Looking for the perfect 18650 zoomie ...

Hi,

I want to upgrade my sk-68 zoom flashlight. Is there any 18650 version on this light? I found some models but I didn't find the perfect one:

- 1 x 18650

- as compact as possible

- nice zoom lens for flood-throw

- 2 or 3 modes driver

- more powerful than Sipik SK-68.

I recently bought a Trustfire TR 1200 (5 x Q5 LEDS) and I have the feeling that the Sipik will throw further than this...

I, too, have been looking for such a light! That is, a zoom flashlight that uses a 18650, throws farther than an SK-68, and is small. For reference, I now use an LED Lenser P5R (XR-E R2 LED, 220 lumens, 193-meter range, 26mm head, 117 to 121mm long). It lives in my shirtpocket. I would like a similar "big brother."

Only one zoomable 18650 can fit in a shirtpocket:
UltraOK VS-05 (7W-VS-05). 115 to 121mm long, 27.5mm head, 23.3mm body

Other 1x18650 zoomables have heads that are 32mm or wider:

  1. LED Lenser M7R (156mm x 37mm head), rechargeable, 220 lumens, 230-meter range
  2. MTE M2 (the best "X2000" light) from MTE-LED.com (124 to 136mm, 33mm head, 26.5mm body (XR-E Q5 or XP-G R5; 5-mode, glass lens)
  3. Wolf-Eyes Defender III (123 to 131mm long, 34mm head, 24.5 mm body, 138g; 4.5-38 degree beam, XR-E (285 lumens), XP-G (350 lumens), or XM-L (680 lumens, but "260 ANSI lumens")
  4. Romisen RC-C8 II R2, 180 lumens, 128 to 137mm long; 30, 34, or 35mm head (I've seen all three numbers!), 800ma regulated, 2 or 3 modes?, reportedly "nearly 2X as bright as the SK68...but I don't remember where I read that or whether bright means lumens or lux.
  5. Small Sun ZY-C84 (an X2000), Q5, "300L" 120mm long (before extending), 30mm head, 80g
  6. POPPAS PPAS-003, 136mm long, 34mm head, 27mm body; XP-G R5 "320 Lumen", 3-mode
  7. UltraOK UO-A1R5, [XP-G?] R5, 143mm long, 37mm head, 27mm body, "800L".

If you are willing to use a head wider than 37mm, you will find many others. But these models, together with various cheap variants of the X2000, have the narrowest heads.

I would probably buy an MTE M-2, but I don't like lights with 5 modes. The UltraOK VS-05 is uniquely small; and it costs very little. I may try it, but I can't imagine that it will be throw farther than my LED Lenser P5R or have more output.

Maybe the Small Sun ZY C10?

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/small-sun-zyc10s-cree-q5-3mode-zooming-glass-optics-led-flashlight-black-18650-p-8459

I don't have this light, but it's reviewed here by JohnnyMac: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/5182

Nothing is really going to throw further than the Sipik SK68 with the same size head as it’s already using an overdriven XR-E.
The Smallsun will definitely out throw it…probably twice as far but it’s a larger light. It’s certainly worth having though IMO.

Not the smallest but it is what I was going to recommend too.

This is a 18650 with adjustable zoom, at first I thought it was one of the Sipik clones.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300552404670

Looks pretty solid but no idea about quality.

I have seen other emitter versions on various websites, I don't recall what or where now though.

i have the light linked in last post, bought from ebay seller ultrapire. great for the price - pill isn't as good as sk68 clone, and it drives the emitter a bit too hard on high (>1.7A)

but it is a great light for <$10. actually, it is probably my favorite zoomie (I own 8 different styles). If it had a better pill it would easily be my vote for best value 18650. DX has it, too, called 'new c55'

the small sun c10 zoomie has a much narrower flood but throws MUCH farther (smaller image when focused).

+1 for the Small Sun ZY-C10-S.

The extra head size pays off.

I've had a few zoomies and none impressed me more than the sipik aa and the romisen RC-C8 (3AAA or single 18650). Zooming is by twisty and not very convenient at that but i liked (still do) that light very much. Buidl quality was spectacular at that time and price range. Still does stand up on its own nowadays.

Thank you guys for these. I like all the lights you told me about and I think i'll try the Small Sun ZY-C10-S. A big upgrade in price also. The SK 68 was only 6$ from ebay :). Everyone who saw it was like "woooow" when on Li-Ion. But it has one problem: 1 mode only. It really smokes the cells very fast. This is why I want a 18650 multi mode.

I've seen many 200-300 and today - 500 lumens in the above link. How many lumens can the Q5 provide anyway?

There are also a couple of versions of the Sipik SK68 clones that are three mode (high-low-strobe), info can be found here.

it isn't anywhere near 500, that's an outright lie...but it is a nice light for the price

http://flashlight-wiki.com/Brightness_Bins

The OP asked for a light "as compact as possible," ideally not much larger than the SK68, which measures about 95 x26 mm. At 170 x 44mm, the Small Sun isn't even in the ballpark.

Not the smallest but it is what I was going to recommend too.

[/quote]

...but still smaller than the Z5. When your requirements are a larger cell and better throw, you are going to need a bigger flashlight. The Small Sun is roughly the size of the C8 (just 1/2" - 13mm longer) which is still fairly compact and can be pocketed easily...

It's not only about length; it's about the diameter of the head: 44 mm vs. the Sipik's 26. It's definitely not for one's trousers or shirt.

Not an EDC, that's for sure, but it's still small enough to drop in your pocket for a nighttime walk (comparing to the C8 I have experience with)

I have a lot of zoomies...some are better than others at either flood or throw, I prefer adequate throw with great flood.

From my other post: Please take a look down this post about 3/4 ways at the picture of the zoomie selections and some other thoughts

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/5241

My favorites in the Small size:-the Tank 007 TK736, very well made, good o-rings, nice big sink, smooth, and above average brightness.

Here: http://www.focalprice.com/LFD47B/TANK007_TK736_CREE_Q5_5Mode_230LM_White_WaterResistant_LED_Flashlight_Torch_Black.html

My favorite all purpose all around light is still the SS-A-100 in the XML... MEGA room filling flood, with resonably great throw too.... for a bid die XML

Here:

http://kaidomain.com/product/details.S020028

Hope this helps, I love zoomies too!

That’s what she said.

Gorann

Seriously…

-really… Even… if it was the LAST one….

I have four of these now to mod out… they are truly great lights… beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder… and I am holding them… look good and run good for me… J

This may be a first but I actually agree with Gorann. That is one ugly light!