What Do You Guys Use on Your Keychains?

I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I like having a AAA light on my keychain. Sometimes I like the size and weight of the little Fauxton lights from DealExtreme, but other times I wish I had a bit more output.

I'm thinking about getting a Fenix E01, because the price is right and it shouldn't be too heavy.

What do you guys like to have on your keychains?

post like that are open weekly, but is also true that we buy 1 flashlight at week xD

E01 is very well build, small, light, cheap 10/12$ and with more of 1 day of autonomy but I don't like the dim bluish nichia led very close to a Fauxton

Tank007 E09 - Same size as the Fenix you are considering but 3 mode, less expensive than the Fenix, same build quality and far brighter on High if you need it while Low is very low if you want long runtime.

There are a few threads on this forum about it and most folks love it.

Dqg tiny aaa ss is my fave. I don't think you can buy them anymore.

I have an Inova Microlight (red led) on my keychain. For AAA lights, check out the Thrunite Ti and Nextorch K1.

I was using a ss maratac aaa, but now I'm running s quark mini cr2. Love it!!

ITP A3 has been on mine for some time. I have the "upgrade" 3 mode older vs (med first). Amazon has had some good deals on them, but it might be worth buying two to even out the shipping costs.

If you like short range flood, check out the new Preon 0.

I use the fauxton I got free from budget gadgets. Nice white beam and a pcb for click on/click off.

I wear my CQG S1 around my neck instead of my keychain.

DQG tiny II NW AAA SS is on my chain since a few months. The Maratac AAA SS, ITP A3 alu, Brinyte PD03A, Tank007 E09, CQG S1, Black Cat were either too big, too heavy, too easily scratched, too hard to activate, hadn't the right modes or hadn't the right chain mount. Don't get me wrong those are great lights, but the DQG is just perfect. Maybe you should wait for its successor the DQG III to arrive... there are rumors that it's just around the corner. Only downside of the DQG may be the price point.

Depends on your priorities. Here are my last three AAA keychain lights (please excuse the crappy cell phone picture).

The Fenix got used the least, mainly because I wasn't designed for what I want in a keychain light. I prioritize output over runtime, because I only use a AAA light to get to the light I really want to use for the task at hand. Sort of like the old Clint Smith axiom: "The point of carrying a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should have never laid down".

The E01 is awesome if your going to need some light for long periods of time. As an emergency light, it's hard to beat.

The S1 is more up my alley. Bright, light, single mode, takes 10440s. If it was multi-mode, I'd probably still have it on my keychain. For almost a year, I think, I was practically using it every day and even though it eventually quit, it was easy to fix and it still works. It has thin walls and if you abuse it too much, it will likely die way before the Fenix. Mine spent 99% of its life on 10440s and has been reliable.

The E09 is my current keychain light. I'm not too crazy about the keychain hole, but so far it has held up pretty well. This one will be use almost exclusively 10440s, as well. Having access to three modes is neat but at least for me, ultimately, unnecessary. I find myself using high almost all the time. Having the option is nice though - I don't think I'll ever be stuck anywhere for an extended period of time with just a keychain light, but you never know. Built quality is better than the Skyray and probably on par with the Fenix.

The Skyray is the only light of the bunch that puts a smile on my face though. It's been banged up pretty bad and it shows, but it still works and I don't think it has ever let me down.

The 2nd gen DQG Tiny is a light I'm looking forward to as well.

i use a Fenix E05. it's a little shorter than a E01 which i like. it also has the tightest threads i've tried on a AAA twisty making it really easy to operate one handed. just a tiny twist and it turns on and off. one handed operation is important to me, so i cannot recommend lights with sloppy threads like the iTP A3 which usually require almost a 180 degree twist to lock out. the E05 also has one of the best key ring attachment points around. it's big and sturdy.

the new batch of Dqg tiny aaa ss (now called "III" according to Ric) will be offered very soon.

my personal keychain light is Tank E09. after it was highly recommended and kickas* reviewed on this forum, i bought my copy. (too?) much has already said about the E09. keychain light beginners should start with this inexpensive light (Would be interesting to find out what the BLF average price paid was.. *gg*) to learn about hi-med-low mode sequence, Protected 10440's support, nice built qualiy, lightweight, ease of reparability, etc.

Once youve learned to appreciate the quality of the E09 you will see that more expensive AAA lights dont offer much more.

Ive tested the runtime on Low. 18.0hrs. (so who needs a Fenix E01? ;) )

Only someone who doesn't own a DQG can say that. ;-) But I admit that it was a very nice deal at DD on the E09.

Well keys...duh!

Unfortuntely i can't use any on my keychain. My keys are stored in lousy leather pouch. I hate that thing with passion but i can't do otherwise since im allergic to nickel.

It looks a bit less worse than on picture on me but itches like crazy. I often end by biting the bubbles (when itches like crazy) and then looks even worse. Takes more than a month for the skin to recover fully. I have to use sensitive skin soap too. :/

It is a major annoyance. Fortunately the olympic bars at my gym does not contain any nickel.

Otherwise it would be the WK21 which sits in pocket besides that key pouch and doesen't get scratched which is the only redeeming feature of the puch apart the allergy thing.

On Vectrex's recommendation I've got this one coming PD03B It'll be my first 'twisty' since a Maglite solitaire, which I grew to hate. When (if?) it arrives I'll post my opinions here, but I'm sure I'll like it. I trust your judgement, Vectrex..

At least you will get a high PWM light with strobes as you wanted. Did you receive a shipping notification for the light or the magnets?

Thrunite Ti Firefly. Light, inexpensive, and good quality.

nice buy Lensman. (link doesnt work.)

please share your thoughts about it once you got it. maybe you can compare it to your other AAA lights (tint, perfect beam pattern, brightness), thanks!

DQG NW II on my main keys, CQG NW S1 on my work keys, at least thats the set up for now. Soon I will have 2 DQG AA's to play with.