Replacing my dollar store keychain light

[stickydoorknob]

I've been edc'ing my cheapo keychain light for about a year already (the $1 flashlight/laser you find in dollar stores). The flashlight has served me well as I use my laser to highlight key points on the board to my students, but recently the flashlight flicker when i turn it on. Because of this, I'm planning on upgrading to a better light and just carry a seperate laser. I narrowed my choices down to iTP A3 EOS and the Thrunite Ti after a bit of reading and I am unsure of which to get. Please suggest me other alternatives if you guys know of better lights, but I plan on keeping my budget under 20 dollars and in my pocket as a keychain light so I'd prefer it to be small and compact. -Thanks!

 

[moderator007]

You will not be disappointed with Itp A3 EOS very durable and bright aaa light. I enjoy having mine as a edc keychain light. Three modes which hi is not needed that much unless you really need to light things up. For up close work hi is to bright. You will find for close in work using med or low is prefered. I'am very happy with mine and had it over a year. Bought it from goinggear.

 

[joe1512]

Well, you might consider a Photon light. More powerful than the cheapo, but not as heavy as an actual keychain flashlight. I personally have used the itp A3 and it is great. But I wanted to mention an alternative that is more of a middle option.

examples: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EOS36O/?tag=cpf0b6-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011UIPIW/?tag=cpf0b6-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007D5TKQ/?tag=cpf0b6-20

 

[davecroft]

Looks like I am going to be first to state the obvious here and say FENIX E01.

Unbeatable for keychain use and the only light I keep on my keys despite having quite a few AAA and small AA lights.

Ok, the output is not that high, but enough for keychain use. The main thing is durability. I just feel that the E01 will keep on going forever.

If you do need a bit more light the E05 is excellent also.

 

[michman]

+1 on the E01. Can not say enough good things about it. Absolutely bulletproof and will not let you down. Provides enough light to get you out of trouble when you need it most.

If you have $40, then I would go with the Klarus Mi10, or the Fenix LD01. You would go through more than two i3's for the same time use as the Klarus or Fenix. Multimodes, L-M-H (Mi10), or M-L-H (LD01), and great run time at each level; better than the i3.

Just my two cents.

 

[etherealshade]

I'd vote for the E05. I've owned that, and the E01, and I vastly prefer the E05. I can't speak to the comparison between that and the ITP light, but the E05 is definitely worth a look.

 

[michman]

The E05 is also a great light, but you need to keep it fed. I would take it over the i3 simply for being more than twice as efficient. I frequently give the E05 as gifts.

 

[Gregozedobe]

A lot depends on your intended/actual usage of the light. eg whether you use Lo almost all the time, or want Hi straight off, whether you only use it for a very short time to find something dropped/ putting a key in a lock or you go for 1/2 walks with your dogs etc.

Have a look at the review section and some of the comparisons of AAA lights to get an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the various lights.

 

[GunnarGG]

The Fenix AAA lights are good.

The E01 is well known for very good durability and runtime - do a search here on CPF and you see a lot of that. But, it has a bluish beam that is not much better than those $1 lights.

The E05 is also rugged (maybe not as E01, somebody posted a torturetest here on CPF of E01 and E05. Rugged enough for me.) and has a nice floody beam with good tint.
Runtime is good enough IMHO and brightness is enough for most tasks these kind of lights are used for.

The LD01 is the more expensive one of the 3. Has 3 levels and is the one I have in my pocket every day. I use medium most of the time and the E05 could probably replace it.

You can get LD01 + E01 for about $35 if you don't mind ordering from China.

 

[TEEJ]

I ordered a Klarus XT20 from Going Gear, and they sent a Klarus Mi10 with it. Holy crap, I was surprised at how much flashlight it is! 80 lumens, and its about the size of a AAA battery with a head, anodized stainless steel, very substantial, very bright...with 3 levels yet. IPX-8 rated, 66 hours at 2 lumens, over 5 hrs at 20 lumens, 70 minutes at 80 lumens...its sweet.

😀

I actually played with it first, instead of the XT20 I ordered....love it.