Brightest keychain light?

I’m looking to replace my Nitecore Sens CR with something a bit brighter. I dont mind going bigger and I was thinking something along the lines of the Astrolux S41 would be ideal but then there are other lights out there that are a tad bigger and far brighter.

I need something that I can keep on my car keychain. 18650 is too big obviously but something around the BLF X5 with a keychain wouldn’t be too bad. Ideally smaller if possible but I’m open to suggestions.

Cost, erm preferably $30 but if someone finds me a light that’ll do 3000 lumens, had a keychain hole and is closer to $50 I’d probably buy it.

So, any suggestions please?

Emisar D4 with 18350 is superb, but it does not have a lanyard hole; you have to somehow make it yourself. Acebeam UC15 is brightest keychain light that actually looks like a keychain light. UC15 Keychain Flashlight|AceBeam® Official Store | Flashlights, Tactical Lights
Probably not exactly what you are looking for, but you should at least take a look before getting something else.

The Acebeam whilst the specs seem okay really does nothing for me. Sure it’s a flashlight that’ll sit in my pocket but it looks totally and utterly meh.
Thanks though.

I just with the D4’s had a keychain or i had the skills to modify one.

Nitecore TINI or TIP not bright enough?

Sens Mini is below what I’ve got. The tip is only a tad brighter than what I’ve got. I really want something that’ll do 1000+ lumens for a short period of time and have a bit of range in brightness.

I’ve just ordered a D4 because of all the talk and I like shiny toys but I really want a proper keychain light.
I’m thinking the Astrolux is the best bet at the moment but I’m sure there is better.

The Astrolux S41 is larger and heavier than the Emisar D4 though.

With 16340 lights you run into the problem of finding a battery that can happily provide 3 Amperes of current…

Heavy keychains wear out the contact barrel a lot faster than normal,unless you’ve got a Saab!I only have a small garage key and pocket clip on mine.ymmv.

I drive a Volvo and it’s got a big heavy plastic key so no worries about the barrel

Big lumens and small cells equals drained batteries fast.I’d look first at micro usb rechargable torches (removable battery preferably) first.Perfect in a car with lighter socket.

I carry AAA lights on my keyrings and if I wanted to go brighter my first choice would be the Nitecore TIP.

But FWIW I think the Olight S-mini is close to the Nitecore Sens CR in size (shorter but heavier) while offering outputs up to 550 lmn.

Sens CR
L - 64 mm
D - 19.8 mm
W - 23.8 g

S-mini
54.5 mm
21 mm
31.5 g

You want Dale’s Texas Poker? I think it’s less than that now, but at one time, he had it running at close to 1000 lumens off the Efest IMR10440. It’s his neck light, and used to be featured in his avatar, but another light is there now.

The LED he had in it is old tech nowadays, so if you’re up to some modding, you could make yourself a tiny AAA-size light that gets well over 1000+ lumens from a 10440 cell!

S2+ with shorty tube and 18350?

How about an Ultratac K18 AAA/10440? One of the brightest AAA size light i believe. I’m not sure the side switch is a good idea on a keychain though.

The 2017 brass version is quite nice too.

Different definitions for different folks.
I wouldnt consider the Emisar a keychain light.
( maybe a burn-a-hole-in-your-leg light LOL)

For me- perfect combo of tiny light, with great size-to-output ratio
would be the Reylight AAA copper with 10440.
300+ lumens in a beautiful copper body

Hmmmmn I have a S2+ that I really don’t like. I suppose I can grab a shorty tube for it for a few dollars to see if it turns into something useful.

If not it’s only a few dollars wasted.

Astrolux M01 a TRUE keychain flashlight. It’s a stainless steel has a built in charging port, comes in two tints and puts out a little over 100 lumens, impresive for the really small size.

LOL. In every Saab 9-3 buying advice they warn for worn contact barrel :smiley: .

100 lumens really doesnt cut it for a keychain light for me.
If its too dim I might aswell just grab my phone out.

I think 500-1000 lumens is ideal.

I’ve just purchased a S2 shorty tube, a BLF A6 and shorty tube and a couple of other lights. I might find something that suits my needs. If not, I’ll keep buying toys :smiley:

i vote for s41, cant go wrong with that for the price? even with 18350 its bright as hell and not taking up much space, i mean how much lumens do u actually need? or buy a nitecore tini keychain, 380 lumens… also more then enough and very small… also u dont say what u gonna use for, if just for flood and throw alot of light then s41 will get the job done and in winter will serve as hand warmer also lol…

Utorch UT01 with 14500 Lithium cell?
or Klarus MI7

basically any light with 14500 cell and DD driver

I rebuild an old 14500 Zebralight with TA Narsil driver and XPL HD W2-2B 6000K LED

currently I got no unprotected high drain cells, but this should easily break 1200 Lumens, the host is worn but works great

this one should go for 45$ if I don’t keep it to replace my EDC modded Jetbeam Jet-1 MK