The Nitecore Tube Keychain Light: A Quick Shabazz Review

Today, we'll take a look at a neat little keychain light, which is environmentally friendly, but more than a bit anemic in terms of output, the Nitecore Tube.

[ShortcutReviews]

It has survived 2 years on my keychain, and 45 lumens is really not bad particularly if you carry a "tactical light" in addition to it. This gives you a moonlight, low mode light to augment the “burn the retinas light”. The black ones feels more solid then the translucent ones, different plastic i assume.

[bruce]

Love my Tube! I've carried it everyday for the past year. It covers 90% of my needs in a lightweight, inexpensive form factor. Highly recommended.

[David_Downs]

I like them, the only issue i have had is accidental activation is pretty high, i have had them stay just randonly turn on. Luckily since it is rechargable, not as much a worry as dont have to keep spending money on batteries..
But I just mainly use mine for night time, the 1 lumen low is great for just walking down a dark hall.

[frenchieedc]

Perfect flash light for an urban EDC.
I carry it on my key chain in the back pockets of my jeans, so i sit on it all day long and still in perfect condition, this plastic is very solid and durable.
And btw Nick, you just need to push the button 2 times to get the highest mod on.

[Chris.Mc]

I got this very Nitecore tube, makes for an awesome keychain light for my car keys! The settings are easy to use, and the USB charger make it conveniently rechargeable.

[MrThomasRico]

I love this little flashlight! Wear it on my neck 24/7! Granted I had to modify it a little because I too hate to be blinded by the very light I'm using. Some black shrink tube and black electricians tape and I swear to God that the 10 bucks I spent on this little sucker have served me better than the 500 bucks I've spent on other lights.

[bryanstone]

Mr Shabazz this is the first time I've disagreed with one of your reviews since the Zancudo. Tube has been on my keychain for 2 years now. Very useful. Prevents draining the phone battery.

[w.s.soapcompany]

Love these things. Hung one from the lanyard hole on my "good light" for battery changes and handing off to a lightless friend in a pinch. Also did not like the rattle so I popped it open and added a plastic lobster claw directly to those metal triangle lanyard things at the back. Really brought down the volume and made it hang nice from front belt loop for hands free lantern effect.

[PrimalMoan]

Not had mine long but so far I quite like it, bright enough for most tasks and very small and light. One thing I've found really useful is you can comfortably hold it in you mouth if you need both hands and the very wide defused beam means it's great for working on things at arms length so great as an impromptu headlamp alternative

[Sadiquecat]

5:04 "If you rattle this thing around it's like a freaking tactical maracas" xD
You sir made my day

[craiglachman]

Love mine. It's always on me (keychain), and I find I use it a couple times a week. They last for about a year with daily use. I use it when I don't want to reach for the 18650 in my "purse", but have left the little AAA Streamlight in yesterday's shirt (yes, that's a thing with me and, yes, I've washed Streamlights, and, no, I don't seem to learn). Anyway, it's always there and it works.

Really interested to hear your take on the TIP! It maybe a bit big for my purposes.

[bonifac]

I bought one 6 month ago, used it everyday, it is a very good key chain light, and you should not ask more from it. I do use/carry a AAA battery flashlight to. The main reason why i bought it was the capability to recharge it from a battery pack, now i can recharge my phone/watch/cigarette lighter/light from the same battery/car. By the way can you recommend a AAA size UBS rechargeable budget flashlight.

[bobone]

i like your review. I bought the black one because of the light splash. Im currently in a place that has blackout times. We're still allowed to use flashlights to get arround and dont have acess to batteries. so i have a surefire but i have limited batteries this tiny thing is perfect for navagating to work or arround base and i dont need to find rechargables. Ive been able to use the 1 lumen to navagate. Love the review. I love the flashlight. been trough mud (not fully submerged), rain and been dropped. cant vouch for all lights but mines good.

[BManningtree]

I've had mine for years and use it a couple of times a week. 45lumens is bright enough for almost all tasks. I also don't carry my phone with me at all times.

[cristalclear]

Someone said in a different context, and I'm paraphrasing here, if possible use the right tool for the job but sometimes just use what you have with you to get the job done. I have a Tube and it is on my key chain as part of what I keep hauling along everyday. Sure, there are better lights but compare cost vs function? The package, function and price makes it, IMO, pretty much unbeatable. As for future upgrades, I'd like it to have some sort of reflector for the LED, I agree with you there Nick, and perhaps in other material but for heavens sake don't mess with UI on it. Thanks for the review Nick, now I'm curious what you have to say on the Nitecore TIP.

[darthblade]

As a main flashlight, I don't think this cuts it and it will not replace my Olight S-Mini for EDC. However, for the price and simplicity, I find this to be the perfect flashlight to clip inside of a backpack for momentary light and as a backup in case there is a problem with my EDC light.

[jacobmanalang]

i gifted 2 of these this month. one last january as well. i do like it!

ive been known to say the single mode twisty is the best keychain light, but the tube is a great option since its usb rechargeable, fairly simple ui, and the price is right. small enough to actually be carried by anyone

[fredlao]

You got me at rechargeable . I dig it .

[gavinsleeman]

Its my best edc keychain light very handy...

[davidwatson]

Loved the form factor. Mine lasted less than a year and just died one day. Went for a ThruNite® Ti3 Cree instead of another TIP, it's lasted two years with no problems.