ITS HERE! SIPIK SK98 - A 18650 based Sipik SK68 with an XML!

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.

are the 68 and 58 close enough in size so that the guts of a 68 can be dropped into the 58 body, or are sizes not close enough?

I´ve have ordered one hope it´s a good buy!

Is there a AA version of this?

The pills are different sized so unfortunately they aren't interchangeable as-is.

However, you can fit the same sized driver and emitter in either pill with a little work.

The slot for the driver in the Sipik 58 is only 16mm. But with a little filing at the edges of the driver and a 17 mm Nangj 105c fits fine. The chips on the bottom of the driver may prevent the pill from screwing down completely, but this is actually a good thing anyways since it means the lens will retract closer to the top of the emitter and give wider spill.

I measured 15mm, not 16.

The golden dragon is higher than XR-E, it is not quite 1:1 swap, the retaining ring does not fit.

Beamshots, anyone?

I have read all I could about combining aspherical lenses with the ubiquitous XM-L emitter, and the outcome wasn't very promising. My own experiments were desastrous- such an ugly beam, I quickly stopped before I dumped too much money into this.

Now - does the collimator lens work decently with the XM-L on this new Sipik? I'm curious.

Yus, they are! I didn't want to live with that, so I took care of that on mine with a file and some fine-grit sandpaper. As a bonus, you'll get a groovy "used"-appearance!

uhmm... yes.

All true - but I've learned to appreciate the advantages that come with it. First, when I cannot unscrew it easily, it cannot unscrew itself easily, as well. Second: I found that it makes a decent cigar-grip.

All very good and profound observations. I usually clip it to the top button hole of my loden coat, to use it as a worklight. It works for me. Since the clip IS strong, as you noticed, I rounded the edge on the body it is resting against with (you guessed it) a flt file and some sandpaper. Even more cool-looking grungy signs of usage!

True enough - my current EDC still is Boaz's Nitecore he used to sell last year. Much sleeker and lighter. The only change I made was to tie it to my trousers, and stuff in an eneloop. Still, I like my SK68 very much, too.

oh, thinking about it, you missed one of the biggest cons: The SK68 doesn't come with the emitter clued to the pill. It is held in place just by the leads! Has been the case on every single one I bought (total of seven). I wonder if they have fixed that on the new one?

regards, Simon

For some reason I actually like the design of this light (and SK68). Being a zoomie it just works for me. It's simple and utilitarian in design, which I tend to prefer in this kind of light. I don't think it would work on anything bigger though.

LOL, yes, that is the original Sipik 68

I must be odd like weiser, I like the design and looks of these Sipik models, they just look cool IMO. I may pick this one up, will see how others like it first though.

I ordered this just because I was curious. Now I have to find it so I can compare to the others:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300552404670?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649