I'm new to this forums and currently looking at buying an LED torch for cheap. Got a budget of $15, but $20 is the absolute maximum I can go if it's worth it. Note that $15/$20 includes shipping costs as well. I live in Perth, Australia :)
The Ultrafire C3 seems to get a lot of good reviews on DealExtreme, and they're only $10 or so, including free shipping, so I'm pretty set on them.
Also, I learnt they use a brand of LEDs called Cree, which apparently are quite popular among high quality flash lights, if I'm not mistaken :)
Some questions I hope you'll answer as well:
What is the 1*14500 thing?
There seems to be different variants of the Ultrafire C3 and not all of them use the Cree P4. Can someone please shed some light on this?
Can someone also please link to me somewhere that has a nice diagram of the inside of a torch? I'm new to electronics and already thinking of modding my new torch that I haven't even bought yet!
PS, the glow in the dark tailcaps isn't a MUST, but WOULD be a great plus, since the main purpose of it is being able to locate it in the dark. For emergency purposes :)
Just one tip, most cheap GID tailcaps do not shine that much, the ones I have tested are hardly visible after some 10-20min having excited them previously.
Just one tip, most cheap GID tailcaps do not shine that much, the ones I have tested are hardly visible after some 10-20min having excited them previously.
There's always the 'good ol' Sipik SK68 http://www.dealextreme.com/p/sipik-sk68-cree-q3-wc-120-lumen-convex-lens-led-flashlight-black-1-aa-1-14500-39585
AA or 14500, single mode, flood to throw and cheap as chips........it's also built like a brick and one of the most popular 'starter' lights around here.
We really need to know what you will be using the light for. And if you want modes. 14500's are lithium ion batteries that will only work in certain lights. They provide higher output and longer runtime for most. I would recommend a light with at least a q5 or r2 led like this one.
There's always the 'good ol' Sipik SK68 http://www.dealextreme.com/p/sipik-sk68-cree-q3-wc-120-lumen-convex-lens-led-flashlight-black-1-aa-1-14500-39585
AA or 14500, single mode, flood to throw and cheap as chips........it's also built like a brick and one of the most popular 'starter' lights around here.
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That looks great as well!
Which would you pick? This one has more reviews than the one previously linked (UniqueFire AA-S1).
I've got Duracell charger at home that charges both AA and AAA batteries. Is it OK to use these batteries?:
OK, so I checked my Duracell battery charger and it says to only charge NiMH batteries. Other batteries may explode or leak.
Guess that leaves me with NiMH batteries only :( Shame, as the Li-Ion ones looked like they'll do the job good. I don't have the cash to fork out for a Li-Ion battery charger as well :(
I really can't afford to fork out more for a charger and all that guys. I'll see maybe when I get some money, I can talk to my dad about this. We require some torches around the house just in case for emergencies as well.
So right now, I think we should ignore the batteries/charger first and decide which 1*14500 flashlight to get.