Review: Black Shadow Terminator 4*U3/4*18650

Sleep? What’s this sleep thing people keep talking about?

can someone help me?

i am reading reviews of this light and i am having a hard time……

a hard time not buying one….

i almost bought a u2 version when it came out… i had it in my cart on going gear with the blf coupon for $135 and was about to hit the paypal button when i decided to not be impulsive and wait for reviews…. not its a few months later… i know a xml2 version is in fact not coming per the blackshadow rep i messaged last month… so the u3 is the best of the best

why does it have to be so awesome?

dont have funds right now!!!

does anyone want to buy a kidney?

Left or right?

im broke…. so… buy one get one half price?

ill hook myself up to a TM26 which has a LED screen dialysis system

Great review and pictures, JohnnyMac! I only have one question, how hard would it be to replace the emitters with XM-L2 or U3? I can’t see it very clearly in the photos. I’m planning to get the BlackShadow Terminator, but I want to replace the emitters with XM-L2 or U3 later on. Thanks!

http://viewitem.eim.ebay.fi/Black-Shadow-Terminator-U3/181072850606/item 2 left u3

Thanks, Slacker! :)

It wouldn't be hard at all. The individual reflector "barrels" unscrew to expose the emitters. They only have thermal grease, not paste, so they come out easily. Each LED has its own plug to the driver. Just unplug and remove the led and wire, unsolder the write from the old led, solder wiring to new led, feed the wiring back in and plug into the drive. Dab some gear onto boron of the new star, position it, then thread reflector barrel back on.

Is it really that simple? No need to switch drivers and all? I’ve never done any Flashlight modding so I’m a bit reluctant to try this till I’m sure on the steps.

yes it is that easy.only soldering needed is 2 wire contact points on each LED star. No tricky soldering on the driver.

What materials do I need to make this all happen? My terminators are due to arrive next week and I want to mod them to sport the latest U3 bin leds. My soldering skills are pretty decent, do I need a soldering station?

go go go my friend, then I can be your student

Thank you for your reply, JohnnyMac! That sounds great! Still thinking if I should replace the whole MCPCB or reflow new emitters to the existing MCPCB. I prefer to change the whole thing, because then I will have 2 sets :smiley: Could you kindly check what size the MCPCB is, if it isn’t too much trouble and if you have time? :slight_smile: Thanks a lot!

Slacker

Could you please do a tutorial on how you do yours for us noobs. I don’t have the slightest clue on how to start. :slight_smile:

You sold me.

+1 - im just waiting to see if doing out door has a better price on the u3 that makes it worth buying from over seas vs going gear

Send doingoutdoor and email. his prices are rather good :slight_smile:

Great review. Now I want to get one but this is gonna be about three times more expensive than any of the other lights I own. I’ve been debating whether or not it’s worth paying so much for a flashlight. Also,does this warrant paying double the cost of the Darth, since I’ve been eyeing that for quite some time now as well. I really need some help deciding. :~

I own both Terminator and Darth. They share same quality standard to me.
If you are not thirsty about lumens, Darth is enough for day to day use.
If you are looking for more lumens, Terminator is the one to go.
I am resisting getting another two Terminators to contruct my 16-LED lights. This time will need to machine an adapter to hold 4 of them. I am hungry for lumens, hot fever now.

Other than the SRK, I think the Terminator is one of the best deals out there. I have the U2 version, and it’s an elegantly designed, nicely constructed light. The permanently attached handle and clunky UI may bother some, but I still like it a lot. The kinda bright switch led is another possible design issue, but that’s really an individual preference.

And I paid a lot more than what doingoutdoor.com is selling it for!

^
I know how you feel, I too want two more terminators and mount them together to make a handheld 12000 lumens sun. Any ideas on how to mount 4 together?