being all that, but they certainly can be great if they are done right. i bought a modded one here, from a memeber who shall remain nameless, Chicago X, , and it is an absolute beast. maybe it loses a little in ultimate throw distance versus a smaller die emitter, maybe, but at all except for the farthest distance it puts out exponentially more light, a much larger spot, and VERY close to the same throw. it pretty much blows a Q5 or R2 out of the water.
Ok, just looking at the measurements, it's over an inch longer, and quite a bit larger in diameter. Makes sense given the larger cell, but it looks identical appearance wise. Thanks for being an early purchaser, troop. Can't wait to hear what you think about it. I'm up to 5 zoomies now, might need to pick this one up to round out the collection. They are definitely fun flashlights, even if not particularly useful. :)
I MUST have this!
Ok here's the deal.......I know this Sipik style torch is very, very popular here at BLF but am I the only one who thinks it's fugly? It's design probably doesn't work too well as a pocket edc because it looks like it gets stuck A LOT. This is just my opinion folks so don't have a cow. 
Just ordered from manafont. Mini review when it arrive. Knowing Chinese sellers it would be in about 30 - 40 days from now :) .
I carry mine (when i do) in pocket without the clip. No stickage or stuckage. ;)
Ok, I thought the design would stick inside a pocket but I guess I was wrong. It's still fargin' ugly = fugly.
Yeah, I thought much the same when I first got one, I was also concerned about the clip and crenelated bezel tearing up my coat pocket lining. But it's been EDC'd for 4 months so far and it's never hooked on clip or bezel, and the pocket I kept it in is one of those flimsy seperate nylon dealies that aren't really part of the coat. I've moved it to a hoodie pocket for the summer, and used it a few dozen times since and no hitching there either.
How long you figure till the 26650 version hits?
fishinfool - get one, after you use her you'll think she's much prettier ;)
I just might buy one just too see what the big deal is about these sipik's.
Only that they're cheap.
Wooow 26650 version :-) That would be a tad big for EDC dont you think? Anyhow I dont really get it with these 26650 batts: They have 250% the volume but give only 150% the juice. I'm waiting untill they improve the offerings in that size.
If it performs i'll buy!
MF says they shipped mine today...now I wait for the boat.
@ troop:
Congrats and I will take my hat off and bow to you when you reveal your findings to us :-)
SK68 for life!!!!! (gang sign in the air)
nah, plenty of cheap (and cheaper) lights get no love. sk68 is a good light.
No you are not alone... I like the C78 which is a (Coast) Led Lenser clone a million times better as far as aesthetics go. Too bad a few of the best functioning flood-to-throw 1AA lights look like sharp edged hideous tools (Sipik SK68, Romisen RC-29). The RC-29 is much better in build quality as the SK68 and the C78, but you can shave yourself with the tailcap. The C78 has tailswitch problems sometimes.
i've got a bada$$ file on my new victorinox multitool
I own a few Sipik 68s and clones myself and I agree. The design IS ugly. Personally, I don't like it for pocket carry because:
1. The crenelations on the bezel are sharp. They feel uncomfortable in the pocket and feel like they might wear through my pants.
2. The bezel and body near the bezel seems to be wider than it needs to be on a Sipik SK68. If I'm going to have a light with a wide body I want the light to take full advantage of it... this means that the lens should be as big as possible so it can use the extra width. In the stock Sipik SK68 it's not. However, my 3-mode SK68 clone does actually use a bigger lens in the same sized body.
3. The decorative ring that serves as the clip mount sticks out. Definitely something you'll feel in your pocket. It also makes it difficult to unscrew the tailcap.
4. The clip tension is far to strong to make it easy to get onto a belt or pants, and the clip itself is very short. The clip doesn't feel usable as a clip to me. Instead it seems to serve as an anti-roll device. Can't be easily removed either since the screws holding it on tap right through the body of the light. If you remove the clip you'll have open holes leading to the body compartment unless you put the screws back in without the clip or fill the holes with a filler such as epoxy.
Personally, in a pocket EDC light I prefer an efficient shape that isn't bigger than it needs to be. I also want something smooth that won't tear up my pockets. A clean cylinder with full knurling works well. This is why I much prefer the shape of the Sipik 58 over the Sipik 68. The SK58 is much cleaner and smaller. A much better shape for EDC. The stock SK58 is inferior though due to worse emitter, but this can be fixed with a driver and emitter upgrade. The SK58 is easy to mod.