will manners wrote:
. . . to me it doesn’t really matter. I’m more concerned about throw, anodizing, build quality and value for money.
In that case, this clearly is the light for you. The larger reflector will make this a be better thrower. Also, you can't fully drive an xml with one cell. The higher voltage of 2S and 3S cells gives you the overhead you need to fully drive the emitter.
Just make sure you know how to safely use Li-ion in series. A couple more precautions are needed.
It's listed at $7.00 plus shipping - it's a UCLp 56.8mm x 2.25mm. I ordered two and it came to $16.50 total.
Here: http://www.flashlightlens.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=UCLp_AR, then choose the size from the pull-down. Yes, they are rather pricey. I'm thinking what RIC has going on here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/27826 sounds interesting for the Y3 as well. His AR lens in the past performed decently in independent tests, not as well as UCLp's but close (https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/20748, https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/19458) and they will certainly be cheaper, free shipping, Int'l shipping, etc. Problem is his stating the min qty of 50, so without someone organizing it, I don't see how this will work out.
The only thing that’s turning me off the Y3 is the low drive current. 2.5A is not much for a host of this size and many members have said that the driver is not modable to increase drive current. And while the two button interface is nice, it does not leave many options for a driver replacement.
I was going to order, but then I noticed OP reflector and aluminum-mounted LED… XinTD X3 is SMO with LED on copper, is driven harder at stock, smaller, lighter…
It was discussed earlier, the reflector is smooth, not OP. Also, its 5th line down in the first post. Most people mod the crap out of these so the stock circuits are only partially relevant, not that Im certain what you said is true anyway, or that it matter much at the amps. If you want amps, you would change most if not all of it anyway.
As for X3 v Y3, read this post by TomE The best 18650 thrower for ~ 35$
If you want a smaller light, then the X3 is the one. If you want throw, the Yezl is it.
What would be a suitable driver replacement? Since I recall a few members saying you lose the ability to use 1 cell once you’ve modded the stock driver for higher amps.
You may be recalling correctly, but what I recall was that modding the driver does not result in current increases with one cell. The mods figured out so far do increase current with 2 or more cells, but you can still use it with one cell.
Not sure why one would want to replace the driver. I have read it has a nice UI and Tom E (I think) modded it to 7ish amps with just a small resister change.
EDIT: Sorry that doesn't answer your question. Just throwing out some thoughts. I too would like to know if there are any good driver replacements out there. Options are always nice.
Don't get confused - the Y3 is definitely SMO, not OP - no doubt, 100% sure, etc... The X3's copper is the cheap kind sold at DX, FT, and other places - it's not bad though, better than aluminum. Here's the #'s I measured:
Yezl Y3 (from WB), on fresh EVVA KK cell: 2.50A tail, 830 OTF, 61 kcd (no issues)
XinTD X3 (from Group Buy):
#1 - 2.85A tail, 972 OTF, 47 kcd (reflector imperfections around the emitter - doesn't seem to effect anything)
#2 - 2.85A tail, 952 OTF, 45 kcd (not centered LED, quick drop in output noticed in 1st second)
The X3 is more pocketable but the heavier weight may be an issue to pocket. I see and read of more quality problems with the X3's for sure.
Here's some weight measurements I just did:
Yezl Y3 #1: 287g, Yezl Y3 #2: 290g
XinTD X3 #1: 300g, XinTD X3 #2: 297g
Stock HD2010: 292g
So, bottom line - Y3 at lower amps throws much better than a X3 (should be expected from the bigger reflector), but the X3 has more lumens because of the higher amps. The Y3 can take long batteries - I even fit 26700's, like the new KK 5000 26700 that test at 5300 mAh!! The X3 is short length cells only. Both are superior designs with a nice SS bezel, pill-less design, both have exc. heat sinking.
Though the Y3 is slightly lighter, I feel the heat sinking is located better. HD2010's for example have lots of wasted metal and thicker bezel which keeps the outer diam. large, but has a reduced I.D. of the reflector - not as optimized as the Y3.
It appears that my account shows 2 lights ordered, but I only ordered one. Is this what it looks like if you order just one light?
| NO. | Time | Total | Status | Operate |
| xxxx | 2014-07-26 09:12:38 | $32.00 | Unconfirmed,Unpaid,Unshipped | Cancel order |
| yyyy | 2014-07-26 09:12:38 | $32.00 | Confirmed,Payed,Unshipped | Confirmed |
Please mark me down for an AR lens.
EDIT: Cancelled the mystery order in the first row above. I probably just accidentally ordered another one. I think I recall losing my internet connection while I was placing the order.
Ah, that’s interesting that the Y3 is lighter while being larger. The bigger reflector definitely makes this one a better thrower, thanks.
Just ordered Version B of the Yezl Y3, I think. I was logged in at cnqualitygoods.com and used PayPal, but it was one of those instances where PayPal kinda hangs up and doesn’t finalize. So I cancelled in PayPal and was returned to the page asking to pay. Clicked it, went back into PayPal and it went through. Then it returned me again to cnqualitygoods.com and it said the paid failed.
So I’m not exactly sure I got Ver B ordered…
Order is confirmed. 
Thanks Ric and Steve, looking forward to this one. 
Thanks for the link.
I agree, min. qty of lenses = max. qty of lights available. We'd have to buy 100% of the lights and get 100% participation for the lenses. Very unlikely.
Since this is being discussed here…I put an UCLp in my Courui and took it from 341.25Kcd to 369.25Kcd, not bad for a lens swap!
I also ordered one. Had the same message about failure after the payment went through, but I had that with other orders recently, too, but those got shipped anyway.
Ordered a Version A!
There is only 22 lights shown as ordered. This does not sound right to me. It may pay to check with Ric or again check on the webpage under order note.
I just checked the notes and it’s showing a total of 25 lights ordered. Including mine.
You have 24 lights/names listed in post one, but you don’t have mine in there. So there’s the 25 they show on the site page.