Thrower suggestions needed for long range light using 18650 budget priced.

When you do, ask them to package well. Mine came in a too small envelope stretched tightly over the light's edges, so that the tailcap protruded and got badly abraded.

They were very courteous about replacing the cap, though.

Mine came within what's normal for shipments from HK. About 3 weeks IIRC.

Ah, I just looked at the envelope that I kept due to the transit damage, and it bears the HK post label.

Saik Sa9 Cree Q5 Focus Zoom or the Citipower Sa9 Cree Focus Zoom are small Focus/Zoom aspherics that definitely have a Laser Beam effect, some are driven higher than others- up to 1.5 amps but even at .8 amps they throw quite far.

These have a focus ring that is turned to Zoom out or Focus the light- very stable- and run on 3aaa or 1 18650.

The beams at night are visible in the air against the night sky and are very small and tight like dime to quarter sized for the first 20 feet or so.

Haven't measured the throw in complete darkness, but 200 yards should be easy.

These have less overall light than XM-L reflectors but a concentrated Laser-Like beam and project the image of the LED itself -a square shaped lighted image.

I cruise the different light outlets, 2 - 3 times a week. I opened a page at kiadomain.com 2 weeks ago, and there was a Ultrafire C8, XR-E, CREE-Q5, on sale for $13.99.

http://kaidomain.com/Product/Details.S008835


I didn't have a C8 style light and I wanted something with more throw than my p-60 based XP-G lights.

This light took like 9 days to arrive and I had to wait until dark. Anyway, after dark I took my lights out front and shined my XP-G light at my neighbors house about 140 yards away. The first light illuminates the entire front of my friends house. The C8 light threw a spot beam that was 10' to 12' in diameter at that distance.

This is by far the tightest beam light I have so far, so tight that I have to re-think practical applications and expectations.

There is minimal spill with this light. This isn't a light that will help you find something nearby. There is so little spill that you are not distracted by that "wall of light" that lights up everything in between, by throwing up a lot of clutter,.

It's not as bright as my XP-G lights, but the contrast is huge.

I'm hard pressed to expect a pocket torch to throw a tighter beam, and find a practical use for it.

I don't have an aspheric lensed light for comparison.

received earth magnetics this week from here:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/super-strong-rare-earth-re-magnets-8mm-20-pack-4248

All the dead laptop batteries now work in the 801 I bought.

tested more this weekend under clear conditions. 300 yards was max range of trees (will go further).

when look thru vortex viper 2x7 can easily see everything in trees and make out different objects at 300 yds.

when I go to 7x I can see tree limbs easily and way into the brush/trees at 300.

I MADE the guys at range look the scope with 801 and they were shocked. they were also amazed that this light at this cost could make the laser beam out so far at

Do any of these budget throwers come close to the range of the MPP-1? I love my MPP-1, it is a hell of a thrower. Just wondering if any of these throwers are in the same league? Would be interested in an XML thrower if the price is right and it would be close to the MPP-1. Also have a friend that wants a thrower (he loves my MPP-1) and was wondering if he could pick something of similar caliber up for less money. I see that the MPP-1/L2i combo is $44 from solarforcesales, maybe that is the route he should go.

I have several throwers but I have to admit that I still keep being tempted by that MPP-1/L2i offers, its a terrific price.

Yes the MPP-1 really is a beast. I use mine with an L2 with 2 x CR123As in it, as its not as bright with 1x18650. I would get an extension tube and run 2 x 18650, but right now its small enough that I can still stick it in a jacket pocket.

bought and received the

Super Tactics CREE LED 400 Lm Flashlight Torch Lamp New

tested extensively sunday nite in cold at range with scope and without scope.

installed trustfire 18650 rechargeable and 18650s i recycled out of laptop batteries and the super tactics ultra ok had really bad problem of swapping to other of the 5 modes without movement. could screw and unscrew head and tail and sometimes would go to right mode for a while but would switch unpredictably thru hours at nite.

installed 2 new surefire cr123s and did not have any of those problems while at home tonite over 5 minutes of testing.

looks like it does not like rechargeable 18650s but likes 2 new cr123s so problem solved. for $13 who cares? buy it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Tactics-CREE-LED-400-Lm-Flashlight-Torch-Lamp-New-/120710615523?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D400238052627%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D2821086166681363126#ht_6303wt_999

I guess your recycled 18650 batteries are flat top?

If so, you may just have an unreliable plus connection between battery and driver and a regular button top 18650 should fix the issue. (Or a blob of solder on the driver bottom, if flattops are what you intend to use.)

I wouldn't drive any light specified for one 18650, with two cr123s. Especially not this one, since it is already overdriven with an 18650.

A BIG +1 on all three paragraphs.

Ok, how about the Small Sun ZY-C10-S? Big lens Q5.

I am new to all of this but am capable of learning and following thru (ex. I post what I do and how I test (within limits of knowledge) after purchase with weather conditions (40 degrees) and whatever other factors I can toss in.

=====

2 types of 18650s:

1. trustfire rechargeables that have no problems in my olight m20 warrior. I have a trustfire recharger. love these 2 batteries. they are slightly longer than the ones below.

2. laptop batteries I have removed. dremeled off solders, sanded with 1000 grit paper, then used www.corrosionx.com on each end of recycled battery. corrosionx made for aircraft electrical parts. (off topic... GREAT firearm oil). these batteries are 'flat topped' (slightly shorter than trustfires). bought earth magnets to make these batteries work in my 2 clone flashlights.

=====

Questions:

1. I have attached earth magnets to tops of recycled 18650s. My trustfires (that do not have earth magnets) have fewer problems than the recycled.

are you saying that I should solder the earth magnet to the top of the recycled 18650?

2. Can you define driver? My computer background says that is a piece of software but I can infer that this is a piece of hardware on the flashlight.

Is the driver the gold metal plate inside?

3. Did not know I should not run 2 x cr123s in this. Wont do anymore.

I am a newbie and appreciate your time and effort! I spend a lot of time on other forums answering questions.

Hello 16850 Thrower,

Sorry for this late reply. The new year seems to have erased all my thread notification settings.

Both using magnets as well as soldering to LiIon batteries could be dangerous. I suggest you keep the flattop 18650 batteries (unmodified) for lights that have a spring plus contact.

The driver is the electronic assembly that regulates the current flow through the emitter. The plus button on the battery actually connects to the driver's circuit board. The driver's electronic components are usually located on the opposite side of the miniature board, hidden inside the flashligt's head. The flashlight tube provides the minus connection to the outer circle on the board perimeter.

I've quickly placed solder blobs on top of Li-Ions. You want to work really quick so you don't heat the cell too much. Another thing that helped me was that my cells have been out in my garage where it is very cold (been around 20 to 30 degrees F here). I've heard of people just "dripping" the solder onto the cell, but I don't know how well that sticks to the cell.

-Garry

Is there any light that is the same as the Super Tactics but without the golden stuff on it?

I cant stand it but I want such a light...

Greetings

On my TrustFire F15, that collar is stainless steel, which is better looking to me as well. But that's an XM-L light and not a thrower.

The Super Tactics' collar is aluminium, externally anodized to brass color (unfortunately). At least aluminium is better for heat dissipation Wink, considered how high this light is driven. I haven't seen a silver collar Q5 (or other XR-E) version yet.

Here is the original that inspired so many clones. Obviously, the metallic collar is its primary design element. I like it, although not so much in gold.

http://www.lumapower.com/products/mrv.html

update for my four lights at top of posting.

Can you tell more about these light?

Current? Realy aluminum reflector? Galss or plastic lens?

edit update 5/6/2012 on light above.

I have 4 of these and for price are great. sold 2 and kept 2.

On one of these the battery top is being pushed in by the heavy springs. flickers on and off sometimes. but still works and for the light vs price is great.

2nd one I have the metal threads stripped on the body. repaired with plumbers tape and rear stays on. I did not crossthread because rear still fits on other flashlights.

friend I sold other 2 at cost and gave him batteries has same problem with top being pushed in but he doesnt care either. for the light vs price gotta love it.