These little flashlights are excellent to attach to key ring. Good for travel and everyday carry. Small enough to carry in pocket or bag. Rotate the head for on/off. USA made. The thin cord is nice for attaching to key ring. That way, you can hold the light while placing key in lock. Durable.
Cost - about $15 for incandescent version. Cost - about $20 - 25 for LED version. Different colors. Available on Amazon and Knifecenter.com.
The incandescent has longer run time (3 hr 45 min.s), but is much less bright (2 lumens) and shorter beam distance (20 meters).
LED has about 1/2 the run time, but is much brighter (37 lumens) and much longer beam distance (55 meters).
Considering that this light is used for brief periods of time - I think the LED is the way to go. It will take many uses to burn through the 1 hour 45 minutes run time. (Or, leaving in purse in ON position.)
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11861 posts
This might be an alternative for those of us who are 'thrifty'
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-3-12-in-led-mini-flashlight-63600.html
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20120 posts
I like the maglite, a bit more compact.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7927 posts
I have about 3 of the ones from Harbor Freight and really like them. I've had mine for several years and they seem to keep on going.
Posted by
OP
1936 posts
There are some nice alternatives. The reason I like these is Made in USA which is very important to me. Also, tiny and durable.
Posted by
Phoenix🌵
3064 posts
I carry a very small maglite in my purse when traveling. Has come in handy finding the keyhole to unlock old hotel and B&B doors and to find my way over cobble stones in the dark.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1169 posts
And of course the flashlight apps on your phone...
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20120 posts
I need flashlight to find my flip phone
Posted by
Portland, OR
271 posts
If you like "Made in USA" and "smallest/cheapest" then I like my local product I found when I went to the local AAA Travel shop for a map. This guy hooked a button battery directly to a bright LED with a switch in a minimal case. Gets 18 hours of very bright light. I got a couple. It's an elegant idea in that it uses the inherent resistance of the LED (and battery) to limit the current from the coin battery. A very workable minimalist design.
Edit: I should say I bought the V.1 version. It was a bit cheaper and very popular. That version didn't have the "replaceable" battery part.
https://info.oregon.aaa.com/made-in-the-usa/
Photon® Micro-Light II LED Keychain Flashlight
This favorite keychain flashlight is hand-built locally in Blachly, Oregon. The ultra-bright LED is visible for over a mile, and the replaceable battery can run for 18 hours. It weighs practically nothing, so there’s no reason not to put one on your keyring, your backpack, your purse, your coat, and anywhere else you can think of.
AAA Member Price
$10.75
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33786 posts
I find the one on my phone handy because I can do it hands free and just have to talk to it
Posted by
OP
1936 posts
Photon Light
Thanks for the info.. I found them at knife center.com. From the online photo - I was leery or purchasing one. Looked low quality.
Good to know good quality and USA made.
Those little lights could be clipped many places. (Ear rings!).
My teenager is adept at using her cell phone for just about everything. I am the type that gets concerned about possible uncharged phone.
I’m with Mr. E.
Posted by
1527 posts
Those from AAA look similar to the one in my rick steves emergency kit. I attached it to one of the zipperbhandles of my toiletry kit... when sharing a room it's brilliant to find stuff during the night
Posted by
Atlanta
5187 posts
We have several of the Photon lights and they are of good quality, and have several modes of operation. But ours do not have an on/off switch -- just squeeze to turn on. That can be a drawback as it can be "squeezed" by something in a pocket or purse and drain the battery. Happen to us once, so we went back to using a small cylinder shaped light with an AAA or AA battery that has to be twisted to turn on.
Posted by
Portland, OR
271 posts
"But ours do not have an on/off switch -- just squeeze to turn on. "
That was the Photon I that I originally purchased. Don't remember but since the Photon II advertises a "replaceable battery" it might not have had that as well. The Photon II has a switch.
The guy sized the coin battery to that type of LED so it naturally limited the current when all(?) others use control components (often just limiting resistors) that waste a little of the voltage. So, less components and better operation. Not often you see that.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7791 posts
I’ve been using this one from Amazon: Coast KL10 100 Lumen LED Keychain Light, Pocket Sized, Black
I had a slightly larger flashlight I brought previously but decided to scale back, plus this one is much brighter. It is almost too small - just because it’s easy to lose in a purse or if on a bed, etc. I tied a small colorful ribbon on it to help keep track of it.
I don’t use my phone as a flashlight when I am walking at night or trying to find the keyhole on ancient doors because I don’t want to risk dropping my phone. The tiny flashlight is kept in my pocket.