Guess its about time for me to join this extraordinarily odd group of people. I have been lurking for a while now. Was amazed to discover such a community existed. Still not certain if I should be grateful for all the exceptional knowledge and passion that is so freely shared. I may yet rue the day I came under its influence;-) Budget being in the name, and my DNA, yet somehow a surprising amount has already left my wallet! I have no idea when it will stop.
That’s it for the hello, If you are interested in me trying to explain this early obsession below is a too long story;-)
All I wanted to do was replace a cheap 3 AAA multi LED flashlight a friend gave me. I lost it during a motorcycle trip this summer. I guess I have always liked flashlights. (Had to laugh when I saw the picture of the old Duracell rectangle one. I loved that as a kid till I destroyed it;-) Had a 3 C or D maglight that I really liked but other than being a good club it was too large to have with me or hold in my mouth to work with. Didn’t get used enough and when the cells died and destroyed it I had no desire to replace it.
I have always liked the 2aa mini mag but it was a bit too large for my EDC pouch. Was carrying a solitare and it was OK but not really enough light. The 3 AAA cheapy was too fat for my taste but fit in my jacket pocket and put out more light than the mini-mag. I wanted something at least that bright. Little did I know…
Somehow I discovered this site and an obsession is starting. I think I have been remarkably lucky so far. My first choice was this:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/trustfire-r5-a3-cree-xp-e-r5-3-mode-230-lumen-memory-led-flashlight-1-aa-1-14500-39062
Wow!, Wow!, Wow! At the time they had it in the USA warehouse so it only took about a week or so to get here. Didn’t know it at the time however, and up to that point my only experience with buying something from Hong Kong resulted in a straight out theft.
I panicked due to DX terrible tracking system. Had to have something like this so I pulled the trigger on an ebay auction for one of these bundled with a single universal charger and single 14500.
http://shop.monsterflashlight.com/Monster-Flashlight-R5-350-1C-Cree-LED-Compact-Flashlight-R5-350-1C.htm
The DX one actually got here the day before. Howard at Monster Flashlight seems like a good guy and it appears to be a quality light. However, I am a tool guy more than a flashlight freak. It is truly impressive with a 14500 but being one mode it isn’t very useful to me. Gets too hot. However, excellent light on AA. Wife loves it on her keychain and I am happy with that!
The trustfire OTOH has a mid mode that doesn’t get hot! On high with the 14500 it too is stunning. Like to have the light when I need it and also like more extended run times that I can actually use. Ideally it would have a real low instead of, or in addition to, the strobe. (I am being tugged to become a modder.)
I simply love the trustfire for an EDC. Glow in the dark tail cap is nice, it tailstands, and has a clip. Easily fits in my clc 1105 pouch along with a spare battery or 2. SWMBO is happy, I am happy, I replaced my lost light with something way better than I even knew existed – should be a done deal right?
Guess not for someone who enjoys BLF. Was intrigued by the 18650 stuff but still not sure I wanted to spend the money or wait for the Chinese lottery. Saw a 3000 ma UltraFire on ebay, again from Howard, and shot a low bid out. Ended up getting the battery so…
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-c1-xm-lt6-5-mode-510-lumen-memory-white-led-flashlight-with-clip-strap-1-18650-55237
US warehouse, $20, P60, XM-L, how could I not pull the trigger?
Here is how crazy this is getting. The bezel ring has slots for turning it in. This leaves a jagged pattern to the beam. I was not impressed with the light because I couldn’t stand the jagged beam. How crazy is that? That, and I still am learning about the driver and likely played with it too long on high. Perhaps also the first charge on that battery was not correct. I don’t know.
All I know now is that after turning the bezel ring around, using tin foil on the P60 (actually did that from the start) and using the second charge, I now also love this light! The only thing now is that I am going to have to figure out how to get the tail switch apart to put an O ring in so it will tail stand.
I may also have to replace my AMM with a DMM. Still trying to learn these things and my AMM only has a 3V or 15V range. After playing, dog walking, for a couple of days and a 13 hour run on low, the light still puts out more than my mini mag while on low. Still can make mid but high reverts to a low blink that initially made me think the light was going bad. Now, IIUC, it simply appears as when the voltage drops to somewhere around 3.5 or so high just wont work. The other modes are fine. Ran it for over 16 hours straight on low and it would still hit mid. Measured the voltage and it appeared to be 2.9 on the 15 V scale but went over 3 on the 3V scale. It is protected so I was tempted to run it till the light went out. However, I haven’t got other 18650s yet so I put it in the charger.
Will try to do a review of this light soon. Even with my limited knowledge it might be good information to have out there. One of the reviewers on DX said that it is the best deal on DX right now and I am tempted to agree with him. I feel the same about the trustfire R5-A3 however. Perhaps just really happy with what I got.
Another charger and more 14500s on the way. Another trustfire as a gift. More 18650s to be purchased. Going to have to get some of those keychain 10 packs the budgeteer recommended. Good thing I am so budget minded;-)
Wade
