Posted: 5/5/2013 11:43:04 AM EDT
|
Well the time has come to retire my CPR mask since it's a good 5-10 years old.
I'd like to replace it with a good solid flashlight. I know there are a bunch of them out there. But here is what I'm looking for... 1) Durable If this think can't take being slammed into the ground, left out in the rain/snow, run over, etc...it won't work for me. 2) Bright The brighter the better 3) Adjustable I'll be using dim most of the time to stretch the battery life. I want something that'll stay on my key chain. 10-15 years ago I had a solitaire for a year or two and then noticed just the butt cap was left one day... Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
OP,
Here are some great lights for your key chains. I currently have a Foursevens Preon Revo but they dont make them anymore. Here are some comparable choices. I have experience with the Titanium Innovations Illuminati and it is a fantastic light. The best thing is there are no need for fancy small batteries. Just a simple AAA which is great, they will also accept rechargeable batteries. Dont go for the cheapy keychains people pass out at trade shows with their names on them, those are the ones you give away to friends. These lights listed here are very useful tools. Hope this helps! New Fenix Key chain light 
Titanium Innovations key chain light |
|
+1 tp Fenix LD01
While button cell lights are ok, the Fenix LD01 is simply in another league. 80 lumens max, medium and low mode. I still have mine in my keychain. It uses a AAA battery that is superior to button batteries. Easier to replace, cheap, easy to find in any store. FerFAL |
|
I had a Streamlight Key Mate, and it was OK. Batteries were an odd size; 4 hearing aid or watch batteries. Worked great for a year and a half. I wanted a brighter light so I started looking.
Then I upgraded to a Fenix PD10. It's another good light, but a little big (for me) to be on a key chain. It's pretty bright, but takes CR123 batteries. It's dim-able with 3 different levels. Then I found the Fenix EO5. A lot brighter than the Key Mate; less than the PD10, and takes 1 AAA battery. Is small enough for me to feel comfortable on my keys in my pocket. I think I'm going to stick with the E05 for a while. Just right for me. |
|
I'm a fan of the Fenix AAA lights, both the LD01 and the E05. I've ended up using the E05.
It's slightly smaller, and I've yet to find a situation where the LD01 would have been better. The E05 has a diffuser lens, to the beam is a lot softer/less focuses. It's really good for local area lighting and path lighting when walking in dark areas. I replaced a Photon with the LD01 first, then and the E05, and in my opinion the benefit of moving to a AAA greatly outweighs the larger size. |
|
85 lumen Klarus from Going Gear. 1xAAA that has three output levels. Blinding 85 lumens in a package the size of a tube of lip balm.
Klarus Mi10 |
|
Fenix LD01
Maratac is junk. As are all the different clones of that light like the ITP version. Poorly designed. Flickering and easy to break. My key chain light is a preon revo. If you don't mind a shorter and slightly thicker light the Quark mini mlr2 is a great light. Nice to have 180 lumens on your key chain. Order your cr2 batteries from 4sevens for around $2 each. |
|
I've been using a Bronte RA01 for a little more than a year, and really like it.
The case is stainless steel, so it's almost impossible to scratch - Mine still looks brand-new. Has a nice range of brightness settings. The fact that it can use a NiMH AAA cell is nice - eliminates the expense of buying replacement batteries. The price is very reasonable for an all-stainless 3-mode light (under 25 bucks, delivered). 
(Bronte images courtesy of Bigmac_79.) Product review here. |
|
is there a side by side comparison of these? I have an Inova microlight, and while it's useful in a pinch, its light output is not as pragmatic as I'd like.
ETA: I found a review site, but I haven't found were you can sort by type (keychain/pocket). here |
|
Personally I keep a Fenix E01 on my keychain just for it's durability alone. It's only about 12 lumens but it's more of an emergency backup light since I usually always have an EDC light on me. For cost/value I really like the Olight i3 and I3S models.
I've got a few 4Sevens Preons which I like too. They've also got all those blinky SOS/strobe modes if you're into that kind of stuff. I always have a Thrunite Saber on me. It's one of my favorite lights r ight now and I've carried a bunch. Full current regulation, excellent knurling, latest XP-G2 emitter, moonlight mode, mode memory I have both the CR123 model and AA model. You can find them on ebay for less than $30 shipped. 
|
|
I think the LD01 might be the winner here but I have to look at the specs a little closer and see if it has a pressure switch as well as a permanent on/off switch. I hate that temp on bullshit where you have to hold pressure on all the time to use it.
Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted:
I think the LD01 might be the winner here but I have to look at the specs a little closer and see if it has a pressure switch as well as a permanent on/off switch. I hate that temp on bullshit where you have to hold pressure on all the time to use it. Thanks -Emt1581 The LD01, just like most of the key chain sized lights, is a twisty. You twist it on and off. Twisting quickly on and off changes the modes. |
|
In my urban environment , where emergency flashlight use is likely in a blacked out stairwell or tunnel, my (key chain carried) Fenix EO-1, with a Lithium battery is more than sufficient illumination to allow me to safely walk out. As an extra light for back- up, that same keychain also has a Doug Ritter Photon, button cell white light. Both have served me well for years now.
|
|
There are three Fenix lights that I compared but I keep coming back to that little LD01. Great combination of settings, cheap to run, batteries are everywhere, durable, lightweight, etc... so that's what I'm getting. Just wish I could find the stainless version cheaper than the $55 shipped some guy wants on ebay. For almost half that maybe I'll go for the black version and throw off my stainless keychain motif (P38, Silver grippers, Forester key and house key).
Any ideas for a cheaper price? Thanks -Emt1581 |