**Mini Solar Keychain Light, Your Backup EDC**

Lately I am working on a new project to develop a keychain flashlight which is based on this solar power light (picture 1). I plan to switch its LEDs into 3400K Sophia LEDs (95+ CRI). What’s more, the LED is below B.B.L creating light that doesn't have a greenish tint. With that said, I thought some of you guys who are sensitive about the tint may be interested in this one. This keychain light features extremely simple momentary-on UI. Hold the button to turn on, release the button to turn off. Different colors will be available. My original thought was to make it an EDC backup for both adults and kids. I more than welcome any comments and ideas that may help me develop this light. :-)


the laste picture shows, the original led beam on left, and Sophia led beam on right.

I'm pretty sure I have one of those with the purple tint somewhere.

The new and improved version looks much better!

I agree with RC, nice idea!
I must say i am a bit traumatized by these lights. They were popular a few years ago but most of them had a fake solar cell and a coin cell inside so there was no way of recharging them.

Since you mentioned this is also meant for kids, i think the battery should have adequate protection if needed. I don’t think the solar cell is able to really overcharge the battery. How about undervoltage protection?

I’ve got almost exactly the same (at least the same case and purple LEDs) about 10 15 years ago, probably more. It had a rubberized coating which got sticky quickly.

I prefer a USB chargeable flashlight and optional a solar panel, although a powerbank is much more reliable and easier to use. Such an “EDC” light will stay in the pocket most of the time, no sunlight to be recharged.

In my opinion these LEDs deserve something better.

I had the exact same one a couple of years ago. I like your global idea but here’s some input.

-the plastic case became sort of sticky/rubery after 2-3 years. Can’t use it anymore without this sticky feeling on your fingers. I think this plastic didn’t liked the sun, not ideal on a solar light
-that same plastic case is rather weak, a corner broke from a 6-7 feet drop. Aluminum would be a better choice.
-not waterproof/dustproof. As a keychain, it should be solid and waterproof
-I would really like to have at least 2 modes (idealy 4 including a moon mode)
-It has to be able to stay on, not only momentary.

if you keep in your pocket, it can never get charged

i have seen this product as far back as 10 years

the light was very weak and charging was a PITA

just saying

it seems like reworking the led would cost about $20 per light

and having them made for you, means you will have to order 100,000 at a time

and they will cost triple what the cheap purple light ones do

If you design a new solar flashlight from scratch - with improved efficiency solar panel, better efficiency driver, better LEDs, better optics, aluminium casing etc, then I would definitely be interested.

However I am not really interested if you are merely taking some existing product and putting a new LED on it.

Intrigued.

slmjim

It’s very difficult to find a not bad similar new designed product and make improvements.

I understand this mini light has drawbacks:

  1. very old looking design
  2. no regular usb charging;
  3. solar powered is useless if you keep it in your pocket.
  4. UI is momentary, not click on/off;
  5. Can not make it low/high

That’s why I am writing to ask for opinions.

If I try to make a new one, it could be much more expensive. But this one can be only 1 USD.

I always want to find a mini light great for kids.

It should be cute; many colors to choose from; 5mm led; button cell battery; 2 modes: 1LM-8LM;

last but not leaset, it should be low priced, let’s say 1-1.5 USD per unit.

But I can not fulfill those by design a new one since the cost could be high, price can be much higher than target.

I have beening looking around to find something meets the targets, but it seems not easy.

How about this?

I can see the point of such a light, which might be good for a value hunter or DIY modder.

But I don’t see the benefit to Sofirn, whether reputational or financial, to create a dollar store item.

Even dollar stores are increasing prices to $2, $3, $4+, so I’m afraid anything at such an aggressively low price will be of quite low quality and margin.

Still, I totally see the appeal of a very simple mini budget light.

photon X is a good keychain light
tiny

many modes and tricks
not rechargeable though, uses CR2016 i think x2

wle

If Sofirn wants to go with the smallest possible keychain light,then the FIREFLI should be an inspiration. CPF had their own version, the TIFLI (in titanium). 4 coin cell and an high CRI 5mm LED and we got a winner. In more than 20 years in this hobby, this is still the smallest usable keychain light I’ve seen.

Sorry for linking this site but it’s the only place I’ve found pictures of the FIREFLI and the TIFLI…

Got one in the past with real LIR2032 connected on solar panels
I dislike momentary on/off switch and no sense have 3 Led for such low power.
Would be nice have them with :

Ramping from 0.1lm pwm free

Recessed Led (not exposed like the old model)

Low price

Somehow make a stay on mode for a dog collar?

Wellp, any keychain light will almost surely get turned on by accident in a pocket by something squishing it. Even a recessed switch can be pushed in by the edge of a key, a mint, anything.

Not sure how waterproof the switch as-shown might be, but some way to incorporate a shallow momentary slider (ie, push forward on a rubber dimple to activate; springs back when released) would let it be easy to use, and still pretty secure.

the photon X


actually has [had?] a cool ui

you could switch the switch from momentary to on/off
\
it had ramping, SOS, variable strobe

this was 15 years ago, running on 2 cr2016s

also lifetime guarantee, all for about $10

it was my EDC before there were EDCs
still on the keychain