Review: Uniquefire G10 1xAA [ 14500 ] 6 Mode

UniqueFire G10 CREE XP-G R5 6-Mode from DX


First Impressions:


I was a little surprised by how well the light felt in my hand , the clicky is very easy to use , and I thought the beam quality to be excellent . There is no lube to speak of on the threads , so taking of and putting the tail-cap back on is a little rough [ Dry ] , but a little lube quickly smooths things out .

Warning !

Running a 14500 in this light has damaged the driver , AA batteries no longer work , and the output has become unstable , varying from 90Lumen to 200Lumen and then back down to as low as 50Lumen , I would say the driver is toast . So be aware that using a 14500 may destroy the driver . [ This sample has a damaged driver now from using a 14500 ]


Description From DX .


Brand: UniqueFire
Model: G10
Casing Color: Black
Emitter Brand/Type: CREE
Emitter BIN: XP-G R5
Color Temperature: -
Color BIN: White
Total Emitters: 1
Battery Configurations: 1 * AA or 1 * 14500 rechargeable battery (not included)
Voltage Input: 0.9~4.2V 4.2V Max.
Switch Type: Clicky/Clickie
Switch Location: Tailcap (Tail-cap)
Modes: 6
Mode Memory: -
Mode Arrangement: Hi > Mid > Lo > Fast Strobe > Slow Strobe > SOS
Circuitry: Digital Regulated 1200mA Current Output
Brightness: 350 lumens maximum brightness (manufacturer rated)
Runtime: 50 minutes(manufacturer rated)
Lens: Coated Glass Lens
Reflector: Aluminum Smooth/OP Reflector
Carrying Strap:

Strap Included













Lets move directly to AA performance , now Im going to hold of on running a 14500 in this light until I have posted the AA beamshots , as there have been reports of 14500's killing the driver , so if the light survives I will update with 14500 figures .


AA Nimh Performance :


Recyko = High / 1.88A / 113Lumen - Medium / 1.07A / 61Lumen - Low / 0.47A / 17Lumen

Eneloop = High / 1.87A / 107L - Medium / 1.06A / 61L - Low / 0.47A / 17L

Duracell = High / 1.88A / 106L - Medium / 1.04A / 56L - Low / 0.47 / 17L

KodaK = High / 1.88A / 113L - Medium / 1.05A / 64L - Low / 0.47A / 17L


Beams tonight .



Conclusion on AA :

I was a little worried the light would never arrive , It took time for DX to get the light , and it took a very long time after they said it had shipped , for the light to finally arrive , for a while there ! Its here and I like it so far , the only thing is the lack of performance on AA's , its not very good for the current draw or the XP-G R5 emitter . Perhaps the light is optimized towards the use of 14500 Li-ion batteries , and the AA's simply cant do the light justice [ we will find out in part two ] . The clicky is very nice , a solid mechanical action without being soft or overly firm . The light does have memory , but you have to wait some 4 seconds before turning the light back on for it to activate or you will turn the light on in the next mode .


Overall , Im very happy with the light , its one of the better AA lights I have got my hands on , and as mentioned before it has an excellent beam , especially considering the smooth reflector . It has a very well defined hotspot , and I just cant wait for it to get dark out , so I can go out and play [ eer - test ] with the G10 . The machining and anodizing look to be well done , and the threads are well cut [ but bone dry ] , this sample has to be one of the better made lights in this price bracket . Aside from the lack of performance on AA's , I have nothing negative to report about this light , so until tonight , when I can post some beams , and then move onto testing the 14500's ,


Part 2 soon


Low / Medium and High powered by a Eneloop Nimh . I will try 14500 now ...

Warning !

Running a 14500 in this light has damaged the driver , AA batteries no longer work , and the output has become unstable , varying from 90Lumen to 200Lumen and then back down to as low as 50Lumen , I would say the driver is toast . So be aware that using a 14500 may destroy the driver . [ This sample has a damaged driver now from using a 14500 ]


So there you go , I was right to be cautious , Ive gone and toasted the driver running a 14500 , so please be warned that if you buy this light , you may wish to limit your self to AA batteries , and in that regard [ AA ] , this is not the best AA flashlight out there , but output / driver efficiency aside , it has a really nice beam . This one will now get a new driver , I have a few 1A spare drivers , but there all 3v-4.2v , so no AA compatibility after a driver swap . Well , how unfortunate , but these are the things we need to sort out for you the reader .

Thanks for the very fine review.. Mine took a long time to arrive too, and

it only took 5 seconds for a 14500 to destroy the driver. Anyway put in a new

driver and now it works fine, but are only a one mode version.

Have made a claim to DX and will have to wait what they will say about it

Thanks for the nice review Old! Frontpage'd and Sticky'd. Sorry about the damage from the 14500 battery. Typical case of false advertising from DealExtreme. I hope they send you a replacement and update their product page....That'll be the day. :)

$hit, the same happened to fran, if I remember well I really like body style, but if with AA it's mediocre... will have to discard this light. Hope DX will send you a new light, Matt

I seen a pic somewhere of the driver this light used. It is the same red one with the red trace that was in my K10 and C3SS and some F20's. This driver has been reported to always fry with 3.7V.

I wish I had read this sooner that you were going to try a 14500 then I could have warned you.

It was this red driver mine was issued with.

I think old knew it was a risk to use 14500´s in this light. I had writen it in another thread

about the G10.

It might have been here. Luckily I didn't have any 14500s-

I had to try the 14500 no matter what ... I have spare drivers , so it will become a dedicated 14500 light , but yeah , DX owes me a driver ..

old4570 you are so hardcore, testing this... knowing that it most likely would fail to withstand the test.

Had to do it .... No point testing stuff , if your not going to test it , or test claims ...

Another awesome review old4570!

5 Mode UniqueFire G10

A mate in the office got the 5 Mode G10 from DX (grey annodised) and has had no issues at all with 14500 batteries.

Thought you may like to know

I got a full refund from DX on my G10 which was fried by a 14500 battery.

I have one of these coming in a few days, supposedly it is an XP-G

Does anyone know which driver doesn't get fried by a 14500?

OK, mine came today. This is the back of the driver that is in it.

Can this one run on a 14500? Thanks...

I posted my thoughts below your post on the what you got today thread

That is different to the one I fried ... [ not the same driver ]

I guess it is a good thing my 14500 batteries are still in the mail, looks like they may be too much for the driver. Mine is a 6-mode (what a waste of 3 clicks, getting past the blinkies). Since DX is still shipping them I wonder if they now have a true 4.2v capability?

Hmmmmmmmm

BTW, this light on AA and "High" mode is not quite as bright as the Jetbeam BC10 I got last week, which they advertise at 160 Lumens.

If the Jetbeam really is 160 (I doubt it) then the G10 is probably about 120.

I put in a 17 mode / 3 level 1A driver , and its fantastic on a 14500 ..

Just wish KD still had there buck boost drivers , in fact I might have to email them and find out if there getting more .

Or order a few more DX ones ..

This driver WILL FRY!

Mine was exactly the same and it went up in smoke in 5 seconds.