What's a good budget keychain light right now?

Just want simple really.

I currently have the Astrolux A01 on my keyring - beautiful tint etc, but I find the modes a PITA. I almost exclusively use it walking from my van to the house and want to avoid muddy puddles, so just need 1 mode. Twist on I can do with one hand, but finding a mode with enough light is just too hard.

The wife has a Mankey boney which has just died (cockroach indeed!), which would probably be just about enough, but they appear to be discontinued everywhere.

Seems that a lot of lights seem to only be available for 2 years maximum now, wish I’d bought more at the time. Same with the Solarstorm SA1.

What are people recommending?

Zanflare F3. Nice tail-clicky AAA light. Solid, sturdy, actually feels “heavy” for an AAA light because it’s so solid. Oozes elegance. 20bux list, but code “F3AAA” lets you snag it for 8bux a pop if still valid.

Glaree E03, the other extreme. Very lightweight, great to use as a zipper-pull, simple easy-to-turn twisty. Currently 7bux for black and 8bux for red, 13bux for purple, blue, other colors.

You can check out the Lumintop Tool AAAs, but it has no memory and always starts in medium, which kinda pisses me off. Available in XP-G3 and Nichia 219.

Have you looked at the Tool AAA?
It comes with Cree or Nichia LED,the tail clicky is easier to use
$11
Gearbest:Lumintop Tool AAA Nichia 219BT 80Lm LED Flashlight https://gearbest.app.link/xaNvEqoRFK

Take a look at this thread :wink: You may find some suggestions there :wink:

I think Olight I3E EOS describes all your needs. Single mode (hour on alkaline, about same on nimh but fully regulated from start to finish), twisty, lightweight, really small, budget (about 10:money_mouth_face: and comes in many different colours including copper, stainless steel and brass version.

You may want to have a look at the Convoy Tiny Torch AAA. Very good looking brushed SS twisty. Well made, one mode, choice of three tints. Can be locked OFF too… Not a top performer, but… a very good value under $10.

The JETBeam JET- µ is a tiny, lightweight AAA twisty with mode memory and no strobe. It’s often available for around US $10 with a coupon or flash sale. (US $11 on GearBest at the moment.) It’s the smallest and lightest AAA torch I have. The tint isn’t great but other than that I really like it.

I carried the Nitecore Tube for a while and I really liked the size and simple UI, but it often turned on in my pocket and only lasted around a year. However, if you can get one for US $4-6 with a coupon it might be worth a try.

If you don’t mind a bit more bulk the Nightcore TIP is worth a look. If you don’t need super bright you can get the high CRI version. US $10-16 with a coupon. It’s too bulky for me to carry every day, but I do occasionally clip it onto my keys on weekends.

Since you’re already happy with the single AA form factor I think the JETBeam would be the best option.

I have the Jetbeam Jet-U and the Olight 13e-Eos. Both great lights. Had the Olight on my keyring for a year. Single output smooth flood twisty.
The Jet-U is a 3 mode twisty, so you will have the same issues with it, great performer though.

I recommend the Nitecore TIP 2017 S/S version. It is a bit larger, and around $20 with coupon, less for the Aluminium version, but it is so convenient, rechargeable, one push access to highest and lowest modes, 2 in-between modes, battery check, auto-off, buttons that are hard to push accidentally, and 360 lumens available on a keyring is just stunning.

Maybe a Maglite Solitaire LED? Nice white tint and plenty of light to see where you’re walking. Retail $10 U.S.

Also recommend the Olight (can’t do any simpler) and the TIP CRI 2017 (more possibilities but simple to use nevertheless).

First of all apologies for starting this thread then vanishing - working too much lately and completely forgot I’d posted this!

Thanks for the suggestions, I’m torn between the olight and the little stainless steel tiny torch at the moment, so will probably get one of each.

The ThruNite T01 works well for hanging on a key chain . Single mode twisty .

https://www.fasttech.com/product/9615682-authentic-thrunite-t01-led-flashlight

Depending on what size you want. Its been good so far.

I have both - ended up taking the tiny torch off my key ring as it’s a lot heavier than the olight. I don’t even feel the olight i3e on my key ring, and it’s durable. Mine has been dropped several times, and has been on the keyring two years with no problems.

I also have both, the Olight is a better keychain option, the Convoy tiny looks nicer but is longer, heavier, has less output, but is a bit more throwy. On mine I like that the head is turned tight the other way to lock it off, instead of just loosening a bit, but the threads are really scratchy and you can’t get to them to lube.

Anyone know of a good option that has a very low temperature that I could hang from a tent with a diffuser?