What are some "Hidden Gems"?

On the road i3
Zoomie with about the same size as the small 123A Olights and with similar beam in flood
But because of the zoom I can see much further with it

Should still be available. I dont know where you can find the best version, maybe someone else knows. Quick google search gave me:

https://m.fasttech.com/products/0/10003894/1278200-c3-1-led-248lm-3-mode-white-led-flashlight

I bought an OTR i3 — paid for it, too!
And I agree it’s my current favorite.

But I’ll +1 for the ZeusRay — aluminum pill version — for $7 with free shipping.
A bit of a lottery there from time to time (but they sent me a better one when I told them and showed them pictures demonstrating I got a bad one — commendable quick response, no argument), but no bad reports lately. See the consolidated thread:

I have an affinity for the small Tank007 e09 . It’s been around for a while. It’s not really a modder’s light, but it performs and is built well.

Not that of a hidden gem maybe but still enjoying my Jaxman X1.

Really liking the looks of the light and it is a pretty good thrower with the XPL-HI and large reflector. Different tint options are a big plus IMO too.

Recently I have searched stainless flashlight on Ali looking for something to mod. I keep coming back to Yupard and Hedeli 18650 versions of that light. But I can not find pics or anything showing the head apart. I bought this Host from KD
KSH-S12024 Stainless Steel LED Flashlight Host 120mm x 24mm for Cree XM-L - Silver
And I am not happy with the design. Kinda sorta P60 like with a spring loaded pill pushing the stack into the lens bezel. I can actually push the lens down with my finger.

Is the Yupard designed with a threaded pill or at least a threaded retaining ring holding the stack into the bezel? I want one or 3 but won’t buy it if its made like the KD host.

Agree, have some 7 or 8 years old, great classic.

One of my favorite unsung lights is the Roche F6 , excellent built quality. Only thing I dislike is the button is easily pushed while carrying in the pocket, not a problem when using the clip.

I bought this Singfire on DX some years ago, It needs a different LED/driver, but as a host I think it’s very good.

http://www.dx.com/p/singfire-sf-75b-cree-xp-e-r2-180lm-3-mode-white-flashlight-silver-1-x-18650-318092#.V-DJl_mLSUk

Have you seen that blurb for the E17 that someone just posted about? 3xAAA, and 2000lm! No, that’s not a misprint, that’s two-zero-zero-zero!!!11 :smiley:

That’s like staring right into the sun!

All kidding aside, I’m surprised there’s something of a dislike for P90s across the board, including the ’502.

I’m not crazy about the ’501 (lighter, but not nearly heatsinky enough compared with the ’502).

Yet with all that, you can still drop in your choice of emitters, and get reflectors that’d fit everything from XP-series to XM-series emitters (wouldn’t surprise me if bigger like XHPs, etc.), in SMO or OP, drivers from 1-mode sub-amp drivers to multi-amp DD FET drivers with blinkies.

They’re cheap, infinitely moddable, can handle decent power to make some decent lumens, and are common as dirt.

Brightness, runtime, tint, color-temp, beam… you can customise pretty much everything about it by legoing together whatever parts you want.

Just my 2¢…

One of the best topics on the forum.

I would say the Ultrafire S5.
<5$
Nichia 219b emitter swap (or xpg3 low vf)
18650 provides long lifetime
OPR or TIR available

All for under 10$

Looks nice. What’s the diameter of the driver?

I still like the Poplite’s I must admit. But I bought all of mine a number of years ago. I haven’t seen any updated ones sadly, so they are somewhat dated now. Using XR-E and XP-E emitters.

Shame, as an XP-L HI or even an XP-G2 driven moderately would totally revamp them.

I find the design of the Poplites very refreshing. Stainless and smooth lines really make them stand out compared to the knurled, finned, aggro-bezel, rubber booted lights that we love so much around here.

I’ve got the P22 on order, and I’m lusting after a K32 and the P632. It looks like they’re available via Taobao for a reasonable price.

I like Hugsby V1 - really nice SK68 type of light. Pill is solid, but aluminium. Fit&finish - really good. But the only con is the driver, has next mode memory…but still nice base for modding I believe.

I think 17mm.
Led on 16mm.
20mm optic.

Thanks for the info. I guess I’ll order some S5.

I’m not sure if the quality has changed since I purchased mine a couple of years ago, but for $6.82, this C20 host:
https://www.fasttech.com/products/1618/10002463/1198400-18650-diy-edc-led-flashlight-host-with-switch
…is a nice option. I’ve built one that rotates into my EDC choice occasionally with a pocket clip, XM-L2, 25-degree optic (https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10007055/1574901-21-2-12-6mm-pmma-optical-lens-for-cree-xm-l-t5-t6), and a generic regulated 2.8A 7135 driver, and I like that build very much.

The UltraFire S5 style light makes a decent host for light-weight builds, but mine have all had:

1. Hollow Pills
2. Drop-in (non-threaded) pills
3. Plastic Reflector/Lens combination.

I’ve used them for my gently-driven UV lights, but the cost of a decent reflector and lens replacement add up quickly enough, that I would just get a host like linked above for a serious build.

I don’t have a link handy at the moment, but I really liked the ultrafire wf-606a. It’s a slick 2 AA light that (oddly) can also convert into a CR2 light. It had the styling of a mini mag, which is why I got one in the first place. That one was lost. I have another that I recently purchased, but we’ll see if it actually ships. :slight_smile: