What to get, TrustFire TR-J12, UltraFire UF-T70 or DRY?

As the name says, what should I get? Also, if DRY what version, these a few of them obviously, some from CNQG and Intl-Outdoors.

UF-T70

I would suggest Skyray King.

I have the Dry but if I had it to do again; all hail (hale?) to the King. Putting aside that it's about a billion times better looking, it's also 4 x 18650. If you do get the Dry, get the no-step-down.

stilllikeshisdryFoy

Lol, IMO the King is ugly and only has 2 real modes, just want more.

LOL

It's subjective for sure, and the four modes do seem well spaced on the Dry. I've never held the King so, take what I say with a grain of salt. I must say, too; the Dry has been one hell of a flashlight. I've been meaning to update my comments in the review but it's just been a great performer all around.

Initially, I ho-hummed the quality but it has been completely trouble free . . . and it's sooo dang bright.

You won't hate either one, I'm thinking.

decisionsFoy

The problem is I am drawn to the T70 based on looks, form factor, quality and output, about the brightest of the 3x XM-L lights I’ve seen on here in reviews.

I am drawn to the TR-J12 based on being 5x XM-L and I am drawn to the DRY based on price. Overall I am leaning towards the T70 but wanted to see some opinions etc.

I only own the DRY but I have no complaints. The only thing that bugs me - and just a little - is the how the bezel holds the lens in. It just seems a little rough. But then again, how often are you going to be taking it apart. Over all, it's a solid light and I've yet to read a DOA report or even inconsistencies in operation. I guess it just gets the job done. I actually like the looks and only have minor reservations about the bezel. I mostly dislike any crenelated bezels but this one is very subtle. Still, they could have done without. Something like the King would have been nice. I think the design is simple yet still unique without unnecessary grooves and such. I'd say it's more timeless then its counterparts. But I also like the King. It looks better than the TM11, imo

Reading through all the threads it seems that the best light would be the UF-T70 with a DRY driver swap. I know in the T70 thread some people said they were going ot do that but none of them ever posted if they followed through. If they did and it works I think that's what I will do, otherwise I think I would do the NW DRY.

Well, I have A Dry and a TJ12. Observations. Dry is all output- big lumens but you can't run it for long. Get's too hot. It's a show light really. The TJ12 doesn't get hot, isn't as bright and is a "user" light, however on it's second run on 3 x 26650's I'm getting some funky stuff with it flipping between modes- not happy. By comparison the Dry has been thru over 7 battery changes and hasn't missed a beat. Hence, I'm now buying a Notecore TM11 thru Gun Safari for $150 dollars because I want one good relaiable 3 x XML that I can trust for the "long walks" without fearing failure. These cheap 3 x XMLs are for fun- never put yourself in a position where you depend on them to see "you out" of a situation. Choice- Dry for sheer power but short run time on high. TJ12 for longer running but don't bet your lunch on it. 5 mile hike thru scrub with cliffs, pick something reliaible. I've heard nothing against your other choice. Also for advise, always carry three lights when out- always.

Vote fot Sky ray king :)

What 26650's are you using? Button tops or magnets or what?

Using MNKE IMRs. I used the Keygos on another light and found them less reliable then these (a custom light that never played up on the MNKEs but did on the Keys). Are these both button tops?

Hi there Bose301,

I don't have the TR-J12, so I can't speak about that one, but I'm sure you know I do own the Ultrafire UF-T70, DRY NW Auto-stepdown, and the SkyRay KING.

Of the ones I do have, all are great and you can't go wrong with any of them. The UF-T70 is easily the best built of the three with the best heat-dissipation hands down, and can easily be driven harder with mods. I just can't figure out how to get mine apart to try modding the driver.

As for the DRY, as others have mentioned, it's an amazing light, and in my opinion may be one of the most successful flashlights to come out over the last few years with a track record for NON-DOA's that is nearly unheard of.

However, the one I like best and use most is the SkyRay KING for the simple reason it's the smallest of the bunch and I've always loved side-clickies due to the easier one hand operation rather than sometimes needing two hands to operate a rear clickie switch trying to make sure the light doesn't slip out of my hand while clicking through modes. But that fact is simply personal and everyone else will have their own opinion to what is best for them.

Bottom line is any of the lights mentioned in your post will be on par with one-another as far as brightness, so it's best to make yourself a list of what's important to you and make your choice that way.

BTW...It's also my opinion that using the KING may actually be the safer light due to the (4) 18650 batteries are parallel. Even if one battery, either overcharged or slightly undercharged, once inserted into the light, they will all equalize, which is great.

After considering prices, modes etc. I am leaning towards the DRY from INTL-Outdoors with the 5 mode Turbo driver in NW. The King is too ugly for me and I really want a Med mode.

Any other thoughts or wisdom? Still curious to know if anyone has successfully installed a DRY Turbo driver into a T70.

*AAAAAARRRRRRGGGHHHH!!!*
I've been lurking this forum for about a year. I need to thank everyon on here about a million times over for the fun/interesting/informative posts I've been going blind reading :D

But seriously, this thread is the ultimate question. I just can't decide, and don't have the $$$ to buy all of them

I guess the key points are:

1. reliability
2. form factor
3. modes
4. runtimes
5. looks

The output differences are trivial, as these are all rockets of comparable power.
Here's how I think the lights rank in each category (UF, TF, KING, DRY):

1. DRY, UF, TF, KING (someone said they're getting a TM-11 because it's more reliable than these lights, but it's my understanding that there's a known issue with the driver (or maybe the switch) King is in last cuz it's the tm-11 clone and has the misfortune of the fryray rep.
2. KING, DRY, UF, TF (in order of pocketability)
3. TF, DRY/UF, KING (Trustfire has the extra modes some don't like, but at least has memory)
4. TF I think gets the win, since you can run it on 26650's with 3 modes and it doesn't overheat on high. King could be the best... if it had more mode flexibility. Ultrafire probably next, lastly the DRY (heat problems)
5. The king is the obvious winner here; that's the sexiest light to come along in... EVER! UF, then TF, and the DRY is the ugly duckling.

That sound about right?

If your TR-J12 is jumping modes its most likely your MNKE's are just barely making contact.

Anyway, I have the TR-J12 and its my favorite light. Long run times and not having to worry about heat are a big plus. It really has the feel of having something substantial in hand.



Out of curiosity, why would one want to put a DRY driver in the T70?



I wonder if maybe the cells aren't fully charged. I know my TR-1200 acts wonky when the cells are low. Turns out, that's a feature to tell you your cells are low :P First time it happened, I thought I had fried it. Glad I didn't huck it in the trash!