Review: DIY UltraFire 1xAA Flashlight with Clip Host Kit

For custom modes just read this thread.

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/744?page=1

I haven't seen the 18650 version of this in a do it yourself model.

The negative grounds through the outer edge of the driver when you press it in to the pill.

Quick google search turned up...

This one...

and

this one too...

Obviously the same photos with different water marks.

If anyone buys this light please give us a review or something.

The X1 is cheaper at Manafont:

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-x1-q5-3mode-memory-led-flashlight-118650-p-4048

But that host isn't that well made. I've had problems with the switch and the threads aren't that great. My review:

I wound up using the light as a host for a neutral XP-G. It works, but the switch is annoying. And the XR-E reflector isn't great for the XP-G.

I ordered this AA/14500 kit and may put a Nichia 219 LED in it (also have a Ultrafire C3 stainless on the way; honestly I'd rather put the Nichia in my Sunwayman V10).

And WOW .

Firefly to 3.55 AMPS .

Just an awesome pocket rocket .

Got my mod host today from cnqg. They used a big envelope and it seems like it came from Singapore. They threw in an empty P60 dropin which was nice (if it was on purpose anyway). The web page says for XP-E/XP-G, but reall the hole is for XR-E. I had even included a note asking for the smaller hole reflector (even the P60 reflector had a big hole).

Haven't done anything with it yet, but it will get either my Nichia 219 or the warm white Osram Oslon Square sample I just got.

I just built one with a Nichia 219 and this adjustable regulator so I can use AAs, the reflector worked fine the beam looks great and the driver works awesome as well.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/3w-19-mode-universal-regulated-circuit-board-for-flashlights-7882

This host was very frustrating for me. Using a 17mm driver, I guess you don't use the retaining ring. The driver can be inset down into the bottom of the pill a couple of mm, but I couldn't solder from the driver to the pill like I usually can with brass pills. Also the walls of the aluminum pill are very, very thin. The square threads are kind of thin as well, not the big beefy ones that my AKOray K-106 has.

Despite not soldering from the driver to the pill, somehow contact is being made and the light works. There is a ring of darkness near the outer part of the spill. I don't know what's causing that. But the light works, so I guess it all turned out alright.

What is diameter and thickness of the lens in this host? Would 18mm ar coated glass lens from ios fit?

Now that I’ve had the finished light for a few days, I’m happier with this host. The pill is lightweight, but the light heats up pretty quickly so the heat transfer must be okay. The clicky is good and this clip is good for keeping the light on at the top of your pocket. Some clips are so stiff you will have a hard time getting them in place.

I don’t know if you could always get away without using solder for the driver, but it is working so far for me. No contact problems at all.

Good contact, good switch, tailstands, a clip, I’m not sure what else a AA host needs.

I received this host today. It’s GREEN~! I was expecting a black one. I swore it was black when I ordered it and had to go back to the website and confirm. The pictures do look a little green. I thought E’s pictures looked green because of the lightling. I was wrong.

What eva! No biggy. I like it better than black anyways.

Heck i thought it was gray in color. Is it like an olive green or what? What led did you install brted and bigwood and anyone else who bought one of these. except the origional poster.

Thanks

[quote=apt323]
Heck i thought it was gray in color. Is it like an olive green or what? What led did you install brted and bigwood and anyone else who bought one of these. except the origional poster.

Thanks[/quote

In the light the green is more evident. Metallic olive green/grey tone in a matte finish is the closest I can describe it.

I put a 16mm NW XML in it with a KD 8x7135 cause it’s all I have. It’s powered by TF Flame 14500 batt. It’s a little overdriven right now. I can feel the head start to get warm on high within 5 secs. I think I’ll take a few of the AMC chips off for sure. The way it’s set up right now is definitely brighter than my EOS v3 on turbo. I like to bring it down to at the most 1.5amps. If I do keep it the way it is, it would be better to have the modes start off at low-medium-high with no memory instead of the other way around.

On a side note, the ano is not that durable. Definitely not ano3 but it doesn’t claim to be. I took the belt clip off as it was scratching up the body already. I think I will order more as quite like this $8 AA sized host.

Thanks for the heads up on this one E!

[quote=BIGWOOD]

[quote=apt323]
Heck i thought it was gray in color. Is it like an olive green or what? What led did you install brted and bigwood and anyone else who bought one of these. except the origional poster.

Thanks
[/quote

In the light the green is more evident. Metallic olive green/grey tone in a matte finish is the closest I can describe it.

I put a 16mm NW XML in it with a KD 8x7135 cause it’s all I have. It’s powered by TF Flame 14500 batt. It’s a little overdriven right now. I can feel the head start to get warm on high within 5 secs. I think I’ll take a few of the AMC chips off for sure. The way it’s set up right now is definitely brighter than my EOS v3 on turbo. I like to bring it down to at the most 1.5amps. If I do keep it the way it is, it would be better to have the modes start off at low-medium-high with no memory instead of the other way around.

On a side note, the ano is not that durable. Definitely not ano3 but it doesn’t claim to be. I took the belt clip off as it was scratching up the body already. I think I will order more as quite like this $8 AA sized host.

Thanks for the heads up on this one E![/quote]

Thanks for the info. New to mods and still dont know what leds fit what reflectors except the one it states on the order website. I have an xre warm white and an xml t6 1a on hand right now. Been wanting to find a host for the warm white xre.
Posted on iphone
Edited

I put a Nichia 219 in mine. The LED is the same size as a Cree XP-G. It is mounted to a 10mm diameter board which is pretty small. This pill should hold up to a 16mm board, though 14mm might be better. I agree the color of the host is a metallic light olive. I have a couple of similar lights so I was expecting this color.

I finished building this host kit yesterday and final result is above all my expectations. There are however some details that might make it challenging for less experience users.
If 17mm driver is to be used 16mm adapter ring can be used as press fit ring to secure driver and assure reliable electrical contact with pill. But it needs to be filed down a little bit so it’s not protruding outside pill which would prevent battery tube to screw down completely. Also it’s wise to make side cuts in it that line up with cuts in pill so it can be removed and to make tightening easier.
Reflector has 7mm hole which is perfect for XM-L but unfortunately lip around hole is too wide and without additional standoff it’s sits on connection wires. I used XM-L protector ring from KD and additional 16mm plastic isolator to prevent this, but it also makes LED centering quite tricky.
Perhaps most annoying part is clip which is quite flimsy but after some thinking and few cm of 1.5mm diameter heat shrink tube placed on clip where it sits in a groove between battery tube and cap makes the clip almost excellent. Also placing little bit of same heat shrink on position where clip touches body is good idea to prevent anno (beautiful grey-olive green color) scratching.

If you have some extra time this cheap host can be a real pleasure to build…

I ordered this host from CNQG and I was surprised that it even came with a driver and emitter ( it was clearly stated they have to be purchased separately).

Both will go in the parts drawer I think... The driver is a three-mode (high - low - strobe), draws 1.3A from 1xNiMH, feeds 0.2A to an XR-E.
The emitter is an otherwise unknown XP-G with slight scratching on the dome.

Probably a mistake, or maybe they get rid of products they don't sell anymore that way...

That’s cool Ric is including the parts to finish the build. I was using my Nichia 219 version nightly to walk my dog, I see why old Bob likes the XPG for dog walking. Unfortunately for me my brother was quick to confiscate my Nichia build one last time he came over to visit. So I made an XML U3 1C tint version with a 3.5 amp turbo mode, man is it bright even the .002 candle mode is much brighter then the 3C tint XML and the 1.75 amp high is perfect for 600 plus lumen of continuous light without overheating. The new U3s really are super efficient I am impressed. This kit light has been my EDC for about a year now it gets used daily and it is holding up fine. It’s amazing something this small absolutely destroys a super sized mag light for output and handily fits into your pocket when not in use.

600 lumes from such a small thing must draw some serious attention when you use it :bigsmile:

I think I'm going to put a moderately driven XP-G2 in mine, either 3C or 5A tint and it will still blow away most commercially available lights.

Looks identical to my much beloved akory. A really well made flashlight/host! With the wall thickness, they feel really nice and sturdy.
I’m also planning on swapping to an xp-g2. (The emitter was intended for my sk68, but since it’s so much fun with the dedomed xp-e, i’ll keep it that way for a while. Now I just need a nice fitting xp-g reflector. )