I’m looking for a decent EDC that can be put on a keychain or carried in a pocket. It should be small enough for a keychain but it would be acceptable to carry in a pocket at roughly the size of an AA battery. I put in an order for an ITP A1 EOS Q5 190 lumens but it’d on backorder for 3 weeks and I’d really like to have a good EDC sooner. Before this order I had looked at a Titanium Innovations Illuminati 115 1xAAA but this flashlight is from the same vendor and you don’t know an item is on backorder until after the order is placed and they send out an email informing you of the order status.
DQG tiny 2. My best edc key chain light and smallest aaa.
The A1 is probably too big and heavy to realistically hang off a keychain and it may be better suited for a pocket but I like the 190 lumens and small size. I like the A3 Upgrade edition and will be ordering soon. I take it that nobody has had any issues ordering overseas from hkequipment and how long would a standard shipping order take to get to the US east coast?
Itp A3 eos upgraded (R5 version)
are you asking about the A1 or the A3?
The A1
i think you looked up the wrong manual. A1 takes CR123, RCR123, 16340 batteries.
A3 takes AAA, 10440 batteries.
Yep I did and noticed right after I posted. I’ve been up late and still up. I think I’m going to grab an RCR123A and an appropriate charger.
Almost forgot to ask – why does it run brighter on a rechargeable?
if you're unfamiliar with Lithium-ion rechargeables, you should read up on them before you buy anything. they require special handling.
Just asking. I’ll continue my research elsewhere. Thanks for the help.
RCR123 gives more Amps, lower internal resistance.
Brighter light yet cheaper to use, only upsides. Cons, have to be more careful with them but read the basics of Li-Ion´s and charging before you go and you´ll be fine.
On topic:
iTP A1 is a nice choice IMO. It is a bit thick BUT you get reasonable runtime, 3 modes naturally and tons of light for it´s size. I have been EDCing one over a year. I got the A1 SS (stainless steel one). I use it clipless with it´s original crab-claw keychain.
Get SS if you use it with keys or something that might scratch it.
The A1 SS looks like a nice light and I might pick one up later on. I like the stainless steel finish. I would need one reasonably priced rechargeable battery (for the brightness) and charger but I’m still researching these. Ideally I would like just one battery that would either be “stored” in the flashlight or be in the charger being charged up. In the meantime I’ve decided on a Titanium Innovations Illuminati 115 lumens 1 x AAA as my EDC because of the size, weight and easy to find and store AAA battery. The flashlight will be a pocket carry or keychain attach and the A1 SS is a little too bulky. I also don’t need a lot of lumens and 115 lumens
I seam to always carry one of these around. I bought the 703 because I love the XRE emitter and it is super bright on standard AAAs. I got the E06 so I could steal the clip off it to use on the 703. The E06 has a more floody beam than the 703 and a longer run time if you use 2 AAAs or you can run one 10440 if you prefer.
They have the XRE version with a caribiner clip also.
You really should consider the Maratac AAA Cu. Solid copper goodness, size of a AA, L-M-H modes. It hasn’t left my side since I bought it. The evolving patina is awesome, but could be returned to gloss very easily.
I appreciate those links and the prices are really decent. Is shipping reasonable from HK to east coast US?
Edit: Just checked out a couple flashlights there and they mention free shipping. Not bad.
The Maratac AAA copper (and polished SS) look really nice but a little above my budget right now.
I like my A1 as a keychain EDC, but I'm having ongoing — but not insurmountable — problems with its twisty head operating a little, shall we say, erratically.
If you don't regularly clean the contact surfaces in the head, you can never be 100% sure of its operation, or at what level it's gonna fire up at. A wee bit annoying, and possibly enough to put me off recommending it to somebody looking for a totally reliable light.
I've been using the Skyray S1 as a keychain light for a while now and for 11 bucks, I think it's outstanding value. Probably not in the same league as anything iTp makes (at least, that's what I gather; I've never owned any of their products but they seem to get a lot of praise) but quite a bit cheaper and when using 10440s, also surprisingly bright.