Review: Cyclone C88 from Int'l Outdoor Store

@blinded

Thanks for the reply, and the information. I'll definitely remember to add one of those 18650 to 26650 adaptors to my cart if I decide to go ahead with a C88 purchase. The problem is that I really want to phase out my unprotected lithium battery use, rather than add a device to the mix that needs them. It's not so much about the (albeit minor) safety concerns as it is about the convenience of not having to micromanage charge and discharge scenarios (being able to lend my flashlights out, at full performance, without worrying so much, is one such scenario). It's one of the reasons I spent $15.00 per cell on the best protected 18650's I could find.

@fishinfool

Thanks for the welcome! I've been lurking around here for a couple of weeks and learning a lot about flashlights in the process. This forum is a great resource with some great people it seems :)

Welcome aboard, cainn24!

Just got my light but forgot to order the 18650 to 26650 adaptor at the same time. Bummer!

Just use a couple of o-rings . . . . that's all I use, works perfect.

Foy

Cool. Thanks!

Ummmm I seem to be missing something here. The gap between the 18650 and the casing is much bigger than the width of the o-rings. Clearly I’m missing the obvious but any chance of a photo showing how you do it?

There are also larger O-rings than those for flashlights, from plumbing for example.. some plastic pipe or even wood would also work. Or a cardboard roll from toilet paper. Or... there are a lot of possibilites. :)

I found 3/4” electrical conduit works well generally. I don’t have the Cyclone C88 though. Standard 3/4” water line PVC will work, but I found the electrical conduit to be slightly wider so it gives less wobble in the flashlight body.

I thought the 18650 to 26650 adaptor came with the light? Edit - I see they don’t and they aren’t even listed as an “add-on”.

-Garry

It came with mine….

Thanks for the help guys!

That’s what I thought but it actually only comes with spare o-rings and lanyard.

Sorry rufus, I should have been more specific. The o-rings need to be a little bit bigger.

Foy

I went to a meeting of UK torch [flashlight] chaps last weekend. During the evening one of the guys set up his IS in the pub and we tested many lights. One of them was this light. Measured 694 ANSI Lumens on a 26650.

Hi Foy, I’ve not yet converted myself to the 26650, and was looking with curiosity at the JM-07. Now this “special” version C88. Would you please be so kind to elaborate more on the differences between the two? Any beam comparison possible?
Thanks :slight_smile:

Between the Cyclone and JM07 . . . .

I guess the biggest difference is that the Cyclone is brighter.

I measured the Cyclone at just under 2.8 amps verses about 2.45 for the JM07.

The Cyclone is a C88 with a 36mm head, the JM07 is slightly smaller at 32mm. (not sure where the manufacturers measure)

The Cyclone reflector is an SMO, the JM07 is OP; not saying either is better, just pointing out the difference.

Acknowledging differences in tint among the same light, a white-wall with my particular JM07 and most of my other lights including the Cyclone, the JM07 is a bit green. Nothing significant but again, difference from the Cyclone.

These two lights are among the most prized in my collection so, I don't believe one is necessarily better than the other. My JM07 is the silver edition and sees little use. It is a very good flashlight. The nod however, must go to the Cyclone. I think it is a significant flashlight and if I didn't own either one, the Cyclone easily wins.

Foy

Foy- I think you’d mentioned owning a UF-980L as well. I have one… it’s bright, has a good beam, modes are fine, it’s competent but a little boring.

Which one do you prefer & why? I keep reading great things about the Cyclone but need a compelling nudge when the 980, to me anyway, seems so similar.

BTW, I enjoy reading your posts, particularly the one where you self critiqued on speaking in the third person, etc. That was an absolute keeper!

My feelings about the 980L are well documented and I guess that's part of why I am so impressed with this torch. It actually measures a little higher on my (admittedly inconsistent/unscientific) light meter, yet pulls a much less insane 2.80 amps and has more heat dissipating mass. The 980L is lighter to carry but 4+ amps gets mighty warm.

I also like the better run time from the larger 26650 battery. I realize the change to another battery size is a hurdle for some people and if it is, the Cyclone obliges by running just fine on an 18650 . . . . or, 3 x AA even.

The 980L is slimmer and lighter but the Cyclone is a better flashlight, overall.

foylikesthecycloneFoy

Got my replacement C88 From Intl Outdoors today…and I like it! 26650 makes it sing!

Any idea how the light knows you using the Eneloops vs a lithium battery, i could understand on high the resistance from the holder, but on medium and low i would have expected an identical current draw since the batteries and holder can easily handle it.

I believe those drivers give you medium and low based on a percentage of the current on high. Medium should be 30% and low 5%. So in Foy's example of tailcap currents, if you take 30% of 1.90A you get 0.57A (Foy measured 0.58A) and 5% of 1.90A gives you 0.095A (Foy measured 0.09A). So the driver must be basing everything on what it can pull from the battery (or batteries) on high.

-Garry

So that means every time you turn it on it must draw full current for a fraction of a second to calibrate its output levels. I’d be surprised if it did that, as i can’t imagine the designer of the chip would go to that much work and wasting battery energy use just to figure out how much power to provide on lower settings. And where does that power go if its doing it?