Review: Ultrafire C3 Stainless Steel , 1 x AA [ 14500 ] 5 mode

Mine is still performing admirably. I retired it not long ago with the Wk25 and later on by the Wk21 meteor for edc. A totally different beast but i never stopped liking the SS c3. If only modes were decent (ok that tint is also subpar for nowadays standards)...

This light is a thrower & bright use 14500 with memory as well! But Balder SE-1 is my EDC now. It's a floody & brighter but no memory.

Is yours 93mm long and does it still work with AA batteries after using 14500?

This has a different driver then the lightake 93mm version, just so everyone knows. The lightake version has unnoticeable PWM like a Nitecore or the UF2100 but will fry on 14500.

Review sample , comes out at 99mm according to my callipers ...

It' very expensive and I think that the seller is not U.K based.

It's Driven correctly.

Mine is 97mm long can takes both AA & 14500.

See this link: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-c3-stainless-steel-cree-q5-wc-5-mode-190-lumen-memory-led-flashlight-1-aa-1-14500-26122

I didn't like the shape or feel ..it felt heavy ..What's the weight compared to the B2s ?

Of course stainless steel is heavier than traditional aluminium! See my above link.

Great review Old, thanks a lot for giving this nice classic some press. Frontpage'd and Sticky'd.

So, where the best source for a C3 SS? I just gave mine away, and I'm looking for a replacement. My main requirement aside from good quality is tailstand-ability and a good low mode. I will not buy from DX any more. Some versions of this light have a slightly protruding switch, whereas others are properly recessed. Suggestions please? Thanks!

Since the review light was provided by Flashlight Heaven, I'd hate to post another link but I gotta say they are really really overpriced.

This looks like a better deal (if you don't wanna go through DX) but I've never tried BestOfferBuy before so I can't say if they're any good:

http://www.bestofferbuy.com/ultrafire-c3-stainless-steel-cree-q5wc-5mode-190lumen-memory-led-flashlight-1aa114500-p-27985.html

I have the 93mm long version from DX, and it is very good. It works fine on every AA-sized battery (alkaline, nimh and Lithium-ion).

But it is a little heavy compared to aluminium flashlights.

I own two of these (one EDC and one spare I keep in a box) and I've purchased 8 of them (over the last year) for friends that want one after they see mine. I have 5 things that I do to every C3 that I purchase...

1. Trim the tailcap switch boot about 1mm on the inside where it touches the switch - tailstands a little better and doesn't ghost push the switch in your pocket.

2. Screw the switch down tighter into the tailcap assembly - keeps it from flickering and gives a brighter output.

3. Screw the pill all the way down into the head, gives the LED firmer contact with the pill, cleans up the beam, makes it more reliable.

4. Add a trimmed "business card" into the body where the battery sits - takes all the play/slop out of the battery and makes it much more reliable, keeps it from switching modes if shaken or dropped.

5. Add a blob of solder to the positive portion of the driver that touches the battery (or you can add a spring) - keeps it from changing modes and keeps it from flickering if dropped or shaken.

It's misleading to talk about "the Ultrafire C3 SS", there are lots of models and probably none of them are made by Ultrafire. One of them are/were made by the Aurora factory.

Although it's a little more expensive, the Manafont version is 3 mode, no blinkies, with a SS switch. Mine doesn't tailstand however...I've never taken it apart to see if anything can be done with it. But it's a great little light, especially when coupled with a Fenix pocket clip.

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-full-stainless-steel-c3-cree-q5-3mode-led-flashlight-aa14500-p-4045

I would pay the $20 just for the 3-mode (if it's as good as the original of course).

I have both, I'd say it's every bit as good, never had a single problem with it.

And somebody said in one of the reviews that protected TrustFire 14500s don't fit? Does it even matter if I use unprotected cells?

I was able to fit a protected trustfire 14500 in mine, and then the LED went PooF about 30 seconds later. They insist at DX that that wont happen any more though, the factory "fixed it".

I've been using protected flames in mine for quite awhile with no issues. (manafont version)

Ok, cool. So that one you linked is a nice option for me. Will consider it.