- "If you want to run 14500 with AA for back up . Akoray AK-16 ..."
Akoray AK-16? Do you mean K-106?
As for SS-A1... good light for less than 10 bucks indeed.
@Vectrex
Yeah, don't know why almost all lights have SOS, strobe modes. I think momentary-on switch is much useful.
- "but later I found out it was actually yellow, like with a yellow lens in front, but everybody else seems to love it here, so my model might have been faulty, or a bad exception"
Yes, could be a batch issue. I've seen many lights (C3 for example) that had different tints, depending on when they were purchased/batch.
- "Also don't forget that the S1 is single-mode and you wanted multi-mode."- Well, If the light is only AA, could be an option, but if it's AA/14500... multimode is a must I think, because on 14500 it will be twise as bright.
Interesting results I see... Hm K-106 really sucks on AA... Can't believe it, so loooow lumen Well, on 14500 also. R5-A3 an C3 SS have great output.
@XRAYboy
Yes, C3 SS is a good choice apparently. Will wait review from Don. Looks like he bought U20. Or not?
No, sorry, I actually don't own any 14500 cells. But I'm almost positive that it will work well with 14500, because it appears to be a rebadged Akoray K-106 6-mode, which according to the reviews is bright and reliable on 14500.
Ok, guys, thx to all your posts on this forum, now I know much more things about lights, etc So, now I have a bunch good lights to choose from. Also want to buy a relatively good multi charger (should be multi because I plan to buy 18600 in the future). Matt, I think you have tested most chargers available today in the market, hehe , which would you recommend? Xtar 2 bay that you suggested me before? Or Shekor? Or Ultrafire? In my opinion Xtar will be better choice.
Another thing. The friend of mine want to buy a good 1xAA light with the best/brigtest spill posible. He really need a good spill, less than brightest hotspot. What do you recommend? Of course we are talking about budget lights, about $20. Thanks in advance ;)
I've been using the Trustfire TR-001 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12594 for about a month now. I've been very pleased with it. I use it on 10440's, 14500's, and 18650's with no problems. It's a double charger with independent circuits that will cut off at 4.205v ( on all three battery types). It won't charge the 18650's as fast as some of the others, but it also won't ruin the smaller cells with too much current either. I'm going to order another one in the near future just to have a spare.
Just a heads up on the AA-S1. I just received one a few weeks ago and was less than impressed with it. After such rave reviews I can only assume I just got a crappy one (it happens...). On the other hand, the ultrafire C3 (DX sku 04452) has absolutely blown me away....on either 1xAA, 2xAA, or 14500(brightest). It has more throw than my Zebralight H51 and is almost as bright!
The c78 from LT has better flood and brightness than the AA-S1. Very even beam with no artifacts and flexibility from wide to zoom. If you don't need modes, it's one of the best aa lights, all for ~$10.
In terms of hotspot/throw with AA's, the c78 is about same as the skyray s5, about 1300 arbilux, this compared to 450 for the J4, 300 for the C3 SS, and 100 for the AA-S1.
For flood, measuring at half the radius from center, the c78 is about 40, the s1 about 15, the J4 15, and the C3 SS is 10.
It is true, build quality of the KD Romisen RC-29 Q5 is much higher (switch+threads) and it is brighter than my 2 C78s. But it is very bulky and needs 3 full turns of twisting, resulting in 5-6 actions to go from flood to throw. If it was push-pull and had the switch of the C6/C8 ... it would be the perfect flood-to-thow light on 1xAA.
Arbi-lux (arbitrary-lux) just refers to the fact it's lux not referenced to distance (as lux itself isn't) because I didn't bother to bust out the meterstick. However it's self-consistent and thus can be compared among themselves. What are Don's numbers measured at?
The c78 as I've mention in other threads has better optics than the c29 (and thus likely similar romisens), and pretty decent quality if you get the LT version. The only place the romisen is better is at the widest flood when it finally smoothes out.