No longer at $12: This zoomie dhgate SupFire F3 (I got one) is a much better deal for $12 -- solid pill top, XM-L2 included, $12 shipped. Though it's like 50 cents more - wow, much better overall quality. Also great size... Hhmm - I'll post pics this evening, comparing the SK-73, F3, and SK98. I do own a bunch of cheap zoomies . Overall quality is a big step up. I think the F3 is a hot little zoomie right now - wide flood (match's the widest I got), pretty wide lens for the head diam. size (not much waster there), nice slider action, nice finish and feel.
Down sides on the F3:
wider body to accommodate triple AAA carrier (included)
I'm getting maybe a 25% fluctuation in high mode in lumens - not sure if it's the switch or driver or something else. Not all that surprising - probably seen issues like this in other cheap zoomies
switch is the cheaper type (no PC board), but easy to access, unlike the SK73 and clones (sealed assembly like SK68)
Planned on doing a full up review on the F3 but been tied up.
Oh, I wish - darn time thing! I'm a bit overwhelmed right now - trying to do too much... My garden is killing what spare time I have. I hate to admit it, but my non-modded lights are vastly outnumbering my modded ones now. Piles of projects - I mean piles...
Sorry to derail this thread on the Dealmetic light - LJ: you are doing the right thing. I recall reading bout this - the vendor made a true commitment to do what we requested. The changes are a definite improvement over the stock light, just wish it could be had for under $10, then it would be quite popular I would think.
If the threads and size of the pill are cloned as in exactly the same, sell the solid pills please.
Even assuming they aren’t going to be copper or even brass, as was hoped.
Here's the mini (I mean brief, like missing a lot of things ) review on the SupFire F3, shown with the SK73: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/28084, just not to derail this thread any further...
Well I’ll order one from Dealmetic to see how it performs, and to show appreciation for their willingness to accommodate us ,I just wish they could do something about the shipping.
I bought the $6.23 xml one, it’s very nice. Planned to buy a couple more, but with xml2 only a dollar+ more I’ll go for this instead. Thanks for the deal.
Wow - excellent deal now! LJ - I would update the OP to indicate the new reduced price, and more how the vendor is listening to us -- very accommodating, to say the least. I'd say go for this one because at this price, it's a great deal.
I’m making a project out of getting 1x14500 zoomies and putting different emitters in each of them (already have ones with red and green XP-E2’s, green and Amber XP-E’s, a blue XT-E, a white XP-E2 and G2, still need some hosts for XM’s and XP-L’s) for comparing the projected beam images so I’ll grab a few of these for $7. Thanks dealmetic!
The header on page says “LA wear house ready to ship”, is that where these will ship from?