When I say "inexpensive," I'm talking about approximately $20 or less.
Surefire Sidekick is quite a bit more expensive and does not have a lockout feature.
Astrolux K1 does not have a lockout feature.
Fenix E03R is kinda expensive, and provides less lumens.
Are there any other keychain flashlights that you think might be in the competition, because those three aren't, except maybe the Fenix E03R (if you want less lumens for more money.)
A lockout device only means that the switch is so badly designed that it needs a lockout. So Iād consider the presence of a lockout to be a minus, unless the light is a total failure. The Surefire seems like a nice light to me.
Did you look at the Nitecore Tip and its close relatives?
I have to say this format of light just doesnāt excite me much. I prefer normal swappable batteries. Also, all of them are too large for a keychain imho. Lumintop Pimi is closer to the right size, or Sofirn SC02 if you can stand a little more size for greater convenience.
I donāt understand the notion of wanting a perfect light to be cheap, either. When you find the perfect light, buy it, pay whatever it costs and stop worrying. Low priced lights are for when you want lots of them.
For me, the perfect keychain light is the Photon Fanatic LPK, which was relatively expensive by BLF standards, and also quite low lumens compared to these rechargeable lights. I like the idea of a Pimi-format light with 20 or so lumens and proportionate runtime. More powerful lights are nice in their own way but I havenāt desired one on my keychain so far.
Of course, this is BLF. But, if you are still looking after all these years, maybe a different strategy might work better ;). Fwiw I havenāt felt that my money was wasted when Iāve bought nice lights. I canāt afford to buy lots of them, but the ones Iāve had were mostly very satisfying. If youāre into flashlights as a hobby but focusing on lots of cheap lights instead of a few good ones, you might be missing out.
I donāt feel that the D4v2 with the raised switch ring needs a lockout. Itās not a keychain light but it shows that itās possible to make a well-enough-protected pushbutton to not need a lockout. Iād say the same of lots of tail clickies Iāve used, but those lengthen the light enough to not play well with keychains.
Iāve similarly had a LOT of small twisty lights and none of them have needed lockouts, unless their threads were loose enough that Iād call them defective. Do you require a pushbutton?
Iām not surprised to hear about Nitecore being crap. It fits what Iāve heard in general about them. Oh well.
As for pushbuttons, I havenāt seen anything youāve said about lockouts that is different between keychain and larger lights. Itās just that the keychain lights youāve been using have crappy switches.
Didnāt you say you are still looking for the perfect one? Iām not looking, I have found mine (the LPK) and Iām happy with it. Iād also say, the perfect one doesnāt need a lockout because it doesnāt activate by accident. The presence of a lockout is to compensate for an imperfection. If youāre still going through lights with lockouts, youāre nowhere near the perfect one yet.
At AliExpress Iām getting 18,36ā¬ for a black with white/UV leds.
I have some coins, so it drops the price a little bit.
Shipping is free and VAT is included already. It seems to be in promotion, as the price seems to be higher.
Hm, just tried it, only for you of course. I can see ā¬18.06 including 21% VAT.
After logging in, I can get a coupon for ā¬0.88.
So the total price is ā¬17.18 with VAT, and ā¬14.20 without VAT.
But the latter is not going to happen.
Even IF I could persuade Ali to send it without VAT,
PostNL would standard charge me with 21% VAT PLUS ā¬4.00 handling fee.
Yes, your calculations are in line with price, I provided in picture above.
I prefer to buy in USD and let the bank to do the conversion from USD to EUR.
We have 22% VAT here in Slovenia.
In the past (before 1.7.) most of flashlights arrived without VAT and custom clearance, directly in my mail box.
After 1.7., this is not possible anymore. All stores (Banggood, AEā¦) include VAT in final price.