Meco vs Gearbest branded SK68 clones
Introduction:
After getting burnt with so many cheap flashlights that advertise as cree leds but come with lattice bright leds, I contacted Banggood and Neal to get 2 ‘Meco’ flashlights to review. My aim was to see if we, flashaholics could still get sk 68 quality at cut throat prices. They were nice enough to provide me those 2 samples free of charge for review.
Upon unboxing and putting it on, I could see it was definetely not a CREE led. So, instead, I turned this review into a comparison between the MECO and the GB flashlights.
Build
Both nearly similar in size. Bangood branded version is named Meco and Gearbest is named after the company itself. The GB version is slightly slippery due to the paint job.
The tailcap are of similar height and have the same number of threads.
The inner tube of the gearbest version is thicker and there is no movement of the cell once it is inserted unlike the Meco one which has some rattles. NOTE: This is a non issue once the tail caps are inserted and the springs exert pressure…
!https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/54700356/Flashlight/Meco%20vs%20GB/05.jpg !
While it appears that the GB version has thicker/wider springs, they have much movements and will easily fall apart. The meco one does not suffer from this spring ‘play’. MECO comes with thinner orings The tailcaps are interchangeable.
The MECO led sits deeper than the GB version. It does not come with the 2 ‘holes’ that allow easy removal unlike the GB version. The Oring of the head is better in the MECO version. While the tints aint great, the GB version is definetely too purplish for my liking.
Drivers:
The drivers appear to be the same with some slight modifications. They do work the same although I could clearly defect the PWM on the GB version…
Beamshots:
Here are some beamshots for comparison
Zoomed in:
Zoomed out:
Comparison with other lights:
Those lights put about 40-50 lumens on an eneloop.
Summary of MECO vs GB:
Took a pic as I could not figure how to insert a table…lol
Conclusion:
Flashaholics will be definetely underwhelmed by this low output. However, the tint is quite nice and it could make as a gifter, child gift or stuffs like that. Output is definetely much lower than the original SK-68 clones(ultrafire) which had much higher outputs and probably were running CREE leds. I would be giving them away very soon to some friends….They will get a home where they will get some use.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
Cheap
Nice tint for the money
Works on AA.
Zoom in/out aka flood or throw.
Multi modes (low, high, strobe)
Cons:
Not a CREE led
Low output
Relative:
Not too mod friendly