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?
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....
Easiest way to describe it is that a P60 is a kind of cartridge that includes the reflector, emitter and controlling circuit board all together as a single module.
Many lights take these modules and so are described as P60 hosts.
Naturally you can buy them as a complete flashlight (i.e. both P60 drop-in and the host).
Hope that helps.
The drawback of P60 drop-ins is that the drop-in design is not ideal for conducting the heat away from the emitter to the body of the light. So folks often wrap aluminum foil around the drop-in or strips cut from a drinks can to improve the contact (i.e. heatsinking) I'll try to find a link to a thread on how to do this and post it here later.
Ah! Thanks VFMaddict. That clears things up. So lights like the one I listed above (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) aren't P60, right?
Quite correct, Getemer, that is not a P60 host. Its probably a good light from the specs but with no reviews I cannot guarantee that. Personally in that class (i.e. lights with a 44-to-46mm head) I think that in the absence of a review I'd be inclined to go instead for this light. As JohnnyMac says most folks around here have one of these in either the Smooth reflector that he linked to or the OP (orange peel) reflector that I just linked to.
I have over 40 Trustfire flames 18650s from DX I have only had 3 that were bad out of 40 and it was the protection circuit only that needed to be removed they all push over 3 amps all 40 of them the unprotected ones push 4.5 amps. I don't know how long ago you got the bad ones but they are safe to order now.
I have the Hobbyking Imax 6 charger to it is awesome love it but it is overkill if you are just starting out.
I have the TR-001 from DX almost a year old I still use it if i am in a rush I don't leave it unattended and I check the batteries with a DMM every time because I don't trust it but it works fine for 8 bucks it's a great deal and a good way to get started into Lions there is a thread on this charger and a lot of people on here use it as well as the Trustfire batteries a very cheap, successful and well tested combination.