The One Tiny Flashlight to Keep on Your Keychain
The 1810 flashlight.
Photographer: Victor Prado for Bloomberg Businessweek
Pelican, a manufacturer in Torrance, Calif., known for making cases for waterproof cameras and laptops, got its start in 1976 by making sturdy underwater flashlights for scuba divers. The 1.5-inch 1810 LED keychain light is a small but mighty evolution from there: The 16-lumen bulb is more than enough for simple household chores, and its beam, powered by four coin cell batteries that can last up to eight hours, travels 75 feet. It’s got a solid aluminum construction, comes in three colors, and has a lifetime warranty.
Although flashlights in the Pelican portfolio, such as the tactical 7060, can run as high as $160, this tiny electric torch is only $12. MagLite’s Solitaire is $17, but at 3 inches long—double the length of the nubby Pelican—it’s an awkward keychain accessory. The $10 Streamlight Nano is also compact, uses a similar twist-to-operate mechanism, and has an LED-lit battery life of eight hours. But it puts out only 10 lumens.