Review: Yezl T8X MK II Raptor

The Zoomie That Thought it Could

I can definitely see the appeal of a light like this; XM-L, focusing, simple 3-mode UI with no blinkies in a compact package that's not exactly the ugliest flashlight in the world. Still, it can't be a coincidence that this Yezl zoomie says "Raptor" on its focusing head and there just happenes to be a couple of fine little Raptors made by JetBeam and guess what? They focus too, albeit at $110 and $128 respectively. I can imagine Yezl "engineers," flummoxed about what to call their new creation until a Google boolean 'flashlight+zoom+focus' search yields the answer. "Hey, let's call ours an MK II Raptor. Very original.

If you don't think Foy knows a flashlight from a hole in the roof, here's the bottom line: The Yezl T8 tries hard and it does have a nice flood but folks, this is not a good flashlight. The beam pattern is possibly the worst I've ever encountered, it aint all that bright for an 18650/XM-L and the build quality sucks. Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how'd ya like the play? It is a perfect waste of an XM-L emitter and $30.

battery: 1 x 18650

switch: tail cap reverse clickie, non-tail standing, crenulated, drilled for lanyard

modes: 3-mode; high, medium, low

LED: Cree XM-L/T6

lens: aspheric, plastic

water rated: IPX-8 (NOT! see below)

tail cap draw: high - 2.25; medium - .60; low - .19 amps

maximum measured exterior temperature on high: 115° (at base of zooming collar) 105° at tail cap knurling

additional specifications from cnqualitygoods.com

-118 x 32 x 25mm

-100g

-350 lumens

This flashlight was generously provided on loan by Langcjl for evaluation. Originally purchased here - http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1068 (appears to be out of stock as of this writing)

order placed: 4-22-11 (Foy's birthday!)

order received: 5-11-11

price: $30.63 including shipping

what I like:

- great flood

- aspheric lens provides pleasant view of emitter

what I do not like:

- eye chartesque beam pattern (when focused for throw)

- activation button too sensitive, a strong breeze will change the modes

- not bright

- poor build quality

- IPX-8 rated light should not get wet inside, right?

First impression is, meh. It does not dazzle with ugliness but with the shiny bling ring below a collar with an arrow and the word "focus," it gives the promise that perhaps there is something entertaining in store. The knurling is worthless, "annodizing" looks like paint and the machine work is horrible.

The bezel is aluminum so, no Foy business going on up here.

Plastic aspheric lens with molding tree separation whateveryacallit. "Lens" comes pre-scratched for that aged patina look so in vogue these days.

The aluminum piece threads and I was barely able to turn it. If the light were mine I would have powered it out of there somehow. The silver reflector was loose and I had to slide it back to center before reassembly.

This is as good a place as any to mention how awful the threads feel. The good news is, you won't have to feel them for long because there's only three.

Since I didn't try to pry the driver/emitter out (remember, not my light) the two above lousy shots will have to do.

Note the random nicks on the end edge of the tube. Niiiice.

This aint quality fit and finish, guys. This is . . . cast it, paint it, thread on a .02¢ laynard and throw it loose in a bin with 3,000 others until they spill over the side.

The brass center contact is spring loaded and it seems to be a threaded plastic ring that keeps everything inside.

The Yezl T8 specs say this fine little light is rated IPX-8. Ergo, into the dreaded "depthsink" for water testing.

The result?

Rest assured Greg, your light was not harmed in any way. Light continued to function all through the test without so much as a flicker but be warned; this flashlight is not waterproof and probably not even rain proof, at least not for long. Maybe if the o-ring were a little thicker?

Drying out.

Here's the eye chart beam pattern that is sure to impress.

Can the Yezl T8 redeem itself with actual performance? Off to the Uglywall to find out. Cactus plant is 55 feet away, it was a bright, nearly full moon tonight, shutter speed was 1/4 second @ f2.8. Since this Yezl is T6 equipped, it should have no problem runnning with the big dogs, in this case an L2P sporting everybody's favorite drop-in, the 3-mode Ultra Fire XM-L from Manafont.

First up, the L2P/UF XM-L.

Now the Yezl focused for throw.

Pulled back for flood.

This is actually the one strength this light has. It possesses a pretty decent flood.

Below are a couple of beam shots a little closer.

Like I said, it's got a good flood so, maybe we should just end on a good note. The problem is, this is an XM-L flashlight that cost $30. Which, might represent a terrific bargain for a quality zoomie that actually delivered the goods. Unfortunately, the Yezl T8X "Raptor MK II" is an under performing, low quality piece of trash.

Foy

Nice. My thoughts exactly. It’s a sad story.

I was thinking maybe if it were $15? But the truth is; it would still be a bad light so, a buyer would just be a little less annoyed at a lower price.

Foy

At a bad light.

I've been wondering how long it would take for some 'manufacturers' to start putting XM-L's in junk hosts, changing nothing but the emitter........and the price.

The answer it seems is 'not long'.

AnothergreatreviewthereFoy.

Thanks for this great review Foy!

Nice images and review. Thanks for not tempting me with that one!

Nice review Foy!

I have the same body - with a Q3 I think - that I got for about $6. For the $6 it's ok...

I knew it would be a POS light. I have the exact same body purchased at ebay with a q3-5 led in it. The body is total junk. The driver also. Changed to another leftover driver the light finally does perform as it should. Still it is junk. Internals are exactly like yours. Logo printed: HT 803. From all zoomies the best i got was romisen RC-C8 easily. I have to order one again. This however is the only one i still have since it is so bad that i feel bad even gifting it. Paid 8usd, and regretting.

Thanks foy for being the guinea pig on this one. I'm sorry it turned out a disappointment.

You can find the same body with many different emitter. The XML pill is different from Q3 version but i think this YEZL is really overpriced. Great review Foy!

Great review! Seems as if it is of the same quality as my yezl light. Definitely not ordering anymore yezl lights. Especially with their false advertising of quality and ‘ixp8’ in the photos and videos on their website.

Excellent review as always, Foy ;)

I actually was thinking on buying this one, with group offer or smt like that (have seen that post here on BLF, with $2 off). But after your review, and others lights review that resulted to be total crap... I understand why I'm a semibudget lover :( Don't have enough money to be a guinea pig (well, unless I see a 5 star review of budget light). Really sorry for that bad spent $30, Foy :~ This light should cost $15, no more.

UPDATE: hey, guys, what do you think about N-Light lights CQG selling also? Are they better than Yezl? Thanks in advance ;)

YES I’ve said it 1000 times before … clearly no one wants to listen to it so i’ll stop singing the "N-light is in my top ten favorite lights " song . they are N-light nitecore nitecore zebra zebra yes i like the N-light b2s

Haha, thanks for the song, boaz ;) Don't remember well if you were talking good things about N-Light in general or only few models (i.e. ITP - I think the quality of their cheapest lights is as good as their high end flashlights)

Because I made my feelings about this light clear, didn’t like it at all, I have to now give credit where due. I have been using this light as a bicycle light and it seems perfectly suited to that application for me. Easy to change from flood on the road to narrow on the trail. The light still has all of the problems noted above but also has some redeeming value.

there is actually a decent xm-l zoomie around this size? i know xm-l's aren't the best for throw, but it would be a fun light anyway if it was bright and somewhat decent quality.

what if it's compared with this http://the.pic.fi/kuvat/Misc/BLF/IMG_3234.JPG/full

Hey Lang, I'm glad you're getting some use from that little guy. If it turns on at night when you need it, can't be all bad.

Foy

It is performing admirably in its new role. Those tail cap threads though, down to 1/4 turn on and off.

The Yezl in this review is now dead. The tailcap threads that were identified as a shortcoming early on, finally gave up. It was down to a 1\4 turn for a long time but then I couldnt get them to catch at all. The good news though is that just the other day I got a non functioning Fenix E20 from the Goodwill store. This is the second E20 I have found at goodwill and I have never found another good light there. The Yezl gave up its XML and driver to the Fenix. Its not driven really hard which is kind of a blessing. I am getting 500 lumens out of it. It is now an incredible light. The Fenix originally has a driver that is not soldered in but rather held in by a couple of ears on the driver and screwed in. This makes it hard, for me at least, to replace the driver. I struggled to fix my last one for that reason. With the help of Brted I was finally able to manage it. The driver on the yezl was soldered into a brass ring which fit the Fenix perfectly. This is going to be one of my favorite lights so the Yezl purchase turned out to be a good one.

edit: I want to save the switch but cant get the SOB apart. Foy has some good pics of it above. Any ideas?