Newbie needs help with choosing flashlight

Maybe you guys could help me out with one thing: when I'm looking at all these chinese lights (trustfire, uniquefire, sky ray, etc.) are some brands known to be better than others? And are there particular things to look for (or stay away from)?

Some good xm-l´s at DX

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/eastward-yj-j06-cree-xm-l-t6-3-mode-900-lumen-white-led-flashlight-with-strap-1-18650-50513?r=43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/trustfire-x8-xm-lt60-5-mode-1000-lumen-memory-white-led-flashlight-with-batteries-set-2x18650-57749?r=43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fandyfire-stl-v6-cree-xm-lt6-2-mode-1000-lumen-white-led-flashlight-2x18650-3x16340-3x123a-91137?r=43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fandyfire-stl-v2-cree-xm-lt6-5-mode-1000-lumen-white-3-led-flashlight-black-2-x-18650-91136?r=43033281

https://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-wf-950l-xm-lt6-5-mode-800-lumen-white-led-memory-flashlight-1-x-18650-1-x-17670-91135?r=43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-a9-t60-cree-xm-l-t6-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-flashlight-with-strap-black-1-x-18650-90602?r=43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-c9-t60-xm-lt6-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-1-x-18650-1-x-17670-90779?r=43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-a9-t60-cree-xm-l-t6-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-1-x-18650-1-x-17670-90776?r=43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fandyfire-c8-cree-xm-lt6-3-mode-750-lumen-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-1-x-17670-1-x-18650-90606?r=43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.57003~r.43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.57004~r.43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.57005~r.43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.57006~r.43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.57007~r.43033281

And more, more, more..... check "flashlights" section

Personally, I'd go to Manafont.com and get a $20 special with an XM-L. They have several, my first choice would be the $19 Sky Ray, nice light.

You're talking about the S-R5? How come they don't list how many lumens it is? Yes, looks nice though.

Sorry about my ignorance, but where is the best and cheapest place to get a couple of 18650s and charger from?

skip skyrays, skip any P60 drop in styles with XM-Ls

while cheap and tempting, the heat sinking isnt there.

I love these i got at DX

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fandyfire-c10-cree-xm-l-3-mode-750-lumen-white-led-flashlight-with-strap-1-x-18650-1-x-17670-90124

c2 and c8 are a little smaller, but dont throw quite as much as that fandyfire C10.

all 3 will fit on the weapon mounts too if your wondering lol

hi-max on ebay are the BEST Bang for buck ive found (through people on here)

great cells, charger id go with an Accucell from hobbyking.com

dont bother with the garbage chargers out there, a hobby charger will charge it perfect EVERYtime.

dont get trustfire flame 18650s, I have had bad luck with those. 2 out of 8 cells owned are worth anything.

+1

Thanks, xP.1337! I appreciate your help!

The KD C8 XM-L is a light that pretty much everyone here that has one loves. Can't go wrong with it.

http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=11278

never bought that one but ive only heard great things. i have a DX c8, not as tight of a thrower as the C10.

Hmm... I couldn't find the Hi-Max batteries on eBay. Nor could I find the accucell charger on hobbyking.

I kind of like the looks of this one: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-a9-t60-cree-xm-l-t6-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-flashlight-with-strap-black-1-x-18650-90602?r=4303328

Does anyone know how it would do compared to the FandyFire C10?

This could be the cheapest but good performance 18650 batts and charger

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/trustfire-tr-001-multi-purpose-lithium-battery-charger-12594?r=43033281

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/trustfire-protected-18650-3-7v-true-2400mah-rechargeable-lithium-batteries-2-pack-20392?r=43033281

(there are other cheaper, but not worth)

http://cgi.ebay.com/6pcs-18650-2600mAh-Protected-Li-ion-Battery-3-7V-/320479544838?pt=US_Batteries&hash=item4a9e11c606

I haven't used it, but I can tell you that XM-L doesn't produce 1200L at 3A or at higher. That's how it is with some flashlights, are rated higher than they really are.

Skip anything that takes p60? LOL, that wipes out about 90% of the XM-L market. I have about 9 of them and have never had a heat issue as long as you use them sensibly. And I LOVE my SkyRay with an XM-L in it, one of the nicest lights to hold on the market, IMO.

XM-L P60 style are the hottest commodity on the budget light markets right now. I would never tell a newbie to skip them....

sorry but those are not good combos AT ALL

Hikelite, thanks for the link! and make sure to make an offer, he should counter offer but it will be worth trying

also this is the charger i have

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7028

i use that, powered by a power supply stolen from a Energizer 15 min charger (capable of 14amps) and a stack of magnets that you can find on DX.

the combo is a hair more expensive than trustfires, but WAYYYY better quality

i ordered a total of 6 TF flames. had 2 duds, so they sent 4 more (this was over time, so ordered 2, 1 dud, they sent 2 more lol)

so after totalling 10 batteries (i know i said 8 before, messed up) i had

2 duds

2 perfect

and the rest all were not capable of drawings 2.8 amps from them. some of them were bad.

used the SAME flashlight to test them all. then tried on a weaker one with the same results.

2.8 amps out of 2. something like 2 amps out of another 2. and the rest the flashlight could barely draw 1.5 amps!!!!

that means they have super poor quality control on those.

dont waste the money

the hi-max however.... i have 6. all work 100% correct capacities, draw 2.8amps no problem, and charge no problem

that charger can over charge the batteries too. people have lost fingers thanks to that charger....

cant do that as easy with the accucell.

they are. BUT, they wont have the life that a properly heat sinked LED will.

I USE my XM-Ls on HIGH for hours at a time.

try that with most p60s (without adding stupid things like aluminum foil to help with heat) and see if they last at the same 3 amp draw.....

XM-Ls are tough leds, but any led is susceptible to heat. ive blown 2 already, one with aluminum foil, one without

dont take the risk.

also, skyray is an acquired taste to begin with. gotta like star trek to like that flashlight lol

at least get a nice solarforce L series lol

What exactly are P60s?