Review: Sipik SK68 AKA Cree Q5 Adjustable Torch

With AA or 14500? Looks very powerfull for a such small flashlight

This isn't perfectly comparable because of the vastly different beam size, but on the right is the Sipik Sk68 on 14500 at full flood, on the left is my 4Sevens Quark Mini AA2 at high, which has an OTF rating of 180 lumens.

I think the Sipik is pretty respectable in comparison

With 14500......yes it's an impressive little performer.

I fully agree to your fine review of this handy light only I also like the flood and find it sufficient. As you possibly know I have equipment to measure the tint, and I found mine to be 6970 K, bin 1A (lying on the neutral curve) in the center (it tends to be warmer towards the periphery).

Very interesting review and pictures. Thanks!

I actually did stick this one on my DX wishlist but never even gave it much of a second look. I'd definitely take one or two for $8.50 - guess I'll be keeping an eye on eBay. ;)

Great review ..caused me to go out and buy the nitecore extreme

Thanks alot Tongue out

This my first post, as the FNG here. There will be 3 requests at the end of this post. I am a firefighter/fire investigator rank of Sergeant. My lights are actually used to save lives and protect property. This forum is AWESOME for FLITE GEEKS like me; several of my like-afflicted friends will find out about this place when I tell them about it.

I recieved 2 of these from Meritline.com for 9.99 each with free shipping. Meritline said upfront that shipping was from Singapore and could take up to 2 weeks. It took an agonizing 23 days from the day I recieved notification it had shipped. I rolled the dice and asked customer service for free shipping on my next order or a partial credit-meh, maybe i'll get something, maybe not.

The SiPiK impressed me first with a REAL GLASS lens. I am not as put off by the tail cap as others. The light throw is mindblowing for one AA battery. I get my regular duracells for free as i use them on the firescene so that will save the Department money versus 3 AAA's at whack. I buy my own rechargeable Oneloops and Duracells for my personal lights. I did notice about a 10% boost in light going from a regular new Duracell to a fully charged Oneloop. Both of these will became work lights immediately. I will not be using them in heavy rain but will risk a light drizzle. It amazes me that in total darkness, pulling the focus all the way out to spot shows the exact square outline of the Cree at 100 feet. Over the next few weeks I will be demonstrating it to other firefighters and police. Most police officers are addicted to their "Stinger" line of lights-I want to see how it works up against one with a 2450mh fully recharged Duracell in my SiPik.

Request #1 - Does anyone here know of a way we could find out how to get them in bulk, direct from the Maufacturers of SiPik?

Request #2 - Barring request #1, what is the best deal for up to 10 at a time from sites like this;

http://www.everbuying.com/SIPIK-SK68-Cree-Q3-3W-80-Lumens-AA-Zooming-LED-p-26325.html

Request #3 - Am I just going Gaga over this one particular light, and ignorant to better lights in this price range? (I am very partial to COMMON battery sizes like AA, AAA, C because these are provided for us) I saw this one listed as having 900 lumens-is this true? http://www.everbuying.com/UltraFire-WF-501B-MC-E-BIN-M-5-Mode-800-Lumen-LED-Flashlight-1-18650-p-28552.html

Thank you for the read, and any thoughts you have. I am thick skinned, so being direct is just fine. SARGE

Hi SARGE

Here is the Maufacturer's Website

Contact them directly, hope this helps

It's worth taking a look at Alibaba.com.

http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?SearchText=Sipik+SK68&Country=&IndexArea=product_en&fsb=y

The manufacturer has a minimum order of 3000 pieces though. I suspect they might well sell you a smaller quantity though.

It might be worth asking them.

Hi Sarge, and welcome to the site.

Most websites will provide discounts for purchasing in bulk, as well as bulk rate shipping options. Dealextreme does carry the Sipik, as well as number of other places. I would be very careful in dealing with Everbuying, as their customer service practices are somewhat shady.

As for ignoring other lights... well, there's a reviews section at the top of every battery specific forum, you're quite welcome to go through them. However, if you already have a light you like and you know is reliable there's definitely value in that.

On DX 10 are 86.64usd including shipping.

Aloha and welcome to BLF firemcd!

Any truth to the 900 lumens claim on this one; http://www.everbuying.com/UltraFire-WF-501B-MC-E-BIN-M-5-Mode-800-Lumen-LED-Flashlight-1-18650-p-28552.html ????????

It will be more like 500 or 600 lumens if it is driven well. Less than that if not. Don measured a similar light and figured 580 lumens at On, sagging down to 488 after 2 minutes. I wouldn't get an MC-E or P7 light now that XM-L LED's are available. Some of the MC-E and P7 lights have a donut hole of darkness.

Here's my review of a MC-E: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/412

Welcome to BLF!

Generally those numbers are listed as theoretical, not actual. That said, you can get lights with the newer XM-L emitters that would get close to that output for a similar price.

This would probably get a lot closer to that mark: http://www.solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php?t=LF&s=41&id=167

Sorry, neither of the links work for me.

Anybody else want me to de-link the other links to Neverbuying.com so we don't get more spam from that filthy company?

Kill The links!!! LOL

Welcome to BLF…

The new xml lights will be your best bet for total output larger lumen lights . They are the most efficent longest run time and highest output ...the only downside is they take a battery(3.7 volt 18650 lithium ion ) that you don't get for free . since the power / lumens are that high .. they need to be fed some power to produce ..efficient .? absolutely , but nothing comes free except your duracells >> you can thank P&G for those ..I'm assuming you're running the duraloops(Sanyo manufactured cells for duracell) or durabird (cheaper rayovac version )nickel metal hydride rechargables ? < either one is a great deal ..especially if they are free ..Smile

These flood to throw lights with even a plasic lens and a cheap build are pretty impressive and people just can't stop playing with them . thus huge bang for the buck spent . There is a lot of conversation here and all over about flashlights .. the truth is the technology of lights is so good these days that even cheap lights have huge output so the need to spend big money on lights is pretty silly .You can justify you purcahse with the cost of saving lives etc .. but that's just talk ..carry an extra AAA light on your keychain that has more lumens than a mag light 4 D cell flashlight and when a support beam falls on you and crushes your 15$ xml and fire is gonna kill you unless you have a light and you think "Damn why didn't i spend 150$ on a flashlight "..you can say " hey wait a minute " and whip out 80 lumens off your key chain light and save the day .Everyone will always be impressed with a ferrari .. but 90 million chevy 350's kick butt day in and day out .

BLF is a smart place to be ..people here may be at their worst cheap...that doesn't mean they want cheap or poorly made products .. just means they aren't willing to pay a lot .As with all technology toys .. yesterdays impressive is todays joke . like a computer paying too much for the latest greatest is one sure way to making a mistake that costs you.A small search of reviews and discussions on Blf will lead you to a satisfactory flashlight purchase and probably keep you from making a few mistakes along the way .

I'm giggling that you have made the same mistake as so many others have on this forum ...You picked up a flood to throw flashlight Tongue out ... It's like a young boy and his P****...he can't seem to stop playing with it .CoolCoolThe possibility of going blind ,the first thought of# bigger means better .More lumens must mean better ,<<(very common newbie thinking ), &# spending more means you'll get more .#

Well said, Boaz

[quote=Boaz]

I'm giggling that you have made the same mistake as so many others have on this forum ...You picked up a flood to throw flashlight ... It's like a young boy and his P****...he can't seem to stop playing with it .The possibility of going blind ,the first thought of# bigger means better .More lumens must mean better ,<<(very common newbie thinking ), &# spending more means you'll get more .#

[/quote]

Hey! I resemble that remark! Is it bad that I have a Edi-T flood to throw on order just to mod/play with? (already have the IMR16340's charged and waiting!)

My first "proper" torch has arrived - YAY. This is the Sipik sk68 clone off ebay, says "CREE" on one side, other than that it is identical to the pics in this thread. The build quality is very good, threads are clean, smooth, no slop. Lens is free from defects, clip seems very sturdy, button is very orange lol. So no aparent change in quality from the original review. Bear in mind I have no other torch to compare this with, just my engineering experiance, and I would be very pleased with myself if I turned out something of this quality on my lathe (cnc has a lot to answer for).

Seems pretty bright with an energizer nimh that was charged about a week ago (when I ordered the torch), much, much brighter than my old double AA maglight (wonder where that is now?). What the heck is this going to be like with the 14500's ???

I notice the slidey zoom thing is sliding on a metal (steel, rust ?) "C" clip, may swap for a rubber O-ring for stiffer action and waterproofing.

So thanks for all your recomendations and reviews that steered me towards buying this torch for the amazing price of £6.89. Less than a service station sandwich (almost).