Intl-Outdoor USB Device Charger XM-L T6 Flashlight

Hi forum, looks to me Hank from Intl-Outdoor has come through with a really nice flashlight/USB charger that I received today. Typically, my wife and I have been using a NewTrent backup battery charger while on the road in order to keep our Ipod/Ipad, and other devices powered up when away from an electric outlet for charging. Now we'll be able to have a second portable charger with even greater charging capacity coupled to a powerful XM-L flashlight all in one.

For details, see Hanks website for this flashlight : http://www.intl-outdoor.com/double-usb-mobile-device-charger-318650-xml-t6-flashlight-p-365.html

It came with a paracord lanyard. The USB charging cable to recharge the flashlight from a computer USB port was several dollars extra, but Hank included it as a gift after contacting him that I forgot to add it to my order. I did ask him to send me a Paypal invoice, but he included it anyway. Thanks Hank!

Just a size comparison, Skyray 3800, USB Charger/Flashlight, and Skyray KING

Skyray 3800, USB Charger/Flashlight and Skyray KING - The 38mm reflector appears perfect. The head unscrews from the body of the flashlight just below the lowest cooling recess. The tail-cap unscrews to slip out the battery carrier to insert 3x18650's in parallel. I tossed in some Redilast 18650-3100's from my Skyray KING for testing. They were slightly tight inserting, and rubbed slightly while inserting into the flashlight tube, but worked great.

Great size diameter and excellent knurling, certainly won't slip out of your hand. Threads felt really nice and smooth.

Yep, this flashlight has a second business end for sure. One USB output exclusive to Apple products, and a second USB output to charge all other devices. Obviously this will only charge devices within USB specs. The mini-USB is an input to charge the flashlight itself so you don't have to remove the 3x18650 batteries should you not wish to.

Normally I would always remove batteries to toss on my Pila, but it may not be necessary in this case for several reasons;

1. Batteries are inserted in parallel not series.

2. Specially designed internal circuitry within the tail-cap controls charging and automatically cuts charging when a full charge is detected. At this point I don't think it balance charges, but having a parallel battery configuration, they drain exactly the same, and it stands to reason they will charge and self-balance also. However, even with Redilast 18650 3100mAh's, I take nothing for granted and will carefully verify how well it recharges my batteries should I decide to charge them inside the flashlight. It may take as long as 6-8 hours, so leaving them in the flashlight to charge is something I don't think I'd do very often since I'd have to plug it into my computer. Still, a nice option to have.

A photo of my Ipod Touch recognizing the flashlight and charging.

Photo of my IPAD-1 recognizing the flashlight as a charger. I also tried it on my wife's IPAD-2, and started charging perfectly.

NOTE: The rear LED's you see illuminated only come on when the small lower button is pressed, which is what activates the charging ports. They also indicate battery condition and can be used while the flashlight is being used as a flashlight. The 4 RED LED's indicate the flashlight is nearly fully charged, and if the single BLUE LED is also illuminated, this means the batteries are fully charged.

The one thing that did concern me was that no dust caps are included with the light. Initially when I purchased it, I had already decided to make my own custom made rear cover to keep moisture and dirt out of the USB & Mini USB openings. Fortunately before taking on a project like that, I remembered I have soft rubber USB and Mini USB caps on hand. So I inserted them and problem solved, and it also maintains the cool look of the flashlight. The dust caps being made of soft material make it extremely easy to insert and remove them.

In addition to the great features of this flashlight, it's also one of the custom "Build-To-Order" lights that Intl-Outdoor offers. It's available in a 3-mode or 5-mode, and Cool White-T6 1A or Neutral White - T6 3C. As usual, I went for the 3-mode and NW tint. Mode Memory is excellent and instantaneous too.

Outdoor beam shots to follow.

Here's a few beam shots showing the USB Charger Flashlight in action. The comparison flashlights were the new Citycat Big Head K8 offered by CNQualitygoods and a Yezl M6X, also offered by CNQ. It's not possible for me to get a tail-cap reading on the USB light due to the battery carrier configuration. But it's rated at 800 lumens.

The Big Head K8, is rated at 900 lumens and driven from a LD-29 driver. Tail readings were 1.20a HIGH mode with 2x18650 and 2.40a HIGH mode with 1x18650. No difference in brightness between battery configurations. Tint is NW /XM-L T6-3C.

The Yezl M6X is rated at 800 lumens and rated at 2500mA. Actual tail readings were 1.88a. Tint is CW XM-L T6.

USB Charger Flashlight, NW Tint

Big Head K8, NW Tint

Yezl M6X, CW Tint

What makes Apple USB so special?

Nice addition!! I really like the parallel 18650 configuration, and the built in USB charger is a very nice/unique feature. Looks like a must have for anyone who travels with a laptop.

thanks for sharing!!

Ditto, sorry for ignorance but is it different in some way?

Thanks for posting, Richie. Very nice flashlight and functional to boot. What a great travel light.

Can you show pics of the rubber caps out of the light?

I know with the Iphone the wall charger is faster than the computer USB ports..500ma vs 1000ma..the Iphone senses the source and charges appropriately..maybe the Apple charging port is capable of the "fast charge" mode and has the correct variables to make the Iphone charge at the faster rate..the other USB port will probably charge it just at the slower rate..

just guessing from my experience with my Iphone though..

The flashlight has a regulator that can sense charge requirements from 300mA-2500mA. The home charger for my IPAD1 and IPAD2 has an output of 2.1a, but my Ipod touch requires 1a charge current. I don't have an iPhone, but I'd imagine it may require similar charge current as the Ipod Touch, perhaps a bit more. I'd have to assume the "Apple" side has additional circuitry for varying Apple device charging requirements.

HI BetweenRides, the 5th photo from the top shows how the light comes without the dust caps I installed.

...Has voltage on the data lines

The resistors (and therefore voltage at the data pins) vary between the generations of devices and is used to communicate the current that the device is capable of providing to the idevice.

The differences between how Apple charger USB port works and normal one does is described quite detailed-ly here:

http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/icharge.html

In short: Apple devices require specific voltages on data pins to charge quickly, otherwise only slow charge would be possible.

Yep, the only difference is a higher charge rate. I know the wall to usb charger that comes with ipads puts out 2000 ma, and the iphone one 1000 ma.

My Dell Streak also uses 1A USB charger. I believe they just short the data pins at the USB port to signal the device that high current is available.

ah I did not know the Ipad was so high, but makes sense with the larger battery capacity..

Does it tail stand?

It's very wobbly with the 2 main USB dust plugs I used, but without them it's totally rock solid. I may look into trimming down the dust plugs I used so it tail stands correctly with them in.

Actually, hoping to see pics of the actual dust caps themselves...

Beam shots added to #1 post.

How about direct links to the two companies I purchased them from some months ago. As I recall, both were received about 2 or 3 days after placing the order.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/15555/ele-1052/Akust_Mini_USB_Dust_Cover_-_10_Pack_AV01-0037-AKS.html

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?WT.z_header=search_go&lang=en&site=us&keywords=RP781-ND&x=19&y=13

great review, thanks. if I hadn't spent $500 on lawn equipment this weekend I'd be on this instantly. Time to figure out where to find some cash!

I'll be curious to hear if the dust caps stay in place when the light is handled a lot (pocketed or bagged).

I'd just finished making a 4s6p AA usb charger w/ 3 jacks when this light first popped up. Timing is everything