This new torch from DX looks very nice. Price is $32.70. I like the bling look. No brand name here, just a model number (J28).
Size is nearly identical to a 2C mag and outweighs my 4 x XPG by 30g. My guess is that it is as solid as it looks. Would be nice if it would also run as 1 x 18650, but nothing is mentioned in the specs regarding the body tube unscrewing into 2 pieces.
Thinking about pulling the trigger, but I usually like to get feedback/reviews first...
You have a link to it so we can check out the other details and specs? Nevermind...found it...duh...LOL! It certainly looks like it would do single cell mode.
That is if the driver can handle the reduced voltage.
I do like the looks of that, Hill. Decent looking pill and overall heavy and sturdy look to it. Sure is a sharp looker but I thing $32 is a bit high for it. If you get it I look forward to your review. 
Pricey? I'm not sure about that Johnny. If the quality is there, I'm inclined to think it is reasonable, but that's just by opinion. I already have the SR STL-V2, so I really don't need ANOTHER 2 x 18650 XML thrower. But it's just such a nice looker, it's hard to resist. Damn this addiction...
!
Wow, I love it! That's going on my list.
DX just listed the 1 x 18650 version of this light, model J18, but is has a Cree Q5. I'm still wondering if the 2 x 18650 (J28) body unscrews. It looks like it should, but as scaru pointed out above, the driver may not work with a single cell.
A picture of the light in hand...head is much bigger than I thought!
Hefty torch at 349g!
Price $26.40
Just ordered the 2x18650 version.
Should be here in 3 weeks. I’ll post pics and do a review then.
Hi Hill,
that’s the same version I wanted too. Depending on your impressions of it, will decide if I purchase one too. Hope you reveive it soon. Thanks.
You got it man!!
Delivery update
6/13 - ordered
6/14 - shipped
6/17 - arrived @ NY sort facility
6/23 - still waiting….stuck in customs?
Is this typical? It’s already taking longer to travel from NY to MA than it did from the initial order and shipping to US!
For whatever reason that NY ISC is slower to update than the others. I have had orders go through LA ISC and SF ISC and they all updated the www tracking much closer to real time than NY. My order arrived at NY and appeared stuck there for 1.5 weeks, then arrived at the bay area hub literally hours after showing it departed NY. I had my order the next day. I think the system was just slow to update.
That’s what I was hoping for, but it did not show today (Sat) so will have to wait till next week :-(. I’m very interested in this torch and am looking forward to making a review.
Torch has finally arrived!
Transit time:
China -> NYC 4 days
NYC -> MA 10 days !!!
Review and pics to come. Stay tuned......
Hi Hill,
In addition to tail-cap readings, can you tell us if DX packaged it correctly or did it receive shipping damage. Thanks.
Ok, here is my review of this torch. Apologies for the poor picture quality, I only have a point and shoot camera which only takes mediocre macro shots.
Light was received from DX wrapped in bubble wrap stuffed into a plain white box packaged inside a padded envelope. The box was deformed during transit, but no apparent nicks, scuffs or other damage was visible on the torch itself.
Glamor shots
2x18650 format
1x18650 format
Misc
Weight (without batteries)
This torch - 353g
SR STL-V2 - 262g
2-C Mag 4 x XPG -363g
Tear down
Battery fitment
Although any size 18650 battery fits in the 1 x 18650 format, this torch is selective when it comes to batteries in its 2 x 18650 format. I tested 4 different protected 18650 cells shown below, ordered shortest to longest. Only when using AW brand was I able to completely screw the tail cap down completely. The others left varying sized gaps, although the torch was still able to turn on/off and cycle through modes.
(L to R): AW, Redilast, TF Flame, Panasonic blue
The next series of pictures will show each brand (same order as above) in the torch, first without the tail cap, then with the tail cap screwed down as far as it will go without crushing the cells. Note: I removed the brass "button" from the tail cap spring to give me a few extra mm and replaced the tail cap boot with a black one (I think it looks better than the ugly GITD green one.)
AW 18650
Redilast 18650
TF Flame 18650
Panasonic blue 19650
Size Comparison
(L to R): 18650 cell, SR S-R5, Ultrafire HD-2010, 2C Mag, SR STL-V2, this torch 2 x 18650 format
(L to R): 18650 cell, SR S-R5, Ultrafire HD-2010, this torch 1 x 18650 format, 2C Mag, SR STL-V2
Outdoor beamshots - taken from my second floor balcony to the ground. Not the best quality, but you get the idea. Both lights are on high. The STV-V2 beats this torch hands down. It has a much tighter (and brighter) hotspot with a larger spill beam.
Left - this torch, Right - SR STV-V2
Current Draw (A)
|
J28 (this light) |
SR STL-V2 |
|
|
1 x 18650 |
2 x 18650 |
2 x 18650 |
High |
1.88 |
0.74 |
1.56 |
Med |
0.81 |
0.38 |
0.8 |
Low |
0.3 |
0.1 |
0.17 |
Ceiling bounce (Lux)
|
J28 (this light) |
SR STL-V2 |
|
|
1 x 18650 |
2 x 18650 |
2 x 18650 |
High |
64 |
54 |
98 |
Med |
29 |
27 |
50 |
Low |
3.8 |
4.9 |
8.4 |
Pros
Cons
Overall Impressions
I like this light very much. It’s got solid construction, apparent good heat sinking (I have not been able to verify this), well machined threads, and a nice balanced feel. The ability to run as a single or double 18650 light adds to its utility. These outstanding features come together in a competitive package which costs under $35. However, these benefits are tainted by its lackluster output combined with a horribly bluish tinted XML, ultimately leaving me frustrated and somewhat disappointed. Seriously, with all the components out there, how much more would it have been to beef up the output and put a better tinted emitter?
Normally, in debacle such as this, I wouldn’t hesitate to perform some minor mods, i.e. a driver/emitter swap. However, much to my dismay, I have been unable to unscrew the head, leaving me scratching my own head as to what the next step will be. Based on the pictures posted on DX, the head should come off. I've tried my usual trick using strap wrenches, tugging as hard as I am willing to go without damaging the light or breaking the wrenches. I also tried freezing it as well as adding a few drops of multipurpose oil into the threads in hopes of loosening whatever is holding it together (glue or loctite?). Nothing has worked so far. I find myself really liking this torch and want to turn it into one I will reach for regularly, but unless I can do a driver/emitter swap, it may end up spending its days as a shelf queen, high output wanna-be 
.
Great review !
The flashlight looks like a freaking lightsaber (me like)
and too bad about the underdriven and greenish led.
I noticed you can get the reflector out; can’t you try to swap the led/star from the front??
Thank you for the review. I really understand you could not resist this light. It has a sort of medieval weapon + bling + apparent well constructed look about it.
So sad that they made a underperformer with a bad tint. I guess it was not to be.
If you really want to get it apart and it is glued then you could try heating it up with a hot air gun + belt strap wrench. That should do it.
I tried that, but there is an insulator ring that cannot be removed from the top, and even if I could, it’s too deep to work in there.
That will be my next step, I’m just worried about damaging it. I updated my review above stating I tried the strap wrench method without luck, even after freezing it. I am going to try running the light on high for a while to heat the head up and give it a shot. I’ll post an update if I am successful. Wish me luck.
Thanks for the review, Hill. Nice looker, hope you can figure out how to get it apart.