UltraFire K10 (1 mode and 6 mode)
Reviewer's Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary:
| Battery: |
AA/14500 |
| Switch: |
Reverse (tailcap) |
| Modes: | 1 or 6 |
| LED Type: |
Cree xp-g R5 |
| Lens: |
Coated glass lens |
| Tailstands: | Yes |
| Price Payed: | 15.50 / 16.40 USD |
| From: | dealextreme |
| Date Ordered: | December 2010 |
Pros:
- One of the brightests AA sized lights
- XP-G R5 LED (only a few AA lights with this LED)
- 3 very usable modes + 3 not very usable epileptic modes
- Cheapest AA light with XPG-R5 LED
- Very robust, durable body + good and reliable switch
- Works with AA and 14500 without any issue (not as the S10) Some reports of lights destroyed with 14500.... put a 14500 at your own risk. However, both of mine are working perfectly with AA/14500
Cons:
- Memory mode does not work properly
- Lacks clip (important for me)
- No o-ring behind frontal glass lens
- Single mode required some "repairs" and still not powerfull than the 6 mode
- Only available in black color
Features / Value: ★★★★☆
I was thinking into purchasing the TrustFire R5-A3 which is one of the few AA sized lights with XPG-R5, but finally I didnt because of the lack of LOW mode. Then on December, this model appeared, announcing 6 modes (3 usable ones = H M L). I couldnt resist.
As said, I purchased the single mode http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.50123~r.43033281 at 15.50 USD and the 6 mode version http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.50122~r.43033281 at a very adecuate price of 16.40 USD (cheaper than R5-A3).
I will not review all the flashlight itself because the UltraFire K10 is the same flashlight as the UniqueFire S10 reviewed by brted (https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/142), but this time with different LED and probably circuitry (I dont have the S10 so I can not tell if the driver is the same). I will center my review only on the new characteristics added by the new LED.
Finally, after testing, I will keep the 6 mode version into my personal collection and gift the single mode to my brother (I dont like single mode flashlights except rare exceptions as the UniqueFire AA-S1).
Build Quality: ★★★☆☆
OK, I give only 3 stars in build quality because the single mode required "repairs". When arrived, I inserted a 14500 and what I saw was dissapointing. It was about 120 lumens (with 14500!!!), only drawed 0,9A or so, and the beam was not focused at all. Also some flickering.... Very bad.
Then I cleaned the threads, made new solders on the joint of the driver with the pill, thightened all and now it draws about 1,2A from a fresh 14500. Also thightening the pill to the max, the beam is better focused. But still the single mode is not as good and powerfull as the 6 mode version (dont know why).
The multimode version arrived in perfect conditions.
Also another drawback is the lack of o-ring behind the lens on both versions. However both versions came clean but unlubed.
Despite the problem with the single mode, the K10 is a good flashlight, with robust body and general good build quality. However, we have to remember what happens with the cheapo chinese flashlights (QC control almost inexistent).
Battery Life: ★★★★☆
Well. Lets talk about 14500 usage.
The single mode (my unit) draws less current than the 6 mode, resulting in higher runtimes. I dont allow the batteries to go less than 3,6 volt as usual. So runtimes up to 3,6 volt:
Single Mode = 41 minutes (1,2A draw)
Multimode = 32 minutes (high 1,38A) - 57 minutes (med 0,9A) - Not measured runtime on low, but with 0,2A of draw it should run for almost 4 hours if not more.
Now about Ni-Mh. I only have good quality ones but only 1250mAh capacity. With such a low capacity runtimes are not interesting but, current draw of both versions is the same (1,8A). With that comsumption, you can calculate taking into account your Ni-Mh ones.
Light Output: ★★★★★
I have to post pictures here.
Mixed feelings.
MULTIMODE version -> No complaints. Produces a big hotspot with a cool white tint. Is floody but not as floody as the UniqueFire AA-S1, which is for me the holy grail.... The throw, of course, better than the AA-S1 but not throws as far as the XP-E or XR-E lights.
HIGH = about 300 lumens
MED = about 230 lumens (could be lower... about 120 lumens, but OK)
LOW = about 10-20 lumens
SINGLE MODE version -> after repearing, and trying to improve it, I managed to semi-focus the beam, but still is not focused at all and has some greenish tint... (probably only my unit... probably all the single mode... who knows... lacks of QC control)
No detected any power loss due to heat during the tests (seems well heatsinked)
Summary: ★★★★☆
Despite what happens to the single mode version, the K10 produces a HUGE amount of light for an AA sized light. I have compared it to a 501B with an R5, and "by eye" they have similar lumens, but with different sizes of hotspot, spill, throw, etc... (due to different diammenter and deep of the reflector).
It could be one of the greatest flashlights if it were Turbo, High, Med, Low, Very low, Strobe. And ALSO (is my opinion) they could have removed the frontal "dents". ¿why chinese manufacturers dont learn from theirs errors?
Also my opinion: when will be available an Akoray K-106 body style with xpg-R5 LED? is too difficult to the chinese manufacturers to make a flashlight with that lovely body with xpg-R5 and 5 INTERESTING modes?
Or it's because of the smooth reflector?
I hope they'll bring you a good digitan camera 
('coz I'm in the same situation LOL)
(click on "OK" if you don't want to add the discription)