Review: PX-516 1x-AA/14500 - host/mod potential - update!

Purchased after reading this post:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/1532?page=240#comment-699045

...via ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281399892000 - $6.05 today, was about .20 higher when I bought mine.

Interesting single-cell AA/14500 light with some thought in the design. Hampered by small reflector diameter relative to the diameter of the host.

Here, alongside my FastTech C20 (single 18650) TrustFire F20 (single 14500/AA) and an unprotected 18650 cell:

It is only slightly larger than the Trustfire light, but somehow feels significantly larger in the hand.

The bezel is aluminum and has sharp crenelations, but the soft material could be Foyzeled down with some sandpaper or a file easily. The big problem is the relatively small reflector diameter relative to the thickness of the light. As seen in the photo, the reflector is only 15mm in diameter, and extends only to the inner ID of the GITD O-Ring. The overall diameter of the light is 22mm. The bezel has a recessed groove on the ID to seat the O-Ring, while the glass(!) lens is pressed in place between the edge of the plastic reflector and O-ring.

Surprisingly, this light has a proper threaded-in pill with a solid (albeit, thin) base. The driver is a 17mm three-mode boost that will allow operation from 14500 cells, and AA, although at reduced brightness. Another suprise is that the light has a no-mode-memory driver, which always starts on high; this is much better than the common next-mode-memory driver found on many lights. The factory emitter is a basic XP-E on a 16mm board. The standard PCB and driver sizes allow for easy mods, so this light has some decent host/mod potential. The included aluminum PCB is a thinner style, so you would have trouble fitting a thicker PCB in without further modification. The pill was also assembled without any heat-sink compound. The pill is deep enough that you could sand it down to fit a deeper reflector or thicker PCB while still retaining room for the driver.

The red ring on the tailcap is just a threaded retaining ring for the pocket clip; this clip is one of the strong points on this lamp, is very well made, and removable if needed.

The tailcap on this light is interestingly assembled, but can be fully disassembled for repair, if needed:

Lots of pieces for such a budget-priced AA light:

The light has some decent mod potential due to the solid pill and use of standard PCB/driver sizes. The biggest drawback (that I see) is the small reflector diameter. I'm looking for a decent option to replace the current 8mm x 15mm factory reflector. The design would allow the use of a reflector a couple of mm larger in both directions. If I could locate such a reflector, I could drop an XP-L, XM-L, or XP-G type of emitter and get a decent EDC light.

(using IMGUR for picture hosting, as my workplace is blocking Photobucket. I hope this goes well.)

Thanks for the thoughts. I'd be interested to hear how you go with a bigger reflector.

I've added this 17mm x 12mm XP-type OP reflector to my Shopping Cart:

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1106200

If I can cut the pill down by about 4mm, this reflector should fit the host.

I'll post an update if it works out.

Interesting. You had me at clip retaining ring. I ordered one.

Thanks for the info and break down shots.

I wonder if this is the same:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/271011007298?\_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Recently I’ve bought a Trustfire R5-A3 from this seller (UltraOK) with is similar build:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Good-quality-TrustFire-CREE-R5-LED-800-Lumens-3-Mode-Flashlight-light-Torch-/280839148324?tfrom=271011007298&tpos=top&ttype=coupon&talgo=undefined

This looks a lot like an inferior copy of the R5-A3:

http://www.dx.com/p/trustfire-r5-a3-cree-xp-e-r5-3-mode-230-lumen-memory-led-flashlight-1-aa-1-14500-39062

The R5 looks like it has a much better reflector, and a better emitter. Of course, it's twice the price; in my case, I'm just looking for a budget mod host so cheaper is better... Money Mouth

Looks like a good host, especially for the price.

Surprised to see how that tailswitch comes apart.

Do you think a 20mm TIR would fit under the front bezel w/o causing a ringy beam?

Definitely looks like a decent AA host body for DIY, regular GP work, or for giveaways

Thanks. Looking forward to the bigger reflector.

The maximum diameter reflector/optic that can seat inside the bezel ring is 17mm...

I've added this optic to my Fastech order to see if it can be pursuaded to fit:

https://www.fasttech.com/product/1108201

It should…just get either a hobby file or sandpaper and either wrap the TIR in scotch tape both the back and the front side to prevent scratching/marring (if you scratch the plastic underside that looks like the reflector it will put a bad artifact in the beam pattern) and gently file the lip off the edge, I got one of those to fit in a 602C host just fine, actually I think it was this TIR w/o the plastic housing

The TIR works of of relection/refraction rather than just reflection of the shiny surface on normal reflectors, damage that surface and it’s worse than scratching the shiny on a reflector because now you loose light

Learned something though…TIR = Total Internal Reflection…who knew ? :stuck_out_tongue:

I just tried that exact TIR last night (with the ring removed) and no luck. It's still a couple o' mm too wide to fit.

This TIR is actually a perfect fit for this light! With a 14500, it gets a fairly well focused beam. A bit messy against a wall, but not noticable in normal use.

https://www.fasttech.com/product/1108201

(Also, check out the Foyzel job... Cool)