Keygos KE-1 vs KE-2 vs KE-5

[gen1.3]

@ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS

Here's a closer up shot of the pill on the brighter 1st Keygos KE-5. I can't really read the letters or numbers.

And I will try and show you the difference of the teflon spacer on the first version vs the 2nd w/o it.

look like rebranded ultrafire driver from the u-80

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

Ok this is redlog's picture on ebay that he shows. Now remember I'm not telling you guys to buy this light from him because my second one sucks compared to the first one. But this picture is exactly what my first one looked like up top.

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

And I hope this helps those who had questions.

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

And actually what I called a teflon spacer is actually probably a spacer made out of delrin. On the 2nd version, that little cheap white plastic spacer just pops over the led.

[Chris01942]

@ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS

Ok this is redlog's picture on ebay that he shows. Now remember I'm not telling you guys to buy this light from him because my second one sucks compared to the first one. But this picture is exactly what my first one looked like up top.

So basically the shitty light has a coil spring in the pill and also has a grease stuck down black emitter board with a small white cover around the LED emitter.

The good light has a flat brass connector in the pill and a wider white cover around LED emitter. Correct?

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

Yep.

The second one I got isn't really bad. It just gets blown away by the first one. I would opt for a good Ultrafire C8 XM-L before I bought another Keygos KE-5 like the last one I got.

[Chris01942]

@ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS

I would opt for a good Ultrafire C8 XM-L before I bought another Keygos KE-5 like the last one I got.

Are you talking about the Keygos KE-1 or / and KE-2 that look like C8?

Or are you saying the Ultrafire C8 XM-L T6 (1200 / 1300 or even now the 1600 lumen) off eBay?

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

I'm not telling you what to buy. But I am telling you I myself would spend my $25 on a brighter light rather than buy a Keygos KE-5 like the last one I bought.

[Chris01942]

@ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS

I'm not telling you what to buy. But I am telling you I myself would spend my $25 on a brighter light rather than buy a Keygos KE-5 like the last one I bought.

I believe you have numerous flashlights and are experienced in this subject so I value your knowledge and advice. I understand you have most of the flashlights I am interested in, so your opinion is welcomed.

I am interested in the original Ultrafire C8 at the highest lumen. DealeXtreme quote I think a Cree XM-L T6, C8 1200 lumen. But I have seen similar unknown Cree XM-L T6, in C8s knocking around with stupid claims of between 1000 to 1600 lumen. However after reading your first good reviews about Keygos, I wanted to compare these against the other high power 18650 single cells.

As you seem to have a variety of the interesting Keygos, plus also C8, then I highly regard your recommendations. Thanks again!

[Hikelite]

@Chris01942

I have seen these Keygos Flashlights that are either Ultrafire copies or from the same manufacturer. Both the KE-1 and KE-2 look like the Ultrafire C8, with the KE-5 looking like UltraFire U-80.

Possibly they are the same rebranded or the maker is using a basic carcass and the circuitry is different. I do not know and I am clueless on this subject.

Many Ultrafire flashlights are simply rebranded. Even Ultrafire states that they are ready to offer OEM for anyone asking. So of course some rebranding companies, will care about the circuits, some not, some will ask for a lower quality product, other ask for a better quality product, even better than the original (eg.XinTD C8).

[Hikelite]

Here are some XM-L tests : https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/2346

So you can have peace of mind regarding the output.

You can also look @ CREE's rating for the XM-L T6, they have never stated 1000 lumens. They say 910-975 lumens @ 3000mA.

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

Chris,

I would probably suggest you find out where most folks are getting the best driven Ultrafire C8 from. Some guys say Kaidoman is a good place to buy it from. The one I got I bought from perotan on ebay. It's not bad. But it too could be brighter.

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

You might try this one.

http://www.intl-outdoor.com/xintd-c8-900-lumens-t6-multi-modes-flashlight-p-211.html

[Chris01942]

@Ian2381

Hi Chris,

My Cree XM-L T6, XinTD C8 has yet to arrive and based on the pix and details it seems to be of good quality. The KE2 is really bright but the KE5 has much narrower beam with more throw. Both lights has very bright spill making the lights useful even on low modes. I like my KE5 but the driver only pumps 2A so I modded mine with a 2.8A driver. The KE5 is really lightweight, meaning has minimal mass for heat sinking but as long as you are not leaving it on high mode by itself it will able to handle the heat. Tested mine for an hour submerged on 3 feet water and was dropped 4feet on a marble floor and was able to survived the fall. The KE2 is also bright with same driver as the KE5 but built quality is typical of the C8s and with aluminum pill. I wouldn't trust waterproofing as it seems the head Orings is not tight enough to seal. Overall I like the KE5 better and even brought it on my last Mountain hiking trip. Once I receive the XinTD C8 will be posting my thoughts.

Ke2 lower left and KE5 lower right.

I suggest wait till someone have their hands on the XinTD C8 before you decide. On paper this seems to be one of the best option, and you could also get the 3100Mah protected panasonic 18650 from them.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I wait like you in anticipation of your XinTD C8, and hope you will share your opinion and give comparison especially against the other Keygos.

So if the KE-5 throws further than the KE-2, then the KE-5 must be brighter and more powerful and so more lumens. Correct?

As you I would want the best from the flashlight, but I don’t know anything about ‘modding’ (modded) so I will have to find a thread of that later.

You say the KE-5 get’s ‘Hot’. I read somewhere that the heat transport was glued not screwed. Is this heat a big problem?

I do intend to have the flashlight on FULL for 3+ hours at a time, but for outdoor use. Will this be a problem, either modded or not?

Is a typical C8 good build quailty? Is aluminium pill good or bad?

Thanks!

[Chris01942]

@ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS

You might try this one.

http://www.intl-outdoor.com/xintd-c8-900-lumens-t6-multi-modes-flashlight-p-211.html

Yes thanks I have added this into the equation. Somebody got theirs today and tested the driver, but not quite what they were expecting or as advertised. I will wait for Ian2381 to receive his and give me a comparison against the Keygos.

[Hikelite]

@Chris01942

@ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS

You might try this one.

http://www.intl-outdoor.com/xintd-c8-900-lumens-t6-multi-modes-flashlight-p-211.html

Yes thanks I have added this into the equation. Somebody got theirs today and tested the driver, but not quite what they were expecting or as advertised. I will wait for Ian2381 to receive his and give me a comparison against the Keygos.

You are talking about Pantaloonie.

Since his meter reads 1.7 for 980L I would not count on that. Plus he said himself that he needs a new multimeter. As far as I know he didn't said it's not what he expected or not as advertised.

Please no made up info.

@Pantaloonie

Mine arrived this morning.

Not had much time to play with it, but it seems very well made. Clean, well lubed threads and the HA3 finish is the best I've seen on any of my lights. And it throws like a very throwy thing.

@Pantaloonie

Using my very, very cheap multimeter which I don't trust at all, I see 1.4A on high on an Xtar 2600.

The same multimeter and battery on my UF980L reads 1.7A.

This leads me to the following conclusion - I need to buy a decent multimeter.

[how_crazy_is_this]

Ian, was wondering how difficult it was to mod your KE-1 to a 2.8 driver, what driver did you use, and was the result really noticeable?

Not sure if I should make this my first mod project. Have never tried anything like this and I really really like the KE-1. Have been thinking maybe I'll get the KD C-8 as I think it is the same light. If that one doesn't have a 2.8 driver then I'll mode one of them and if I screw up I'll still have a light I really like.

What do you think?

[Chris01942]

I have been reading through the other threads. A number of members here have these flashlights in question.

ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS with 2 KE-5s, plus also a KE-2.

ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS did you getting also a KE-1? That would sort of close the thread then if you did. (Thanks for all your help so far).

Ian2381 has a KE-5 and a KE-2.

old4570 has a KE-5

gen1.3 has a KE-5

how crazy is this has a KE-1

tigerfromsiberia has a KE-1

So between you guys we should be able to make a good comparison between these 3 models KE-1, KE-2 and KE-5 (the good KE-5). Hopefully put it together into an informative review.

I have got one of each coming: KE-1, KE-2 and KE-5. So I should be able to make a good comparison and test between them. I'll now need to purchase enough of the same batteries to test correctly.

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

I don't have a Keygos KE-1 or KE-2.

[Ian2381]

Sorry just noticed the replies on this thread,

I Just sold the KE2 to a friend and My KE5 is already modded with a 2.8A driver and Warm XML emitter. The stock KE5 and KE2 has same driver and most probably same output, the only difference is that the KE5 have tighter hotspot. the KE2 is just rebranded C8 just like the KE1. Both can easily be replaced by a new driver, I think you just have to trim the KD 2.8 driver as its wider.

I'm still waiting for my XinTD C8, I think it will be a good comparison to my modded KE5 as I believe the XinTD C8 have a better driver than the stock KE5.