Cant decide upon which cheap 18650 XML zoomie to buy

I’d 2nd the POPPAS, it’s bright and runs on a 26650. It’s handy for cycling, but I don’t use it for this purpose any more as it doesn’t compare with my non flood to throw lights for whatever purpose. I would seriously recommend this for cycling, and it’s cheap at under $15:

The HD2011 also comes in a Fandyfire version which I’ve heard is cheaper. It’s nicely built, for a floody cycling beam it can’t be beaten IMO. It’s bright and although it’s a small form factor, it puts out enough brightness to light up a decent amount of road ahead.

I like the Tank737 best rom all zoomies I’ve got. Reviewed here at BLF

Thanx for suggestions but I wont buy Poppas, I would never buy it its to ugly.

This http://www.everbuying.com/product150196.html?SSAID=465956
wont win a beauty contest neither but it looks somehow serious, and 3XAAA option is definitely a pros.
Although, its 13,5 cm long, like Ultrafire 501 flashlight.
Looks like shgortened version of trustfire Z1/Z5

It would be great if it had 5 modes like this one (specifically, mid-power mode).
SIpik on the other hand is 2 cms shorter (11,5cm), so maybe better, more compatct for a bike and for a pocket.

I believe all of these lights, or most of them, have great flood.
I just worry about internalks - im looking for the one that can stand high mode for a prolonged periods - at least on the bike. (with wind cooling it)

>>>>> http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/sltrfire-cree-xml-t6-1000lumen-5mode-floodtothrow-led-flashlight-copper-18650-p-10048

I bought that one. The only real good thing about it is that it’s small. HORRIBLE PWM. I’m getting a new driver because it’s so bad. Horrible weird artifacts all around the beam. Had to jury rig the clicky to recess it so it would tailstand AND the pill has no holes to turn it for removal so it’s a pain to get out. But maybe it will be okay with a new driver and I’m going to paint black the area around the emitter to kill the artifacts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1600-Lm-CREE-Zoomable-Focus-18650-XM-L-T6-Led-Mini-Flashlight-Lamp-Light-Torch-/290747076914?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item43b1e05132

That one appears to be the same as the bronzey-gray colored one, so it probably has the same issues. I can see it has the same stupid tail cap bezel that makes for a wobbly tailstand even after I I recessed the button.

http://www.focalprice.com/LF0126B/NF918_CREET6_200LM_3Mode_LED_Flashlight_with_Adjustable_Focus.html?SSAID=465956

Bad artifacts on that one. Light is really underpowered. Not very bright. No battery compartment spring. Tailstands okay. No PWM.

I suggest an Ultrafire clone of the venerable sk98. I LOVE these lights. Yes, the pill is less than optimal. Yes, the clone is SLIGHTLY (10%?) less brighter than the real sipik sk98, but it takes a long time to get warm on high and the sipik overheats almost immediately. And the ultrafire clone never gets as hot as the sipik. The ultrafire has really become my carry light. It’s small. It’s super bright — almost or as bright as any of my single 18650 T6 zoomers. And a match for my nonzooming t6s also.

I think someone overheated their sipik and it melted the wires or something, but that’s why I got the less-hot ultrafire.

The zoom works GREAT. We took a night boat cruise and were a mile offshore. This little thing was lighting the shore at about a mile. Not like a kleig light. but you could see it. Others on the boat were amazed and I actually drew a crowd.

Great battery life with a good battery. Spring inside the compartment so you can easily use nonprotected flat tops. And the design: Either love it or hate it. And did I say small? This thing is only like 4.5 inches long. Maybe too big for a shirt pocket, but pocketable or carryable with a very small unobtrusive holster. Did I say CHEAP? About as cheep as they come.

I have bought from these two ebay vendors (I have three of the lights) and both delivered fast, a nice light, great condition, nice annodizing and threads — in mine anyway.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110876053142?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&\_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270974371898?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&\_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Unlike many others, I really like zoomies despite their inherent downfalls, and I think the ultrafire is the best of the SMALL T6 zoomers. The Trustfire Z8 though is also a GREAT little zoomer but the 14500 batt doesn’t give it much battery life. And the UF is +WAY+ brighter. In a perfect world, I’d get the z8 AND the Ultrafire and then see which one you like best.

Hope this helps!

Yes it helps thank you.

Just tell me, zooming mechanism is liek on SIpik SK68, oulling head out?

Is it loose or? Because for a bike light it wont be good if it is loose.

Yeah and I would rather buy that, little less bright, but wich doesnt gets cooking when I run it on high.

I got this recently, and I absolutely love it.

Ultrafire 1x18650 Zoom Torch/ Light Saber

Ultrafire-branded. Far out-performs my Sipik SK98. Robust and well-built, o-rings through-out. Huge flood, piercing throw with the emitter point the same size as the Sipik SK68. I wish someone would get one and do a detailed review on it, because I am not qualified as of yet, but I’ve seen some cool YouTube vids on it.

Used it for a prolonged period last night on a hike, mostly on medium, but for a few minutes at a time on high. The head and body got quite warm, suggesting decent heat-sinking.

Anyway…maybe a good choice.

Thanx, thats raelly good flashlight and really really good price (it deserves be in flashlight deals section!), but in fact I’m now searching for 1X18650 version

Oh, but mine *is *a 1x18650 version. :slight_smile: I would suggest you just pick it up at this price. Worst case - you have a very nicely made and very bright zoomy to gift someone if it doesn’t fit your needs.

Flashlight Features:
Material:6061T Durable Aluminum Reflector with smooth reflector face.
Max output : 1600 lumens (MAX)
Lifetime-above 10,000hrs
Operate Voltage: 4.2 V
Bulb:Super Bright CREE XM-L T6 LED
Save 40% power compare with Xenon and Luxeon Bulb.
adjustable focus range for different usage
Zoom: x1
x250
x500
x1000
x2000
3-mode adjustable Brightness,High /Low/Strobe
Super Bright, blinding Effect
“O” ring sealed, Waterproof, can be used in rainy weather (Don’t put it into the water).
The ON/OFF push button switch is provided in the end cap.
Water resistant.
Body Color: Black
Size(mm) :170mm(Length,can stretch to extent up to 189)x37mm(Head)x25mm(Body diameter)
Battery Type:1x18650 Battery (Not Included)
Suitable for Self Safety, hunting, cycling, climbing, camping and outdoor activity
Super Bright, blinding Effect .

Package Content:

1x Cree XM-L T6 Led Ultra bright Adjustable Focus Flashlight

Hey that does look like a good deal. Can’t pass up a zoomer. Snagged one. Same guy who sells the ultrafire sk98 clones. Have had good luck with him on this light and other merch.

Man, I gotta control myself. My Paypal account empties itself as soon as I sell merch to get money in there.

Hope it doesn’t have that too-tight zoom head o-ring seal like the 2x18650 Trustfire Z5, which it closely resembles, a too-tight seal that makes zooming a test of physical prowess because the seals are so good, the air pressure can’t escape.

But I did NOT notice the extra $1.99 tacked on for postage until I had already pulled the trigger. That unsweetens the deal a bit.

Be interesting how this one shapes up with my other 16-17 zoomers —- uh I mean now 18 zoomers :wink:

Sorry, Im little tired and that light looked seriously similar to Trustfire Z1/Z5 I own. Ž

Uff, it seems like this s rather sizey(?) 1X18650 light. 17-19cm. SO its not much shorter than 2X18650 version (sold at DD for that same price, great flooder).
SO that would be a turnoff, I sure believe its a good light (only, but serious con, is that it is seriously oversized), but its to big for the thing Im looking for here.

PS: I almost cannot believe that it receives only one 18650 cell :o

Oh yeah, it’s bigger than say, the SK98. Then again, the SK98 design suffers from maybe not enough mass to handle the energy produced, along with poor design. The size of this UF is substantial, but so is the performance, so I can deal with a little bit larger torch with a big flood and a piercing throw. Zoomies always seem a bit limited to me, ironically. Not this one.

Ubehebe, the zoom function on mine is tight enough, but not too tight. I have an SK68 that is as tight as you describe. This UF feels like it’s rolling on bearings - and yet isn’t the least bit loose. Can’t wait til you get yours and report back, because I have a feeling you’ll be pretty pleased with the value for the price - even with the extra $2. I would have easily paid $25 for this torch, still being surprised at how nice it was for that price. :slight_smile:

I found that Ultrafire Sipik SK98 version http://www.everbuying.com/product169247.html?SSAID=465956
here for cheapest price (there is 6% retailmenot coupon, and if you take 2), for 13,90$

Everbuying BTW has some nice prices, for example SIpik SK68 for 5,99 (without coupon).

Back to the topic, this one from everbuying also caught my eye http://www.everbuying.com/product150196.html?SSAID=465956

Its 13,5cm long, slightly longer than Sipik, again cell versatility (AAA/18650/26650?) , and its 30 grams heavioer than sipik (113-143 grams).Ultrafire 501b is 90 grams I think, so 143 grams is pretty heavy, no?
WIth cell thats almost 200 grams.

@Ubehebe
I practically dont know what is PWM and I never noticed it, so I dont know whats that and its not con for me :slight_smile:

Secondly, regarding this Ultrafire zoomie ylu are recommending me - how are modes spaced. IS low mode really low or 30-40-50% of high? (I would like that it isnt very low)

Furthermore, I found that Smiling Shark in 5 modes version http://www.everbuying.com/product158096.html?SSAID=465956 , and its a mistery for me why its cheaper than 3-mode version
(same pricing is present on one other website too….)

Some folks seem to be more sensitive to PWM than other. Personally, I have several lights that are reported to have pretty serious PWM on lower modes, and I don’t notice it until I look at the beam through my Android cam. :bigsmile:

The medium (low?) mode on the Ultrafire I listed, at least mine, seems to be about 50%. More than enough for a hike through a rocky desert wash at night - rattlesnakes are easily spotted in that enormous flood, and zooming a bit produces even more concentrated, brighter light. (I know my use of this light is probably quite different that the intended use by most folks.) :slight_smile:

Ok, so that would be it, I will buy 1 Ultrafire and 1 small shark light from the link above :o

ALso (XML zoomie buying frenzy :o ) , I will buy that wider lens XML zoomie for mounting on rifle, and I still cant decide wich shiny 14500 zoomie I would buy. :smiley: (I forgot thier names, I think one is trustfire and other uniquefire or ultrafire).

SO, all in all, thanx guys, I decided :slight_smile:

And BTW check everbuying.com, they seem to have large selection of these **fire lights at some nice prices.

> Smiling Shark in 5 modes version http://www.everbuying.com/product158096.html?SSAID=465956

today that linked to “hi-low-strobe” so read carefully when following links, the targets may change

I am really busy and don’t have time to research this, but it appears that everbuying.com is on the BLF avoid list for quite a few nasty incidents:

Quote from second link: “I would be very careful in dealing with Everbuying, as their customer service practices are somewhat shady.”

I bought from everbuying several times and every time I got precisely what I bought, so I think its an average website. I really believe that its not the website to be feared of.

@hank, in description of 5-mode version is written “hi-low-strobe”, so its some kjind of mistake - wich kind I will see when I get the flashlight