What are some "Hidden Gems"?

We’ve been spoiled by “budget” brands like Convoy and EagleEye, plus the “premium” brands that have become popular on BLF.

What are some lights that don’t get all the attention, but for some reason are very good?

Maybe you’ve discovered a hidden gem that nobody buys because it says “ultrafire” on the side.

Maybe there’s a light with a cheap finish but great mod host on the inside.

Maybe you found a light on an obscure website that nobody has ever heard of.

Post why you like it, and preferably pictures or a link to where we can get it.

PD68: Great Questions ! I hope this posting really heats up and gets

good answers/suggestions for finding some flashlight “Hidden Gems” :exclamation:

Ultrafire MT-12: https://www.fasttech.com/products/1649/10015804/4090400-ultrafire-mt-12-led-flashlight

I ordered this when it was on sale awhile back and I have to say, I was impressed with the quality. Integrated shelf, good overall build and quality for the price and a real XM-L2 (be it a low bin and cool tint).

Now that I have some 22mm (or was it 20mm?) drivers I want to mod it and see what it does.

Recently I’ve heard about the brand “Pop Lite” which appears to be the OEM for coast and LED lenser. They certainly fall under the “hidden” criteria of your post, but I can’t personally promise that they are gems.

BLF users Fritz t. Cat and Chicken Drumstick have written a few reviews and modded some of these lights.

I’ve just ordered the full stainless P22 from an aliexpress vendor: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/POP-lite-P22-Cree-Q4-WC-Convex-Lens-LED-Flashlight-mini-Stainless-Steel-Torch-Zoomable-Lantern/32683155000.html

This is basically a full stainless LED lenser P5 with an XR-E emitter.

I’ve seen a few reviews of the anodized aluminum version of this light, the pop-lite T22. Reviews seem to be favorable. I’m hoping that the stainless version will be a step up. The light engine in this host is certainly outdated by today’s standard, I’m counting on using this as host only.

Zeno EO3. Great little AA light that takes both Li-Ion and Eneloops.

This is a good light for its price, also known as F13, cheaper at gearbest:
http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_5499.html
A few weeks ago on sale even cheaper.

22mm driver, I modded it with MT-G2, FET+1 and 2x 26350.

And the Old-Lumens version

Yeah, I should have mentioned it. I hope I’ll get it soon.

Interesting, it looks slightly different in the F13, a bit sleeker? I might have to grab one of those.

I really like the BLF/Trustfire A8. My first was a BLF and my second was a Trustfire from ebay.

A8

On The road

I would agree with “On the Road” The M3 is pretty awesome. I have considered ordering one of the zoomies, have yet to find a zoomie I like.

Not so much talk on here these days, but the Zuesray is still a good zoomy IMO. And still good vfm.

+1

For a 1 AA I like the Coast hx5. It’s the same price, or cheaper, as the Pop Lite but comes with a clip. I also like how the hx5 supports 14500. I don’t think the Led Lensers support li ion, looks like Pop Lite doesn’t either. The Coast hp1 was a steal for 10 bucks but now it’s 20 or more which sucks. Let us know how that Pop Lite is though. It’s nice knowing what emitter is supposed to be in it, unlike LL and Coast.

but i wouldnt call on the road a hidden gem, it is a very popular brand now because of gearbest and group buys etc… I would say it sells pretty good. I was a bit disappointed with my on the road M6 because only unprotected cells will fit and i had to buy one especially for that light. There was not a single word about that problem in the article description.

To be fair, I’m only assuming that the emitter is an XR-E. The specs list it as a “Cree Q4-WC”. The T22 however claims to use an XR-E, so I’m just assuming they’re similar.

Yeah that’s true. I am also wondering about the 320 lumens claim in that one you linked. If so, and the emitter is correct, that’s a good little light. My hx5 only claims 130 lumens off an AA. 345 with a li ion. Maybe you found a hidden gem indeed

Hmm, the T22 claims max 100lm: https://www.fasttech.com/product/1075603-pop-lite-t22-cree-xr-e-q5-100lm-3-mode-zoom-white

The P22 I linked earlier claims max 320lm and a max voltage of 4.5v. That suggest to me that perhaps the 320lm is based upon using a 14500.

I am finding the Convoy L6 to be the best flashlight I have, and if I had to have only one flashlight this would be my choice. :slight_smile: