Review: E1320 modified UltraFire MCU-C88/5-Mode XM-L

I need to include some shots that show how well this bad boy throws. It is every bit as bright as the 980L (maybe a bit brighter even) but I'm thinking it will out throw it.

Foy

Wow, this looks great!

I'm now waiting even more eagerly for the XML U2 and KD V2 driver I've ordered... :)

Nice!! I love it. Incredible utility and flexibility, and quite a looker too. Congrats to E1320 for a job well done, and a big thanks to Foy for the great review.

Frontpage'd and Sticky'd. (Moved to the Multiple AA category)

I will definitely be converting my C88 to XM-L. Very nice pics, Foy. :)

Foy how long will it run on 3 x eneloop AA on High and turbo?

Sweet.

Edit: Same questions as above...

Looks great, if you are having problems with the lenght of a 18650, try a 26650, it should have enough room, or at least the not protected ones such as MNKE or King Kong.

Schweet! Really like the looks of that light. I'm 6'2" and it looks the heft I've been missing in C8 style lights.

I'm getting about an hour on three eneloops on turbo.

Foy

Beautiful Flashlight!

Makes me want to work up the initiative to try some modding - time and energy (and knowledge!) being the primary limitations.

Sold!

With Eneloops, this light makes a great workhorse...a handsome workhorse.

Does this need anything else Mod-wise, than soldering/assembling new emitter and driver? Is there need to do lathe work to make for example the driver fit it´s place or is it plug-solder´n´play?

No need or skill to do the programming, so thats out of the question by me, naturally.

You can actually just do an emitter swap if you don't mind a 3 mode direct drive. This light has the same driver as the UF980L or the Manafont 3 mode drop in. The Nanjg 105c driver fits in perfectly as well.

Hmm, nice! Good to know, thanks.

With nothing more than an emitter swap you would probably be able to use an unprotected 18650/26650 in it without having to worry about it being too long. The Nanjg driver eats up probably 3-4mm from the battery tube length.

Great mod, as you say, makes the light what it should be.

Soooooooo, anyone know where we can buy a UltraFire CREE Q5 MCU-C88 cheap?

Thought not!

The C88 not available anymore?

mustgolookFoy

update:

My E/C88 is still going strong. It is still everything I said it was. (good looking, reliable and bright as hell)

I will share with you, however, some guilt I am feeling. Because of the Cyclone C88, I don't use this torch as I once did. Nothing has changed about the E/C88; it remains as over-the-top awesome as it ever was. It's just that I like the Cyclone better. If I blindly defended the E/C88 out of loyalty to Erik, despite what I really felt to be true, it might diminish the value of my opinions overall. My only defense is my respect for Erik and admiration for his contributions.

It would be awesome if I were some kind of heavy hitter in the industry, a dream, actually. But, I am just one voice and I often enjoy the sound of it too much. Nevertheless, if I have any hope of continuing to be heard or (gasp) respected, I must say the truth as I see it. The truth is; the E/C88 is an exceptional, important flashlight.

The Cyclone C88 is better.

Foy

I have probably had a half dozen Cyclones come and go for a 5 mode 3.5 amp upgrade. I just don’t like the tiny pressed in pill otherwise it’s a great light, especially for the price if can live with the 3 mode 2.8 amp driver. I still like the old one better just because of the bigger pill in the old C-88 even if it’s overkill. I think if I replaced the 1C tint T-6 with a better tint U2 emitter in your E/C-88 you might change your mind.

Yep.

The tint is probably the thing I like least . . . didn't even bother me at first. I'm becoming the tint snob I vowed always to hate. The funny thing is; the green tint is only at the corona. Problem is, this light has a very wide, very bright and well defined corona. Outside the corona is a beautiful, clean white and the hot-spot is barely green at all but there is this wide, green band in the middle . . . . not a big deal I guess.

Anyway, onward to new projects . . .

juicedcrelantFoy