Hello,
I want to buy this Yinding YD XM-L2 bike light but noticed the same light is mentioned with different lumen like 900, 1200 and even 1800 at different webshops like Gearbest, DX or Wallbuys…and more.
So which is the correct version?? Or should I say the “original” version, because I do NOT want to end up with a fake clone of a clone of a………
Please someone let me know where I can get the “real” Yinding”?
There is a good thread about this on mtbr :
real ones are available here : http://www.gearbest.com/yinding-\_gear/
These lights are — off and on — back-ordered, see the very long MTBR thread for info on that and a contact name at GB if needed.
The “battery pack” is four shrinkwrapped cells with a cable, plus a cheap AC charger.
Don’t know what cells, likely junk from comments in the MTBR thread.
Certainly not smart to charge four unknown cells bundled together.
GB sells a 4-cell battery box that’s been recommended at MTBR (with the warning to take the cells out if you aren’t using it for a couple of weeks, parasitic drain will kill the cells if they’re left in it); also here: Battery Box for 18650's
http://www.gearbest.com/diy-parts-and-tools/pp_119294.html
use code “new2s2p” for a couple of dollars off.
Some discussion and coupon code for the “real” Yinding” here? :
Thera are no “real” products from China 
anyway, one thing to keep in mind, if you look for cheapest one you will most probably end up with clone that has no heatsink…
Well this is for sure true:
Beyond that, though, look at the MTBR thread, there’s some history behind this.
Amateur summary from my attempts to read through it:
Yes, Yinding cloned a copy of a light.
Yes, the usual game happened — copies of copies of copies, each round cheaper and crappier.
It’s a bit vague yet about why the people who made the ‘original’ good Yinding light quit supplying it.
Either
— the original quit being ordered as waves of clones came on, or
— Yinding turned out a second batch that were degraded copies themselves, then the clones followed, or
— Suppliers got cheap crap copies, labeled as Yinding, and sold them claiming they were the 2nd batch from Yinding, or
— ???
(opinions seem to vary, see the MTBR thread for speculation)
Anyhow it was, to paraphrase Yogi Bera, another instance where the light became so popular that nobody sold it anymore.
The guy at MTBR worked with someone at GB who, it is said,
— located the original factory source, and
— got them to make another batch to the original spec.
MTBR got some and checked — and those were good.
MTBR then worked out an improved neutral white light emitter.
Both are now for sale (or back ordered, batches come in fairly quickly)
People at MTBR are taking the new ones apart and comparing them to the first round from a couple of years ago.
So far, looks like the heatsinking is done to the original good standard (that’s where the copies-of-copies screwed up badly).
So far, there are some differences in the driver (ample pictures available if anyone can figure out what’s what)
Ya know how it works by now.
People have to keep taking each new batch apart and watch for crap being substituded for good work.
GB and other suppliers won’t be checking for quality control.
Thats up to us.
In the software industry, they call it Charlie Checking.
There’s Alpha checking for gross function
There’s Beta testing for functionality to spec
And there’s “Sorry, Charlie” when the product goes out to the users.
Hi Dooku,
For what it’s worth, I bought the “900” Lumen Yinding Neutral White head only from Gear Best (http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_133573.html?currency=USD&gclid=CjwKEAiAuKy1BRCY5bTuvPeopXcSJAAq4OVsCan1e_g2jWeItrcy-3nuW_JKAADnmJ-C0_gEAS-KsRoCypzw_wcB) and paired it with a $13 4x 18650 cell battery from Amazon.
I also bought a “1600” Lumen BT40s.
The Yinding is brighter than the BT40s at full power. This leads me to believe the “900” Lumens is per LED within the Yinding head and at full blast the Yinding is actually pumping out ~1800.
I also bought one of Kevin Brown’s finned aluminum GoPro mounts for the Yinding. Glad I did, that little thing gets warm quick.
Hope that helps.
Eric