Im new, Have $$$, Need more fun!

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Im only 6 weeks into my flashlight hobby obsession and i progress fast, And i finish hobbies fast also. So i try and do as much as i can and learn as much as i can before i get bored and move on to another money draining hobby. Ill list what i have and hopefully you can give suggestions for what im missing out on and what is fun as heck for you.

Im set on NiMH cells AA and AAA all Eneloops or similier with BC-9009 charger.

Li-ion i have 4 on hand + 2 in the mail 18650 Flame TF's and 2 on hand +2 in the mail Flame 14500's, I want more of these and will touch on that later. Also i have a TR-001 and Pila charger.

Lights i own: Olight M20s, ITP EOS A3 Upgraded, SolarForce L2r, Sipik zoom clone, Two Coleman 3xAAA 175Lm Walmart specials now.With a BeamTech T6 Cree XM-LT6 and a Small Sun ZY-A21 Cree Q3-WC in the mail on US soil from DX i expect any day. The last two i bought to be lego like torches so i can play and use them in many forms.

I need more Li-ion cells, Should i stick with the TF Flames or try some AW 2900mAH or Panasonic 3100mAH cells? I dont think the cost is a good price/quality and function ratio. But while running high amp lights it makes me feel a little safer knowing the QC is most likley better and ill keep all 9 of my fingers and two thumbs. So try the new ones. Or stick with the Flame TF?

On my short list so far is an Ultrafire Full Stainless Steel C3 Cree, KD C8 CREE XML T6 are two lights i want to try from all the raving reviews here. And most likely gonna do a custom build from SolarForce with an L2i body and XM-L drop-in and bling it out a bit.

Past those two im kinda lost, But i can tell you what i like.

1. I like 18650 lights, 65% single cell and 35% double cell. I think with the two i have coming from DX I will have some good enough largish lights. But don't confuse large output with large size as i love large lumen output as long as it has 2 modes or more. More than 2x Li-ion cells in a light makes me nervous until i get to know they light.

2. I try and stay away from CR123 dual cell lights, But single cells are cool.

3. I don't like 1 mode lights as most of my use is indoors, Id also like a light that at a minimum that the smallest cell it takes is 1x 14500 as 1xAA just dont do alot for me. But its nice to have the option to use one if needed.

4. I do like lights i can mod as i have an EE background and can see me doing some emitter and driver builds so a light thats very acceptable of mods like that would be good. But i wont be ordering any mod materials until later when i get over the fun of pushing a button and seeing light come out first.

5. I like lights that are bright for their size, Meaning i don't expect 600lm out of a pocket light.

6. I have one zoom light and thats enough, And im not so big on multiple emitters in a head as i really dont need the sun in my hand.

7. I prefer it easy to order and in stock and from China is ok, DX and MF and KD all seem good to order from even tho ive only dealt with DX.

8. Stainless steel is cool as is shiny aluminum, As long as they don't scratch up fast. But basic black is always in style.

9. Lastly these are just suggestions in what i like and don't like so far, I may be able to be swayed in opinion at anytime so dont be afraid to suggest something i said i wouldn't like.

10. Lastly, Price. $50 and less per light. The closer to $25 the better.

2nd lastly is a question. With the Beamtech i have ordered. Id like to add another 18650 extension seeing the light will take 18v. Do you think a SolarForce extension should match up thread wise?

If you read threw all this and have a suggestion i really appreciate it.

2

If you have the money try the new ex cell 3100. Xtar 2600's are also good and cheaper.

Try Manafont/ Kd faster post.

I have no idea about the Beamtech

6. I have one zoom light and thats enough, And im not so big on multiple emitters in a head as i really dont need the sun in my hand.

TRY it you might like it. 3 xml looks interesting.

3

If you like stainless steel then you must get yourself a Trustfire F22 and a C3SS from lightake or manafont although the two C3’s are totally different torches those two are the good ones. Even though you were mainly looking at AA style torches I think everyone should have a Trustfire F23 as well. It is just a beautiful torch although it is AAA.
I must also add that the C3 from lightake will not work on 14500 and it isn’t the brightest on nimh but it has such a nice beam and tint all that is quickly forgotten.
I think you should pick up the programmable Akoray K106 from KD as well.
I also love my Skyray S-A1.
Oh yeah the Trustfire R5-A3 from KD is a must have as well, it is very bright on 14500 and last we all knew had the modifiable drive so you can change the mode arrangement.
Well I guess I tried to spend enough of your money for now…have fun and welcome to BLF!

4

Buy this: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/2388

In fact, buy more than one.

5

Ill give the 3x XM-L emitter heads another look, If the specs and reviews look good i may get one. Ill look at those cells also, And do a search for reviews here if there are any. Link me if you know some off hand. I just know ill need more Li-ion cells and id like some highest quality ones for some super amp drawing lights. But id like to stay frugel as $20 AW's surely isnt. But the new Panasonics are said to be as good and http://callieskustoms.com has some decent prices for what you get.

BlueBeam- You mentioned so many lights and id like to thank you for that, But i cant comment to much yet as i will look at each one closely and that can take some time. But i will post back what i think about each one. I also have heard MF and KD ship much faster than DX which took 8 days just to acquire my lights before they could ship them, I don't like that process. But im trying to learn patience as i grow older in life. But im almost at 4 weeks since i placed my order with them and im still waiting on it.

If the light is frugel enough a single AAA light isn't that bad as im sure i can always find a use for it, But it better be a looker if it isn't packed with power or features. If you think of anything else please come back and suggest it.

agenthex- Thats an interesting looking light and ill have to read up on it yet, But from a quick look the premise of a ring controlled output control sounds great in theory.

Ill post back what i think about each light everyone mentioned and the cells also. Ill do my best to stay with MF and KD and if i have to buy some from DX as i figure ill have so many items to order it wont bother me to wait on a few items.

Thanks for the input and keep the idea's coming!

6

I got one of those in the mail last week. Although the magnetic control ring is interesting, I think I am done with XR-E emitters, at least in 18650 lights. Just not enough light coming out the front, even though it has a well defined hotspot.

To the OP, I think the answer to the 2nd question is no, I could not even find the first question.

7

It's more than just great in theory, it means you can reliably select how much light comes out the front, whereas with most "mode" lights it's a crapshoot what it's going to do when you turn it on. Of all the dozens of cheapo lights I have, this is one I'd probably keep if I can only keep a few, and might even top the list.

I happened to think that other than the XML for flood, the XRE is still the best general purpose emitter for cheap flashlights. XP-E are only OK in AA light, because don't take DD well, and XPG are a crapshoot whether you get a 1A regulator or highly variable DD current. With XML and these newer "small" packages, good optics are rare and you mostly get uneven hotspots. For some reason, they tend to come with SMO reflectors which doesn't exactly help.

8

Ok i just had a long post written up with comments from each light, I then hit agenthex's link and it took this page there and i lost all the info. :(

The ex cell 18650 is a rebranded Panasonic also like the one from http://callieskustoms.com and is priced well there and sold in the USA, So i may try a few.

Trustfire F22 and 23 - Yes and yes.

UltraFire C3 CREE Q4 180-Lumen White LED Flashlight with Extension Tube and Strap (1*14500/2*AA)

TrustFire R5-A3 XPG R5 - yes

Aurora SH-032 Stainless Steel Cree Q3-WC - Heck yes.

Ultrafire Full Stainless Steel C3 Cree Q5 - Not feeling this one as much anymore.

Akoray K106 - Not to much on this one either.

Skyray S-A1- Nope

TrustFire R5-A3 XPG R5- I like this one alot.

LED Cree Q5 Magnetic Control Switch Flashlight Torch #2 - Kinda odd looking, But fun and i like it.

I dont think i missed anything, But im sure there are many posts now with more to look at so ill get at that now.

9

Solarforce L2 - any one L2 L2P L2M L2T L2X ? L2i L2r ?

As for drop ins , Manafont has the 3 mode XM-L - nice !

Batteries ? Testing the Callie's Kustom right now , looking good .

DX has a XR-E drop in [ ramping ] which is very nice , keep meaning to mod one to XP-G or XM-L as I like the beam profiles a lot more than the XR-E .

If your looking for more lights -

N-Light B3 Stainless

ITP A3 Stainless

Ultrafire M2 is nice

The Sky Ray S-A1 - just got one - nice on a AA [ havent tried the 14500 yet ]

Problem is recommending something trouble free ....

10

Problem is recommending something trouble free ....

True enough. For example, the SKYRAY S-A1 is an excellent light (good draw, nice tint), but both of the examples I have took some tweaking to get rid of intermitency issues (ended up swapping the heads).


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I have plans on a SolarForce L2i with XM-L drop in, And ive heard the one at Manafont is perfect since its a 3 mode. Id like to bling this one a little with stainless accents. I have a SF L2r begging for a new XM-L also and extension if i can find one.

I just sent an email about the Samsung 18650's mentioned a member is selling. But id like some of the CallieCustoms for multi cell lights as i want protection on those cells.

N-Light B3 Stainless - Ill consider it, But i have to many AA and AAA lights i like already from all the recommendations here.

ITP A3 Stainless - I have the A3 EOS Upgraded so this would feel redundant. Excellent lights tho, Mine amazes everyone i show it too.

Ultrafire M2 is nice - Looks like all the stainless ones minus the bling, Not that thats important.

The Sky Ray S-A1 - This one kinda stands out and i like it.

Dont worry about perfection, Im a modder at heart. I just dont have the experience for modding lights yet. But it shouldnt take long as i learn rather quick and do have an EE background.

Ok guys, Lets hear some recommendations on some larger 18650 torches. They are my favorite type due to the larger size and high lumens but the long run time is what i love. Long run time on medium anyhow lol

12

Get this and let us know how it turns out.

Looks a better copy of the MRV than the common ones.

13

Thats not a bad looking light, But i sure would like some specs on something before i buy it.

This one seems a better deal with the XM-L emitter : http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/lumapower-mrv-xml-t6-3mode-memory-led-flashlight-118650-p-7246

Even a guess at lumen's and an estimate of amp draw would be nice. Lastly im gonna try and keep the purchases down to two places if possible so i dont have 10 orders to track and guess when they are coming.

I looked at my list of lights from recommendations and a couple i like and its over $250 and its mainly just AA and AAA lights. So im gonna have to start eliminating a few and cut that down to get a few more 18650 lights on the list. Possibly one multi emitter head 18650 light with XL-M's in it.

I did order and pay for those Samsung 18650's so i have 10 of those coming to power single cell lights since they are unprotected. That saved me a ton of money, But im still gonna get a couple of the Calliescustom Pana 3100's. Probably just two since they are $16.50 each with shipping.

14

learn it .. know it .. live it

cr 123A ,UI and tints .. nuff said .

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I agree with all of that but the CR123 part. Its fine for short term use, But i prefer 18650's when i want long run times. I suppose i could have bought a ton of cr123 cells for what i paid in 18650 cells and a Pila charger, But that takes alot of flexibility out of power options.

But the UI and tints are more important imo, But im a noob still. Your a wise person from our discussions so i wont take what you say lightly and appreciate the comments. If by UI do you mean driver characteristics or just modes? I can live with just a 3 mode light. But controlling the light is important to me as a long term goal in modding drivers. We all don't need 3A draw flashlights or low settings that are 150 lumens.

As for tints i like cool whites so i don't get overexposed hot spots that are useless. Everything i just said may be wrong due to my lack of understanding, But give me time as ill get there. Im OCD like when i sink my teeth into a hobby or project.

16


The cheap MRV knockoffs are decent, but they're unregulated and simple inside like most cheapo lights. This looks like an actual sidekick clone or might even use parts from the real thing ($100).

Frankly once you get to understand the cheapo lights, specs are useless since they're either wrong or not relevant. and lumens isn't everything.

17

Well I must recommend the fantastic KD XM-L C8 5 mode. I say the 5 mode because we all have got good ones. They have it with either a smooth reflector or orange peal. This is a quality torch! I must add that this torch requires good batteries as well. Only one of my crappy salvaged batteries is capable of running this light good. This torch lends itself well to unprotected batteries too because once the cell reaches 3.7v at rest it kicks down to medium so you know it's time to recharge.

18

Im gonna start cutting lights from my lists as i must have 75 lights in my cart at three places.

I think the MRV may be cut on looks alone. The KD XM-L C8 5 mode has been on my list prior to me starting this thread. I read alot and a light that has 5 pages of compliments is gotta be owned by me. Plus i just ordered 10 unprotected Panasonic 18650 2400mAH cells a member has a hookup on. What a great deal on quality cells, Thats for sure.

So single cell 18650 lights will be a preferred light due to the extra cells. Also after seeing AAA/10440 Li-ion cells are pretty much junk im gonna buy only one light of this size, But it will be Stainless steel. Ill most likley by a couple 10440 cells to play with, But i have a stash of 1.7v lithium primaries. But not enough i want to power 5 AAA lights.

My paycheck came in so i will be thinning the carts today and will post up my final purchases. Im gonna do my best to order threw Manafont and KD due to faster shipping times as DX takes over a week just to fill an order and get it ready to ship. But they still have some stuff i can only get there.

19

If you only go with one 10440 torch, I highly recommend the TrustFire F23.

Remember when you order from DX...only one item per order. If you have multiple items in your order and one item is delayed they will hold shipping until all your items come in unless it's been longer than two weeks since the order was placed. Order 1 torch per order and they will ship to you as quickly as possible.

Best of luck and have a blast! ;)

Johnny

20

What? So many stuff and none of them are HIDs?

If you like power/lumens/throw and like them to be substantial, they make are a totally different league from LEDs. Modding for power, changing colour temperature are much easier + fun too.

Anyway, nice to see you here, from CPF. Laughing