trying to consolidate all ZeusRay posts

Hello,

I’ve been browsing this forum for a while but this is my first post.:slight_smile: I still know very little about LED and flashlight stuff but learning quickly thanks to this website!

I got two ZeusRay’s today, but like the previous poster, the status said “pre-order” when I placed the order 10 days ago.

Anyway, my intended use of the ZeusRay is for mountain bike riding. I already had an x2 SolarStorm type XM-L light on the handlebars (750-1000 lumens or so?) so I was looking for a second light to mount on my helmet. My original plan was to use this 2x18650 XM-L headlamp I got from Amazon, but unfortunately the headlamp was not as bright as I hoped. Also, the unit was not even water resistant even though the ad said “water proof design.”

So I got the ZeusRay to replace the Amazon headlamp. I just came back from my first ride with the ZeusRay and the flashlight performed wonderfully. It’s compact, floody, and doesn’t seem to get much warm/hot (probably because the bike was moving). I even liked the zoom feature because I could adjust the size of the beam circle according to different trail situations. And it was a lot brighter than the Amazon headlamp. So my initial impression of the ZeusRay is very positive, but I’m wondering if it’s the right flashlight for me.

The reviews by forum members indicate that the current draw on the ZeusRay is relatively high for this type of flashlight (one reviewer reported 3.6A for high and 1.7A for medium, and 0.84A for low). I’m using the Panasonic NCR 18650b 3400mAh unprotected cell (I also have some EagleTac 3400mAh cells). What would be the realistic runtime of the flashlight in high or medium?

I was afraid of running out of the battery in the middle of the ride which was 1.5 hours, so I used it in medium most of the time tonight. My ride regularly lasts for 2 hours…would I be better served by a 2x18650 light (like the Amazon headlamp but a higher quality version)? Or should I simply carry spare batteries? (Is it even safe to carry 18650 cells in outdoor environment)?

I’m also wondering if a less powerful flashlight like the Convoy S3 work better for me. I was pretty happy with the brightness of the ZeusRay in medium tonight, so the best solution might be a light that is capable of running for at least 2 hours at the brightness level somewhere between ZeusRay’s high and medium settings. I’m not exactly sure if the Convoy S3 or any other 1x18650 flashlight fits this criteria.

I appreciate any suggestion! (And please let me know if I should post this to a different thread…I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t want to open yet another ZeusRay thread)

> would I be better served by a 2×18650 light …? …
> (Is it even safe to carry 18650 cells in outdoor environment)?

Don’t use 2x li-ion lights until you understand the specific dangers that occur with using two li-ion cells in a light.
You can look this stuff up. You really don’t want to strap such a light next to your ears and eyes on a routine basis.

Thanks for that information. 2+ hours would be great especially if I carry a spare battery/Zeusray.

Ok - although I’ve read a bit about the danger of Li-ion batteries, but you are probably right about the added risk of having a 2x18650 battery pack on my head. The Amazon headlamp and its battery pack aren’t constructed very well. I guess I’m returning it and stick with the ZeusRays for now.

On a separate note, one of the ZeusRay units I received is slightly taller than the other unit due to the height difference in the tail cap. Also, the tail switch looks slightly different between the two units. One stands, but the other one does not.

I ordered, well pre-ordered one today. Hope it turns up.

received mine, 14 days from date ordered.

Wow. I was thinking it might just be whether or not there’s a ‘button’ underneath the green plastic — I looked at mine — which both tailstand — and neither has the little green plastic cylinder molded onto the underside, or they were cut off flush.

I swapped a different colored cover on — after cutting the cylinder piece off — and that still tailstands. But if I hadn’t trimmed that bit out it would have fallen right over.

Waiting a bit nervously for my next flashlight to arrive. What else could be different?

Uhm…I want to order one, but I see that the “second run” it is not so good like the other. What to do guys? :frowning:

Dang, think I got that variation too - need to look more closely. See how the one of the left is polished up and the one on right isn't? Some minor differences... Hope the one on the left is the new batch.

Just a speculation: they sold many many torches of the first run, the better one, they have finished them and now are being replaced with a similar model but poorer. Could it be?

Well, we are always talking about a 7,99$ flashlight, with solid pill + Xml2, right… :wink:

Here’s the same ZeusRay light advertised for upwards of $13:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-New-2014-CREE-XM-L-L2-2000Lm-Zoomable-led-mini-Flashlight-Focus-Torch-B6/2012732101.html

“Nice Well Enterprise” is DealMetic —
—-EDITED
Yes, their web page address is dealmetic.com (in some of their other light ads under Contact)

Dang, now should we suspect the better quality lights got diverted? Hm?

I just got a $3 eBay “Ultrafire” zoomie that’s much like the cheap version of the DealMetic light

— smaller emitter, so smaller spot at full zoom

— narrower flood at its widest, because the lens doesn’t get as close to the emitter at flood extreme

— almost the same tailcap as the second picture above, white plastic around the button, though it can’t be pressed down into the aluminum part of the tailcap

— bezel is flat, not crenelated (and rather orange-peelish, needs the opening smoothed out, it could cut you if you put your finger where the lens comes through it)

— Came without any O-rings and no flat round gasket between the bezel and the lens, and some scrapes/ less polished metal

— hi/lo/strobe.

— Emitter buried deep visible through both a thick white plastic washer and a shiny thin metal foil ‘reflector’ over that

No surprises.

Yes, it’s the same I found tonight, but the shipping cost (for Italy) are too expensive…

The specific risks involving Li-ion IN SERIES are much greater than the typical risks associated with Li-ion in general. Mainly the cells in series MUST be perfectly matched- both current charge state as well as capacity, as little as 100mAh difference could cause a “vent with flame” (the industry term for an explosion) and the stated capacity of a cheap chineese dealer can not be trusted, you never know what your getting from them as they often rewrap recycled cells.

If you don’t own equipment to test the individual capacities of each cell you plan to use in series the only option is to source your cells from 100% stand up vendors so you know you’re getting new genuine cells. You should make sure you’re using matched pairs, even of the same exact brand / type of cell that may have different numbers of charge cycles or be in different conditions, especially when wearing them on your head!

Recived any new PMs from Vince other than thanks, he explained quite candidately that he know nothing about lights and asked if brighter is better or less bright on top of that were fighting a the language barrier.Just an update I haven’t blown of this post just no new developments.

Flat bezel spotted.

Hi Freeme, do you think it is the same light? With solid pill/xml2/same range of lumens/etc etc?

I don't think so... Only ZeusRay branded, only from the one source of DealMetic.com. freeme - you got a link? Also note the design of most of these SK73 clones is different than the ZeusRay - the ZeusRay has a wider flood mode due to it's closer position of the lens to the LED. I sanded down the crenelation of the bezel on my ZeusRay.

I got my first batch of XM-L2 U3 1A's from Hank at IOS, and replaced the XM-L2 U2 1A I had in the ZeusRay last night. Results are outstanding.

With a fresh Samsung 25R, build is Nanjg with 11 7135's, total of 3.85A, XM-L2 U3 1A on Noctigon, screwed down to pill, 22 AWG wires, replaced the tail switch with an Omten, wired both springs:

3.92A tail reading, lumens (full flood): 1,370 @start, 1,306 @30 secs, throw (zoomed out): 21 kcd (measured at 5 m)

This is the best #'s I've gotten from any zoomie, and it's a 21% boost from the XM-L2 U2 1A I had in there, but, that XM-L2 U2 1A may have been suspect since it had something wrong with the dye (doggie icon showed in zoomed out beam pattern).

Edit: It was just noticed the U3 1A silicone dome touch's the lens at full flood position, just barely. Don't think it's a problem - the silicone softens up when heated with the LED on. Just a matter how hot it gets and if long runtimes in hi will cause damage to the lens. I could pop off the MCPCB and sand it down a little - it's at about 1.53 mm now at the pads, about 1.50 mm where there's no tracing or pads.

Here you go :)
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-Ultrafire-Black-2000LM-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-Flashlight-18650-Zoomable-Flashlight/2023778985.html

Not the same. Unless you do not mind hollow pill with XM-L T6.

Funny, the AliExpress listing says: Crenellated strike bezel for enhanced self-defense