One Year Review - DOKeep Keychain Lantern
The occasional problem with EDC torches is being unable to reach them while carrying something. E.G., groceries. My solution was to have a second flashlight on the opposite side of my main light. This, in turn, lead me to the world of keychain flashlights.
I knew I wanted this second light to be as compact as possible; while still having usable output and a run time of at least one-half hour.
Keychain stick lights, by their very nature, would cause the paradox of facing away from the keyhole I was sometimes trying to illuminate. So they were out.
Dedicated keychain flashlights (Streamlight PocketMate or NiteCore Tip to name two) are wonderful lights in their own right, but are faced with the same paradox.
The rechargeable COB style clip-on lights provided a solution to this paradox. But which one? There any many, many such lights available. None for me, a tiny LED lantern instead!
My research led me to the DOKeep lantern. They were available in two different kits. They seemed to be advertised with decent outputs and runtimes for their size. At the time, these were the 2020, GD2 model with USB-Mini charging ports. These lanterns come in two-packs. While researching, I read of complaints of one light not working right out of the packaging. Suspecting the complaint might be user error, I purchased a pair of 2020, GD2 mini-lanterns for about ten bucks. And upon receiving them, was immediately impressed by both. So-much-so, I showed the one on my keychain to one of my workmates.
As it just so happened, he was going on a family camping trip that weekend. And thought the little lantern perfect for attaching to a tent line; thus removing the trip hazard. He had no time to order his own lights, so I freely offered him mine. He politely refused my offer, but asked to borrow them. Two unfortunate things happened that weekend. First, it rained for thirty-six hours straight. Second, each night, one light disappeared while securely tethered to a main tent line. My friend gave me that news Monday morning. But said that the lights, while on low-steady setting, provided ample lighting, and never faltered in the rain. He offered to replace said lights, but it was my turn to politely refuse.
Fast forward a coupe of years, I again tried the DOKeep lantern. This time it was the 2023, GD3 Model with USB-C charging port. This model is currently available in several flavors.
7-Color Gradient+Red
7-Color Automatic Flashing
Warm White+Red
White+Red
Orange+Red
Blue+Red
Red+Red
White Luminous+Red
Five-of-eight DOKeep Keychain Lanterns
Source: DOKeep Store - Amazon
There are also two different GD3 kits, each with different items, available as well. I went for the kit with more accessories and “White+Red” LEDs. Unfortunately, this time I was able to personally validate complaints of one light not working out of the packaging. I used the working light while readying for work every morning for two weeks. On that second weekend, the little lantern made it into the washing machine. It survived, but only worked while it was charging. Something these lights normally do.
One replacement light charging. The other replacement lighting while charging.
As shown in the previous picture, I promptly ordered a second GD3 kit; my third DOKeep lantern kit. It is this kit of which I can give a one year review.
Source: Source: DOKeep USA
As a spare, I kept one lantern in my car. And used the other one readying for work every morning. I used this lantern on low constant white for about a half hour at a time. I use it magnetized to a light fixture in the steamy bathroom. It has never fallen or failed.
The spare looses its charge over about three months. And has performed perfectly even having been exposed for long periods of time to the temperature extremes inside cars. While the bathroom light last for about a month. The lights have a blue LED which is solidly lit while charging and is extinguished when charged.
Both cahrging.
One charging. One charged.
The red-flashing and blue charging LEDs are two separate ones.
Separate red and blue LEDs, not bi-colour LEDs.
I can’t speak to charging times. I just hook both up to a small power bank when one needs recharging. I can tell this point when the output lessens. As charge state always varies for me, I don’t keep track of charge times. I just take care of a couple things around the house (like write a review for BLF) and get back to the lanterns in an hour or two.
Charging time!
As per light output, on low-steady, there is plenty of broad light to safely walk to my door and see its keyhole without much shifting of key in my hand. I will note, there is more concentrated light coming out of the pointy attachment end. I have the cold white LED. The housing gives a slightly creamy cast with also a rainbow effect.
Even on low-steady, plenty of light for normal EDC tasks.
These lanterns have, no memory and parasitic drain. The single electronic button functions flawlessly when cycling through its three modes: flashing red, low constant white, high constant white. This is even with the silicone cover installed, but not with gloves on – as the button is too small.
A family member wanted a small light for her purse. So my fully tested kit went to her. As of 2026, now for about fifteen dollars, I promptly ordered a third GD3 kit; my fourth DOKeep lantern kit. While ordering, I learned DOKeep also now has a black SD1 lantern kit. And entirely new GD3 Lantern with KZ1 Flashlight Adapter Kit. DOKeep also has cute silicone covers for these newer lanterns. These kits and accessories seem only available in Japan. I do not have them so, of course, can not speak about them.
SD1
Source: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71SAsYRzgEL.*AC_SL1500*.jpg
GD3 with KZ1 Flashlight Adapter Kit
Source: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71gKhB2lYGL.AC_SL1500.jpg
I use one GD3 lantern to ready for work every morning. And, have moved the other lantern to my keychain; where its rounded and robust tab mates extremely well with its included circular lobster claw clip. After one full month of daily EDC I can not see any signs of wear on this lantern. The acrylic body is tough enough to even easily resist scratches from my keys.