I have a bunch of flashlights but it's usually the Olight iE3 in my pocket. And I got it for free (just had to pay shipping) when I bought another Olight. I use a lithium battery and it's pretty good. It actually does have two modes. It has a moonlight mode that you access by putting your fingers in front of the light and obstructing most of it. :)
I never buy rechargeable flashlights and after going through a category 5 hurricane that killed 2975 (according to the government) or 4645 (according to Harvard) that left us without power for 3 months, I cannot stress the importance of using ordinary batteries. I live below the poverty line and didn't have a generator to recharge phones or batteries. I did have a small cache of batteries for emergencies. When the mail started working, my gringo friends from a PC gaming community sent me so much food, batteries and water that I was able to share for weeks with my neighbors. I fed 4 families with their supplies. I love those guys. But I digress; thing is, for real emergencies common batteries are a must. The Rovyvon A8 USB-C really looks nice tho. Maybe someday I can be able to get one.
Thanks for sharing your story Carlos. With no power grid/power banks/solar then rechargeable batteries can be a liability compared to disposable batteries - it is an extreme case but worth be aware of. The E Series would support both scenarios.
True, and this is where having AA and AAA lights is handy. I love my 18650s and 21700s, but sadly no way to emergency-charge them like solar panels, and I doubt they would have held useful charge for 3 months.
@@DinnerForkTongue modern rechargeable batteries can absolutely hold a useful charge for months/years. Most lithium ion chemistries have very low self discharge curves, and the LSD NiMh cells on the market are even better. The best examples are Panasonic’s Eneloop and Eneloop Pro lines. Manufacturer claims, independent testing by battery enthusiasts/hobbyists, along with my personal experience all line up with their ability to hold a charge for years in proper storage. If left in a device, vampire drain can certainly make a dent in any battery’s ability to hold a charge, but that’s simple to work around. By the way, if you really want primaries, you want lithium primaries, not alkaline. Alkaline is terrible all around. It served its purpose in history, and can be useful still today, but not anywhere near what people still think. Seriously, even the cheapest, most basic solar panel can recharge your lights or batteries. Way cheaper and more reliable than bulk alkalines.
If you're looking for a small flashlight may suggest the Olight S1 R baton 3, it comes with a portable rechargeable station where you can charge it for 3,5 times, when in moonlight mode it can last for 20 days i believe, so with the recharge station would be more then 60 days, and if you buy extra batteries even more
Been waiting for a keychain flashlight video for a long time. ....I've always been a fan of the Maglite AAA LED Solitaire. Built in the USA, inexpensive, durable and reliable. The ease of the twist on/off mechanism feels natural in my hand. So light that I'm able to also carry an extra battery (in battery capsule) with me at all times.
Excellent presentation! I've carried the Nitecore Tini2 for a while now and find it to be as close to perfection for my needs as I can imagine. The humble Nitecore Tube, however, still holds a place in my low-budget heart.
After careful consideration and study, I recently bought a RovyVon E7. The features are great, and the added benefit of a AAA backup battery is brilliant! And living in the woods of East Texas, the UV light is especially important for the locating of scorpions. Under a UV light these little monsters glow a bright florescent yellow. Makes for a safer way to locate and kill them quickly. I never am without the E7.
Thank you for videos! I picked up the Nitecore FSP 30 and now I can charge all my EDC gear by solar , it works great i recommend it for anyone as it is a great emergency piece of gear.
Hello Jon, long timer viewer first time commenting. I enjoy your EDC videos which are both informative and entertaining. I am a big fan of the Rovyvon keychain flashlights. When I first discovered them, I bought 6 A1's for Christmas gifts and 1 A3 for myself. I still carry the A3 as my EDC. I also have triple A Lumintop and a triple A Nightfox to round out my collection for different EDC options. Thanks again for your honest reviews. Relaxing Rain Walker
I've always found the biggest frustration with 'EDC' lights is never really knowing how much juice you've got, or running out of power when you most need it. Changing batteries in the dark in an emergency is no fun. Onboard charging make it much easier to stay topped up, but the 'dual fuel' RovyVon is a game changer IMO. A lithium primary AAA has a shelf life of 10 years, so you always know that if your onboard LiPo quits on the job you've got a plan B at your fingertips. Best of both worlds.
My vote is for the Olight IR2 Pro. I used to carry a Rovyvon, but didn't like it (older model with micro-USB). I found that it kept turning on in my pocket. I moved the clip around to cover the button, but then getting to it was inconvenient. Locking the button (if the light supports it) is an interesting concept, but just another hoop to jump through when you need the light. Twist to turn on is the best from a convenience standpoint. To me, at least, that is much more important than features or absolute maximum brightness.
Couldn’t agree more on the Rovyvon. Well made, lots of features but too many ‘hoops’, as you accurately stated. KISS……..keep it simple stupid. ( Hey…not implying you’re stupid. Could also be keep it simple savvy….😉)
I have the Rovyvon E8, A8 and A28, all purchased within the last 2 months. And they are well made and offer a variety of features. But as one viewer correctly noted, too many hoops to jump through. I bought A8’s and A28’s for my daughters and their husbands as stocking stuffers, but I already regret that decision. The Olight iR2 PRO would have been a wiser choice vis a vis ease of use, not to mention the price difference. In fact that Olight will replace the A8 Rovyvon now residing on my wife’s keychain. She said she wants a simple flashlight, not a RUBIK’S CUBE that eventually illuminates……..😊
I agree that these are great (if not the best) KEYCHAIN flashlights (they glow in the dark!), and I have 3 different versions to live side by side with all 3 sets of my car keys. But for true everyday POCKET carry, I go with the Rovyvon A28. It is a bit larger at only 3 inches, but it is obviously a more powerful and more versatile Big Brother to the A8.
Hey Jon . I was watching one of your vids inside where your friend bought you things from Wish 😂😂. I was laughing good too . Thanks . Having fun can be cheap but I tell everyone not to buy crap , unless they like it . I suggest everyone buy what they will be happy with which usually means not the cheapest one . I totally dig that little one with all the lights and that’s a lot of lumens . !
This was seriously good timing. I've been browsing this weekend for up-to-date reviews for a small and cheap back-up EDC torch. This video has really helped, so thank you. I ended up ordering both the Nitecore TINI 2 for the display and Olight I1R 2 Pro for it's value and IPX8 rating.
I’m still carrying the A8 I purchased after seeing your earlier video. Best investment I’ve made in years. All my other Surefire and Streamlight products stay in glove box or drawer, but the A8 is always with me. Thanks
I have carried a Fenix E01 on my key chain for several years. I love that very small simple AAA flashlight. I recently discovered that model was no longer available. I did find the new model that is now called the E01 V2. It functions the same so I bought two of them to be safe. I would be lost without my tiny key chain light. I do have larger flashlights with all the bells and other crap but they are too big for my key chain.
The E01 is an absolute legend. For me it was the very first quality torch I ever purchased, and I used it a whooole lot until I got others more pleasing to my tastes (i.e. not angry purple with a formless beam). I have my eye on the Sofirn C01S, an affordable option with a kickass LED.
I carry I3T EOS, and it can run for ~70 minutes on rechargeable nickel AAA. They're usually sold in packs of 2, and carrying spare AAA is pretty easy as it doesn't take much space and virtually no weight.
I am very happy with my old Rovyvon A5 and I don't mind the micro usb, because I have a plenty of that cables lying around. Maybe I will upgrade it in the future to A25, because I just love the glowing body feature.
I've been using my Rovyvon A28 for close to 2 years now, after giving my A5 to my girlfriend. The battery life is awesome and it kicks out a bunch of light. It is however a bit bulkier than the A5 and similar, but that isn't really an issue for me. Love this little thing, whether during camping excursions, fixing some stuff at home or just trying to see into some nook.
A very good review. The one thing I look for in a light is the ability of anyone to turn it on. For instance, if I lock my Fenix light it requires me to press two times quickly and then press a third time to get consistent light. I like my Rovyvon A5 because most people will intuitively hold a button down to get the light to work. They won't need to know how to activate extra features. They will get usable light with one action.
17:00 ....following your video...I like the basic on and off option...and One battery. I enjoyed your review / comparison video...and bought up 5 Olight i3E EOS keychain lights, for only $65 cad. I'll be gifting them all out to family members. Thanks again for your assistance. Have a Wonderful New Year !!
Never seen your channel before. Really enjoyed this video. I'm more into tacital torches with the Fenix PD35 and Nitecore P10i my go to's. Before seeing this I had no idea of the level of advancement that had been achieved in key chain torches (which is remis of me given I like torches so much!) I agree with your no. 1 spot and as a publican think it will see plenty of use.. The magnetic and uv sold me immediately! Thanks for posting such a great review.
I just bought the Midnight Manager SAK and in all the EDC videos everybody in the comments was talking about how lame the torch is on it. I’ve had occasion to use the torch since I got it (taking the rubbish bins to the street in the middle of the night) and it does the job of lighting my way just fine. I mean it doesn’t turn night into day like some of these standalone lights, but it adequately highlights obstacles within six feet or so. Another torch on my keyring would be overkill. That said, it would be good if it had a “stay on” function.
Fabulous overview and review! I found your swiss army knife videos. And then came back today to see if you had edc lights on your channel. And here they are!!!! Thank you! Thank you! Youre great at this!! I wish you great success in all you do. Thorough and clear thinking as you are, im sure you excel in all you do!!
Looking to buy a torch so perfectly timed video and as always as I Brit I really appreciate having the perspective of someone buying from the same place. Keep up the good work!
Just received my v.3 Rovyvon A8 yesterday! The old one just couldn't be beat as a keychain torch... except by itself with this new USB-C version. AMAZING little torch - that my 'large' torch is only needed 1 out of 10 times is a testament to the A8's ubiquitousness. Wish it had a metal button: rubber buttons fail much sooner. But that's my only grumble. I personally prefer the Nichia LED, I like that it doesn't 'white-out' the scene your illuminating. It's still super bright for a keyring torch. My 'large' torch is the Armytec Wizard C2, and I opted for the Nichia version of that too. As I said, I almost grudge carrying it due to the A8 being so good, but when you need that extra reach to the other side of the field or river, it still has its place. Those two, plus 3 or 4 versions of the Freedom micro torches used as zipper pulls... and your made when it comes to seeing in the dark. Thanks.
Yes, you're right Dom, need to avoid submerging these in water - for hardcore use I would switch to something more substantial, but for daily pocket carry they're hard to beat
I'm a big fan of the Olight IR2. Got one on my keys and it's so handy. The Nitecore Tiny 2 looks great, though. I need one that either has a lock mode or (like the IR2) is turned on by an action that won't happen accidentally when it's in the pocket.
New to your channel. I am really surprised we didn't see any Streamlight offerings in your vid. Obviously you can't throw everything into a review, but Streamlight's EDC offerings are seriously great. I've EDC carried them for years now and they are tough as nails. I recently purchased their "Pocket Mate" keychain light...and man let me tell you...what an impressive little light. 325 lumens out of an incredibly small little package. Run time is low, but for how small it is and the tasks I would typically use it for, and being rechargeable...it's a win in my book. One thing I see a lot of companies moving away from is "duel-fuel." I really want to see that stay around. I also want to see more EDC lights with red light. Something I use a ton...and for the love of all things good more of these lights need to have memory so that they turn on in the last setting you were using the light on. I have a duel-fuel headlamp with red light and memory and I wish every light was equipped that way.
It must have been hard to omit the S3Ti as it's just a bit longer. While I do like the A8, I prefer the A5 because of the green glowing body. It glows a good part of the night and makes it easy to find on the nightstand at hotels. Great one Jon!
Good video. You might have given Rovyvon a sale from Canada. It's amazing how something as 'generic' as a flashlight can be such an addictive item to collect.
I have been carrying the Nitecore TUP. It is a little big but i do love the LED display. But i do wish it was usb c rechargeable instead of micro usb. Lots of good options for small and light weight flashlights. Thanks for another great review Jon!
Got the rovyvon aurora A2 after viewing ur videos. Great recommendation. Really small and well built. Thanks again as I hadn’t come across the brand before.
Fantastic overview of these tiny lights! I'm a new subscriber to your channel and look forward to future flashlight reviews! By the way the Rovyvon A8 has been my constant companion for the past year preceded by other clear-sided "A" series lights from that company in the past and still in the collection! Hard to beat the small size and multifunction tricks it can do! 🔦👍🔦
I've got the old 1st generation A8. It has some drawbacks (like PWM in lower modes), but 4 years on and it's still working well. It's amazing how well the battery holds its charge when not used. Still, I plan to upgrade to the G3 sometime later this year. They're expensive lights for their size, but RovyVon makes such unique designs and with excellent build quality.
I used to carry 18650 flashlight, but it was too big so i went with 18350/14500 flashlights. I always had keychain flashlight as a backup and i realized that most of the time i use that instead of my main light since they are bright enough. Keychain flashlights have come a long way and these days i don't even carry anything other than keychain light. I currently carry Tip SE and it's almost perfect. I barely feel it on my keychain, it's 700 lumen on turbo (180 on high, but i mostly use it on 30 lumen mid) and it's USB-C rechargeable. I travel a lot because of my job and having that USB-C port means that i don't even have to carry separate charger for it. I can just charge it on same charger that i use for my laptop and phone.
I recommend 'Energizer' key ring torch which has 1 LED and uses x2 CR2032 batteries, it cost around £6 (in UK) and has lasted me 6 years so far! (Still on original batteries).
Maybe 8-9 years ago I bought a dozen Olights on sale for $6 each as I recall? Gave em away for Holiday presents. Still have 3 in my various packs and cars. Very basic but work just fine.
For someone who has a chain of gadget stores the absence of plugging one's own goods is refreshingly absent (although I'm sure you stock a lot of the products in store) - instead, we get honest advice from someone who has the opportunity to experience and use many of these products. Unfortunately, you've now convinced me to upgrade from my old Nightcore TIP to a RovyVon ;)
Thanks to you I picked up many gadgets including the A8. Not sure if I should thank you or be pissed off because I just spent around $700 in one day 😂😂😂😂😂
Nice comparison video. Personally after trying the Nitecore Tini 2 it's my go to. The OLED display is a game changer. The iE3 is good for a slap on your keychain, don't give a crap light because of the price.
I carry both the e7 and the e8. I prefer the e7. It's more useful. The e8 is good for shining *at* things. The side LEDs are in a better place to project so it's UV light is better for seeing hidden things. The placement on the side is redundant. If you want a beam to shine, you'll just use the main output. But, the e7 is better for being seen. The placement of its LEDs are better positioned as a bike light. It's UV is more dispersed, so it's really good to be seen at night without being too loud about it. It also has better GITD. In either case, the warm, high-CRI color option is better. The cool light is brighter, but blue light makes things hard to see whereas the high-CRI light is closer to the actual color of whatever you're looking at. Even in broad daylight, it can make things easier to see. Good for photography too. The bulkiness isn't a problem. It's the perfect shape to clip to the bill of your hat, or a messanger bag.
Personally I'm an olight fan boy all day long, they often do great deals on stock, the Rovyvon torches do look amazing though, I must admit 🔦 ................. - I know they are outdated now however I still have a soft spot for the ole Maglite solitaire torches. I loved them as a kid along with the fisher space pen's and I'm not afraid to admit I still carry one in my work back pack 🔦
@@JonGadget yes it is ashame, and the logo always reminded me of the movie predator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger..... One of the best ultimate guy movies of all time ever
Nice and informative video as always. I cary a nitecore tiki gitd blue in my backpack, i wish they would make it in usb c… ah to bad but you know, we all need something to wish for. Greets from the netherlands!
I wish I would have seen this video yesterday but I know I’m already getting that one you like 👍. I usually use a stream light stylus pro for many years now and ordered the stream light 360 for the lantern effect when I mess with knives or whatever . I like these ones you show in this video . I did get that little o light on the last sale that pulls out and comes on . It’s pretty cool but battery life is kaput , lol. LR something round batteries .
An interesting side effect of the i1R2 is if you push in and turn until it just comes on, then release, you basically have it "calibrated" for a momentary on mode by holding it between your fingers and pressing with your thumb. For the ultimate in portability though I challenge you to beat the olight X9R cell. it weighs just 4.5 grams. (you read that right, the packaging literally weighs more than the light) I've lost more of these than I own. It does take a replaceable, proprietary battery (although free plus shipping for life from olight). I also read reviews that you can use a rechargeable CR425 cell. Its even smaller than the I1R2. Only 2.5 lumens but lasts 30 hours. Its a twisty, but to turn it on you UNSCREW it, less likely to lose the head that way. It's certainly not a edc, but for a literal light to live with your keys ... it can't be beat. The imini tiny looks interesting too, though I don't have 1. It runs on 3 LR41 cells and to turn in on you simply remove it from it's magnetic keychain.
For me, high durability and resilience are essential for a keychain light. I would feel very nervous keeping anything with an IPX6 rating on my keychain, and IPX4 is unacceptable. I can be a little clumsy and absent minded occasionally, and my keychain light needs to be able to handle that. At the moment I have the Olight I1R-II on my keychain and it has served me well. I have dropped it in puddles, it's been through the washing machine and once I even literally took it swimming with me when I forgot my keys in the pocket of my swimming trunks. And the light still works like a charm. I am considering upgrading to the Olight iMorse for the longer runtimes, usb-c charging and more neutral tint, but this older version is just fine as well. Helps me find the light switch, keyhole, stuff from my bag, my main edc light or whatever when I need it, and that's all it really needs to do anyway. Having said that, the Fenix E01 V2.0 looks interesting as well. Not as powerful, but a bit more versatile with the modes and works with AAA batteries which could be useful in many occasions. Stick an AAA with a charging port in there for easy mobile recharging, such as the Pale Blue batteries, and you're good to go.
I see the appeal of the rovyvon lights but at the end of the day the OLED screen on the tini 2 just seems freakin amazing. not having to wonder how much battery life you have is such a huge convenience, it has a small form factor and looks pretty slick. the only thing I hate about it is it has no clip. I think every flashlight should have a 2-way clip that works with a pocket and a hat, even if it’s a “keychain” light. being able to clip to a hat is so awesome at night, especially when walking my dog where one of my hands is already occupied with a leash. it feels like these products are always one little tweak away from perfection…sigh
Try the Wuben G2. It's rechargeable, it has multiple lumens settings with a max setting of 500 lumens. It has a detachable key chain attachment, and a pocket clip attachment and it has a magnet in the base. It is a great little key chain flashlight.
I bought the Nitecore Tiki GITD some time ago. Even though it is lightweight and works fairly well, I have recently been thinking of making an upgrade. Not least because it does not allow charging with a USB-C cable. The light could also be a tad brighter I think. Thanks for posting videos like this Jon, I enjoy both the content and the high quality of this channel. 🔦
Great reviews, Jon. I have the A8 G1, my first RovyVon and I've enjoyed it a lot... except for the anemic battery in it (130 mAh). Thankfully RovyVon listened to complaints and not only got rid of the PWM, enlarged the battery to 330 mAh, and incorporated USB-C. I'd gone over to the A5 G2, which unfortunately missed the USB-C. Both are still working great, so I'm in no hurry to upgrade these... but will be watchful for another RovyVon sale. Snagged the A28 G1 for $29 USD, which was a great deal. Trustfire MiniX and Wuben G2 are two others worth looking at. The MiniX is a dual front LED setup, and a lot cheaper than RovyVon and Nitecore. The Wuben G2 is a sideways light, which makes for great hands free use, but the tint is a bit too cold.
Not an off the cuff presentation, must have taken days to put together. Hoping for a larger comparison video like this for some time. Simply blinding Jon. 👌🏻👊🏻
I’ve had the A8 for over 8 months now, never leaves my pocket. Just saving up for the bigger variant now which I think is the A12? Also used my A8 at a concert on my white shirt to make me glow haha 😂
I’ve carried a 4sevens Preon 1 for over a decade now. Zero complaints. I like the twist UI because it never accidentally turns on and having a low light mode up first is a must IMO. No idea if 4sevens is still in business or if the Preon series is still made as I never hear of them anymore.
Nutnfancy showed me those, bought one for my sister and myself i just lost it 3 years ago, but i still have one brand new in package that i was gonna give my aunt doing her landscaping business but she retired
I use the UV light when I go on night walks. I just hang it from the back of my belt or shirt so cars coming from behind can see me. It works like a glowstick. I have another flashlight in my in my hand to light the path in front of me.
EDC'ing a Tank 007 E09 with a LiIon 10440 for several years. 3 modes, ~100 lumens down to ~10 lumens. Good balance between flood and throw, but on high the cell depletes quickly. Needs a separate charger. Can't kill the thing and a 'AAA' cell can be used @ about half power. In the other pocket a generic 'Wuben" with a built-in charger and a 10180 LiIon cell for backup. Comes with a chain necklace if you prefer that carry. RL performance is near the top brands but at half the cost or less. Yeah, cellphone lights can do better but you may be using it or want to save it's battery, and it takes a hand while I can hold these in my teeth and have both hands available. Best money I've ever spent.
I keep a flashlight in my backpack - Olight i3E, I cannot remember how many times I washed the bag in the washing machine and the damn thing still works fine.
I was sold on Fenix lights a few years ago. Then the durability came into play my edc light had a fall from about half a meter. And it was done for good. This happened twice with the same model. So I'm very skeptical about about Fenix nowadays.
Yes but! The only negative with those little flashlights, let's take the A8 for example, it can only live a few minutes on full blast. And despite all its features, if the battery gets drained by full blast for like 10 minutes, you won't be able to use the rest of its features either (I'm not entirely sure how many minutes the A8 in particular lasts on full blast). Great video anyway!!
You rarely need full-blast for long as these are more for close-in handiness. They'll never replace a full-scale light but can get you to where yours is when the power goes out, or give you light to fix something in the dark. Of I think I'll need light I'll carry something much better, but I'm never without light now.
Gah! They were so close with the dual fuel version, but why no UV, white, and red side light combo ! That would have gave it function ++ over the A8. I know the glow in the dark may seem like a gimmick, but it's very helpful especially with the UV.
well spotted - I wanted the brighter output (lighting up an unlit path at night sort of application - if I needed accurate CRI I would be happy with the Nichia though
i use this Olight i3E EOS Single AAA Keychain Flashlight for my EDC super light weight and easy to find AAA battery, decent 90 lumens. 70min Nimh battery and 45min on alkaline. i leave behind my bigger flashlight. Easy to find AAA battery compare to 18650, CR123a, 21700. No need to bring my powerbank just to charge compare to other flashlights.. Just change AAA alkaline and go for long hiking trips and For everyday i use Nimh batt.
I still love my Fenix E99 Ti With 100 lumen not as powerful as the new lights, but it looks amazing, made from titanium, nice light color and just 6.7CM-1.5CM with 18 gram without it's one AAA battery.
If you are broke or cheap I've the free lion s11 it's the 17 euros copy on amazon of the rovyvon and it's great for the price you have all the features for half the price, don't know about the durability but it seams like a carbon copy.
Damn, I recently got a fenix E2 on a AA battery, 160 lumen already seemed so much for such a little thing in my opinion. But I've been hiking in pitch-black forests with a 50 lumen wound up torch that lasted 5 minutes, so maybe I'm biased.
I have quite a few keychain lights..Nitecore, Klarus, Trustfire etc..Rovyvon just sent me the A7X UV GITD to review..which is my EDC at this point..Thank you for the video..great content!
I've been using olight for the last year. 2 key chain aaa ones both on rechargeable batteries that can charge with the older USB and a headtorch rechargeable with USB c. I too wish everyone would step in line with USB c. I like the A8 but £40 seems a lot for a key chain torch
I have bought the Rovyvon A8 and A8x and also the Boruit V3 and to be honest, the Rovyvons are going back. The initial tailoff for full brightness is too quick on the Rovyvon lights. 650lm is all well and good for max brightness but these apear to attenuate almost as soon as it lights up. (I tested this with phone sensor). The Boruit v3 was brighter arter 1.5 minutes than the Rovyvon was when first lit. The only positives on the Rovyvons are the size and the warm colour white on the A8. The Boruit V3 is half the price, lacks a V3 but is brighter, smaller, with a more interesting flashing light setup. BTW: It's got USB-C charging, UV, red, red flashing, some sort of American cop car flashing with all the side lights, dim and bright side light, and luminescent body. It has four brightnesses on the main twin beam with max 900lm and its got good water resistence. It also has a magnet. It doesn't remember the last mode on next turn on (going to brightest be default) and it doesn't have axuiliary power like the E series Rovyvon. It does have two buttons through and a powerful magnet on the back only. It doesn't have a bracket but it does have a loop for keychain or lanyard. The UV on the Boruit isn't as good as the Rovyvon. Have you tested the Boruit V3? (I think I just wrote your script ;-) )
