The iTP A3 EOS is a AAA light, but it's not really any bigger than a modern fathead auto ignition key. 80 lumens.