Review: CITCAT CREE R5 1xAA/14500 350-lumen EDC

http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1288

CITCAT CREE R5 1xAA/14500 350-lumen EDC Flashlight

  • Size: 96mmx20mm
  • Netweight: 50g
  • Use CREE XP-G R5 : 500,00 hrs lifespan
  • Max output: 240-350 lumen
  • 2 groups: 3+4 mode setting-- Goup I: 3 modes - brightness hi>mid>lo + Group II: 4mode--Lo>Hi>Strobe>SOS; When the light blink once on Lo mode, turn it off; then turn it on again to change Group.
  • Made of aluminum alloy
  • Battery: AA / 14500 (not included)
  • Switch: Stainless Steel tail cap Click on/off
  • Waterproof:IPX 8
For review , the Citcat AA - 14500 .
Now why does this light look like a 1970's Lipstick ? Damn I must be old to remember something like that .

Anyhow , the Citcat is a well made light , the clicky feels fine , and works just fine . Due to the way the reflector is situated the beam is some what ringy on a white wall , but once outside is not noticeable . Threads are excellent , the knurling is good as is the anodizing , in fact no complaints for the construction .

Now where I have issue with this light is the terribly inefficient driver , it is not good on a AA , and its not good on a 14500 , in fact the only place it impresses is on high with either battery , and that's just a shame , but then you may be impressed enough to buy one , so lets move onto the performance figures ..

AA Nimh = High 153 @ 1.95A / Medium 64 @ 1.35A / Low 30 @ 1.06A

Alkaline = High 106 @ 1.53A / Medium 60 @ 1.16A / Low 30 @ 1.03A

Dry Cell = High 72 @ 1.31A / Medium 49 @ 1.16A / Low 31 @ 0.86A

14500 = High 420 @ 1.63A sags to 350 - in 60seconds / Medium 94 @ 0.8A / Low 33 @ 0.28A

The performance VS current is terrible in any mode except high ...




I have to say , driver efficiency aside , the Citcat is a interesting light , and it really does look like some effort has gone into making the light water proof , in fact it looks like a great deal of thought was put into the design .

Apart from the driver efficiency , this is a very nice light .
As long as you leave the light on for more than 5 seconds it will restart in that mode , even if you only turn it off for one second .

The button [ clicky ] does extend out past the back of the body , but being a metal button the light is able to tailstand on the button .

To change mode levels , start in or go to low mode , wait for the blink [ light turns of and back on ] then click three times and you in the other level .. I prefer 3 mode less the junk , but should you enjoy strobe and SOS , they are there for you .
There is only the slightest battery slop when shaking the light vigorously , but nothing to worry about [ not anywhere close enough to change modes on you ] .

Well machined threads
Glass Lens
Well finished
Tailstands [ on clicky ]
Good output on high
Terrible efficiency in Low and Medium
Negligible battery slop when shaken vigorously
Beam is slightly ringy [ white wall ]
Comes with spare O rings + clicky
Very Blue'ish beam color in low and medium [ turns whiter in high ]








Low - Med - High on a AA

Yikes, sounds like terrible runtime on low... Extremely handsome light though. I am also waiting on one of these to arrive for review. Thanks for the excellent review as usual Old!

Frontpage'd and Sticky'd.

Thanks for the review! I was all set to buy one this weekend (since this past week was supposed to be holiday over there), but it seems to fall terribly short in the categories I valued the most for my next AA light. Seriously.. low mode of 30 lumens at 1.06A? Is that common at all?

Has the smooth version come out yet? I haven't seen it listed.

And hopefully the mystery AA light will have a more efficient driver.

Poor performance on every mode, except 14500.

I forgot that the driver needs to boost the voltage, so yeah, higher current draw.

Very interesting build, pity that it seems to be a hand warmer even in low mode.

Thanks for another good review, Matt! (that keeps me from buying a cat in a bag :bigsmile: <- sorry, couldn't resist)

Great review Old, sorry for the bad driver, otherwise it could be an awsome light with proper driver.

Its a shame about the driver ...

Might see about swapping it out , its not a terrible light , but there are better options out there for the money

Is the body nice enough that Ric would consider it worth fixing ? wonder where he gets it and if they will update it and toss in a better driver .I was very interested in this light as it smacks of a cross between a D-10 and a eastward AA..wasn't fond of the HML

If they could find a better driver for it , ATM it should work as a house - car light ..

But if you go bush walking or any extended activity and like low/med then this could be the worst light to consider .

It would be nice [ for me anyway ] if some one would just make a nice 3 mode driver to handle AA-14500 and work reasonably well [ and when I say 3 mode = Hi-med-lo ]

Yes , its a nice enough light to save , but ATM there are better options out there .

Ric is working on having the driver replaced with one of theirs, which will be 7135. It will end up costing a little more. He seemed vary aware of the problems, which leaves me wondering if they did any extensive testing or any testing at all. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt though because they have a decent track record in that department. I also wonder if the new driver will be 5-mode since they're now selling the 2.8A 7125*6 5-mode. Hopefully not!