I already have the UltraFire C88 (Q5).
Should I also get the Cyclone C88 (XM-L)?
The only XM-L I have now is a SolarForce L2i with Manafont XM-L...
If I do get the Cyclone C88, I plan to run it on Eneloops or AA Lithium primaries, no li-ions for me right now.
We will always tell you yes. You knew that when you asked... now go buy it!
If all you are using is AA, I think there are better uses for your money. $45 is a lot for a light running on AA and there are many other great choices out there. Seems like the AA option on this light is a good emergency/convenience feature, but it's not even close to utilizing the light's capacity. Just my $.02.
On the the other hand, it's a flashlight you don't have - Buy it! :D
Well, the other option is to mod a Saik SA-305.
I already have a couple of XM-L on a suitable star, I just need to get a suitable driver (I have a spare KD v2 but I hate how it changes modes).
Will be about 20$ cheaper, and since I don't intend to run it on high for long periods of time I guess I can do with the lower mass pill of the Saik (or is the difference not so big as versus the UltraFire C88 massive pill?)... Obviously the C88 is of higher quality overall, but maybe the Saik will suffice.
This is the question really, Cyclone C88 or modding Saik SA-305.
Oh, I totally forgot about the Aurora/UltraFire SH-3AA XM-L from DX.
What should I do what should I do what should I do
Rant: Why doesn't SolarForce have a 3xAA body? (with matching threads on both ends of the battery compartment, to have the ability to make a 6xAA light)
For 30$ I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Looks like I killed my own thread... :(
I think I got my mind off the Saik, it's just not worth it quality wise.
So - the UltraFire SH-3AA? Aurora SH-3AA? Cyclone C88?
JetBeam PA40 
+1
even better, the neutral white PA40! :P
I wouldn't. I regret buying mine. Mine is an "intense blue," and won't stay on it's selected mode. From emailing Hank, he told me that the Nanj driver has the problem of switching modes the next time it is clicked. Mine always goes into strobe on nearly every other activation or so.
Also, you won't be able to run it on AAs for longer than 10 minutes or less. And that's with the most fresh batteries or topped off rechargeables. I wanted to like it, but it sucks. From what Hank tells me, mine is NOT a dud like I thought. Everybody else seems to love it, but I wouldn't recommend it. It doesn't throw super-great like everyone raves about, though it does a pretty stout job of that.
Maybe mine was, in fact, a dud. But I wouldn't, man. I wouldn't.
It must be a dud. I don't have any of those issues and the runtime on AA XX Eneloops was way over 1h. See the attached runtime graph:
:bigsmile:
I bought a few from auction on e-bay for grandchildren. Average cost was $4.50 each light.
some were 1 or 2 AA and the 2 AA would become a
1 AA by removing an extra battery tube.
This would be a good way to go.
I never saw that torch! When did that appear at DX?
If it were me, I would mod the C88 that you currently have. That way you can choose the XML and not end up with a tint you don't like.
Was your situation resolved?