Pretty overwhelming to try and pick one from the hundreds and hundreds of options out there. What I’m looking for:
- Reliablility
- Not an EDC light per se, but I’d like it to fit in a pocket when needed
- USB-C charging and removable battery
- Good battery life
- 1000 - 1500 lumens is plenty for my use.
- A tool, not a toy
- The simpler the UI, the better - all I basically need is moonlight mode and around three brightness settings
- Adjustable beam would be nice
- Bonus: one-click turbo mode (for self-defense)
So basically, something that’s not too bulky to carry around, but something I’d be glad to have with me if I were stranded in a dark forest and kept hearing scary noises around me. ChatGPT recommended the Fenix PD35 V3.0, though it doesn’t have an adjustable beam.
RovyVon Aurora A8 is probably the keychain light you’re referring to. I’m planning on getting that one as well, but like you said, it’s a bit more of an EDC light than what I’m looking for here.
The Arkfeld was what I originally had my eye on, but the proprietary connector is a dealbreaker for me. I’m hoping they’ll release a new version with USB-C, as the current model doesn’t comply with EU regulations — but I’ll probably end up buying another one before that ever hits the market.
Yeah, maybe, but mine’s all metal, not that clear plastic. And I’ve been searching for it all morning and can’t find it!
The Arkfeld doesn’t check a lot of your boxes; there’s no beam adjustment like you wanted, either. I’ve got a lot of lights and it’s the one that’s always in my pocket. I agree, the bespoke charger is a not ideal. It does allow for that fantastic tail magnet. The lack of USBC would bother me more if the battery wasn’t so insanely high capacity. I’m not kidding; I think I’ve charged it twice in the 2 years I’ve owned it. It’s almost comical. The UV has been handy, and the laser more in theory than practice, but I’m glad it’s there. The UI is really simple; I like the hardware mode switch.
Anyway, they’ll probably do a USBC version, but that doesn’t help you right now. Good luck.
Got it. Jetbeam mini one, metal body.
I don’t like those polymer bodies, but I wanted the multi-color LED options, and the Jetbeam had those. USB-C charging, metal body, RGB&UV, all in a keychain. Plus, it was, like, $35. Probably not as nice as an Aurora, but it had all the features, and it’s survived heavy use. I’d get it again.