Stop talking up about the x9. All the ebay seller are checking us out. Just everybody say it is a bad light, so I can buy it cheaper. After this thread started, they keep raising the price. Stopped the thread. 
i know. I am just kidding, it is really a good light. Thanks for all the review.
Haha...I know what you mean. I'm looking to get another one and have been waiting for the free shipping auctions to begin again. IMO, they are worth $33.00, but I want a better deal. :)
Just got mine from ebay. Only pulls 1.30amps on 4.2V. Less bright than my KD C8 XML :( I'm using the Harbor Freight meter too but I know it works correctly because I get 2.89amps with my Skyray 3800.
Yep, the SR3800 is about there if you don't use the top cells (the best cells get you slightly lower amperage).
How can they be so different? I measured my skyray 3800 at the same time I measured my x9 and it was 2.79. My x9 is very bright. Have I said it’s my favorite light yet?
Nowadays the popular budget lights have gotten pretty inconsistent.
That's what unregulated lights are.
Even the triple XM-Ls regulated ones are not spared! (well at least we have some good stuff like the FF STL-V6)
So what's the main reason you guys suppose the lights are so inconsistent? Bad drivers? Bad solder job? Just cuz it's directly driven shouldn't mean it should be all over the map, should it?
Really beats me bro.... But I mean, i do not expect the lights to be perfect, even my TK70 had an issue. Thing is, if dealer support is there it makes things easier. Some will baulk at having to pay return shipping, but a good deal may even reimburse you in a different way. Really depends, this i can't really comment.
A bad solder job is my bet. I think that may result from the thick alu disc that the led is mounted on.
got my light in this morning sat trustfire.. x9 
all I gotta say DX needs to take a Q from these good e-bay
sellers I have bought most my lights from them and the packing and fast shipping is A+
DX if your here.. are you listening 
Does anyone know if this light can easily be moded with Shining beams 3-mode Regulated circuitboard 2.8A? Or are there any better/cheaper options?
See post #25 and #26. They recommend this driver: http://kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=10995
So I would think it should work. The 3-mode version is much more desirable although you'll pay a little more. At least you know you'll get it and will get it fast!
A very small Vf difference can mean 0.5A current draw difference with DD. Some of it comes down to emitter, some down to battery, some to measurement accuracy. Like with the 980L, some people were getting 3A, some frying their lights.
If the Skyray 3800 is regulated, any DMM will read the same, true, current (within their accuracy, of course).
With DD lights, the internal resistance of the ammeter plays a big role. On my X9, one DMM (20A range, low internal resistance) will read 2.05A, while a newer one (10A range, high internal resistance - didn't expect that!) will display 1.44A with the same thick short leads. If I connect both meters in series, they display about the same value (1% difference). The true (no external resistance added) current that I computed from measuring the current with either meter, along with voltage drop across ammeter and leads, should be about 2.2A (disregarding switch resistance).
Although I'll try to get a bit more from it with some unprotected batteries, I'm quite happy with this flashlight. The beam pattern is right what I need, it feels solid and looks great.
Forgot to mention. The values above are from an AW 2200 protected battery. All other protected batteries that I currently have will yield lower currents.
Sorry guys where are you ordering it for $33? Cheapest I can find is $37.10 CAD...
I got the x9 with cheap charger and batteries on eBay(auction) for $34. I know there were no more auctions for a few days, don’t know if they are back again or not.
Guy on ebay comes out with auctions once and awhile…there were 2 when I bid on one…just was lucky at the time…