Well.. first of all, I already ordered so no more decisions, haha. Secondly, I'm trying to stick with one cell operation because it's for a friend. But I'm not also not really interested in incorporating 18500 cells in my life. I'd like to keep things simple with the more popular 18650. But depending on how much I like this light, I might order one for myself and see about swapping the driver. It seems like a good body for modding and it'll be more education in the area of modding. It's not so much about saving money. I like the single 18650 operation and it seems like it should have decent heat management.
18500's are optional on the STL-v6. It's actually supposed to be cloning a <=12v light, so it's 2x 650mm normally, but they provide a short removable ext. so you can use 3x 340mm w/ it.
Just get the ones from bestinone.net, only $8.80 per IMR 18500 pair shipped. Excellent batteries. Mitro, E1320, DasFriek and I have tested it to be extremely good, enough to hang around with AW. In fact if you check that your C8 tube can fit the light, you can do 2 x IMR18350s, also from BIO, which makes it a pretty short thrower, better than Solarforce MPP-1 as in same throw but 3X more lumens. I tried DBS V3 and U80 tubes, fits no problem.
Of course, this Trustfire X9 is cheap, going to throw great as well (and I like the looks), somebody needs to get some figures though.
I didn't have patience to wait for another bid auction to arrive so I just did the "Buy it Now" for $37.99 Allegedly it has shipped already so hopefully I'm seeing it at my door in the next two weeks.
I've just won an auction on this light at US$28.51 shipped (seller "go_market"). I wanted to stay below 22.00EUR as that's the limit for hassle-free duty-free import to the EU.
Now let's see what I get.
Being a bigger flashlight, Customs will probably ask for proof of purchase, but an email with the link to the listing is all that they require.
So your the one i'm bidding against, good thing I already bought one yesterday, For a little less I would have gotten another. I need flashlight funds. hahaha
So you are the one who buys them in bulk! Good that you didn't jump in when I clicked the Confirm bid button too soon (different dialog screens on eBay.au).
I've also ordered another NANJG 105 2.8A driver from KD - just in case it might be needed.
When I built in my first one (in an underdriven SSC-P7 flashlight), the results weren't any better than the monkey soldering jobs we often criticize, but it works fine and I'm learning. I might need a more powerful iron for soldering to the pill, though.
If you take a pic of your driver, perhaps others can compare or provide advice.
Also, I won this w/ the shady 2 cells+charger a few days ago (see post above). Not a bad deal for 30 or so. Can't wait to get it and eliminate the flashy modes w/ two batteries. :D
Please take a note of the High mode current before and after the electroshock therapy. I'm wondering if that only eliminates the modes or also converts the light to true direct drive.