Review: UltraFire AT-008

KronoReview of the UltraFire AT-008.

One AT-008 was provided by GearBest , and another AT-008 by GeekBuying for review. GearBest has an XP-G, while GeekBuying claims to have an XP-E, but in actuality also has an XP-G emitter. I thought about doing separate reviews, but the lights are almost identical except for some very minor internal changes.

Manufacturer Specifications (as appear on GearBest website):

General-

  • Brand: Ultrafire
  • Model: AT-008
  • Emitter Type: Cree XP-G R5 *(Note: Listed as XP-E R2 on GeekBuying site)
  • Total Emitter: 1 x Cree XP-G R5
  • Lumens: 700 Lumens
  • Feature: Lanyard
  • Function: Household Use, Walking, Hiking, Camping
  • Battery Type: 18650
  • Battery Quantity: 1 x 18650 Battery (not included)
  • Mode: 3 (High > Low > SOS)
  • Focus: No
  • Rechargeable: No

Specification-

  • Power Source: Battery
  • Reflector: Plastic Smooth Reflector
  • Lens: Glass Lens
  • Body Material: Aluminium Alloy
  • Available Color: Black

Dimension and Weight-
Product weight: 0.091 kg
Package weight: 0.200 kg
Product size (LxWxH): 12.5 x 3.0 x 3.0 cm / 4.9 x 1.2 x 1.2 inches
Package size (LxWxH): 15.0 x 5.0 x 5.0 cm

Package Contents
Package Contents: 1 x LED Flashlight

Manufacturer Specifications (as appear on GeekBuying website):

Highlights

  • Amazing high Brightness Cree XPE-R2
  • Quality aluminium alloy construction
  • 3 Modes for different situation
  • Support charging directly with the 18650 batteries inside
  • Portable size, easy to carry
  • Neutral white light see everything the real color
  • Magnetic tailcap for muti-function

Specifications

General

  • Brand: UltraFire
  • Color: Black
  • Material: Aluminium alloy
  • Quantity: 1

Specification

  • Emitter: Brand Cree
  • LED Type: XP-E
  • Emitter BIN: R2
  • Number of Emitters: 1
  • Color BIN: Neutral White
  • Voltage Input: 3.7~4.2V
  • Circuitry: 900~1100 mA
  • Battery Configuration: 1 x 18650 (not included)
  • Lumens: 270LM
  • Runtime: 3 Hours
  • Number of Modes: 3
  • Mode Arrangement: Hi / Low / Flash
  • Mode Memory: No
  • Switch Type: Forward clicky
  • Lens: Glass
  • Reflector: Smooth Aluminum
  • Switch: Location Side
  • Strap: Included Yes
  • Clip Included: No
  • Lighting Range: 150m

What’s in the box?
1 x Flashlight

KronoReview:

The UltraFire AT-008 is a single 18650, XP-G R5 light with 3 modes (High, Low & Strobe with hidden SOS). Here are some things I observed in this light:

Pros:

  • Feels good in hand, nice size.
  • Magnetic tail.
  • Side Clicky. NO sub-par rear clicky with next mode memory!
  • OK beam with decent spot.
  • Square head makes for a nice anti-roll feature.
  • Build quality is better than average sub $8 light.
  • Throws decently for a cheap light.
  • Hidden SOS.

Cons:

  • Hard to remove bezel.
  • Only a small lip for emitter. Needs a solid shelf for direct thermal transfer.
  • Useless charger hole…no charger supplied with unit. Many Chinese lights, unfortunately, come this way.
  • Plastic lens (GearBest & GeekBuying specs say it is glass…not so!).
  • Plastic reflector (Labeled YK P002, 23mm diameter).
  • Won’t take protected cell…tailcap won’t screw down all the way.
  • No anodized tail lockout.
  • Low output. I don’t have a light meter, but it is nowhere hear the 700 claimed lumens. Probably more like 200-250 lumens (purely an estimate).
  • Blinkies.

My Photos:


Head/Driver with wrench. Had to use a Visegrip lined w/electrical tape to remove bezel.


Head/Driver-side view



Head/emitter


Head/showing small lip that emitter sits on.




Underside of board.


Underside of board on GeekBuying version (note different color negative wire, glue reinforcement of clicky switch, and no retainer ring holes for removal).


Bezel and reflector removed


Lens, reflector, LED center piece, bezel and GITD o-ring.



Magnetic tail sticking to metal light fixture on ceiling.



Magnetic tail sticking to kitchen knife.

Beamshots:


Control shot


UltraFire AT-008 on High


UltraFire AT-008 on Low

GearBest and GeekBuying pics:


Here’s an additional picture for the magnetic end, stuck to a knife…lol


And the charge port which GearBest omits from their pics.

Summary:

I like the compact size of this light, however, the internal design is lacking. Not that surprising for a very budget, side clicky. If this had a solid emitter shelf, it would be an awesome budget light. But…since it doesn’t, and it has a plastic lens, un-usable charge port, and older emitter, I only give this a moderate grade. However, since it has a decent quality build, usable side clicky, NO next-mode memory and a magnetic tail, it will be useful to some looking for those features.

Kronological Patented KronoMeter Rating: 3/5.

thx for your great effort you did on this review great pics also , i liked this light and the magnetic tail is very cool but the lake of solid emitter shelf and plastic reflector is very annoying

Thanks Krono. Close again but no cigar.

Thank you Krono. I got mine too, but I just haven't had a chance to look at it much. Used it a little and my experience with that is the same as you reported.

You are welcome.

Thanks for the review, it seems like well build lights really only start at 10 dollars, and that is reasonable of course.

Good quad host (also takes care of the plastic lens issue at the same time). I’ll be building mine into an MELD light, the charger port will be filled with a 5mm encapsulated UV LED. There wouldnt be enough room fir the wiring with the MCPCB in the stock location but with the quad needing the MCPCB raised way up its not an issue, gives me plenty of room to work.

Excellent review.

And that looks like an awesome mod Cereal Killer.

This light looks like its external styling is a clone of the Sunwayman C21C

Wow, that square head looks real good with the quad optics C_K.

Thanks for the review. Sad to see it's so poorly designed. I agree, C_K's quad looks very nice!

-Garry

Nice review on the light, Krono. A shame for the poor internal design otherwise this might have made an awesome budget version of the Hammer light (a light I've wanted for a long time).

C_K. as always, you have turned another sow's ear into a silk purse! :)

Yeah, the quad looks awesome.

Imagine it with quad XPL and FET driver. Then accidental turn-on in the pocket! |(

Reviewing is new to me, so I really appreciate the kudos. Thanks, fellers! :slight_smile:

Actually, the lack of a shelf and the charging port can be looked at as a positive. This light would be much more expensive if they had got those 2 things right.

Mine will be getting copper disk inserted and the charging port will be either threaded into a tripod mount or become a beacon/indicator light. Replace the spring with a short copper dome and you got lockout capability.

I haven’t read the review yet, but that is a beautiful house.

Thanks for this review krono. Almost pulled the trigger on this light. :slight_smile:

Excellent review kronological

CK how will improve the thermal management since there is only a small shelf on the head, possible potting behind the star?

I used my usual method- first I shaved a stack of 1” copper disks down to fit flush in the head (reduced them about 1-2mm, they almost fit as it) then I soldered them into a slug then I JBweld potted underneath that to hold it as the correct height.

Did you take any pics during the process? I didn’t see a thread on it.

When I first saw this light and how cheap it was I wanted to start modding it. I haven’t modded a light yet, and after some research it seems like it may not be that beginner friendly. I was originally thinking of making it into a Mule.

Got mine in, 3/5 is a good rating for this

Definitely a “budget” light, and kronological’s review is spot on…not a “bad” light but not the greatest either, but as C_K above…I think I might do the quad mod, problem is there ain’t alot of meat at all in this light, barely any fins and nowhere the heat can go…so driving it hard for long periods is out of the question…I am thinking 4A~ total (1A each emitter) w/ turbo stepdown after say 60 seconds might prevent it from burning up.

Either way not a bad light for the price, sub $10 light with plenty of “potential”

Heck I think this thing with a XM-L/L2 or now a XP-L on 20mm Copper sinkpad/noctigon would definitely perk this thing up even with the stock driver, much more light but not that much extra heat.