Check Your Lights and Optics October 2015 Edition
September’s “Check Your Lights and Optics” results:
Total dead optics found: 0/11
Total dead weapon mounted lights: 0/4
Total dead handheld lights found: 0/5
Total dead safe lights found: 0/3
This month I am going to research Keychain lights. The ones I have now are adequate for finding things at my feet, or providing just enough light at a door knob.
However, I have a hunch that technology has advanced since I bought these five years ago, and there’s something more powerful out there.
Any suggestions?
About the Author: Short Barrel Shepherd
Short Barrel Shepherd is a regular guy and works to make Web sites and mobile apps easier for people to use. He spends his free time attending fight-focused firearm, knife, and combatives training, motorcycling, writing, and playing games. His daily carry is a Glock 19 pistol and an AR15 .300 Blackout pistol in a backpack. 
I’ve been running around with a Streamlight Nano for a couple months now. I don’t know that it’s high technology, but it’s 10 lumens in a super small package. Seems real durable, too… I keep it on my keychain, and no real wear yet.
If you’re willing to tolerate a AAA sized light, check out some 10440 flashlights. They run on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and some of them put out close to 200 lumens. My Singfire SF-348 has been good so far, except it gets hot very quickly. Total cost was around $12 on DX .com, but I already had a Nitecore D2 charger ($19 on amazon).
Or check out the Nitecore Tube. It looks like a traditional flat keychain LED, but produces 45 lumens, and is rechargeable with a common USB cable. Cost is $11 on amazon. Disclaimer: I haven’t tried the Tube yet.