Lidl AAA Zoomie

Djozz, could you please tell us what cues can you take from such picture?

The diameter (or more precisesily said: surface area) of the lens allows a direct calculation of throw capability, how curved it is (or more precise: what is the estimated focal length) gives a clue about light loss; many small zoomies have a very shallow lens (so long focal length) that in zoom configuration will produce very little light (but concentrated in a very small spot which is perceived by non-flashoholics as very awesome), while some have very nice lenses (like the classic sk68(-clones) that is optically very good) that capture more light in spot-modus.
BTW, shallow lenses produce a very wide flood that is especially appreciated by many, while I like how far it throws.

I know this is a very budget light, but is it just me that finds this angle completely unacceptable, my eyes are drawn to it like magnets?

That bend is caused by the camera lens when you take a really close photo, It`s called "Geometric Distortion", It`s not on the flash-light, I checked mine.

John.

Thanks. :slight_smile: I expected that experienced person like yourself could estimate F# but diameter didn’t come to my mind. :slight_smile:

BTW it is by far the cheapest OK-quality AAA zoomie that I’ve seen….I must visit lidl often in the coming weeks…

I’ve measured the lens with my Digital calipers. It’s 16mm Diameter and 6.4mm thick at the apogee of the lens.

I grabbed one of these last week too out of curiosity, just couldn’t resist the tiny zoomie! I don’t think it’s an XT-E, at a glance it looks like a fake to me and it doesn’t have the cross of an XT-E on the die but does have the mottled effect of a flip-chip when zoomed in, only coarser than i remember. Have to admit though, i can’t see where it specifies XT-E on the packaging.
It also has obvious low freq PWM for mid and low, and a glued-in switch, none of which is a surprise at the price :smiley: I like the body though and the lens seems alright when going from flood to spot (looking forward to Djozz’s assessment) so will look at changing the LED at some point.

I also picked up a 2xAA zoomie in Lidl a couple of months back, anyone else grab one of those? Didn’t think to point out it’s availability on here, shame on me!

I dunno if it’s a fake XTE or not, but it it says XTE in the manual on the LIDL website
(you can search for manuals there, IAN 306054 in this case). Specs as listed there:

Technical data
• Bulb (not replaceable): 1 x 5 watts CREE LED XTE
• LED light intensity: in 100% mode approx. 80-100 lumens*
• LED life: approx. 50,000 h
• Battery life: in 100% mode approx. 40-45 minutes*
• Lighting range: in 100% mode approx. 80-100 m*
• Dust- and splash-proof in accordance with IP44
*In accordance with ANSI testing specifications

That’ll be why i missed it :smiley:

It’s not a bad LED though, i’ll post a pic in the fake Cree thread when i get a chance, for confirmation.

I picked up a couple of these to give away. One friend called after a few days to say it was “fantastic” (some people are easily pleased), and wanted “at least” two more. That’s the sad thing about Lidl - when they are gone, they are generally gone for quite some time.

I didn’t really like the one I played with (for 5 minutes), but then again I have a dozen or so single AAA lights, and I’m not a fan of zoomies. For £3 though …….

Ever since this thread started I’m looking locally to see if they are available….nope, they are not.
I even checked some site that catalogues lidl stuff - it doesn’t list them so they probably didn’t arrive some time before I started looking.
I wonder if they’ll eventually show up….I lost most of the hope already.

Maybe when they’ll do another camping campaign. In a few month or or next year. Maybe. Usually, Lidl sells no more the items that do not sell well.

I reflowed a ~5700k XP-G2 S4 into mine; no more purple beam :smiley:
Not the kind of light I’ll use often, but it’s great for handing out to people.

AFAIK never sold by LIDL Netherland.

I saw them a week or two ago here in a store but can’t even find a leaflet announcing it so no idea how long they’d been there. - I’ll check later when I do groceries.-

They still had a half a dozen or so on the shelf, and I bought one.

@djozz:

diameter 16mm, thickness 6.4mm, rim 3mm

edit: driver pics.

“A1SHB” is a Si2301 P-ch FET
“CD” has only 3 connections, either another FET or a standalone boost converter
“WBAN3” probably handles the modes

I also found this 15.5mm lens in a drawer. It needs a spacer so it doesn’t rattle around - no rim - and I’m not quite sure whether it’s aspherical or not (the flat side is actually slightly concave) but it should survive a harsh pocket environment better than the plastic one.

Hey Argo,

Just an idea, I don’t know if it would be worth it or possible still but if I can get them I’d be happy to send one to you for just the price of postage.
Only issue I can see is that postage to Polland would cost £4.40 from what I can see, so a bit more than the light cost.

I forgot that took this photo a few weeks ago when I last visited the Lidl near me, they had quite a few.

Thanks a lot neBstress, that’s a great offer!
It got my mind running in circles for a while (even while writing this post) because….I can’t really take it.
The thing is:
Due to liquidity issues I forsee a quarter ahead I cut my flashlight spendings to $0 half year ago.

I cheated once, with a small Arrow order.
With this light I intended to cheat again.

Now…$10 or thereabouts are nothing next to the expenses that I have ahead. But still, they key to feeling OK with the cheat was that the price was really trivial.
Turning it from trivial to well-worth-it-and-small…well it’s a hard decision…but I have to decline your offer.
But I really appreciate it. Thank you.

You are welcome Argo and no worries, I understand.

Hopefully they will arrive in your local Lidl’s sooner or later!

My daughter bought me one for my birthday (hey! 3,99€), I can’t open it until next week :slight_smile:

Good to see they are still circulating Europe. May show up here one day…