Review: Cyclone C88 from Int'l Outdoor Store

Nice review, and good therapy for you as well!

OK, dammit, now this one's on my ever growing list... Nice review, Foy - thanks for posting. Looks like I have another cycling light candidate. I am becoming a big fan of the 26650 lights, nice that this has 3 cell type options.

Another nice review Foy!

If I may here, for everyone interested in using this light with AA's, have a look at Cyclone C88 with 6xAA, suggestions are welcome!

AnotherawesomereviewasusualFoy!

Hmmm, might make me change my mind about getting an LD40 or a PA40. And the Cyclone is cheaper than either one.

Thanks, Foy! I think this will be one of my next purchases. Great light!

Mouse over Cyclone c88

Mouse out E1320 modified MCU-C88.

Wow, I want a modified MCU-C88 from BLF member, E1320.

You have them reversed. Mouse-over is the Cyclone.

Nice review from the amazing Foy-meister. The light only seems to only have two FOYbles - sorry if newbies aren't supposed to make jokes like that: 1) a mediocre battery holder and 2) no moonlight mode (could it be overdriven, too?).

So far I've only found battery holders that look like the original:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Battery-Holder-Case-Box-3-AA-LR6-UM-3-For-Headlamp-/320752653643?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aae59154b

http://www.ebay.com/itm/flashlight-battery-holder-mount-box-module-for-3-AA-014-/160728042666?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256c234caa

Does anyone know of any better holders (preferably using copper)?

Love this light. At the moment it's my favorite hiking light. I might not have stumbled on it if it weren't for BLF. Thanks so much everyone.

You could ask OL if he makes one for you, or follow up his way posted here. Its the first post, starting at the third pic and very well described.

Oh, I forgot to mention, my personal picture is a Cyclone in honor of BLF for leading me to the light. Sorry that the batteries needed recharging. Thank you BLF! Wish I had the knowledge to share that some of you do. Well, I guess we each do what we can.

-Daniel

Thanks, NightCrawl. I think I'll make one like that if I can't find one already made (unlikely). Now off to see what thickness of copper sheeting he used.

Thanks JohnnyMac, when i postred it first time i was corect then I changed it but I was wrong.

The Cyclone is the brighter light.

Pretty sure Foy thinks this is a perfect place to advertise an extra extention tube for this light ,,,anyone willing to make parts for lights is always welcome :P

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/8515 I'm sure there will be a few interested members here . this light is pretty well liked .

how2 - very grateful, thank you.

Of course I had to include the comparison between the two C88s but believe it or not; in raw lumens/output, the E1320 version is a little brighter on the Foyometer. I think the Cyclone looks brighter in my pictures because I've somehow got the emitter depth wrong on the MCU, in relation to the reflector and it's killing the spill.

Foy

And, yes; this is the perfect place to talk about an extension tube for this bad boy. Would be kinda like a TK41, no?

blinded -

I guess I see the AA battery magazine as a peripheral issue. I might be in the minority however; when deciding which battery section to put the review, I noticed Mr. Admin moved _the_'s Cyclone review to the multiple AA/14500 section. While I have high praise and sincere respect for our leader and, acknowledging that the flashlight itself does in fact say "3AA" on it, I happen to disagree that this is primarily a 3 x AA torch. The Cyclone pulls nearly 2.8 amps with a King Kong and although I got a respectable 1.90 with 3 Eneloops, I can't help but wonder if there aren't more efficient NiMH based flashlights available. Moreover, I think a person buying a Cyclone expecting a long running, high output AA torch will be disappointed.

I agree that the idea of a super bright flashlight that runs on small, non-li batteries is appealing. The truth is however, an XM-L pulling 3 amps needs horsepower, if acceptable run time is to be had.

Foy

Thanks for the review, Foy. Good stuff !

I honestly believe the choke point with a 3AA battery configuration is the high resistance of the holder. I'm definitely no battery expert, but I do believe a better carrier would still yield to almost as good as a single Li-Ion battery. I remember with 3AAA flashlights, the best performing ones where the Coast LED Lensers and those had excellent 3AAA carriers compared to the regular common cheap ones you get in other 3AAA flashlights. To me the 3AA carrier that this flashlight comes with looks like a larger version of the cheap ones that come with the cheap 3AA flashlights. We need a budget or poor man's version of CPF member mdocod, a guy who makes top notch custom battery carriers:

I've bought carriers from him before when he was just starting out and essentially starting "grand opening" prices, but now @ $28 or more a carrier, I definitely wouldn't put his products in the budget category.

Oh and Foy, good job on the review!

Great review Foy!!! Mine is on it's way I ordered it on 5/2/2012 from Hank at IOS and it's in NY now along with 5-King Kong 26650's Now I'm really excited!! Looks like it throws great... Thank you for the review.