Is this Week's 3W 3-Mode White Light Mini LED Flashlight Bestseller Better Than This One?

I have noticed that this 3W 3-Mode White Light Mini LED Flashlight became quite popular recently on FocalPrice:

However there is this one on Tmart:

Though first flashlight looks better than second, I am wondering if anyone already bought any one of these and can give feedback?

I have what looks like the second one. Delivered was about $2.25. Its about as bright as a minimag. Blue tint. Good to 10-15 feet outdoors. Contact probs in the switch so brightness can be dim or even dimmer. Twist the tailcap to fix it. As crappy as this light is, it get used off the night stand constantly because the lumens are about right for getting out of bed at night.

Though capable of working from AA batteries as well, I have noticed that mostly 14500 and 18650 li-ion batteries are used since they are stronger and make flashlights perform better. But due to rarity or shortage and high pricing in local stores of these, do you think that using AA li-ions would be close to using 14500 and 18650 batteries?

I know AA li-ions are not cheap though and I wonder what would be cost-effective here assuming non-everyday use of flashlight.

Maybe in some lights, but the voltages are different. Lions are 3.7v. NiMH are 1.2v. Alkalines are 1.5v. A 3.7v lithium ion battery will fry the driver in most cheap lights. The Energizer lithiums are 1.5v and should be ok and will be able to deliver more current than an alkaline, but won’t likely match the output of a Lion. Power=Volts*Amps.

I meant that these cheap lights are also 3.7v Lions compatible, but AAs also can be used. Alkalines and Energizer lithiums are both 1.5v but I assume lithiums deliver more Amps?

OK, but the second light you listed isn’t 3.7v compatible. Lithium ions don’t need to deliver more amps because they have a higher voltage. At any given amperage, lithium ions will deliver twice the power of an alkaline or NiMH. It all comes down to Power=Volts X Amps

Examples at 1 amp draw

Alkaline Battery Power=1.5v x 1 amp equals 1.5 watts
Lithium Ion Battery Power=3.7v x 1 amp equals 3.7 watts

You can order these on fleabay for under 6 bucks!!

I ordered a few to check it out. 3 weeks? may be …

Let you know when i get them.

In my last reply I was talking about 1.5v lithiums and not 3.7v lithiums. I want to understand difference between 1.5v alkalines and 1.5v lithiums.

Hi killswitch,
Here is my understanding between these 2 type of batteries.
Alkaline battery.
Most common, used in all sort of electronic’s reasonable cost but they are likely to leak if left alone in discharged state.

1.5 volt lithium (non rechargeable. only made/sold under energizer brand).
Have more energy and typical shelve life is 10 years suitable for put away and forget it emergency equipment, more tolerant to cold and hot temperatures and it is light weight. It is much more expensive however.

So if you are a typical user like remote for your TV, there really is no benifit to use these lithium batteries. but in some other type of use [emergency radio and flashlight stored in your emergency kit] you will want to consiter storing lithium batteries.

The answer to to your question (Alkalines and Energizer lithiums are both 1.5v but I assume lithium’s deliver more Amps?) is yes. But it is unlikely you will notice in our usage. Ie. even if you used them in 2 flash light side by side.

Regards.
noob

Maybe you can look more about one. No long ago,I bought UltraFire LED Flashlight Torch,it’s nice.

But I notice the difference when compared side to side with same flashlight. Flashlight with 1.5v lithium is noticeably brighter than with 1.5v alkaline.

I own the second one, bought it for 1.29 USD from ebay. It really depends on what you want it for. I need mine for a case the power goes down and I need to go to pull the plug up. For this purpose it’s perfect - it produces just enough light, it’s cheap, and can be fed old AA batteries from my wireless mouse (it’s not as “bright” as on the fresh ones though).
It’s slightly dimer than my 4x5mm led light on 3 AAA batteries, so rather dim. The switch doesn’t work well, the light was flickering and turning off suddenly. It turned out that the spring pulls the switch out of it’s place causing it to loose contact. I made a kind of stopper for the sring from piece of phonecard and it works fine now.
If you want something for outdoor use, or something you don’t need to mess with to make it work properly, I’d suggest you to go for a different light.

It's nice to meet you, Pregulla!

You will if and when the flashlight that you are using in is direct drive. If they have regulation, it will be indistinguishable but better longer run times with lithium.
Hope this helps.
Regards.

double post :EEEEK!!:

Are you talking about this definition?

I thought it is applicable only in mechanics, not electronics. If I understood correctly, if my flashlight works in direct drive, it will be brighter with lithiums but run times will be same as with alkaline batteries and if works in non-direct drive i.e regulated, it will have same brightness as with alkaline battery but will have longer run times. However, its electronics will not wear out faster whether it works in regulated or unregulated mode. Is that correct?

No.

No and Yes.
There are different type of circuits (pills). Ie. constant current/voltage driver, buck boost driver, etc etc……

when the LED is driven (direct drive on LION rechargeable 4.2V fresh off the charger) this will shorten the life of LED.

By all mean, I’m not in anyway shape or form expert in this stuff. My understanding extents to if I spend more cash, the light will be better and if it is a cheap light, it will not be as good [which is what this light falls under.]

So, bottom line for this light
with alk battery = shorter run time.
lithium (1.5V) - longer run time.
1.2V NIMH (eneloop) better run time than above 2?? which I use and recommend.
14500 lithium battery = much much brighter direct driver but shorter LED life.

By all means, have fun and don’t worry about it too much.

Regards.
NOOB
PS. The light I’m discussing is the first light you have posted and linked to, and hoping that this light is at least as good as sipik SK68. I don’t recommend your 2nd light you have listed at all.
If you would like to read up ? led direct drive definition - Google Search

It’s worth mentioning that 1.5V disposable lithium’s handle heavy loads a lot better than alkaline cells. My Olight i3 and i2 maintain their high output well on lithium primaries, whereas on alkaline’s the output would noticeably droop after only a few minutes

Alright. I couldn’t take it any more and threw a 14500 in that second light you listed. It didn’t burn out and it actually puts out a usable amount of light now. Wait. It just magically picked up a strobe mode! Look at that sucker flicker! :slight_smile: Holy cow, it healed itself and has a steady beam now. LOL. It’s pulling about a half amp and I’d say 20 lumens or so. It’s pretty throwy too. I put the alkaline back in and and the boost circuit is toast. But all you moonlight fans will love it on alkaline. I have to hold it up to my eye to see the led glowing. :slight_smile: How’s that for my first flashlight review?

You mean alkaline battery that you put back after using 14500 burned boost circuit? Sounds like refund!