I tried a search on YouTube to see if there where any video reviews. But the only thing that came up was a “FandyFire HD2010”. It did look similar, but I find this all rather confusing.
So in this instance is the HD2010 really an Ultrafire? And would it matter if it was or wasn’t?
It’s something of a mystery to most (if not all of us). Take UltraFire for example. Apparently, this is their “official” site: ultrafire-shop.net (there’s also this one: WhaFat Technological Co.,Ltd )
If we accept that, then a very significant portion of UltraFire branded products on the market aren’t actually made by UltraFire at all. And I’m not just talking about UltraFire fakes, but completely new torch designs made by manufactures who are illegitimately using the UltraFire brand.
But that’s not all. UltraFire designs, both genuine and non-genuine, are copied by other manufacters who slap on their own branding, often using names that are derivative of UltraFire like UltraOK, or even UranusFire (no, that’s not a joke).
But that’s not all either. Still other torch designs, made by manufacturers like SIPIK (whoever they are) are copied and branded with UltraFire as well (but not by the manufacturer claiming to be the real UltraFire).
Finally, let’s not forget that UltraFire itself initially came to fame by copying and elaborating on SureFire designs.
It’s all a big mess really, and this is only a small part of the ever evolving (and somewhat amusing) budget flashlight market. And this is precisely why BLF is so useful. We sort through the mess and do a decent job of separating the crap from what is actually worth buying, and from where.
EDIT: I neglected to mention that the “genuine” UltraFire lights, such as those listed at UltraFire-Shop, tend to be decent quality products for the price.
It certainly seems confusing. And I guess ironically the HD2010 in the review link I posted doesn’t actually appear on either Ultrafire webiste….
As I’m newish to these budget lights, what’s the risk of buying one and it turning out to be rubbish, whereas buying the same light from another vender turns out to be great? (different internal components and build quality).
I’d quite like to buy a Trustfire Z8, but how would I know what I’m buying will actually be one?
Probably the best thing to do is purchase from the same places that those who have done positive reviews have purchased from. Personally I have neither a HD2010 or a Z8 in my collection so I can’t make any such recommendations myself.
Cloners, copiers, forgers…. its all a big mystery to me. FAR too messy to even TRY to decipher whats original and whats not, whats fact and what fiction.
Rather I try and focus on the technical aspects of each product. Things like tailcap current, reflector geometry, emitter current, heatsink design…etc. These elements to me are more important than the brand name… because shopping by brand name is pretty useless IMHO.
The X-Fire brands are confusing. If we assume WhaFat is the “real” Ultrafire, then we should try and find the other Fires. As for Trustfire, I found this company on Alibaba, Shenzhen Trustfire Technology Co., Ltd., http://trustfire.en.alibaba.com/company_profile.html
They have a company presentation video on there showing production and capabilities etc, pretty neat. They’re an OEM so they’ll slap any name you want on the lights. Of course there’s nothing that says there can be only one Trustfire or Ultrafire company, might be another one in the next town.
I have an UF HD2010 and a TF Z8. Bought them both based on reviews here. The HD came from one reviewer’s choice, Tmart, because they have a US warehouse and ever-improving customer service, AND the best price on that HD. It is branded UltraFire, and is an EXCELLENT torch - I don’t care if it was really made by Kraft.
With the Z8 I took a gamble (kind of) and didn’t order from TMart, but from an ebay seller (ibaymalls) who had a 99.4% rating. My Z8 is every bit as awesome as it was reviewed to be.
I’d suggest it will be easier and more effective to read reviews here, and follow the reviewer’s links to get the light reviewed. Hard to trust the names alone. TF and UF branded stuff sometimes sucks. But I rarely get an UltraFire dud from Manafont or otherwise. I know they’re out there, but I like my UF lights so far.
I ordered an advertised UltraFire Sipik SK68 clone from one ebay seller recently, and today I received a VERY nice SK68 clone that is instead branded UltraOK. I am quite happy with this screw-up. Best SK68 clone I’ve had yet.
The budget light craze is a fun one, and seems to always have little surprises here and there. But man, when we get ourselves a winner of a cheap torch, we sure know it.
I think it's why budget light forums exists ..it's for people to comment on ligghts and share info ..
if you know the person who is promoting the light and know tehy know good from bad then following their advvice is always a good idea ..when i'd been here a while i looked closely at what some of the smarter members were saying and found a few people who i could call a mentor or I just found their taste to be about the same as mine ...It sounds a litle rude to say older members know more or should be listened to above newer members ...since it's not universally true ..I just know that even I have been swept into a newbies excitement of a light and then when I got it I realized they knew nothing about what makes a good light a good light .
you're right the names mean little to nothing and brands almost are nonexistant in budget budget lights ..knowing what to look for...,better threads ,a bit of brass here or there a solid pill and a good review by a knowledgable flashaholic can keep you from buying the same problematic ultra cheap unfixable ,or not worth fixing dumb light ..remember China specializes in making things worse and doing it for cheaper cheaper and cheaper till it doesn't even work anymore .Avoiding the lamer lights is a blf art ..picking thru the duds and finding the gem is what we are all about .
My opinion is no matter what brand it is,just the perfect material guaranteed and the original technology of emitter produced.
The stand or fall of a brand based on customer long-term experience and reliance
Thanks for all the replies. Yeah I’m not too worried about the actual name printed on the torch, more the worry of reading a good review, searching for the lights and finding a good price and ending up with something with the same name but different internals and lower quality.
In fact last night I did indeed order a Trustfire Z8 based off of JohnnyMac’s review. I did find the light cheaper elsewhere, but the pics showed it unbranded and I’ve seen 3 different lumen ratings. But I decided to buy from Tmart as that was where the reviewers light came from.
Guess it just means being a little more careful and not always buying on price alone.
