Very well done comparison. Thanks for doing the pill swap.
Here it is on the UK site: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130615720153
Cheaper than the standard SK68 as well!
1. is this a forward or reverse clicky?
2. how are modes changed? by turning the light off and then on again to advance to the next one?
3. does it remember the last mode you were in, or does it just automatically go to the next mode when you turn the light back on?
+1 Great question. Another question I have is if the pill is solid or hollow.
I tested the runtime of the 3-mode Sipik clone with a fully charged Eneloop AA (HR-3UTGA). Here are the results:
| Minutes | Lux |
| 0,5 | 203 |
| 10 | 205 |
| 15,20,25,30 | 207 |
| 35,40,45 | 208 |
| 50 | 209 |
| 55 | 210 |
| 60,65 | 212 |
| 70 | 201 |
| 75 | 164 |
| 76 | 157 |
| 77 | 129 |
| 77½ | 101 |
I placed my lux meter at 1 meter from the light and took measurements every 5 minutes. To avoid making the table unnecessary long I used the same row for several measurements as long as the lux value hadn't changed. E.g. the third row means that the lux value stayed at 207 lux when the light had been on for 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes and 30 minutes.
After 70 minutes the light output started sagging and after approx. 77.5 minutes the light output had reached 50%. At 80 minutes the light output was down to 45 lux, at 85 minutes output was 13 lux and at after 90 minutes output was 6 lux and I stopped measuring.
1. Reverse clicky
2. Modes are changed by a half-press.
3. It has no real memory, i.e. if you have the light turned off for 5 seconds or more it always goes back to first mode (high). If you turn it back on within 3-4 seconds or less it changes to next mode.
No idea if the pill is solid or hollow. I didn't want to force it open because I only got one of these lights so far and didn't want to risk destroying it. The plastic ring that keeps the "reflector" in place appears to be firmly attached and I didn't want to pry out the driver to find out. Maybe someone else who has one of these could answer this question?
Could you provide a link to the ebay offer of eletrading?
Here is the link to the light. I had posted a link to the 3-mode version in the "Sipik(?) 1-AA zoom for $6.77" thread over in the Deal Alerts forum which is why I didn't include a link in the first post of this thread. However I've now also added a link in the first post.
In general, how would you rate the overall build quality, fit/finish etc compared to the other two models? Anything feel flimsier, less solidly made?
As you can expect from lights that are this cheap there are some minor flaws/blemishes on the fit/finish on all models if you look closely.
+ As I mentioned earlier, the pill has an o-ring instead of the metal ring thingie on the other models which make the zoom sturdier.
+ Threads on tail cap are better, much "smoother" when screwing/unscrewing the tail cap than the other models.
± This depends on your preferences. The on/off switch isn't as sturdy as the other models. It is easier to click the light on/off than the other models. I guess some might dislike this "flimsy" switch.
- No o-ring at the bezel. Both the tomtop version and the Ultrafire version have an o-ring where the lens unscrews, the 3-mode version doesn't.
Ok, I've just ordered two, one from topicshop and one from ntxmas. The Paypal billing name is Bin Li for both transactions so I assume they're the same seller. If Dimlux is right about eletrading also being the same seller as Topicshop then all three are the same company. Be very interesting to see if there's any difference in the models or the seller efficiency..
FWIW, Topicshop ebaymailed me to confrm/thanks for order etc, which is usually a promising sign. I'll update when the waiting is over.
I just checked my Paypal billing history and eletrading has the same billing name that Lensman mentioned as the billing name for topicshop and ntxmas.
The 3-mode Sipik SK68 clone also works with 14500s (Trustfire flames). Back to Eneloops for now as the light with a 14500 was too bright to use around the house.
Guys, any one of you know where to get one with 3 modes for cheap from seller that actually ships world wide and has no limitations on shipping destination?
I have my eyes on 3-4 single mode clones from TomTop and 3 tri-mode clones from other sellers, unfortunately none of the links posted work for me since Im from Latvia and somehow those sellers dont ship over here :/
BTW, my first post here, glad that I found this place together with cpf ;)!
Been reading about flashlights like a mad man during past couple weeks, must say its a real science and I havent even got to the topic of modding them or creating your own Lumenstein beasts LOL :D
So yeah, its all new to me and its so exciting, a real man HAS to have a good set of flashlights and spread em like he would his genes back in the stone age :D
Wait, what was I talking about... oh, yeah, flashlights, so, umm, Im looking to get both super cheapies that offer incredible bang for their buck as well as more versatile tried and tested flashlights from well known and respected manufacturers.
I dont consider myself cheapie, but I dont throw my money around just like that, I like to buy the best yet not pay more than its worth for it, so Im used to spend days, weeks, months browsing internet looking for best deals, offers and gear ;)
Needless to say that I am broke, but that wont stop me from getting my flashlights, my multi tool knifes and the rest of EDC knifes and some good universal headlamp with good throw too, soon :D!
Just wanted to add that Im probably getting couple Fenix E01's as backup lights and one or two Tank007 E09 both from DD, prices seem just about right, except for the warranty question that I am still to get definite answer on.
Ye i would like to know as well what 3-mode sipik will:
accept 14500
good quality
good price
i now own a 1-mode but low mode would be nice!
Currently i'm considering buying from eletrading or ntxmas
I received three packets today, this cheapo http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220894394485?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 and two different three mode Sipik 68 clones, one each from topicshop and ntxmas. The cheapy is to use the tube as an extension for the 68s so as to run them on 2 X AA; there's a thread about this somewhere. But it was the three mode 'Sipiks' that I was excited about, and they're quite different to each other. Hmm..
To begin with, one of them is unbranded. I would say it's almost certainly the exact same model as Dimlux has reviewed above; it matches the pictures and description precisely, right down to the awol O ring at the bezel. I like it a lot, though you're right about the thinner tail boot Dimlux. Luckily I was able to swap the tailcap with one from a single mode; works perfectly and feels much nicer now. I'm slightly disconcerted by the absence of any logo, but so far no issues. I'll give it a proper test run as soon as I have time.
I would order several more of these right now, but there's a problem.. The other model that came today is different from the unbranded one and also from its single mode siblings, and I don't like it as much. This one is branded 'Ultrafire', like all my single mode versions bought from 365digital, (although the logo is slightly different) and the difficulty is that I don't know which torch came from which seller! I added a note specifically asking both to enclose the company name just in case something like this happened and (of course) neither seller did this. Sigh. The packets are the grey polythene type rather than yellow padded envelopes and there is nothing on either to enlighten me. One is stamped Hong Kong, the other Singapore; strange since the Paypal recipient is the same name for both, but this discrepancy doesn't help since both Ebay sites state that the item location is Hong Kong..
As to the differences, for a start, the Ultrafire version only just tailstands, but it leans at a perilous angle because the boot protrudes (I hate this). And I can't swap this one with a tailcap from a single mode 68 because the UF tube diameter is slightly wider than all the others. The switch mechanism is buried beneath a hard plastic bung, so doing the O ring tailstand mod would be difficult. The switch itself is also slightly less pleasant to use; stiffer in operation, but with the same flimsier, slightly squishy boot that came with the unbranded one. Despite this, I must add that the tail ring does screw in more smoothly than on the single mode versions.
What else? Well, the lens diameter of the three mode Ultrafire appears the same as the single modes, i.e. not quite as wide as the unbranded three mode. The bezel ring is a bit thinner on the non-brand, perhaps to accomodate this extra couple of mm of lens, which makes it feel less robustly built. With both three mode lights, unlike the single mode, the lenses are not fixed to the bezels, which makes it more likely that you'll lose a lens if you want to use mule mode. Also harder to keep fingerprints off. I may try to do some glueing here, if someone can tell me which type of glue to use. The UF has an O ring at the bezel where 'Brand X' doesn't, and, interestingly, the UF 3 mode is the only one out of all my Sipik clones that carries the Cree logo, although like the 'UltraFire' logo, it looks slightly different here; fainter, and with the diamond composed of tight, thin white lines rather than solid white.
Both 3 modes seem to work fine with comparable output on AA in high (haven't tried 14500 yet) although Brand X seems to have a slight edge. This may be because its tint is decidedly cooler; the UF looks almost golden in comparison. Also it zooms a bit tighter and sharper, which adds to an impression of greater brightness. In low mode, however, the UF is noticeably lower than the unbranded version, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. All three models (single mode and both 3 modes) have a slightly different feel to the zoom action with the unbranded being marginally nicer than the UF 3 mode, which in turn is just a bit smoother and tighter than the single mode.
Has anyone else bought from either of these two Ebay outlets? I'd sell my soul to the devil to know which of them supplied the unbranded light, although I guess there's no guarantee that both ntxmas and Topicshop don't sell both models; it could be just pot luck which they send. And to be fair, unless you hate wobbly tailstand as much as I do, the UF torch doesn't seem a bad purchase. A final word on the cheapy extension tube torch: it fits the unbranded 3 mode perfectly, but not the UF version due to the latter's wider bore tube. It's also nowhere near as badly made as I was expecting for the price, just don't expect Romisen quality or output..
Was going to order one of the three modes in the original post, but at $60 shipped I decided not too.
Where can I find the BEST quality Sipik sk68 or clone? Don't care if it has modes or not.
I ordered mine (single mode) from a US based seller campingsurvivals based on this thread (after that other US seller up'd the price to $28.69! I bought on Jan 9th (late afternoon), but haven't seen any emails saying it has shipped (and no shipping/tracking status on Ebay).
I can't speak for "quality" since I haven't received it yet. I'm hoping it's like "how crazy is this"'s experience detailed here with this silver one being a good one.
-Garry
Yeah I actually submitted a best offer of $7 for one to that same seller this morning. (I started the thread about that seller).
Will have to see if he accepts the best offer.
Oh, Duh! My bad! Guess I should pay more attention to thread authors! Will let you know if/when mine comes and what it's like (although I don't have any of these SK68 variants to compare to). I also have the Ultrafire one from Manafont coming as well, but I don't expect it for about 2 weeks.
-Garry