Review: Sipik SK68 AKA Cree Q5 Adjustable Torch

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).

Thanks for the good sharing!

My 14500's have arrived and work great with this torch. Also Nimh still work, so far anyway. The light is brighter but not by a huge amount, so I'm hoping for a small increase in runtime aswell, yes, I want my cake and to eat it :)

The only other thing I noticed was that this light gets hotter with the 14500 battery. After half an hour it is hot to the touch but not so hot you can't hold it, I'd guess around 40-50 celcius. The temp doesn't seem to rise any more than that (will have to make a thermocouple to get some accurate readings), probably due to the ugly but well finned design.

To sum up, for me, this torch is near enough perfect as my EDC. Thanks to the people on this forum my first high powered LED torch isn't a $10 lemon :)

Some lights don't kick butt on a 14500 ...i know you've heard that you need to respect the 14500 too and not over discharge it .. running it at full pop for 1/2 hour isn't nessesarily a good thing ..as to how bright i will be on a 14500 it depends on the driver ,not just the led ..get the right light and it will impress you beyond belief , but make sure it can take the extra voltage (make sure some other maniac has tried it first) if it starts going blue / purple ..say good bye to your little friend

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Anyways, I didn't think this torch was much brighter on 14500s either, until I took a picture against a wall and compared the two shots. Oh yeah, very much brighter, but your eyes have difficulty seeing it.

By my rough workings out this torch uses 2.23W on energiser nimh and 2.99W on grey protected trustfire 14500. Don't take those figures as absolute but as a comparison.

@Boaz - Thanks, good advise. I was prepared to wreck the torch in the name of science lol. Read about some of these torches working fine with 14500's and some burning the driver, guess I got a good un. I'm not too bad with a soldering iron either so killing a LED/board isn't a big deal, and this torch is nicely made so will probably get an upgrade in the future anyway :)

what seller did you get this from on ebay.

Search for the following and you will see several different versions (and prices) of this light:

Adjustable Focus CREE Q5 LED 200 Lumen Flashlight Torch

Adjustable Focus CREE Q5 LED Flashlight Torch Headlamp

Adjustable Focus CREE Q5 LED 300Lumen Flashlight Torch

CREE Q5 Adjustable Focus 200LM LED Flashlight Torch

right, but none show sipik in the picture.

most are "King Fire" lol

As I said: Several different versions!

I took it that you have allready tried to search "SipiK" yourself. I get at least 14 hits.

But most Sipik´s are Q3 not Q5 as most non Sipik´s are.

i bet they are all q3... its probably just what they say to get u to buy it... i decided ill hold off.

got the edi http://www.dealextreme.com/p/edi-t-t11-cree-q3-wc-3-mode-160-lumen-convex-lens-led-flashlight-black-1-123a-1-16340-50680

just ordered it, since it looks nicer, and looks smaller lol

i just spent 80 and dx, 70 at manafont, and i STILL havent placed the order for parts i need at KD..... im gonna wait 2 weeks to order those for my next paycheck lol

time to do my taxes so i can get that refund... good thing i NEVER got a stimulus like most people....

i feel bad for people who STILL support this administration. i can see how people were blind at first, but to STILL support this one too....

this country is screwed.... VOTE NADER!

I have one of the non Sipik versions and are very satisfied with it, Q5 or not.

Your last chapter: Many people gets carried away by sweet talking and vote

with their feelings not their brain. Happens here too.