I’m still considering this light, but would’t use it without a clip and I don’t see a clip offered as an accessory.
What light are you mentioning? The OTR i3 or the other OTR from Fasttech I linked?
It it is the i3, it has a pocket clip. If you decide to purchase it on AliExpress, send the seller a message.
If the other OTR, I don’t think it has a clip at all
LightObsession wrote:
Which of the two stock LEDs is more neutral or warm?
Same question, is it about the OTR i3?
If so, the options for it are XML2 U3-1A / XML2 U3-5C / XP-G2 R5-1A being the U3-5C warmer than the U3-1A (cold white). My option was the U3-3C and it was more Neutral.
LightObsession wrote:
Also considering that ChengInn 18650 light, but it also doesn’t come with a clip.
Nop, this one doesn’t seem to have one. Maybe a Convoy clip can be attached to it (not the screw-in clips, though).
I was referring to the I3 for the clip and emitter options.
I don’t see any optional accessories listed for the I3 on the aliexpress website, so I guess I would have to message the seller to find what the options are.
I would also have to buy a battery, so I’d also message the seller for battery suggestions.
I would likely chose the warm white option, if I buy one. I’m tired of cool white zoomies.
Thanks for all of your information and suggestions.
I was referring to the I3 for the clip and emitter options.
I don’t see any optional accessories listed for the I3 on the aliexpress website, so I guess I would have to message the seller to find what the options are.
I would also have to buy a battery, so I’d also message the seller for battery suggestions.
I would likely chose the warm white option, if I buy one. I’m tired of cool white zoomies.
Thanks for all of your information and suggestions.
Ahh, ok ok
Well, I guess that if you send a message to the seller, even if it costs you some more bucks, he will include the cell and the clip. You can mention that you are from BLF and that you’ve seen this review as well
The OTR 16340s are good cells. If you don’t change the driver for a FET or “more powerful” one, that cell or a Sofirn 900mAh cell will be enough. Still, you have the recently launched Vapcell 16340 800mAh 7A cells that will give you probably the best option for the light. This will also be the best option in case you use a FET or “more powerful” driver
About the tint, if you chose the 5C I guess you won’t be disappointed. Next steps I will do in mine is to put a Luxeon V 4000K to make it warmer. And the other step is to replace the burnt driver (don’t ask, don’t tell!!)
In any case, ask the seller for that before making the order
Hope this helps!!
I think it is still available
And I think they will not be able to do something less thicker than this. I just sent message to the OTR contact and will be looking for his reply
EDIT: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Powerful-260LM-CREE-LED-Flashlight-3-Mode-Zoomable-Waterproof-Torch-Outdoor-Sports-Camping-Hiking-Size-CE01/32800850436.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.1.132a6ab1OUin02&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_6_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10304_10307_10820_10301_10821_537_536,searchweb201603_52,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=f69fe97d-d558-41cd-9160-57fa2b247724-0&algo_pvid=f69fe97d-d558-41cd-9160-57fa2b247724
Or this?
Hey MascaratumB!
Nice find mate! BTW the one that is aliexpress linked does it has glass lenses on? They did not stated which lens do they use and since head has “short walk” they are probably acrylic lenses. But one problem it has 44$ of shipping cost!!! I mean WTF Probably some mistake from seller?
Anyway that Ali light would be ultra find if it has glass lens because it is budget 10$ light
BTW that 18650 OTR Fasttech ligth you linked has a bit dear price…, and I am not sure what to think on that glass lens retaining ring…
Can you talk them into price cool down?
Nice find mate! BTW the one that is aliexpress linked does it has glass lenses on? They did not stated which lens do they use and since head has “short walk” they are probably acrylic lenses.
I believe this one uses acrylic lens, not glass!
luminarium iaculator wrote:
But one problem it has 44$ of shipping cost!!! I mean WTF Probably some mistake from seller?
If you are talking about the ChengInn, that must be a mistake, as I only would have to pay less then 10€ for the flashlight.
luminarium iaculator wrote:
Anyway that Ali light would be ultra find if it has glass lens because it is budget 10$ light
Indeed, but I’m not sure about the lens and the pill quality, which are the only things keeping me from buying it as I would like to mod it and still get a nice beam.
luminarium iaculator wrote:
BTW that 18650 OTR Fasttech ligth you linked has a bit dear price…, and I am not sure what to think on that glass lens retaining ring…
Can you talk them into price cool down?
About the retaining ring, are you talking abou the external ring? I see nothing wrong with it except that it may get trickier to take it out, eventually, without some grooves. But I see no problem with it! Below the lens there is a reflecting “gasket” (sorry as this is not the correct term) as on the i3!
About the price, sorry, but I don’t contact Fasttech! If you find any coupons maybe it get a bit lower. But I wouldn’t count too much on that…
That OTR 18650 would be better deal that is sure… Probably 35$ is for whole set (light, battery, charger). I think they could lower it something below 20$
That OTR 18650 would be better deal that is sure… Probably 35$ is for whole set (light, battery, charger). I think they could lower it something below 20$
PM sent.
The OTR i3 itself is more expensive than that.
Also, the OTR Z821 (18650) from FT is a complete kit. I believe that just the flashlight with no extras (meaning: no battery, no charger) would still cost about 25€. OTR lights are not that cheap in all the places you buy them. Even with coupons, they don’t get much lower than 20€.
The modded light looks good MascaratumB. Thanks for sharing.
I’ll likely buy one of these lights, some day.
Thank you
If you like small zoomable lights, this is the way to go! Easy to mod, you’ll just need to be careful and use a single sided driver!
Other than that, put a good Led on it and do the same I did with the pocket clip and call it a day
Moded my On The Road i3, through a “lego” with the battery tube of the On The Road M1.
Although there are differences in anodozing and knurling, the tubes fit well.
I am using a 16650 (Sanyo UR16650ZTA, 3.7V 2500 mah) battery inside the “new” flashlight!
It uses a 15mm diameter driver, with Crescendo, and I am using a Samsung LH351D.
So far so good
Compared with the FW3A and the FW1A (18500 version)
Do you maybe know when will On The Road company make 18650 version of this light? Can’t believe they missed 18650 format for this light? That is shocking! This zoomie light light really looks extra btw.
Do you maybe know when will On The Road company make 18650 version of this light? Can’t believe they missed 18650 format for this light? That is shocking! This zoomie light light really looks extra btw.
Thanks
Well, I guess the other versions they made/make on the zoomie line are the Z803 and the Z821.
However, they don’t seem to be on sale at least on their AliExpress store.
You can see them here for reference: http://zlsh.net/
This “lego” comes to be a nice solution to have a thinner light but still having some “juice” (as 2500mAh can handle almost 4 × 700mAh 16340s).
Got my i3 today. First impression: very good quality. Very sturdy, it is likely that it could be bored to accept 18350.
Zooming is too stiff for my liking but passable. And since the light is easy to diasassemble, a thiner o-ring should improve it.
Then I put a cell in it….what a disappoinment!
The lens geometry is wrong.
There are bad artifacts in intermediate beam. Donut hole, then some cross. It can’t show a sharp die projection in the best focus position.,
Got my i3 today. First impression: very good quality. Very sturdy, it is likely that it could be bored to accept 18350.
Zooming is too stiff for my liking but passable. And since the light is easy to diasassemble, a thiner o-ring should improve it.
Then I put a cell in it….what a disappoinment!
The lens geometry is wrong.
There are bad artifacts in intermediate beam. Donut hole, then some cross. It can’t show a sharp die projection in the best focus position.,
Thanks for your feedback Agro!
Yes, if it could be very accuratelly bored it could accomodate an 18350 battery, but…it would need to be really accurately
The zooming improves if you lubricate the o-ring , instead of putting a smaller one! That’s what I did with mine and it works fine! I am not sure if with a thinner one it will move loosely.
I am surprised with those artifacts and issues in the beam… Is everything tight? The artifacts will be there, specially due to the reflection on that gasket. I blackened my gasket and also the edges of the lens to avoid some of those artifacts, but it is not 100% perfect!
About the donut hole, what led does it come with? That is really weird…
I had XML2, XP-L HI and now Samsung and none of the have that so I am really astonished
Can it be a different lens from the one I got?
I am really sorry you are experiencing those issues
I haven’t opened it yet, can’t do it with bare hands but I see grease on the sliding part of the body so I assume it’s well lubricated already.
Artifacts caused by reflection are just rings. My light has them but I’m not concerned beacause they can be dealt with.
I think a lack of tightness would move the focal point and maybe make the beam asymmetric. It is symmetric.
I do think that the lens shape is the cause. Maybe it’s spherical? I don’t have experience with these, don’t know what to expect. Maybe it’s asphere is botched?
Maybe OTR downgraded this model? Maybe they got a deffective batch? Need to contact them about the issue.
I just measured the slider part of the body. 19.7 mm. Indeed very tight, maybe a bad idea. The knurled part has 2.05 mm walls so it seemed easy but the knurling not long enough.
I got 8500 cd at 16m. This is a bit higher than specs, within error margin.
XP-G2 cool.
The beamshots with my phone are bad, maybe I can’t use it or maybe controllable parameters are enough.
But that’s what I have.
1. Full flood. No beamshot but I noticed that it’s significantly squarish. Not a problem to me but it’s curious.
2. First donut shot. Barely visible on the shot but very visible IRL.
3. Tightening it down. More visible on the shot, still more visible IRL.
4. Black cross. Much worse IRL.
5. White cross. This one is similar to what my eyes see on the wall though the lines are more visible IRL.
6. Almost focused. Again it’s similar to what I see
7. Focused. It’s overexposed, I see the die much better. I see clearly (but not sharply) that the die has cutouts in the corners. Bond wires or finer die details are not visible.
8. Over-focused. I couldn’t make a good beamshot but the beam worsens. Interestingly throw didn’t get worse.
Is this your first small zoomie with glass aspherical lens?
There is nothing wrong with your light. In fact beam looks much cleaner than on Dereelight, Uniquefire, Tiablo, Crelant etc…
Guys remember this. This is from mine experience and I am long time into this story.
No matter how cheap, light, scratched, plastic/acrylic lenses looks like they have better lights transmittance, cleaner beam, better flood mode, and they are more constant in quality than any factory available glass lenses (for example with glass lens performance may vary up to 30% while with plastic there is no variation in quality at all…)
Same size acrylic vs same size glass lens :
- Glass lens will have slightly larger die projection while plastic will have smaller die projection.
- Glass have different tint projection of the same emitter than plastic one. For example dedomed XPG2S42B is cooler in glass lens(uf 1503) and greener in plastic lens(B158).
- Plastic has greater flood mode than glass lens.
- Plastic has cleaner beam projection than glass one and less artifacts in a beam
- Plastic is more durable than sensitive glass… Glass will easy break(especially on edges) if you drop flashlight on hard surface while with plastic nothing except scratch will happen
Yes, this is my fist zoomie with a glass lens.
It is clearly worse than that of MascaratumB, far less sharp. And it is different in that his beam looks round while mine is squarish even in flood.
I find it hard to believe a beam this bad is something to be expected.
Intermediate beam is better than my worst TIR zoomies – but not much better. And is much worse than my best TIR zoomie, let alone aspheric ones.
As I said, pics don’t do it justice, it is actually worse than it looks on the shots.
I had a lot of problems with glass lenses quality in a past(Dereelight, Tiablo, and Uniquefire) – it is very hard to convince factory that they have faulty lens…
Some factories really do have bad QC for lenses and it is terrible how glass lens quality can vary.
For example once I got whole batch of 1503 flashlights(100 pcs) and only 5 out of 100 were good… I almost loose my mind… Told my wife that I will have nerves breakdown… Does not matter… I survived
They had ultra low performance with a lot of artifacts in a beam plus almost each had some kind of pale double die projection (yes you heard that right)…
I am very happy that Uniquefire accepted my complaint for lens after I convinced them with video, pics, lux test etc…, and yes they investigated and told they had bad batch of lens. They have send me replacement lenses with strict factory quality control(mine shipping and customs costs for them of course – so they were not actually free for me). That lens were good but when compared to plastic B158 well Bee simply kills them in lux performance. The best UF 1503 lens(1 of 200) I found had very good throw about 10% less than B158 acrylic lens… So yes probably glass can be as good as plastic or better but not in a regular China manufacturing process… Premium glass lens costs money and I really doubt that China manufacturers will pay for such quality so it is better for them to stick to acrylic. But just can’t believe how some manufacturers are dumb and how they don’t see? All you got to have is cheap luxmeter and your eyes.
But! They do not want to listen when I am trying to convince them that acrylic is far better than glass. They also consider glass as premium and better to acrylic but it is not! Ok… I understand they should change their production process and everything. But they could release such model.
Imho zoomie no matter how small(edc) or big they are should have acrylic lenses, aluminum pill with retaining centering ring for mcpcb and driver, quality anodized threads and reverse clicky switch.
Glass lens with brass pill vs Acrylic lens with aluminum pill:
- heavy vs light setup
- higher production vs lower production costs
- production performance consistency variations vs no performance variations at all or
- lower lux performance vs higher lux performance (in flood and throw mode)
- fragile vs almost indestructible format
I am not engineer but I see that so it is really enigma for me why true engineers which do that work for living don’t see that issue…
CRX wrote:
Yeah, zoomies are one place where a plastic lens is better than glass.
I have a slightly too small plastic aspheric but I can’t find a way to open the bezel without scratching it.
Any suggestions?
Sorry for not having replied yet above, I wasn’t on the computer and will answer later on
About the bezel, press the flashlight againt your hand (with or without a glove) and twist the flashlight anti-clockwise direction, while holding it from the “head”! Thats what I did in mine and it opened easily!
I’m still considering this light, but would’t use it without a clip and I don’t see a clip offered as an accessory.
Which of the two stock LEDs is more neutral or warm?
Thanks.
Also considering that ChengInn 18650 light, but it also doesn’t come with a clip.
What light are you mentioning? The OTR i3 or the other OTR from Fasttech I linked?
It it is the i3, it has a pocket clip. If you decide to purchase it on AliExpress, send the seller a message.
If the other OTR, I don’t think it has a clip at all
Same question, is it about the OTR i3?
If so, the options for it are XML2 U3-1A / XML2 U3-5C / XP-G2 R5-1A being the U3-5C warmer than the U3-1A (cold white). My option was the U3-3C and it was more Neutral.
Nop, this one doesn’t seem to have one. Maybe a Convoy clip can be attached to it (not the screw-in clips, though).
MY REVIEWS THREAD /// My Flashlight Collection ///
Mods: 1 / 2 // TIR: 1 / 2 // Others: Biscotti 3 + 1*7135 / Triple TIR w/ XP-G2 /// My Review's Blog (PT) /// OL Contest 2019 /// OL Contest 2020 /// GIVEAWAYs: 1 / 2
I was referring to the I3 for the clip and emitter options.
I don’t see any optional accessories listed for the I3 on the aliexpress website, so I guess I would have to message the seller to find what the options are.
I would also have to buy a battery, so I’d also message the seller for battery suggestions.
I would likely chose the warm white option, if I buy one. I’m tired of cool white zoomies.
Thanks for all of your information and suggestions.
Ahh, ok ok
Well, I guess that if you send a message to the seller, even if it costs you some more bucks, he will include the cell and the clip. You can mention that you are from BLF and that you’ve seen this review as well
The OTR 16340s are good cells. If you don’t change the driver for a FET or “more powerful” one, that cell or a Sofirn 900mAh cell will be enough. Still, you have the recently launched Vapcell 16340 800mAh 7A cells that will give you probably the best option for the light. This will also be the best option in case you use a FET or “more powerful” driver
About the tint, if you chose the 5C I guess you won’t be disappointed. Next steps I will do in mine is to put a Luxeon V 4000K to make it warmer. And the other step is to replace the burnt driver
(don’t ask, don’t tell!!) 
In any case, ask the seller for that before making the order
Hope this helps!!
MY REVIEWS THREAD /// My Flashlight Collection ///
Mods: 1 / 2 // TIR: 1 / 2 // Others: Biscotti 3 + 1*7135 / Triple TIR w/ XP-G2 /// My Review's Blog (PT) /// OL Contest 2019 /// OL Contest 2020 /// GIVEAWAYs: 1 / 2
Hey MascaratumB!
Nice find mate! BTW the one that is aliexpress linked does it has glass lenses on? They did not stated which lens do they use and since head has “short walk” they are probably acrylic lenses. But one problem it has 44$ of shipping cost!!! I mean WTF
Probably some mistake from seller?
Anyway that Ali light would be ultra find if it has glass lens because it is budget 10$ light
BTW that 18650 OTR Fasttech ligth you linked has a bit dear price…, and I am not sure what to think on that glass lens retaining ring…
Can you talk them into price cool down?
Free shipping to Poland.
luminarium iaculator, I suggest that you ask them whether it’s a mistake or not.
Will do thanks.
I believe this one uses acrylic lens, not glass!
If you are talking about the ChengInn, that must be a mistake, as I only would have to pay less then 10€ for the flashlight.
Indeed, but I’m not sure about the lens and the pill quality, which are the only things keeping me from buying it as I would like to mod it and still get a nice beam.
About the retaining ring, are you talking abou the external ring? I see nothing wrong with it except that it may get trickier to take it out, eventually, without some grooves. But I see no problem with it! Below the lens there is a reflecting “gasket” (sorry as this is not the correct term) as on the i3!
About the price, sorry, but I don’t contact Fasttech! If you find any coupons maybe it get a bit lower. But I wouldn’t count too much on that…
MY REVIEWS THREAD /// My Flashlight Collection ///
Mods: 1 / 2 // TIR: 1 / 2 // Others: Biscotti 3 + 1*7135 / Triple TIR w/ XP-G2 /// My Review's Blog (PT) /// OL Contest 2019 /// OL Contest 2020 /// GIVEAWAYs: 1 / 2
That OTR 18650 would be better deal that is sure… Probably 35$ is for whole set (light, battery, charger). I think they could lower it something below 20$
PM sent.
The OTR i3 itself is more expensive than that.
Also, the OTR Z821 (18650) from FT is a complete kit. I believe that just the flashlight with no extras (meaning: no battery, no charger) would still cost about 25€.
OTR lights are not that cheap in all the places you buy them. Even with coupons, they don’t get much lower than 20€.
MY REVIEWS THREAD /// My Flashlight Collection ///
Mods: 1 / 2 // TIR: 1 / 2 // Others: Biscotti 3 + 1*7135 / Triple TIR w/ XP-G2 /// My Review's Blog (PT) /// OL Contest 2019 /// OL Contest 2020 /// GIVEAWAYs: 1 / 2
If OTR Z821 meets mine criteria I will try “ 100pcs lot order” and they gotta lower price…
That why I hope OTR is serious flashlight company and not just OEM and ODM reseller.
Modded my i3 some days ago
Put a screw-in clip and it works just fine!
Currently it has a 15mm driver with Crescendo + reverse clicky switch + a XPL-HD CW Led on a 16mm Copper DTP MCPCB!
MY REVIEWS THREAD /// My Flashlight Collection ///
Mods: 1 / 2 // TIR: 1 / 2 // Others: Biscotti 3 + 1*7135 / Triple TIR w/ XP-G2 /// My Review's Blog (PT) /// OL Contest 2019 /// OL Contest 2020 /// GIVEAWAYs: 1 / 2
The modded light looks good MascaratumB. Thanks for sharing.
I’ll likely buy one of these lights, some day.
Thank you
If you like small zoomable lights, this is the way to go! Easy to mod, you’ll just need to be careful and use a single sided driver!
Other than that, put a good Led on it and do the same I did with the pocket clip and call it a day
MY REVIEWS THREAD /// My Flashlight Collection ///
Mods: 1 / 2 // TIR: 1 / 2 // Others: Biscotti 3 + 1*7135 / Triple TIR w/ XP-G2 /// My Review's Blog (PT) /// OL Contest 2019 /// OL Contest 2020 /// GIVEAWAYs: 1 / 2
Moded my On The Road i3, through a “lego” with the battery tube of the On The Road M1.
Although there are differences in anodozing and knurling, the tubes fit well.
I am using a 16650 (Sanyo UR16650ZTA, 3.7V 2500 mah) battery inside the “new” flashlight!
It uses a 15mm diameter driver, with Crescendo, and I am using a Samsung LH351D.
So far so good
Compared with the FW3A and the FW1A (18500 version)
MY REVIEWS THREAD /// My Flashlight Collection ///
Mods: 1 / 2 // TIR: 1 / 2 // Others: Biscotti 3 + 1*7135 / Triple TIR w/ XP-G2 /// My Review's Blog (PT) /// OL Contest 2019 /// OL Contest 2020 /// GIVEAWAYs: 1 / 2
Nice mod.
Do you maybe know when will On The Road company make 18650 version of this light? Can’t believe they missed 18650 format for this light? That is shocking! This zoomie light light really looks extra btw.
Nice mod.
Thanks
Well, I guess the other versions they made/make on the zoomie line are the Z803 and the Z821.
However, they don’t seem to be on sale at least on their AliExpress store.
You can see them here for reference: http://zlsh.net/
This “lego” comes to be a nice solution to have a thinner light but still having some “juice” (as 2500mAh can handle almost 4 × 700mAh 16340s).
Thanks
MY REVIEWS THREAD /// My Flashlight Collection ///
Mods: 1 / 2 // TIR: 1 / 2 // Others: Biscotti 3 + 1*7135 / Triple TIR w/ XP-G2 /// My Review's Blog (PT) /// OL Contest 2019 /// OL Contest 2020 /// GIVEAWAYs: 1 / 2
Got my i3 today. First impression: very good quality. Very sturdy, it is likely that it could be bored to accept 18350.
Zooming is too stiff for my liking but passable. And since the light is easy to diasassemble, a thiner o-ring should improve it.
Then I put a cell in it….what a disappoinment!
The lens geometry is wrong.
There are bad artifacts in intermediate beam. Donut hole, then some cross. It can’t show a sharp die projection in the best focus position.,
Thanks for your feedback Agro!
Yes, if it could be very accuratelly bored it could accomodate an 18350 battery, but…it would need to be really accurately
The zooming improves if you lubricate the o-ring , instead of putting a smaller one! That’s what I did with mine and it works fine! I am not sure if with a thinner one it will move loosely.
I am surprised with those artifacts and issues in the beam… Is everything tight? The artifacts will be there, specially due to the reflection on that gasket. I blackened my gasket and also the edges of the lens to avoid some of those artifacts, but it is not 100% perfect!
About the donut hole, what led does it come with? That is really weird…
I had XML2, XP-L HI and now Samsung and none of the have that so I am really astonished
Can it be a different lens from the one I got?
I am really sorry you are experiencing those issues
MY REVIEWS THREAD /// My Flashlight Collection ///
Mods: 1 / 2 // TIR: 1 / 2 // Others: Biscotti 3 + 1*7135 / Triple TIR w/ XP-G2 /// My Review's Blog (PT) /// OL Contest 2019 /// OL Contest 2020 /// GIVEAWAYs: 1 / 2
I haven’t opened it yet, can’t do it with bare hands but I see grease on the sliding part of the body so I assume it’s well lubricated already.
Artifacts caused by reflection are just rings. My light has them but I’m not concerned beacause they can be dealt with.
I think a lack of tightness would move the focal point and maybe make the beam asymmetric. It is symmetric.
I do think that the lens shape is the cause. Maybe it’s spherical? I don’t have experience with these, don’t know what to expect. Maybe it’s asphere is botched?
Maybe OTR downgraded this model? Maybe they got a deffective batch? Need to contact them about the issue.
I will make some beamshots later.
I just measured the slider part of the body. 19.7 mm. Indeed very tight, maybe a bad idea. The knurled part has 2.05 mm walls so it seemed easy but the knurling not long enough.
I got 8500 cd at 16m. This is a bit higher than specs, within error margin.
XP-G2 cool.
The beamshots with my phone are bad, maybe I can’t use it or maybe controllable parameters are enough.
But that’s what I have.
1. Full flood. No beamshot but I noticed that it’s significantly squarish. Not a problem to me but it’s curious.
2. First donut shot. Barely visible on the shot but very visible IRL.
3. Tightening it down. More visible on the shot, still more visible IRL.
4. Black cross. Much worse IRL.
5. White cross. This one is similar to what my eyes see on the wall though the lines are more visible IRL.
6. Almost focused. Again it’s similar to what I see
7. Focused. It’s overexposed, I see the die much better. I see clearly (but not sharply) that the die has cutouts in the corners. Bond wires or finer die details are not visible.
8. Over-focused. I couldn’t make a good beamshot but the beam worsens. Interestingly throw didn’t get worse.
Agro,
Is this your first small zoomie with glass aspherical lens?
There is nothing wrong with your light. In fact beam looks much cleaner than on Dereelight, Uniquefire, Tiablo, Crelant etc…
Guys remember this. This is from mine experience and I am long time into this story.
No matter how cheap, light, scratched, plastic/acrylic lenses looks like they have better lights transmittance, cleaner beam, better flood mode, and they are more constant in quality than any factory available glass lenses (for example with glass lens performance may vary up to 30% while with plastic there is no variation in quality at all…)
Same size acrylic vs same size glass lens :
- Glass lens will have slightly larger die projection while plastic will have smaller die projection.
- Glass have different tint projection of the same emitter than plastic one. For example dedomed XPG2S42B is cooler in glass lens(uf 1503) and greener in plastic lens(B158).
- Plastic has greater flood mode than glass lens.
- Plastic has cleaner beam projection than glass one and less artifacts in a beam
- Plastic is more durable than sensitive glass… Glass will easy break(especially on edges) if you drop flashlight on hard surface while with plastic nothing except scratch will happen
Nice review
Yeah, zoomies are one place where a plastic lens is better than glass.
- LEDs & Other Stuff - - UI CheatSheets - - CRX Flashlight Builds - - CRX Stuff for Sale -
Yes, this is my fist zoomie with a glass lens.
It is clearly worse than that of MascaratumB, far less sharp. And it is different in that his beam looks round while mine is squarish even in flood.
I find it hard to believe a beam this bad is something to be expected.
Intermediate beam is better than my worst TIR zoomies – but not much better. And is much worse than my best TIR zoomie, let alone aspheric ones.
As I said, pics don’t do it justice, it is actually worse than it looks on the shots.
It could be worse than it looks I agree…
I had a lot of problems with glass lenses quality in a past(Dereelight, Tiablo, and Uniquefire) – it is very hard to convince factory that they have faulty lens… Some factories really do have bad QC for lenses and it is terrible how glass lens quality can vary.
For example once I got whole batch of 1503 flashlights(100 pcs) and only 5 out of 100 were good… I almost loose my mind… Told my wife that I will have nerves breakdown… Does not matter… I survived
They had ultra low performance with a lot of artifacts in a beam plus almost each had some kind of pale double die projection (yes you heard that right)…
I am very happy that Uniquefire accepted my complaint for lens after I convinced them with video, pics, lux test etc…, and yes they investigated and told they had bad batch of lens. They have send me replacement lenses with strict factory quality control(mine shipping and customs costs for them of course – so they were not actually free for me). That lens were good but when compared to plastic B158 well Bee simply kills them in lux performance. The best UF 1503 lens(1 of 200) I found had very good throw about 10% less than B158 acrylic lens… So yes probably glass can be as good as plastic or better but not in a regular China manufacturing process… Premium glass lens costs money and I really doubt that China manufacturers will pay for such quality so it is better for them to stick to acrylic. But just can’t believe how some manufacturers are dumb and how they don’t see? All you got to have is cheap luxmeter and your eyes.
But! They do not want to listen when I am trying to convince them that acrylic is far better than glass. They also consider glass as premium and better to acrylic but it is not! Ok… I understand they should change their production process and everything. But they could release such model.
Imho zoomie no matter how small(edc) or big they are should have acrylic lenses, aluminum pill with retaining centering ring for mcpcb and driver, quality anodized threads and reverse clicky switch.
Glass lens with brass pill vs Acrylic lens with aluminum pill:
- heavy vs light setup
- higher production vs lower production costs
- production performance consistency variations vs no performance variations at all or
- lower lux performance vs higher lux performance (in flood and throw mode)
- fragile vs almost indestructible format
I am not engineer but I see that so it is really enigma for me why true engineers which do that work for living don’t see that issue…
I have a slightly too small plastic aspheric but I can’t find a way to open the bezel without scratching it.
Any suggestions?
Sorry for not having replied yet above, I wasn’t on the computer and will answer later on
About the bezel, press the flashlight againt your hand (with or without a glove) and twist the flashlight anti-clockwise direction, while holding it from the “head”! Thats what I did in mine and it opened easily!
I’ll reply later to the rest
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Tried that already, doesn’t move. Tried pressing it against rubber, it didn’t work either.
I opened my Utorch S1 mini which has a similar bezel by pressing it against a sharpening stone but this obviously caused some scratches.
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