New XM-L Light,, 26650/18650/4xAAA Good Price and 57mm head ......... NOTE: The star is solid aluminium !!! :bigsmile:

I was able to improve the ringyness somewhat by filing down the base of the plastic spacer, so the LED was positioned just a tiny bit deeper into the reflector. This may or may not be a good idea for you since the tolerances seem to vary from one light to another.

Yeah, my light isn't ringy at all and actually has a very nice beam (my beamshots are earlier in this thread).

-Garry

Dang, just thought everyones was ringy? Did you get your plug installed yet

For those with rainbowy rings like mine. I took the glass off and wiped the metal reflector. Also narrowed it down to the reflector and not the glass, can’t remember who mentioned it, but thanks!

Using my finger and occasionally touching the LED while on, which was hot to the touch and cleaning and re-smearing the reflector with my fingerprints DRAMATICALLY reducted the appearance of rings. Maybe the factory had a wash that really made the product too clean?

Wish I took before and after pics. Now it’s barely noticeable. Kinda reminds me of those threads of cleaning & letting the LED breath a little. Lengthening the spring I noticed now with 2 fresh CR123s, fresh 26650 (Trustfire Flames) and 4 fresh AAA that it is noticeably brighter than on a generic 18650.

Nope, too much work to do at home. I also think the work on the A60 will come ahead of this one. Got a baby on the way and apparently converting our spare bedroom/home office is more important than modding flashlights. Gotta love women's priorities, right? I mean, we have like 2 1/2 months until the baby comes . . . that's plenty of time! :) (This is child #2 by the way, my first is 7.)

-Garry

Congratulations!

Ya women’s priorities often get in the way of things :zipper_mouth_face:

What are planning on using for the A60 and when you get it out can you measure how thick that little spacer is, I have some thin stuff that might be perfect with a little sanding and forming.

FYI - still not happy with my 57mm head light. :~

I have some thin copper sheeting which I think I can utilize. I'll try to remember to measure the original plastic thickness as well as my copper.

-Garry

I keep trying to figure something out to make me like this light! So yesterday I decided that I would put in a XRE Q5 that was collecting dust. Thats when i figured out that the pcb on the Q5 was to thin compared to the orgional XML. It had a horrible beam with any of the LED’s i have installed in this light orgionally tried to put in a XML U2 and it had a hole in the hot spot, same thing with the XRE. Finally I put the orgional XML back in and left off the centering/isolator ring and put the dang 4 aaa hold in and it is the best light has ever been.

26650 flat tops wont work it will just randomly change modes

Final conclusion on this light is “Pain In the ASS” - good for a 4aaa light and that is all it will ever be to me, probably will give it away when the opportunity arises!

Thought it had potential - Kind of reminds me of my Dallas Cowboys more especially the “new” # 88

I have been running mine on 4 AAAs and its somewhere around 385 lumens, still throwy and still nice. This is one of my super-keepers! Plus, its so light(weight) on AAAs.

Same thoughts on mine. I haven't got around to modding mine (putting a slug in the hollow pill), so I only run it on AAA's and it's still quite impressive. I'm sure I just happened to get a good sample. Hopefully the second one I have coming is as good.

-Garry

Just received my second one of these today. Fit and finish looks just as good as the first. Haven't put batteries in it nor have I checked under the emitter board (but I expect the same scenario). I intend this one for gifting.

-Garry

Just wonder if anybody tried 2x16340 (8.2v?) if it would kill the light? Since I tried with 2 cr123s (3v) and it’s as bright as 4XAAA.

I wouldn’t

Just tried it with 2 16340s. They get real hot in under 1 minute. They light is really bright. A bit brighter than a full 26650 or 4xAAA. Too bad the heat fins don’t dissipate heat as much has the handle does. Oh any anybody have links to those 4xAAA holders? I want to try 3 of them in my TR-J12.

Any hints where to buy? The seller from post 1 don’t delivers to germany.
I need perhaps a light driven with AA or aaa.
I can only find this one http://www.ebay.de/itm/12W-High-Power-1800-lm-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-18650-26650-AAA-Flashlight-Torch-5-Modes-/300782608777?pt=AU_Sport_Camping_Hiking_Lamps_Torches&hash=item46080a6189#ht_218wt_1000
And it’s driven with just 3aaa.

Yep that’s it.

Ordered one!
Can somebody compare it with HD2010?

Easy. Less throw, less total output. Significantly so. A bit of modding can improve the situation, but it’s best to just think of this light as a reasonably throwy middle-of-the-road light that distinguishes itself by being AAA compatible.

I can’t do a meaningful beam shot comparison because I’ve modded my HD2010 with a T6 3C. Perhaps someone else can.

So, this model is between good quality C8s T6 and HD2010.
Off course, the Small Suns are better but the price I paid (16.80:money_mouth_face: is unbeatable.
New best vfm for me?

My brother has this light( not rdrfronty. My other brother ) and any respectable xml c8 would kill his, both in total output and throw. I am not hating on the light , it’s just that the output on his is very disappointing. It is a great looking light but just doesn’t live up to what we expected it to do.