I’ve been using Sk-68’s for EDC at work for several years now (as well as selling them to coworkers) and I like them but I was wondering if there’s a similar sized torch with the same features and size but with more lumens for not much more money?
I love the 68 too. Howo much are you thinking of spending?
I believe these sell for around $3.50-$4 with the Latticebright LED.
I think it will be difficult to find anything in that price range that has more lumens and still using a AA cell.
Modding it will give you more light for just a little effort.
There is also #3 zoomie with similar brightness and a little cheaper $2.50-3.
My EDC is SK98.
It is very similar to 68.
It has a much bigger 18650 battery with 6 times more battery life.
It has a 20mm star for XPL or Nichia swap.
It has a great easily moddable driver for direct drive and modes.
It is remarkably cheap at less than 5$.
It all depends on your budget.
I own a SK68 as well, bought two years ago and it was a nice EDC light, but a littlebit outdated. Recently i bought a jetbeam u, which is a AAA light and has a very good light output. 3 modes and max 135 lm (approx 8€ on GB)
To operate it you have to twist the head, it does not come with a tailswitch
Its bigger brother is the Jetbeam Jet, which is an AA light (also can be used with 14500) which might be very interesting, that one is around 12€ on GB. 3 modes and max 150 lm on AA and over 450lm on 14500
If you like SK68 - you should check Hugsby V1 - it’s like SK68 but on steroids. Better quality, real Cree, smarter design. Does NOT have hollow pill. Output is more or less the same.
About SK98 - does anyone have version without hollow pill?
Thanks for the comments. I want to stay with AA because our company buys AA’s and not 18650’s. I need to stay cheap because of the abuse they take. I’m a welder on a forging press and none of us really try to take care of our lights. We really don’t mind it if we drop a 3 or 4$ light down in the “pit” (it gets cleaned once a year) but if the light cost $10 then we would start to care.
I think I’ll look into a 98 and a Hugsby 1 for myself at home so thanks for though suggestions.
What are the best SK-68’s to buy and where do I get them. Most of the ones I have now I got from DX.
Thanks
Been getting them cheap off ebay. Even doubling the output isn’t really noticable, but would often cost more.
The 68’S are a lot brighter with 14500’s. I like AA’s to throw in your pocket and not worry about it. Though I usually carry a li ion in a phone.
Probably about $10-15 for a decent charger and a couple batteries. Might be the cheapest way to get brighter.
UltraFire SK98 LED Flashlight @FastTech
Though it's “semi”, the MCPCB seating ring is quite thick and has decent width. Nice thermal transfer.
Cheers ^:)
I was on E-bay and found two versions of the 68. One has a Q5 emitter and the other has a T06. Is one better than the other?
Probably neither will be accurate. I would imagine that both would come with the Laticebright counterfeit xp-e style emitters. Although, for the 68 lights, I prefer the xp-e/e2 emitters (q5 style) more than the xm-l (t6).
I find my single mode SK68 with LED upgrade to XP-E2 still quite bright with a 14500.
Not too bad with a NiMH either.
Much better than with the blueish fake XP-E it came with (obviously).
Q5 is an XRE bin, T6 us an XML bin. XRE will have tighter beam, more throw but an XML will put out more lumens. Chances are you won’t get either one though but some knock off led instead. The very common hollow pill design makes it inadvisable to run on liion cells without addressing the lack of thermal contact.
Over $16 ?! I love SK68’s, however any price above $4 is rather overpriced. Even the $2 lights may have decent driver and good build quality (for the price).
Bought this little 16340 zoomie much brighter than SK68, 2 modes High-Low no blinkie :D. I liked it so much decided to order 4 more for gifts