Cheap recoil thrower cheap ($7.95) via slow blimp from China

I just did a return request. They issued a mailing label. No refund yet, it looks like they should receive it tomorrow.

I see that the listing has been updated to show the light I received, though the light in the photos is branded esmart, rather than Ultrafire.

^

OK, thank you eas. :)

The only recoil thrower that I managed to buy in the last few year, although it really was one, had a miserable 15mm diameter reflector instead of one that went all the way to the edge like the original WF-008.

Another similar but different light on Ali:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Recoil-Thrower-Q5-3-mode-LED-Flashlight-Torch-Outdoor-LED-Lamp-18650-Flashlight-Focus-Torchlight-Recoil/32949812921.html

It is a gamble, but i bought one. The pictures show a mirror that covers the whole diameter, but last time i bought one, the actual flashlight had a much smaller mirror. Let’s see how this one goes, I do not have high hopes.
Thanks for the heads-on Agro!

I believe Pelican manufactures a line of recoil flashlights…

Bingo, it is the real deal, cheaply made just like the old Ultrafire, but with the full size mirror of seemingly good quality (although with dust and a bit of dirt.

Always wanted to check one of the new leds in one, let’s see if it can be modded! :slight_smile:

Cool! What advantages does it offer over a normal reflector? I know cooling will be the big disadvantage.

Interesting… keep us updated! Now we need some tests/numbers.

In theory, it should have much better throw than a conventional reflector of the same width. Supposedly it is possible with a recoil thrower to produce an image of the die like an aspheric light, but with no light loss into the sides of the bezel.

The correct question is: what advantages does it offer over a aspheric lens, because optically that is much closer. And the answer is: in this size that is not clear, although it looks like this mirror is optically better than the aspheric lenses commonly used in flashlights.
In larger lights it becomes a major advantage that mirrors are more lightweight than an aspheric lens, and optically superior over a fresnel lens.

But for me it is about the :sunglasses: factor, it is a type of flashlight that I have not fiddled with as yet.

In this light it does have a lot of light loss at the side btw, it seems to catch less than a 100 degrees cone, not unlike an average aspheric flashlight.

You should compare it side-by-side with an aspheric light with a lens the same diameter as the reflector using same emitter and driver and see which is brighter!

It would be nice if someday, someone made a modernized better quality recoil thrower. I think the key would be to make the LED arm out of solid copper for much better heat transfer.

It would also be nice if it were made with 2 leds on the arm. A high-intensity one facing backwards for throw and a floody one facing fowards for close-range use as a mule.

I remember there was indeed a two-led version once, or maybe there was just talk about it perhaps.

You remember correctly. There was recoil thrower years ago that did have 2 LEDs on it, one facing backwards and one forwards.

I forget the model number though. Might have been an Ultrafire.

UF-009 had that configuration…

Uniquefire 008B

BTW, I see that the one I found previously is still available and for much less.
djozz, did how was your modding attempt? :slight_smile:

Never did the mod, but it is still on my list. Thanks for reminding, the White Flat is the current most sensible led for this one :slight_smile:

I did the mod: Re-visiting the Q5 recoil thrower: mod with a a White Flat