Review: Ultrafire C3 Stainless Steel XR-E Q5 1xAA 3-mode

3 weeks is about right, +/- 2 weeks lol!

Im wondering, can the tailcap button be removed? Might be able to chuck it on the lathe (somehow) and face the surface smooth. The central nipple if present is a result of the quality of the machining. Its caused by having the cutting tool height lower/higher than the axis of rotation, so it misses the center. Its difficult to get it perfectly right on my lathe (lots of shims) but so far i have the right combination.

I have a couple questions myself.

1) How far off is it from tailstanding in its current iteration.

2) Does the switch exhibit a sticky operation when pressed off-center

3) does it come with lanyard - Yes.

4) How well is it waterproofed, talking about the metal switch cover here,

5) Can the switch be changed to rubber (and tailstand) if need be.

Im thinking of carrying this as an outdoor torch that I can go out with in salt water. As a waterproof light for when catching crabs (wading in water with scoop nets), it will definitely get wet. I Have taken the Trustfire R5 A3 out, (low not low enough, mines a first gen), and have taken my D10 ramping out, but mechanically the early piston o-ring design is waterproof, but water (and salt) still makes it inside the torch around the end of the piston, within the moving parts of the piston = crunchy salt crystals

Metal switch covers are always difficult, but the 3 mode, mechanically simpler body design and SS are attractive features.

Hi there okwchin!

1. I can make mine delicately balance on the rim of the tail, and it stands precariously at about 20 degrees.

2. If I deliberately press it way off center, it simply doesn't depress. Apart from that, it's a fairly forgiving switch, with nice action.

3. Yes, it's a cheap, common variety lanyard. The good part is that the two lanyard holes are in the side of the body and therefore wouldn't interfere with tailstanding- if it could tailstand.

4. Good question, I haven't submitted it to any rigourous tests. They were serious enough to put an O-ring between the lens and the body, which is often left out. Hopefully they waterproofed the switch well.

5. I wouldn't know. ;-) I'll refer this one to the experts around here.

Cheers, hope you can find a good budget light for your sea water tasks.

Mine has arrived and in a nutshell it is very good, as the original review explains.

I ordered mine on March 6 and it arrived on the 18th. I'm in Melbourne, Australia.

Great communication from Manafont, quick postage, and a great torch so I'm happy.

Unlike alot of people on these types of forums this will most likely be one of my first and only torches purchased (hopefully it lasts that long)

I love torches but can't see myself hoarding a whole truckload of them.

The only other torch I have bought was the famous Romisen RC-G2 from DealExtreme. It was a good introductory light.

Not sure about that.

You know, 150 flashlights won't actually make a truckload. A shopping caddy might do.

Good luck with that. Tongue out

LOL!

Yeah, good luck! I foresee at least getting another identical one when you find out it is really a good one just for having one spare. Later on you will have to buy a few for coworkers or relatives catching you using one.

On the other hand you might be immune to such weaknesses. Let's see. :)

Keep us informed of your next eventual purchases... i find it funny. :)

P.S. I own max 7-9 flashlight at a time. Wife version = 4 flashlights. By being completely honest is 12-14. :P

C'mon now, the real truth, how many?

Don't worry, you're amongst friends here so we won't tell.

32-48?

Just about all of mine fit in an old laptop bag. And that is well over 100 of them.

Just these along with a UV 501B have to find. The SS-004 is officially a paperweight. Cute tho. And the skyray S1 something AA q3 is missing on the pictures.

And you were eventually correct! One of my co-workers, who uses a UniqueFire L2 XPG-R5 18650 torch daily, seen it and was impressed

He loves the L2 but sometimes needs a smaller torch, so he's told me to get a bulk order of these C3's as well as some more L2's and AA-S1's.

To make purchasing this light even more confusing, the Manafont page for it shows a 98mm body, and the DX page for the light shows a 93mm body.

I took a chance and ordered the DX (5 mode, OP reflector) will report back when it comes if it is really the 93mm body or the 98mm.

At 13 bucks, its pretty cheap, order 3 or more, $11.50 each.

If it is 93mm long it is (probably) a good 'un.

If it is 98mm long and has a metal switch cover it is (probably) good.

If it is 95 or 98mm long with a rubber switch cover is is (probably) not so good.

Unless anyone knows different.

I wonder just how long it would take to melt solder on one of these with an XP-G or XM-L driven equally hard.

Or set fire to your hands.

I'll let you know in 6 weeks when I have totally forgotten about the C3 and suddenly it shows up in the mail...

I've just received this from DX

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-c3-stainless-steel-cree-q5-wc-5-mode-190-lumen-memory-led-flashlight-1-aa-1-14500-26122

Works great on AA and 14500, it's a real Q5, it's 98mm, it has rubber GITD switch and can perfectly tailstand.

Yes, that is the same one I orderd today. If you like at the photos with the calipers in that ad, they clearly show it as a 93mm body, yet you received the 98 mm body. Hopefully everything else works well.

I have the 98mm one with a rubber switch boot from DX, and it's actually quite nice. No complaints whatsover except for the fact that it doesn't tailstand.

Tailstands huh? Lucky! Mine doesn't.

How do you know?

Which version?

If it died after 1-2 weeks you can probably get it replaced from Manafont?

My C3 SS is the one from lightake. It is the 93mm body. Tailstands very well. Didn't work when I first put a battery in. Discovered that the pill was not screwed in all the way. Tightened that and it worked fine. Definitely the Q5 version. Body is very well made. The pill has an awful lot of solder all over the place though. Doesn't seem much brighter than my ITP c7 on Nimh. It actually arrived within two week of ordering too.