I didn’t see any alternatives presented by you, other than a complaint that the battery isn’t a CR123 for easy replacement. You didn’t offer any alternatives as I did (Olight i1R 2). So I wasn’t zeroing in on “just one.” But go ahead and enjoy your day in NYC. Maybe the sunshine will lighten your mood.
I also find the 10180 sized keychain light to be about perfect. The Olight i1R EOS was a screaming deal when Olight was putting it on periodic sales, like $1 and then $5 for shipping. I picked up 4 of them at that time and gave several as gifts. Now their $1 (or free) deals are with the aging simple EOS AAA. The cheapest I’ve seen the i1R v2 at this point is $15. One thing I like about the new i1R EOS v2 is that you don’t have to remove the head to charge it (you do with the Mini2). USB-C would be preferable to micro USB… and I don’t know if USB-C is either too expensive at this price point or if it’s a larger piece of hardware that would require enlarging the light. It’s not a huge problem, especially if the socket is designed so that it’s easy to see orientation. Often with lights having the socket deeply recessed with a rubber plug to fit over it, the shape can be difficult to make out for orientation.
I looked up what battery the RovyVon Aurora series has.
The typical capacity is 130 mAh and the size is "501030."
I've never heard of a 501030 before.
The RovyVon Aurora A8 is almost painfully small and I think it has the 501030. It’s about the size of my smallest finger. Some of their other keychain lights are using a larger battery now, but still not user accessible. Anyway, the A8 is a nifty little thing and powerfully bright with multi-LED side function. It has a clip, but it doesn’t hold onto a pocket well enough… can’t really EDC it clipped. And in my pocket, it’s actually a little too small—have to rummage around to find it. It could serve as a keychain light though… but I don’t like how the lanyard/ring hole is surrounded by polycarbonate instead of metal.
Two things I don’t like about it: 1) double-click to turn on (press-hold to turn off), and 2) noticeable PWM. The newer A8 was supposed to address the PWM, but I saw a review that mentioned it’s still visible. That is a disgrace in my book for a light at that price.
?!? Not even close.
My Jet-II is a tubby little light compared to the i1R, and even the nekkid ’123 is fatter than the entire i1R, and almost as long.
I don’t use “keychain” lights because I don’t want them getting beat to Hell. I got my i1R on one of those cloth “necklaces” like you’d wear a building-access badge. If I’m wearing shorts or sweats with no pockets, I just grab that and it’s there when I’m wearing it.
So this Mini sounds quite nice, actually.
It’s all about the use-case. If you’re going hiking, forget it, it might light your trail for all of 10min before pooping out. But for a 10sec check in a cabinet or dark room, it’s perfect for the size.
And fwiw, for all my use of the i1R, I only charged it once on getting it, and topped it off once, maybe twice, and not even that it “needed” it (as in getting dim, etc.).
Again, it’s all about how you’ll be using it.
As for any “keychain light”, mine is a squeezy key-blank light,
which has red 0-cri light which is just fine for letting me stick a key into a lock one-handed.
I put my i1R on my car keychain and yeah, the anodizing has worn off quite a bit on the back part. But, it’s no big deal for me—I expected the anodizing to wear off to some degree. Not a showpiece by any means. And because you have to destroy the light to get to the battery, it is ultimately “disposable.” But whatever battery they put in it, it holds a charge for a very, VERY long time! When I top mine off about 3 times a year, it doesn’t take long to reach full.
My older alternate is still hanging on the ring as well. A Photon Freedom. Actually a cool little 2xCR2016 5mm light with some extra functions and ramping. I’ve had it for 10 years. Went to replace the battery today and found I had just one CR2016. But I had a strip of CR1620’s… put one of each together and it worked like a charm. The battery hatch cover developed a crack when I removed it this time… ended up filling it with Crazy Glue. Replacement can be had from the maker for just $2. Of course, shipping is $4.50, so gotta order more than just that. They’ve got some decent accessories, like nice quality lobster claw clips for $2 ea. I’ll probably wait until there’s a holiday sale, get a spare light and pick up a few hatches then.
Had to goggle the PF, interesting…
That’s what I was trying to say. There is a tradeoff between utility and size. I prefer the utility as I carry one light. It’s personal preference. I also would not put a light on my Keychain for the same reason.
A lot of people say they drive a small car because they want to save gas. This is perfectly OK as long as you know getting up to highway speed will be a problem as will hauling stuff from home depot.
I have many small lights and many big lights. I like then all but my preference is a bit on the larger side for edc. This is because I put more weight on the run time and power over size.
As long as we are all allowed to have an opinion, the above represents mine.
Yeah, it’s not a bad little squeeze light. It was great for the price when I bought it way back when—there wasn’t much in other offerings at the time. Now priced the same as a Mini2 or i1R… but it has ramping. Also it has a momentary lockout as well to help prevent accidental activation (you enable it with 4 separate clicks, then disable by a long press). Of course, max output can’t compete with those 10180 cell lights.
Useless torch.
2 hands to operate? I pass, thanks.
I don't buy twisties anymore either. 
No, not useless. I twist my i1R one handed pretty often… And even on a keyring, there’s more “body hold” to make it easier.
Aw, c’mon… it’s really not hard to activate a twisty with one hand. I often do it with my Jetbeam U AAA. It doesn’t take long to get the hang of how to hold it to do that. One thing the i1R has over the Mini2, is that the lower body has a finely slotted grip. I think it would be easier to do one-handed than the Mini2.
Twisties always come undone in my pocket.
That's why I avoid them. 
(wondering what raccoon is doing that makes his twisties come undone in his pocket…) :question: 
My Jetbeam U never activates in my pocket. Sits there in the front pocket rear corner, awaiting commands. 3-mode twisty. Cool beam tint so it’s a bit meh in that regard, but terrific light nonetheless for $10.
FWIW there’s ample travel on the Olight i1R… so you can unscrew enough to not worry about accidental activation.
Well, all of the twisties that I've had have been on my keychain.
I have a bunch of stuff on my keychain, and eventually, my twisties untwist.
Maybe I'm just unlucky?
Which is why I trust the i1Rv2 with the captive head. It ain’t coming off…
Jet-II never got loose on me, nor the vast majority of twisties.
Only if using one as a zipper-pull would I just put a single wrap of scotch-tape around it to prevent it from working loose. Still could be activated by twisting hard, then replace the tape at your leisure.
Plumbers tape adds enough resistance to stop the head from working its way off. Still can one hand it.
Hello, MINI2 is not, but we will soon be on the new MINIX, there are 5 modes, including UV gear
Hello, MINI2 is not, but we will soon be on the new MINIX, there are 5 modes, including UV gear
Thank you for your professional answer