Dongrui DR-918
Reviewer’s Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆
Summary:
Battery: (1*18650 / 1 * 26650)
Switch: Tail clicky
Modes: 5 (High, Med, Low, Strobe, SOS)
LED Type: XM-L T6
Lens: Glass, non-coated
Tailstands: Yes
Price Payed: Provided for review
From: http://www.aurabuy.com/new-260-cree-xm-l-t6-5-mode-1000lm-white-led-flashlight-torch-w-strap-1-18650-1-26650.html
Date Ordered:
Pros:
-Battery options: 18650 or 26650
-Fits protected no problem
-includes 18650 adapter
-Tailstands
-GITD o-rings and tailcap
-Nice big reflector provides great throw without sacrificing spill
-dual o-rings at tail
-brass inserts in ends of battery tube
-Pill screws directly into head for more direct heat transfer
-perfectly centered LED
Cons:
-Light weight pill leads me to believe it is hollow
-XM-L dome arrived with imperfections
-LED tint is very CW (pro for some, con for some)
Features / Value: ★★★☆☆
This light was provided to me by the kind folks at Aurabuy for review purposes. The light arrived very well packed and took on zero damage in transit to Canada. The light features bronze anodizing, XM-L T6 LED, the ability to use both 18650 battery and 26650 battery and features the basic 5-mode setup that we are used to seeing (High, Med, Low, Strobe, SOS). I could not get the light to properly display any sort of real mode memory, however it seemed to act more like ‘next mode memory’. Aurabuy lists the light at $28.82 at the time of this review, with free shipping. Upon reviewing this light, I feel that the light packs a nice, basic set of features.
Design / Build Quality: ★★★☆☆
The light arrived in good shape. No notable dings or imperfections that stood out as irregular in a Chinese light. Just a few minor small marks, as you may see in the photos. Machining is on par with what you’d expect for the price range. The only complaints I see are in the heat fins on the head. There is a slight bit of ‘roll over’ where it appears during machining, the grooving tool pushed over a bit of an edge and this wasn’t cleaned up during QC. Not a big deal, but I figured I would mention it.
The main reason I am giving this light 3-stars for design and build quality is due to the hollow pill. Good heat sinking is a huge factor in a good, reliable light. Especially one meant to drive an LED such as an XM-L with decent amperage. Although the pill on this light has great potential for good heat sinking, it fails by having a hollow pill.
The o-ring at the battery tube and the head seem to have a good, snug, water tight fit, but the dual o-rings at the tail don’t seem to have the same nice snug fit. They still probably do enough to serve a purpose, however on my sample, I would not feel comfortable submerging it. Aurabuy rates it at IPX7. I would be comfortable using it in some rain fall.
Battery Life: ★★★★☆
My measurements from a freshly charged Trustfire Flame protected 18650 battery were as follows:
High: 2.25a
Med: 1.00a
Low: .25a
Although the light is not driving the xm-l to its full potential, it still puts out a great amount of light while offering some good battery life.
Battery life on a 26650 will be increased a fair amount, however I did not have one at the time of testing.
Light Output: ★★★★☆
The light on high mode drives the LED at 2.25a on my sample. Although not driven to maximum potential, the big reflector throws light VERY well while still offering superb spill.
Low mode is ok at .25a, but doesn’t offer any sort of ‘moonlight’ or ‘firefly’ mode that many desire.
Mode spacing is pretty good despite the lack of a true LOW.
Summary: ★★★☆☆
To summarize, this light is a well rounded offering in the category of 18650/26650. My biggest complaint is the hollow pill. At the current levels that my sample has, it may not be the biggest issue, but if you wanted to upgrade driver or LED, it would be a weakness.
The light seems fairly well built, offers a nice alternative to the usual black anodizing, and with the dual battery options, makes it a nice contender for a longer run time light with great throw.
I want to thank Aurabuy for the opportunity to do this review!
