Hi everyone, here's an interesting development.
We've been working with a Tank007 rep and Jim from Manafont.com to get details about customized Tank007 flashlights. Most of us have had pretty good experiences with Tank007 flashlights, they are usually attractively styled and very well built. Jim has been hard at work to get details about Tank007's flexibility and pricing for these upgrades. To keep the price fairly reasonable (this is BLF), we're not going to request any custom engineering. But I'd like to present the following options to you guys. Please comment if you would be interested in any of these options, shipped from Manafont:
Tank007 TK-567
http://www.tank007.com/view_products.asp?id=388
- Customization: XP-G LED - Need to verify R2 or R5
- Customization: 3 or 4 non-blinking/non-flashing modes
- Standard feature: Tailstands
- Standard feature: 2xAA extension tube (I personally wouldn't use the extension. Maybe we can delete this to keep cost down.)
- Standard feature: AA or 14500 dual-capability driver
- Approximate price: $24
The TK-567 is an interesting option because it's not really available anywhere else. It's a new design. I would say it looks fairly attractive. It's a tad bit long at 100mm. The tailcap looks a bit weird, but it appears that it serves as an anti-roll function. The TK-567 is currently only available from goldengadgets.com, which is not a very good seller, and they are asking for $39 without these customizations. So about $24 looks like a pretty good deal, especially with these customizations.
Tank007 E07
http://www.tank007.com/view_products.asp?id=367
- Standard: OSRAM LED (strongly preferred by me)
- Customizable: XP-E Q5 LED
- Customization: 3 or 4 non-blinking/non-flashing modes
- Standard: Tailstands, super compact, drop-dead good looking design
- Standard: AA or 14500 dual-capability driver
- Approximate price: $20
The E07 is a pretty popular compact AA keychain light among BLFers. Even many high-end flashlight users appreciate this compact design. In my opinion, the only thing the E07 needs is multiple modes, because runtime is terrible and it gets really hot since it always runs on the highest mode. So I've always wanted a customized E07, which in my opinion would be a poor man's version of the Fenix LD15. Jim says they can offer it with an upgraded "Q5" LED, but I would strongly prefer the standard OSRAM to keep the price down. OSRAM emitters are a bit of a rarity in budget lights, and I've always wanted a multi-mode OSRAM light.
Tank007 TK-737
http://www.tank007.com/view_products.asp?id=369
- Customization: XM-L emitter
- Customization: 3 or 4 non-blinking/non-flashing modes
- Customization: Tailstandable
- Standard: 1x18650 or 3xAAA battery compatible
- Standard: Mode memory
- Standard: Rotating zoom
- Approximate price: $24
This option is exciting. I own the standard TK-737, which is also a hard to find model. I finally ended up buying mine from BestOfferBuy.com. In few words, I absolutely love this flashlight. I need to write up a complete review. It's extremely high quality, has a beautiful clean design, and is very bright. My only complaints are that mine didn't tailstand well, and the blinky/SOS modes. So this customization would eliminate these two niggles. And it would throw in an added bonus of the coveted XM-L emitter. And the quoted price is quite attractive at $24.
So these are the options. Please comment if you like any or all of these options. And please help decide the mode order.
I know we've had a few failed customization attempts due to the flaky manufacturers who back out in the last minute. But I have talked to the Tank007 rep, and Jim and I agree that she is helpful and honest. Jim has been working for quite a while to get these promotional prices calculated. And it looks like Tank007 is just waiting for the green light...
Cheers, hopefully this will be a fun project.