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Review: Prometheus Lights Alpha Series XM18-B (XM-L T5 4C | 1x18650)
Submitted by turboBB on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 22:50Please do not hit the refresh button on your browser... this is indeed a review of Prometheus Lights' Alpha XM18-B and yes, that is indeed a picture of a bowl of noodles.
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- 562 reads
- 31 comments
Test / Review: Orbtronic 18650 3100mAh (Black)
Submitted by HKJ on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 12:05Orbtronic 18650 3100mAh (Black)

Official specifications:
- Protected Panasonic 18650 NCR18650A: 3100mAh 3.6V - 3.6V storage charge
- Cell: Panasonic NCR18650A - 3100mAh
- Typical Capacity: 3100mAh - Discharge:0.2CmA
- Minimum Capacity: 2950mAh
- Nominal Voltage: 3.6V - 3.7V - ±0.025V
- Full Charge voltage: 4.2V
- Max. working discharge current: 6.2A - 0ºC to +40ºC
- Max. discharge current: 8.5A - 0ºC to +40ºC
- Discharge cut-off voltage: 2.5V
- PCM Over charge Protection: 4.325 ±0.025V
- PCM Over discharge protection: 2.5V ±0.025V
- PCM Over current protection: 11A ± 0.3A
- Storage Temperature: -20ºC to +60ºC - Less than 1 month
- Storage Temperature: -20ºC to +45ºC - Less than 3 months
- Weight: 48.5 g - 1.71 oz
- Size: 68.9mm(H ) * 18.4mm(D)
- Bottom plate: Copper
- Max charge current: 1C - 3.1A
- Recommended charge current: .3C - 0.9A
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- 334 reads
- 14 comments
Review: Xiware L20C
Submitted by ChibiM on Sat, 05/12/2012 - 01:30
Xiware L20C
XR-E R2
2x16340 or 1x18650
2.7V-18V?
Electronic switch
High-Low-Strobe-SOS
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- 240 reads
- 16 comments
Review: Cyclone C88 from Int'l Outdoor Store
Submitted by Foy on Sat, 05/12/2012 - 00:46
The Cyclone C88: Wow, what a flashlight.
You don't have to be around Foy too long before noticing, he can be quite full of himself occasionally. Besides an odd addiction to thrid person narratives, it's an indulgence I try not to burden my friends with too often and it's been especially difficult to avoid while trying to put thoughts to print about the Cyclone. The back story, briefly is; some time ago E1320 asked if I wanted to buy an UltraFire MCU-C88 he was planning to refit with an XM-L emitter. When he made the offer, it sounded like something that had been done before to great effect and after hem hawing around for too long, I finally made the purchase. I'm not sure what I was expecting but the torch I got from Erik fairly blew my socks off. I had never held a C88 before and because of its as-delivered XR-E emitter, this hefty chuck of a light never blipped Foy's radar. With a properly driven XM-L however, "Erik's" C88 became an instant legend, around these parts at least.
Our amusement could perhaps be excused, or at least understood, when the fine specimen here discussed showed up for sale at Int'l Outdoor Store. It appeared somebody finally did what UltraFire should have done and my initial reaction was a bit of lofty disdain . . . and mild concern. Imitation may be a superb form of flattery but I simply was not prepared for the Cyclone to be the better flashlight. I did not want it to be better than the gem "we" created.
But it is. The Cyclone C88 gets a well deserved . . .
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- 1369 reads
- 43 comments
Review: Life Gear LG515
Submitted by JohnnyMac on Fri, 05/11/2012 - 13:55I bought one of these for my fiance about a month ago and have been meaning to get one for myself. Today I did. Not positive but I'd say it's in the running for smallest cylindrical flashlight.

| Make & Model: | Life Gear LG515 |
| Emitter: | 5mm clear LED diode |
| Battery: | 4 x LR41 |
| Dimensions: | 42mm*14mm*11.5mm |
| Output: | 8 lumens |
| Switch: | Twisty |
| Material: | Aluminum |
| Waterproof: | IP44 |
| Purchase Price: | $1.99 USD |
| Dealer: | Target |
Quick impressions:
Neat little light. It looks smaller than it's actual dimensions would lead to believe. Comes with a tiny little spring gate clip and a battery tool for changing the batteries. O-ring between head and battery tube. Not the worse tint I've seen from one of these little 5mm LEDs but definitely on the purple side of white.
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- 158 reads
- 11 comments
Review: ThruNite TN31 with measurements and outdoor beamshots
Submitted by HKJ on Fri, 05/11/2012 - 09:27ThruNite TN31

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- 205 reads
- 2 comments
Review: ThruNite TN30 with measurements and outdoor beamshots
Submitted by HKJ on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 14:35ThruNite TN30

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- 679 reads
- 15 comments
Review: Niteye EYE25 (3 x XM-L | 2 x 18650)
Submitted by turboBB on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 11:59The EYE25 is Niteye's follow up to their High-end series that launched with the EYE30, in which case both heads of these lights are identical. It is in essence the EYE30 in a different form factor, however, there is a key difference in output management between the two. I'll be covering that in-depth along with any other differences.
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- 577 reads
- 10 comments
Review: ThruNite TN31 (XM-L U2 | 3 x 18650)
Submitted by turboBB on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 11:56ThruNite is on a roll lately, first the Flood King and now the Thrower King. They have made a name for themselves with the throwing ability of their Catapult series but the competition has stepped up their game so ThruNite has gone back to the drawing boards and released this monster with a massive 79mm (3.11in) head and super smooth and deep reflector to take on all challengers. Let's see what they have in store for us. 
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- 1573 reads
- 32 comments
Review: ThruNite TN30 (3 x XM-L U2 | 3 x 18650)
Submitted by turboBB on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 11:54With the TN30, ThruNite has thrown down the guantlet and self-proclaimed it to be the "King of flood light" with a max output of 3000 lumens. We shall see if it lives up to that billing.
NOTE: This is the finalized production version that I will be reviewing (HKJ had previously reviewed a pre-prod one)
MFG SPECS
MSRP: $240 USD
- LED: Three Cree XM-L U2 LEDs with a lifespan of 20+years of run time
- Max 3000 lumen output using 3 * 18650 batteries
- Level 1: 1 lm. 1200 hours; Level 2: 38 lm. 75 hours; Level 3: 352 lm. 10 hours; Level 4: 932 lm. 3.5 hours;
Level 5: 1580 lm. 2.5 hours; Level 6: 2780 lm. 1.2 hours; Standby: 67 uA; Strobe: 2780 lm. 2hours
- Working voltage: 8V to 13V
- Max runtime: 1200 hours
- Max beam distance: 370 meters
- Peak beam intensity: 35000cd
- Impact resistant: 1.2 meters
- Waterproof to IPX-8 standard, 2M
- 178.00mm length, 64.50mm bezel diameter
- Weight: 559.80g without battery
- Aircraft grade aluminum body structure
- Premium type III hard anodized anti-abrasive finish
- Ultra-clear tempered glass lens with anti-reflective coating
- Momentary forward click tactical switch
- Strobe mode for tactical and emergency use
- Smooth reflector for max light output
- Highly focused beam for maximum distance
- Tactical knurling for firm grip
- Streamlined body design
- Mechanical reversed polarity protection design for battery carrier
- Intelligent highly efficient circuit board design for max performance and long run time
- Specially designed for Military, Law Enforcement, Self-defense, Hunting, Search & Rescue and Outdoor activities
- Intelligent temperature controlled light output for user safety
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- 868 reads
- 6 comments
Review: DIY UltraFire 1xAA Flashlight with Clip Host Kit
Submitted by E1320 on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 01:37
Do it yourself UltraFire 1xAA Flashlight with Clip Host Kit $8.70
This is a do it yourself kit purchased from cnqualitygoods.
http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1503
I also ordered a 3C T6 XML emitter to go with it. $7.90
http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1302
I ordered a standard 16mm driver a Nanjg 105C $5.00
http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1554
Total cost is $21.60 with free shipping.
It took about three weeks to arrive.
Features:
1. Hard Anodized finish.
2. Made from Aluminum alloy.
3. Aluminum reflector (Orange Peel).
4. Single 14500 or AA depending on driver chosen.
5. Takes a standard sized 16mm emitter.
6. Takes a standard sized 17mm driver also driver ring included to fit 16mm driver.
7. Available with a reflector for an XPG or an XML/XRE.
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- 872 reads
- 29 comments
Review: Balder SE2 - 1x18650 XM-L 3 mode
Submitted by old4570 on Tue, 05/01/2012 - 06:27
Balder SE2 review - http://www.mybalder.com/product/html/?60.html Manufactured items home page .
Purchased from International Outdoor : Took about two week to arrive .
Spec;s from Balder ....
Features:
1. Mil-Spec Type III Hard Anodized finish.
2. Made from Aluminum alloy, really strong.
3. Water proof to IPX-8 standard.
4. Precision Aluminum reflector (Orange Peel)
5. Simple operation. High-Medium-Low. No SOS and strobe modes
6. Single 18650 for stronger beam and longer runtime
7. Tactical switch for momentary on.
8. Prominent runtime
9. Advanced Cree XML-T6 LED
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- 780 reads
- 21 comments
Test / Review: AW 18650 2600mAh (Black)
Submitted by HKJ on Mon, 04/30/2012 - 14:30AW 18650 2600mAh (Black)

Official specifications:
- Three triangulated raised dots ensure solid cell to cell connection when used in series.
- PCB protection against overcharge/ over discharge / short circuit.
- Safety vent with thermal cut off protection.
- Nominal Voltage: 3.7V
- Capacity: 2600mAH ( rated at 0.2C discharge 4.2V - 2.8V @ 25° )
- Operating Temp.: Charge 0 to 45° / Discharge -20 to 60 °
- Max. Charge Rate: 2.6A ( ambient temp. 25 ° )
- Max. Discharge Rate : 5.2A ( ambient temp. 25 ° )
- Dimensions: 18.52 X 68.16mm ( +/- 0.3mm )
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- 434 reads
- 10 comments
Test / Review: LG 18650 D1 3000mAh (Pink)
Submitted by HKJ on Mon, 04/30/2012 - 12:59LG 18650 D1 3000mAh (Pink)

Specifications:
- Model: ICR18650D1
- Typical Capacity: 3000 mAh
- Min Capacity: 2900 mAh
- Nominal Voltage: 3.7V
- Charging Voltage: 4.35V
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- 322 reads
- 5 comments
Review: XM-L P60 Drop-In from Int'l Outdoor Store
Submitted by Foy on Sun, 04/29/2012 - 23:52
Foy Finally Discovers Neutral White
These three drop-ins have introduced this humble scribe to tint. I used to think everything was secondary to lumens but the detail rendition of a proper neutral (not tan or some other 'color') has demonstrated to me beyond all doubt the value of tint. I can tell you that an XM-L driven to 3 amps is hardly dim and given what we know about gains above 3.5 amps, overdriven lights (as fun as they are) are begining to impress me less and less. These XM-L modules from Int'l Outdoor Store are extremely bright without washing everything out into a cold, unrealistic white and they are . . .
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- 1097 reads
- 26 comments





