in AAA
price notwithstanding
imo this is the light to buy https://www.ebay.com/itm/303552758029
the taste of quality lingers long after the price has been forgotten
(really?.. lol!)
for these key features
High CRI Nichia LED
starts at 20 lumens, every time, has a 3 lumen low and a 90 lumen high
I like the form, and the material (I am a metal snob too)
No PWM, non negotiable
Pocket clip reverses for a hat
I am not biased, just educated… lol
I have graduated from Twisties actually, that was my first oHolicPhase
I now prefer to use the Tool with eSwitch… simpler, less fine motor skills required under stress… lol
There is also the astrolux m01 with a 219c. The Manker E02 with a 219c would be larger than what I would want on a keychain. But a right angle light with a clip might be more versatile.
Astrolux M01, M02, M03, and all the other 10180 lights, use a finnicky metal plate to choose from 2 modes
the Nichia they use is not your normal nichia… I dont care for it much
I agree the 10180 lights are cute looking, but for me, impractically small battery, other than for occasionally illuminating a keyhole on a car door, maybe… I consider them UnReliable
others differ
I have the manker E02 right angle light with 219c and tail magnet…
I have not learned to appreciate it, because I am not an IT guy working on Server Racks,
but I can see how it could be useful in that setting, and the Nichia is decent
it has a unique programmable first mode, that I like very much it goes from firefly to about 2 lumens, in 21 steps that are user selectable… quite versatile indeed
its a little chunky, and I cannot hold it in my mouth comfortably… I prefer a straight copper tube light for mouth holds…
Anything bigger/heavier than AAA would be too much for me to want to carry on a keychain. The whole point of that IMO is to have a light that will basically ALWAYS be on my person if I leave the house.
Sofirn C01S does everything I want and is one of the cheapest lights I’ve bought.
C01S*: I like that it comes with a tritium slot and 5mm magnet cavity ready to go if you want to add them. At $10 and 95CRI in a simple-is-beautiful body make it tough to beat. For pocket carry I would get something inexpensive like that. I might buy one “for the wife” and if she does not like it oh well I guess I could use it if I had to.
I just read that the OP wanted watertight. That definitely takes the TIP off the list (and it can pocket activate which you will feel in a short time ). With the exposed micro usb slot it’s not even dust tight. Maybe the tube also if you are concerned about prolonged submerging. The body seam is not watertight. But it’s also $10 so not the end of the world either. One of mine did not survive the washing machine. I feel like it should have, since both my Sansa Clip and Fuze had gone through the washer and dryer at least twice each and still worked afterwards. The 3rd time the Clip gave up. At least a AAA light won’t be dangerous going through the wash, which is likely once you go that size if you have it loose in a pocket.
Great that we have PWM warrior here. I read your post at the other place some person really hate that you’re listing them.
And guys,
Among C01S, jet-u, edc01 or other light which you think is more usable? Those three have no pwm I suppose?
And,
Is AAA or keychain flashlight really useful? If we don’t take ergonomics and phone battery life info consideration? As The usage time is very limited because of battery limits?
The light you have with you is way more usefull than the really great light you have lying around at home.
I really use my TUBE maybe five times a year, but when I do it’s because I have no other light at Hand and than I’m glad I have my TUBE.
Of course AAA and other small lights are not the ones I would take hiking or to work at night/dark enviroments. These lights are more “just in case I ever need it”.
Edit: Just now was one of the five times I used my TUBE to change the lightbulb in the basement/storage. spared me the trip upstairs to get a light.
Edit 2: I just realized my mistake of not having a dedicated flashlight in my basement storage! shame on me, really.
AAA lights still have really solid runtimes on the lower modes, and you can bump it up when needed.
Personally I’ll take high-CRI whenever I can get it so C01S for me. I have a Jet-u another user here modded with a better LED and the light is very solid and well built too.
The DQG Hobi Plus and its proper 3-mode driver would like a word with you! I just wish I could find a pair of the Ti extension tubes in-stock anywhere…
Your points are actually excellent and I agree but I couldn’t resist.
I also think it’s great that we have a tint/PWN snob with copper hosts coexisting with copper-for-turbo hot-rod enthusiasts. It’s what I love about this forum
This is the most important question, which will inform which specs matter. If it’s for brief use, and if you value compactness/lightness so that it’s always with you, then the tiny 10180 lights can be great. If you frequently need more than a few seconds/minutes of runtime, then a larger AAA might be better.
I tried a Sofirn C01S (AAA) on my keychain. It was ok, but I prefer something smaller. The high CRI is great, the twistie implementation is flaky to me.
The Olight I3E (AAA) is more compact and has good build quality, but it’s not high CRI and the color temperature is cooler, though not terrible.
The Olight I1R 2 is what I currently have on my keychain, and it is the benchmark for me. Compact and light weight, there when I need it. I recharge it once a month or less and have never run out since I use it very little but I’m really glad to have it when I need it. The main drawbacks are a non-replaceable battery, low CRI, and a rather cool color temperature. I’d really like to see those addressed by an alternative, but for now it’s good enough for me.
The above are all pretty affordable. If you want to get fancy, Rovyvon has some appealing keychain light options, and Nitecore has a recent similar model (forgot the name) that even has magnetic attachment/detachment.
Nitecore Tube! Good stuff. I upgraded to a Nitecore Tip for my keychain, but the Tube was a great “don’t notice it until you need it light”. Always worked, still works fine, just not on my keychain anymore. Great light, great price. Tube.
Very long runtime, excellent UI with momentary, ramping, lockout etc. and a nice host for nrgwn’s HCRI LEDs. Many people seem to dislike the plastic (it’s quite robust tho) and the low output. Can light up your path, but does not reach far. Best: It is super lightweight.
Thanks everyone!
Well I think AAA is the best choice for me. Considering the trade off. Li ion more powerful but mostly not replaceable and even if replaceable will be costly though I understand that for most here, they will just buy another light.
I like good and useful medium mode, a good high mode is nice to have too, but the most important thing is efficiency.
Agree 100%, the advantages of replaceable li-ion cells only really shine once you get up to the AA/14500 form factor or bigger IMO (and then they’re easily swapped too).
I literally just had a ThruNite Ti3 and a Lumintop EDC01 show up today. I prefer the Ti3 for my purposes. They are both supposedly 120 Lumens, but the Ti3 is a bit better at “distance” because of a more pronounced hotspot with less flood. And the Ti3 has a 0.04 lumens firefly mode that I sometimes need at work. Either one will be dead in 30 minutes on high, but the Ti3 runtime is longer on medium (because it’s putting out 12 lumens as opposed to the 32 lumens from the EDC01). Seriously impressed with the Ti3!
I’m mainly looking for a keychain light for peering inside computers or under the couch when a battery rolls under there, and something that would be a good light to get a better light with (to paraphrase the Liberator).
I’ve ordered a Sofirn SP40 headlamp for more serious uses, and I’m hoping it’ll help clarify a few things for me:
- Whether I’d be willing to pocket carry a (smaller) 18650 light.
- Whether right-angle lights work better for me.
Whether the magnetic tail is actually useful.
In the meanwhile, I’m waiting on a sale on the Ti3 v2 or Manker E02.
Personally, and I know I am in the minority here, I find 18650-sized lights (even “small” ones) uncomfortable for pocket carry. There are quite a few 14500 lights that will also run lower lumens on AA that fit better IMO. I’m talking jeans, slacks, etc. Cargo pants are a different story, obviously. If I need more light than a 14500 can give me, I don’t think a 18650 EDC is going to make a world of difference. If you need a true “firefly” mode your options will be much more limited with a 14500 light. If not, there are plenty of great choices.
I’d recommend Sofirn C01S, it has an SST-20 4000K 95CRI emitter at 100lm and uses a single AAA. Pretty much the smallest AAA light you can get, at a cheap price. Slap in an eneloop or a lithium AAA and you’re good.
). With the exposed micro usb slot it’s not even dust tight. Maybe the tube also if you are concerned about prolonged submerging. The body seam is not watertight. But it’s also $10 so not the end of the world either. One of mine did not survive the washing machine. I feel like it should have, since both my Sansa Clip and Fuze had gone through the washer and dryer at least twice each and still worked afterwards. The 3rd time the Clip gave up. At least a AAA light won’t be dangerous going through the wash, which is likely once you go that size if you have it loose in a pocket.