So I'm looking for another 14500 light....

LED Flashlights – General Info 1 x AA / 1 x 14500 Flashlights
1

I currently have an Ultrafire C3, and I enjoy it very much. It goes with me everywhere, even when I’m carrying my O-Light M20 on my duty belt. However, I feel like I want to upgrade…

What I am looking for:

1x14500
200 lumens ( or thereabout)
Pocket Clip
Forward clicky for on/off
Low/High/Strobe function
Separate button/selector for switching mode
Tailstand capable

I really like the Nitecore SRT3, but it has a bunch of modes I’ll probably never use, and the cheapest I can find it for is $72, and I’m really not looking to spend that much. I could probably swap a forward clicky into my C3, but of the times I’ve tried modifying a light, it hasn’t ended well lol. I’m open to all suggestions, and don’t really have a set budget in mind, I just didn’t want to spend $72 for a bunch of functions I’ll probably never use, and was wondering if there was something out there more fitting to my needs, or if there is a place/way to get the SRT3 for less. Thanks ahead of time!

2

So I just came across an Ultrafire V20, and it pretty much fits the bill, except it is listed on fasttech as having a reverse clicky. Would probably work best that way having the 2 modes. Any give any advice about the V20?

3

The one on Fasttech has been discontinued, unfortunately.

4

Well heck, I got so caught up in looking at the specs that I missed that there was not a “add to cart” button. Well, the search continues I suppose.

5

…and the single review on Fasttech mentions that the twist mode selection doesn’t actually do anything. It looks like a standard multi-mode tail-clicky.

6

Food for thought:

Whats the brightest 14500 light out there??

EDC AA/14500 light

I have a Solarstorm SC02 and SC03, the SC01 is 14500-sized. I like my SC02, I only replaced the SC02 in EDC duty when I got the BLF A6.

7

The SC01looks nice, but I really prefer a tailcap button. This light will be used in conjunction with my handgun at night, which means it will be held where the emitter is next to my pinky, and being able to control the light with my thumb is somewhat necessary. Thanks for the suggestion though, it’s a step closer than what I have found so far lol.

8

http://www.dx.com/p/zhishunjia-1307xpe-xm-l2-t6-1-led-400lm-3-mode-cool-white-flashlight-w-clip-grey-1-x-14500-384750#.Vfw6W99VhBc

Anyone familiar with this one?

9

For under $7, it’s worth getting just to have. :slight_smile:

10

keltex78 made a review of the ultrafire version

Depending on which versions, you may get the AA/14500 or just 14500 versions.

I have the ones that support both and they are good size and good throwers but heats up really fast on 14500

You can keep it stock with xpe or upgrade to the latest XPG2 but it struggles with XPL or XML2

Mine gets extra toasty within 2 minutes on high. Great handwarmers if you are living in cold areas.

Reflector is plastic and the centering ring is taller than the XPE dome. (and the beam could be off centered)

Lastly they are only rainproof lights so dropping them in water would just flood the lens up quick.

I liked my unit but it just requires modding and failed as a stock light

Edit: I noticed that it promotes an XML2 inside. I highly doubt it’s an XML2 so make your choice wisely as it should come with an XPE

11

That’s kinda where I was at, I’m fixing to order one. I was just wondering if anyone had one and felt it could suit my needs well enough lol. I reckon we’ll find out.

12

Thanks for the info Power! I’m not too concerned with actual emitters/centering and such, so long as it’s not horribly stupid. We shall take a chance.

Slightly offtopic, has anybody used the dxsoul site instead of the standard dx site? Any benefit there?

13

well if your light actually came with an XML2 I’m getting one immediately. :bigsmile:

I found a similar light for slightly cheaper in case you haven’t order it yet

14

Haha, well in that case I’ll try to remember to post a pic of the emitter when it arrives so y’all can identify what it actually is lol

I was actually looking at the ultrafire too, I was thinking about getting both and seeing which worked better for me. No such thing as too many lights.

15

even cheaper here

I really should stop online shopping now lol

16

I wouldn’t recommend it.

Bulky and heavy for a single 14500-sized light. You could get a better 18650-based light in the same size package. Tailcap switch on mine died pretty quickly. Also, look at the photo on the DX site; definitely shows an XP-E style emitter. And wouldn’t be surprised to find that it’s one of the ultra-blue Cool-White tint counterfeits either.

Here’s my review:

17

Haha yeah, otherwise you’ll be done bought all the things.

Thanks for that review Keltex. I may still grab one anyway, too cheap not to lol.

18

While you are looking into other lights, how about the Thorfire TG05/TG06 options? Guarantee either of those would be better than the Ultrafire option…

http://www.amazon.com/ThorFire-TG06-Tactical-Flashlight-Battery/dp/B00UCY79ZS/

http://www.amazon.com/ThorFire-Lumen-Flashlight-Holster-Battery/dp/B00PIEYCZM

I really wish I could get the TG05 as a standalone host. Like a AA-sized Convoy S6.

19

I appreciate the suggestion. They are kind of a give and take on what I’m looking for too, though. I haven’t quite ordered anything yet, still mulling over and looking around.

20

But be aware that only the Thorfire TG06 is 14500 capable, the Thorfire TG05 is AA only.
Maybe the Olight S15R currently on sale would fit at least some of the criteria, too: pocket clip, lumens, 14500, tailstands,… - but no tailswitch :frowning:
Just recently I’ve bought a LuckySun Mini30 at Gearbest. I’ve found a coupon code somewhere and it was not that expensive for such a solid light.
It has the same head as the Mini20 (see here: Review: Lucky Sun Mini20 from GearBest (1 x 16340) Pic Heavy , Pictures Fixed!) but with a 14500 battery tube.
The user interface is a bit strange. Together with a WindyFire IMR-14500 it’s very bright (on turbo).