Now I forget who posted about this light [ good deal on Ebay ] , but who ever it was = Good Find !
Now did it cost about $18 shipped ... Anyhow , I thought id bite on that deal .. [ update : Just in case - It is a Clone - a RIP if you will ]
Build quality is excellent , I haven't peaked at the pill as yet [ too see if it has a hole in the middle where it should be heatsinking ] , let me do it now . Does not look like it , but I cant see under the star , seems to lack thermal compound - rechecked , no thermal paste of any sort = poor heat transfer . [ Will need to fix that ]
So other than no thermal paste , I have no complaints .. The light works well , no tweaking or adjusting needed .
There is no mode memory to speak of .. If you turn the light of and on again it will change modes , you need to leave the light of for 30 seconds and it will start in high every time . Modes go , High - Medium - Low - strobe - SOS
Some Performance figures :
Samsung 28A - High = 700+L / 2.45A [ 25500Lux @ 1M ] , Medium = 360L / 1.19A , Low = 180L / 0.62A
Sanyo 2600 - High = 700+L / 2.64A [ 26000Lux @ 1M ] , Medium = 360L / 1.29A , Low = 180L / 0.62A
Fireworm - High = 650L / 2.3A [ 22000Lux @ 1M ] , Medium = 340L / 1.17A , Low = 170 / 0.55A
I took the light for a walk some 45 minutes ago , and it throws a nice beam [ Walking past a local park ] , it really holds its own for the price paid . It threw clear across the park from one side to the other [ 200Meters ] with the Sanyo 18650 .
For $18 , no real complaints ... it throws well , and has a nice beam , would have liked a lower low , swapping drivers could be a way to go ...
Still a nice light , especially if you like a flashlight to start on high , not have mode memory . I will have to put in some thermal paste to improve the heat transfer , but otherwise its a good light for the money .
Im amazed they can build a XM-L flashlight to this price point , and it seems to be OK [ besides the lack of thermal compound ] , that actually works well .
So everyone that thought that they would ship a XR-E rather than the XM-L ?? , all I can say is , for $18 shipped , its a heck of a deal .
Nice Reflector
Well centred Emitter
Decent output
Throws well
Good Clicky
Terribly Slow PWM on Low - Medium is OK
Well machined threads
O rings + Double O rings
Can tailstand if you remove the lanyard
Low mode is a little high
Anodizing looks a little cheap
Fits well [ good tolerance on the parts ]