One of the problems with the Sipik SK68 is that of very short runtime. A lot of folks have used extention tubes from $3 lights to turn the Sipik into 2xAA but one then ends up with a strange light with its clip in a bizarre position and usually two parts that don’t match.
I recently decided to give the Small Sun Zy-A25 a try and I am DELIGHTED that I did. It is less hard driven than the Sipik and draws 575mA from two Eneloops so it has plenty of runtime plus it is three mode (H-M-Strobe) so using medium, which is about 300mA, can extend runtime even more.
Build quality is superior to the Sipik, especially as regards zooming. Small Sun have fitted two rubber o-rings. One around the pill and another on the battery tube. This makes the action smooth and as secure as any push-pull zoom action ever could be. The only negative point with the light I received was that it came unlubed on its threads (easily sorted).
As regards performance the beam is pretty much identical to a Sipik.in every way and to the eye just as bright as a Sipik with extension.
The Zy-A25 can be used as a shortie using one CR123A but definitely not 16340’s. I haven’t tried a CR123A as I never use CR123A’s and for shortie use I’d go with a SK68 and 14500 anyway. Besides I see this light squarely as a 2xAA/NiMH light.
I can see myself gifting this light often in future. Its a terrific universal use light for non-flashaholics; standard batteries, smooth flood, decent throw (around 70 metres) when needed and reasonable runtime all for under 11USD. I recommend this light as a must have for all zoomie lovers.
I agree, nice find. VFMaddict, I know DX specs aren’t very accurate, but it would be helpfull to Flacomuchacho in this thread Recommendations for a AA Bike flashlight? ideas? suggestions? if you can look how it runs at voltage below 2.4V. DX has specified this voltage as a minimum and I’m shure you know AA at 1.2V is only half empty.
Just dropped a pair of fully charged Eneloops in and will check voltages when the light first starts to very noticeably dim. This should answer the question within a couple of hours.
UPDATE: Just passed the two hours. No significant dimming, yet.
Thanks for the head ups!
How is the pill? Alu or brass? Does the star sits in the pill completely (like the SK68) or just in the borders (like the C78)??
Haven’t removed the emitter insulater but it looks like the emitter is not sitting over thin air. The light is also now uniformly warm. However the pill has no brass ring at the driver end and is all alu’ and the driver is press fit. All in all though this light is only moderately driven so I don’t see heat as being likely to be a problem.
UPDATE: At 2h 48m the light had dropped in brightness to just below that of a Sipik SK68 with 1x Fully Charged Eneloop. The cells in the Zy-A25 were at 0.95v so significant dimming does not occur until total voltage drops to around 1.9v.
Had to end the test at that point because I had to go out.
