Seeking Recommendations for keychain LED

[StayInTheLight]

Hi there,

Can anyone out there recommend a good keychain LED flashlight?
I'd like it to have the following features:
-Uses 1 AA battery (preferably rechargable)
-Won't turn on in my pocket
-Waterproof (or at least water resistant)
-Rugged housing
-Low price

Thanks
StayInTheLight

 

[Hoghead]

There are two that meet your requirements.
The ARC AA $34.95 waterproof to 50'
http://store.yahoo.com/flashlight/arcaa.html
The CMG Infinity Ultra $15 CPF special price from BatteryStation
http://www.batterystation.com/cpf.htm

 

[Wits' End]

I'd say welcome but it looks like you've been here a while. Oh well jump in and join the fun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Both above are great choices. I'd go for the Ultra, I wear mine all the time on a lanyard around my neck.

One that I don't have but would like is the Innova X-1 a little bigger and in the $20 range. It has a lens so it throws a lot farther but doesn't light up the area close to you as well as the others.

BTW between the Ultra and the Arc the Arc has more wow factor but is more than twice as much. You have to decide if it is worth it. Or get them both, or all 3.

 

[StayInTheLight]

Thanks for the replies. I'm considering the Infinity Ultra right now. The Arc AA is a little out of range for my budget.

 

[Hoghead]

I have both of them & I'm sure you'll like the Infinity Ultra.

 

[Mark_Paulus]

I have the ARC AAA, which replaced my Innova Microlight. I like the ARC, but it is probably the biggest thing I want on my keychain. I also carry a Victorinox Tinker, and the ARC AA / CMG Infinity Ultra is about the same size, so that would be the equivalent of carrying a pocket knife on your keychain. Too big for me. I have an Infinity Ultra and an ARC LS, and both live in my dresser drawer, except when I need them around the house. For most Johnny on the spot stuff, I use the ARC AAA. If I know I will need more light, then I'll grab the ARC LS.

 

[kitelights]

While the Infinity Ultra is a great light (I have one) I still recommend either ARC for key chain use. My first choice is the AAA because of its size. It's much more convenient to carry it on a keychain. I just don't like bulky things in my pocket. Some here carry ARC LSs on their keychain, but I prefer the small size. The ARCs are nearly indestrucible and the HA type III finish makes a big difference.

The ARC AA is smaller than the Infinity and although there's not a big difference; if you're putting on a keychain, then it's a big enough difference. If you do choose the Ultra, then get the Ultra G from County Comm - it's the only one with a type III finish. The others will wear off in no time on a keychain - again, not a problem with the ARC.

Price comparison - Ultra G $18 and $6 S&H is $24. ARC AAA is $24.95 and $5 S&H from ARC. That's a $6 difference. Don't take me wrong, the Ultra is a great light, but the ARC AAA is much better suited to what you want to use it for.

 

[_mike_]

Arc-AA or CMG Ultra Infinity. Don't get me wrong, I love my Arc's, but 2 Ultra's for less than the price of one Arc is hard to pass up. But you will NOT go wrong with any of them.

Infinity Ultra-G from Countycomm.com for $14.50 (CPF Special)
Infinity Ultra from Battery Station for $15.00 (CPF Special)

Arc-AA from Arc for $34.95
Arc-AAA from Arc for $24.95

Mike

 

[kitelights]

I just noticed something else in your post - rechargeable cells. All of the lights mentioned will use rechargeables, but I don't recommend it. They loose their charge over time and should be recharged regularly, not something MOST of us do with keychain lights. And the type of circuit that they use will produce a moon mode (lower level of light) for quite a while after the cell is run down. Not so with rechargeables. When their current drops, it does so very quickly and continuing to use the cell can damage it (reverse charge).

So, using rechargeables costs you your moon mode (a good feature if you need it) and you can ruin your cells. Alkalines are so cheap when you buy them on sale (I rarely pay more than 30¢ each), it's hardly worth it not to use them for THIS type of light. Big advantages.

Now other types of lights and applications, like 2AA with sandwiches - I'm a big fan of rechargeables.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Kitelights,

Just to add balance to your comments.

I use AAA NiMh batteries in my ARC AAA's and have had no problems at all. I use the light as a back up light, so it is not in heavy use. I have not had a problem running out of light or remembering to recharge the cells every 120 days or so. I figure with a 5 hour run time, the self discharge rate will bring that run time down to 51 minutes in 120 days. Still enough run time for my use.

Tom

 

[stockwiz]

Here's a direct link to the light you should buy... the CMG Ultra-G. Smooth beam, long runtime, "us government" neatly printed on the light. Durable, regulated, waterproof, cheap.

http://www.countycomm.com/cpflight9.htm

 

[The_LED_Museum]

[ QUOTE ]
kitelights said:
...When their current drops, it does so very quickly and continuing to use the cell can damage it (reverse charge)...

[/ QUOTE ]
You can't reverse charge a cell in a single-cell light, but you could suck it too far down...same end result...a damaged cell. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

 

[StayInTheLight]

The reason I want an LED that uses a AA battery is because it is easier to find AA batteries than AAA. I plan on having this with me when I hike. I'd like all my battery powered equipment to use the same batteries ie AA's.

But I guess if this LED is going to be on my keychain then I will consider AAA powered LED's too. I figure if it's going to be on my keychain then I will be near civilization. I mean why would I carry my car keys with me on a hike. Just leave it in my locker at the trailhead.

So I quess I'll look into the ARC AAA.
Are there any other AAA LED keychain lights you all recommend? I saw one at Wal-Mart the other day that used AAA's. It was called the Dorsy or something like that. It had the option of twist to turn on or end cap button. I wasn't too sure about the end cap button. Remember I don't want the thing to turn on accidently in my pocket.

edit:
Now that I think of it. Since battery choice has been expanded then maybe I should look into choices other than just AA and AAA. Any other LED keychain flashlights you all recommend.

 

[Mark_Larson]

Its an excellent flashlight; you only need to do a CPF search to find out more about it.

 

[JerryM]

For the money you can't beat the Dorcy. It is brighter than any of the ones mentioned, at least the two I have are. I consider it a little too large for my keychain. The Arc AAA or the Sonic are about the limit for the keychain for my use.

If you are not going to use it on a keychain, the Dorcy is the best buy. It is not as nice or as well made as the Arc or Ultra G, but it does what I want it to do. It is brighter than the single AA lights mentioned, although not enough to shout about. But it only cost $6.00, and you do not have to order it.

All the lights mentioned are excellent lights. The Ultra, and the Arcs are tougher, and will last longer than the Dorcy. For the pack, and if you want a small AA light, I would go with the Ultra from countycom.com. They are good folks, provide excellent service, and the price is excellent . Find the link to their CPF specials.

I agree with you on not carrying your keys if not required. Even hunting my partner and I have always left our keys next to our trucks. It was a good thing one time.

He and his wife were scouting in the deer area, and she collapsed. He thought she had a stroke, and with his walkie talkie ham radio called town through the repeater he could reach.
We were able to get the emergency people close, but they did not have a 4x4 vehicle to get to where they needed to be. I was able to tell them where the keys to the truck were, and they found them and used the truck to get to my friends.

She had a seizure as a result of the disease which is caused by low suger in the blood. The opposite of diabetes. She did not know that she had it.
Departing from the thread, but a sidleline regarding not taking the keys with you if you don't need to.

Jerry

 

[StayInTheLight]

The Dorcy AAA looks like it may be too big for my keychain.

 

[kitelights]

I know that several people here use them - they made posts and said so. But like I said MOST don't and for the reasons that I stated.

FWIW, NiMh don't really like being fully discharged. The less that they are discharged before recharging (in a good smart charger) the longer they will last. It's rare that I go beyond 30 days before recharging, 60 is a real stretch for me. I trust your math, but mine will never get to that point for me to know.

 

[StayInTheLight]

Maybe I should consider a Photon, but I don't like the push to light button. I know it will turn on in my pocket.

 

[JerryM]

My rechargeables do not last that long either.

My real objection to them is that they are never ready when I need them. If one uses them often then that may be different, but I do not, and so they tend to discharge and not be ready.

Jerry

 

[Mark_Paulus]

[ QUOTE ]
StayInTheLight said:
Maybe I should consider a Photon, but I don't like the push to light button. I know it will turn on in my pocket.

[/ QUOTE ]

You can count on it. That was one of the deciding factors on me changing out my Inova Microlight for an ARC AAA. One was coolness factor, but the other was that sometimes the slider would get locked in the on position.

("Is that a flashlight in your pocket, or are you REALLY excited to see me?")