MicroReview: PANYUE PH-08

Prize provided by EachBuyer for their recent giveaway contest. Model can be purchased at this LINK (NON_AFF).


PanYue should be translate to "ascending or climbing" meaning in Chinese. There is mountain symbol within their logo itself.

Teardown View

Brass pill pops out easily, once lens cap is removed.

CREE XM-L T6/ U2 Cool white (probably in 7500K range)

Removable clip coated with thick glossy black paint.

There is a rare earth neodymium magnet installed in tailcap.

User Interface:

HIGH> MED> LOW> Strobe> SOS> OFF driver

Not hollow pill, but no thermal epoxy or paste. Centering ring blocking light source from LED.

Plastic reflector screwed into brass pill. Nice big rubber switch for your thumb to operate with.

Conclusion

I was disappointed by its cheap feel when it first arrived. It was covered with some dust on the exterior and leftover metal residues inside battery compartment, screw threads and tailcap. It required quite a bit of cleaning and greasing before I powered it up. I was welcome with awful PWM noise at Med and Low modes.

Since I going to teardown the flashlight for quick review, I decide to beef up PANYUE PH-08 with copper braid at tail spring and thick aluminium foil padding surrounding brass pill.

Sorry, I just could not stand plastic reflector, scrolling through 5 times to turn OFF, unfixable threads, PWM noise, foggy thin lens, etc.. No doubt, PH-08 is rather bright for its size. It draws more than 2A (tailcap reading) with my 20R. I really like PH-08 when I first saw it in picture. However, I am glad that I did not waste my money for it in the end.

Freeme Rating:

Edited: Personal rating has been revised.
1) Threads will get smoother after 10-20 repetition of open/close actions, with good amount of lubrication.
2) Audible PWM noise can be minimized by removing the magnet at tailcap.

Thanks EachBuyer for supplying this flashlight. Although it turned out to be an average in my opinion. Perhaps it makes more sense if it was priced lower.

A. Diameter of driver
B. Could plastic junk be replaced by a P60 reflector
C. Link to the sale site (not going to buy it but just wanted to see what they were charging)

I really dislike those round robin to off UI’s…bleh

A) 16mm
b) Will not fit.
c) Ok, $11.99 is still not that bad. I remembered it was priced at $16-17 last time.

thanks for the review freeme!

This light is not well thought out at all!

It is just an average light. Not the best out there, but not the worst either. If you pass it to anyone, who does not own any CREE flashlight. I think they will be quite satisfied with it at $12.

Can anyone name a few similar class of 18650 flashlights to compare with? Price range between $10-15?

http://wallbuys.com/Product/XP-11-CREE-XM-L-T6-700LM-5-Mode-Magnetic-Tail-Cool-White-LED-Flashlight-Black-1x18650--10791

What I was trying to say is that with the pop-in pill and screw-in plastic lens the design is different from other lights in the same price-class out there (like the Small Sun ZY-T29), and as far as I can judge it: worse. But I can always be proven wrong of course :-)

I have one of these that I got for $11.24 from FastTech.

I like the magnet, the output, and the sideswitch. I hate the very loud pwm and ui where you have to cycle through 5 modes to shut it off. Mine came clean.

If it were single mode, I think it would be ok for the price, but with this ui and the insanely loud pwm, I really hate it and would say avoid.

Thanks for the review.
Now I don’t need to buy one, I like the ck12 clones more…

Try removing the magnet, it works for my unit. Let us know if it is the real culprit responsible for the loud PWM. Default driver produces quite decent amount amperes (1.8A~2.1). It is as bright as my old 502b XM-L2 500lm. I intend to leave it as it is.

It is quite a hassle to go through all the modes to reach OFF state. As long as this is not your primary light, it should not be that bad.

You guys still buy from WB? My last order was like Feb or so... Really missed their Sec Kill game,. LOL.

Whoa, they have promo for BTC3100 v2 @$31.99 that is new.

I agreed that CK12 looks slightly better. 5 mode version too.

Thanks for the review, the money is good for the quality though, if anyone wants to buy I can provide coupon

Does anyone know how to remove the switch? My wire is broken and I am unable solder back without removing it.

Any 16mm driver to recommend for this host? Under 2.8A kind.