Review: Sipik SK68 AKA Cree Q5 Adjustable Torch

Does anyone know if the seemingly-identical Q5 lights on eBay really are Q5? Example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Adjustable-Zoomable-Focus-CREE-Q5-LED-Flashlight-Torch-/130509355348?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item1e62f6b954

This seems otherwise the same as the Sipik SK68 for about the same price delivered. I'd prefer ordering from DX vs. eBay but if I can get a better emitter for the same price then I'd go for it.

I got it, and its a Q5.

It's Q4 according to Sipik themselves and I really doubt they would make custom Q5s for every seller on ebay. So no it's not Q5.

And DX has downgraded its specs to Q3 just so they cant be accused of bragging. LOL

GMX go buy the light, its very bright, can tailstand and good for edc as it has a clip.

Cree only specify a minimum output bin for orders. If you order a batch of Q3s and Cree haven't got any (Which wouldn't surprise me as they tend to get higher in bin as the process gets improved), you'll get what they have even if that means you get a batch of R2s or R3s instead. I wonder if Cree have any white XR-E Q3 or Q4 emitters any more

I just installed a 3-mode 1000mA driver I got from ShiningBeam into my SK68. High output is much better and low is great for reading in bed and such. The original driver was no more than a 700mA so now it is pushed to it's full potential. I think I'll swap out the Q3 with one of the Q5 emitters I have in my bin. Then it really should be putting out quite a bit of light. As it is it puts out a brighter focus spot than the hotspot from my xml-t6 driven at 2800mA. With multi-modes it really is a great little torch!

Thanks for the responses.

I am definitely buying one of these since it looks like just what I'm looking for, feature-wise. But for roughly the same money it seems like a gamble as to whether it's delivered with a Q3, Q5 or something else, no matter where I buy it -- does that sound right?

Nautic, you got yours off eBay from a similar "Q5" advertisement?

I did, the eBay listing didn't have Sipik anywhere on the page but it had Sipik on the body.

three of these from Focalprice. They draw around 1300mA from a 14500.

Yes same dealer

Mine just arrived (very fast shipping from the eBay dealer!). I am only running an alkaline AA in it right now, but I have to say -- wow! This is an amazingly bright and versatile little light.

Mine doesn't say "Sipik" anywhere on it though, instead it says "UltraOK" on one side and CREE on the other. Sorry for the newbie question, but how can I tell if this has a Q3 or Q5 in it?

Can't wait til my 14500 batts arrive....

Unfortunately, the only way to tell between different emitter bins is by direct comparison - same driver, same battery (at the same charge), same optics, same reflector.

As Jekostas wrote, very difficult. But you can see if its a new or old version of the led.

The new EZ900 has a dark-red line all around the chip

What's the difference between a Q3 and Q5?

13 lumen @ 350mA (93.9 vs 107) and 37 lumen @ 1000mA (268 vs 305)

Thanks, and can you tell them apart by looking at them?

No. And if it says Sipik 68 you get the same emitter everywhere, unless you find one with a (fake/old) OSRAM, it's not Q5 just because an inflated ebay description says so.

This one says "CREE 7W"

LOL

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZOOMABLE-7W-CREE-LED-Flashlight-Torch-Zoom-SA3-AA-/160586923727?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item2563b9fecf

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I received mine recently and the light says "UltraOK" on one side and "CREE" with their logo on the other.

However I noticed that the font used in the word "CREE" seems a little off based on photos I've seen of other Cree lights (I don't personally own any others). It is also missing any kind of "TM" or "(R)" symbol. This seems a little strange to me, is it likely that this is a bootleg light? It seems to work just fine and I'm happy with the performance for the money, but not having any other Cree lights to compare against I'm not sure if I got hoodwinked. The emitter itself "looks" like what I'd expect, based on the shape (and it does have the dark red line around it).

Btw, are there some disassembly instructions for this light, and/or something generic that covers a wide range of lights?

Here's a picture of the CREE side of the light.

Hi Huny, FWIW I just ran mine under running water and also submerged it (for about 30-60 secs) in a sink. I also operated the switch and cycled the zoom several times while it was under water.

Water did intrude behind the lens (between the backside of the lens and the emitter), but the light continued to function fine. Removing the bezel allowed me to shake out the water that did get in.

I don't know how to fully disassemble this thing yet so I don't know if water got into the rest of the body but it seems to be able to withstand a reasonable amount of exposure to water.

HTH!

ETA: After taking off the tailcap I notice that some water did enter the battery compartment. However, as mentioned, the light was still operating properly.