Update: Well one on the units arrived today - 16 days after I placed the order. It's a CREE. No brand name, only the little triangular warning sticker was attached. Finish is a handsome glossy black. Fit, finish, threads all look pretty good.
Did a side-by-side ceiling bounce comparison with my Romisen RC-29 Q5 1-AA, both with fresh Energizer Lithiums, and they came out about even. Fully focused, the Sipik(?) was perhaps a hair less bright; fully diffuse, the Sipik(?) was perhaps a hair brighter. Same die-shape projection for both when focused, however the Romisen's spot is almost half the size at the same distance.
Considering the Sipik(?) cost about half of the Romisen, I'd say it's a pretty good deal. I also like how much easier it is to focus by sliding, rather than twisting.
By the way, the current $AUS-$USD exchange rate is about 1-1, so the US dollar amount will be the same as the $AUS cost (or $7.00).
am I the the only one irritated that the unit is priced in Australian dollars on a US Ebay site, while the same flashlight from the same seller is priced one US dollar higher in actual USD in his/her ebay store. I tried an Australian dollar paypal transaction once, nogo maybe because my paypay used to be linked to American Express? Can I pay in Aussie dollars with paypal on a US bank based Visa card without extra fees?
I got it through paypal. It just convert to us$7. I got 8 for $56. Yes, the converted rate has change the price. US$1.84 more. Still cheaper than my last offer of $7.25.
ordered one. I've wanted one like this for a while. perhaps i'll mod it if its not too complicated. Has anyone modded these lil buggers? Give it an R2 and a nice driver perhaps?
I have a Ultrafire (Sipik clone) just arrived off Ebay @$7.77, the seller used a Sipik photo the performance , and workmanship is quite good this is the best sub $10 light I own. Has anyone tried a 14500 in the Ultrafire (sipik clone) yet?
I found these 14500 TF Flames at MF for $6.12. I haven't bought these before so I don't know if they are genuine, these are the protected version, they also have the unprotected.
I have bought these DD 14500 TF Flames for $6.39 if you use the coupon 2011BLACK. The pair i received were genuine with the hologram sticker and were protected. After the 18650 TF Flames incident I can't guarantee what you will get from DD.
Regarding “genuine” Sipik SK68 I got mine from Manafont. As was mentioned you won’t need to change the driver or emitter as it is already driven quite well. It takes a 14500 as well but mine was almost as bright on AA.
I just did the transaction it converted to $6.99 on paypal. It posted in Australian $ on my PNC visa they are gonna charge me another 3% for an international transaction fee so I am still a bit ahead of the US dollar price from the same seller but not much
I just bought six of these from this seller about two weeks ago. Seller was very quick to get them shipped out. So far, seems to be a very good seller. We'll see once I receive the lights.
I'll adjust the title, but I am yet unaware of any inferior clones of this design. Also, I question whether there is any "Sipik" factory anyway, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong. It seems to me, in the Chinese budget light world, that there are many lights produced by some factory and then branded with various companies' private labels. Not to rule out subtle differences, or even big ones, but I'm not aware of any duds attributed to this particular design.
I think you're right, most of the budget lights that many of us enjoy (trustfire, ultrafire, etc., etc.) are all made under the same roof. Actually more stuff is produced in that way the we even know...
There are some of the Sipik clones that have been reported to have "driver fry" when used with 14500s. Then AAs never work again in that light. However, I think a lot of the "clones" are pretty much the same as the Sipik (mine is an ultrafire and I use 14500s in it all the time and have never had any trouble).
