DQG Tiny 18650 XM-L2 Review & Comparison

I am using AW CR123 batteries. I have 1 mode- it is maybe 10 lumens. I also sanded the tube.

OH! Have you tried just a single 18650? Sometimes drivers will go into single mode if too much voltage. A Mini-02 I have does that (go into single mode) if I use unprotected 16340.

Edit: Is this light even spec’ed for 2xCR123?

Yes-I have tried 18650 battery. Same result; 1 mode maybe 10 lumens. The quality of this build is shameful.

Maybe you’re discovered a hidden “firefly” mode in these lights :)? Just kidding :)!!

It does sound like there’s something wrong, but it’s kind of strange that you got two of them that have the same problem… I got two also, one in CW and one in NW, but both of mine work fine.

I wonder if maybe using the 2xCR123 batteries might’ve damaged something? As I said in earlier post, I didn’t think these were spec’ed for 6+ volts. Did you see that specified somewhere?

This is a family-friendly forum; please edit your posts with the foul language.

I picked mine up from the post office today. Overall I’m pretty happy with it so far but a little bummed my protected 3400mah’s Panasonics are too fat to fit.

For protected batteries that do fit I am a little worried about abrasion on battery protection circuit when inserting/removing cells. I noticed that the cell wrapping at the bottom that covers where the connection runs down the side of the cell is becoming abraded. The area is only 1mm or so in diameter where the protection circuit wraps around the bottom of the cell as that area is slightly raised. If the connection becomes exposed and touches the side of the tube will it short?

For now I’ve added some Kapton tape on top of the abraded area for extra protection.

-PG

did you use the cr123 before or after the 18650? it does not mention anywhere that these are capable of running 2xCR123, so im guessing you fried something

Great review. Thanks for sharing!
8)

You may be right. However, it would have been nice to get some directions with the package!

Hi,

Did you use the 2xCR123 with BOTH lights? Or just one of them?

I guess that what I’d say is that, even though I’m still kind of new to flashlights, I’ve already learned the hard way (killed a couple of lights), that if a light is either not spec’ed for a certain voltage, or unless you can find positive evidence that it can support a certain voltage, then you’re taking a risk trying something beyond the spec’ed voltage.

If it does turn out that this is what happened, then the unfortunate part is that, based on an earlier post where someone removed the driver to take a look, it’s not going to be an easy fix, I think :(…

Ill quite the headline and some specs:

Its very clear from the description that its only meant for one 18650 battery.

OK, I have no problem to admit I made a mistake. Still, this was the worst quality light I have ever bought in terms of build quality. I learned my lesson. Time to move on from this subject.

Casey,

I don’t think anyone is trying to beat up on you, we’re just trying to figure out what happened :(… As I said, I’ve killed a few lights myself, and I’m guessing that even the more seasoned folks on here have done that, probably a lot more than I have :)…

Anyway, if I were you (and I am not you), I’d just try to contact RIC, either via his websites or via PM, and let him know what happened, and see what he says.

I have no idea what he’d do, but to me, there’s no harm in trying.

I think the fact that you mentioned that you had tried 2xCR123s in your earlier posts is a sign that you were being honest and open, and truly didn’t know that 2xCR123s was bad, so, at least, that’d be to your credit.

Anyway, that’s JMO…

Jim

Edit: I actually think that the description/specs on the website are somewhat vague. They say no “protected 18650”, but they don’t specify voltage range. I’m not trying to argue, but just mentioning it, as you might want to suggest that they put more info on their specs to clarify the voltage range, which I think might’ve avoided this problem?

Yes it would be good for everybody to know that this light is or isn’t spec’d for more then 4.2 Volts. that would be a major oversite if it isn’t, as I would suspect this will happen to a few others as well.

a lot of light from such a small tube :slight_smile:
how much was it anyway?

Thanks for the review,I see the build quality is a bit lacking and the 3400 mah batteries are no-go.I wanted a compact 1x18650 light for my toolbox at work,but I think I'll pass on this one.Thank for your efforts Chicken drumstick.

$35 + shipping

The preorder was $30 shipped. Still waiting for mine… hopefully next week.

RIC contacted me. He is sending replacement driver and emitters. Nice of him to stand behind my failure. All is good.

+1