Fit and Finish
Overall finish is excellent. Bezel, button, and clip all appear to be stainless steel, and the anodizing feels great. In the 2 weeks that I’ve had the light it hasn’t collected any major scratches, the only wear that I see on it is some light scratches in the groove where the pocket clip attaches. The pocket clip itself is very stong, bordering on too stiff. It is reversable, but you wouldn’t want to switch it too often because it is a pain to do and can scratch the light. Knurling is very aggressive and provides great grip. As is common with DQG lights, there are slight variations in anodization color/shade. Mine matches the gearbest listing with the body being slightly lighter than the head, and the head slightly lighter than the tail. The DQG model etching on the side is fairly light, it looks uneven and worn even though the lights is brand new. There is a GITD O-ring inside the bezel, but the ‘glow’ isn’t very strong or long-lasting. The thin threads of the tailcap are somewhat easy to cross-thread, but once they are alligned they are smooth and came pre-lubed. Despite these few quibbles, the light feels decently high quality in the hand, even though it is very light.
Operation
When you first pick up this flashlight, you will probably hate the UI, I know i did. For someone new to this light, it will be counterintuitive and you might even have to read the instruction booklet (which was inlcluded). However, after growing accustomed to it I have found it to be fairly easy to use and memorize.
From off:
1 click: Low
2 quick clicks: Med
3 quick clicks: High
From on:
1 click: off
2 quick clicks: Next mode (Cycle L,M,H,L,M,H )
Hold 1sec: Turbo
From turbo:
1 click: last used mode (then additional click for ‘off’)
Turbo is only available from an ‘on’ state and only by holding for 1 sec. Turbo has 60sec timer then drops to the last used mode. Holding from off does nothing. This is a good thing for anyone that plans to carry this light because the button sticks out from the body. The UI makes it very difficult to accidentally activate anything more than low mode. Tail lock-out is also possible.
The beam pattern is very useful in my opinion. It has decent throw for such a small optic, with a smooth, well-defined center spot and nice spill around it. I have the NW model and the tint is pleasant although leaning just a bit towards the green side. There are some faint blue “cree rings” around the outside, but you won’t see them unless you’re white-wall hunting. Modes are visually well-spaced.
Measurements
As you might (and should) assume, this is a very compact light. It is by far the smallest 18650 light I have ever seen. It is close to the same size as a typical AA/14500 light. The tailcap/thread design allows for a bit longer batteries than the tube measurements may sugggest.
Amp draw measured at the tail with Samsung 20R.
(High and Turbo varied a lot, not sure from heat sag or what, so I list a “mental average”)
Off (vampire draw) 1.5 microamps
Low: 0.01a
med: 0.18a
High: 0.78a
Turbo: 2.1a
Body measurements:
Length: 88.15mm (with Samsung 20R installed)
Length: 92.52mm (with protected Samsung 26F installed)
Head diameter: 24.04mm
Tail diameter: 23.63mm
Battery tube depth: 65.16mm (Batt+ contact -> end of tube)
Max battery length: 70mm
Battery tube internal diameter: 18.84mm
Mod Forecast: Cloudy
DQG did not make this light to be tinkered with. The head is glued to the body; you would need a torch or strap wrench to get it off. The same can be said for the bezel. Even if you were able to get inside of it the construction is not typical to our other budget lights. To save space, there isn’t a pill with separate shelves for driver and emitter. The driver and emitter are contained on the same board. This is probably why DQG resricted it to 2.1a with 60sec timer; it can’t handle very much heat.
Conclusion
Pros: Tiny size for an 18650, good overall feel, great grip, usable beam pattern, plenty bright for most uses.
Cons: Small issues with fit/finish, driven somewhat lightly by our standards, aggressive knurling could wear on insides of pockets, UI takes some practice.
Final word: If you want to EDC an 18650 light, this should be on your list to consider.
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This light was provided by gearbest for review. You can purchase it from them here, currently $23.99
