Review: Ultrafire UF-T50

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

Hi all,

After receiving near death-threats for failing to review this light in a timely manner, I felt it best for my ammo supply to go ahead and post something up. Plus, the man-traps take forever to reset and camouflage. Who has the time these days ?

Ultrafire UF-T50 - A Budget ZebraLight ?

Chicago X's Overall Rating: ★★★★1/8


Summary:

Battery: 1 x 18650, 2xCR123, 2x16340
Switch: Electronic dimmer
Modes: Infinitely variable, strobe
LED Type: XM-L
Lens: Glass
Tailstands: Oh yeah
Price Payed: $38USD, plus shipping
From: www.cnqualitygoods.com
Date Ordered: don't recall

Pros:

  • Tailstands well
  • Strong magnet base
  • BRIGHT
  • Takes any cells you can cram in there - no worries about frying the light !
  • Decent low
  • Semi-hidden strobe
  • Good tint
  • Well-machined
  • Excellent size and form-factor
  • Well-priced for the quality

Cons:

  • PWM on lower settings
  • No pause on lowest or highest settings - it takes practice.
  • Difficult to discern orientation of button by feel.

I ordered this light from Ric at CNQG here: http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1334

I paid $38, plus shipping. The light arrived in great shape, as the box is very sturdy.

Build quality is very high, and the smooth reflector arrived without flaws. The magnet is VERY strong, holding the light on a very slick surface without slippage. This would be a good light for an Electrician or HVAC professional.

Throw is decent for the size, very similar to a P60 with perhaps a bit wider beam.

The tint on mine was a very nice white with only a hint of green in the corona at the lowest settings.

This light uses an electronic switch that ramps the brightness up/down taking about 6-7 sec each way. There is no pause, so it takes practice to hit the low. High can be easily achieved by unscrewing the tailcap while the torch is on. It then comes on in HI when turned on.

I measured about 2.2A on HI, and roughly 0.04 on LO. Strobe was 1.7A

Runtime is about 75 minutes on HI with a Solarforce (Sanyo) 2400 protected cell.

There is PWM on all setting but HI, but it is relatively fast and unobtrusive.

My only real gripe is lack of any tactile feedback to discern button orientation. It takes a quick glance to find the button, or a lot of groping. :)

At around $42, delivered, this is a RECOMMENDED BUY for those looking for a pocket-friendly 18650-based EDC. This could definitely be considered a budget alternative to a Zebralight.

BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY

2

Thanks Chicago.

How about parasitic ?

3

So will 2 16340 give it mor brightness by driving it harder? Nice review , mine has been on the way per our convo;)

4

thanks for the info.

I"ve been thinking of buying one of these for a friend but I'm afraid I'll like it and keep it.

The button feel thing sounds kind of strange. I'd never guess that by looking at the light.

5

I only measured with a single cell, sorry.

When I get it back from a friend's test-drive, I'll take measurements for both of you.

6

So the only way to change brightness is through ramping? there is no click for set modes at all?

7

A double-click while on gets you to strobe. Another double puts you back in ramping mode.

The only shortcut is to HI, reached by unscrewing the tailcap (a la lockout) while the light is on. After tightening the tailcap and pressing the switch, it comes on in the highest possible mode. This was verified by the lack of PWM in HI.

8

Ah thanks for the reply! That is the deterrent for me. I tend to prefer set modes or control rings. They offer more instant access to the brightness I need. Too bad.

Thanks for the great review!

9

You will like it, so buy three.

The button feel is easily remedied with a bit of adhesive and some creativity. I may try to increase the profile of the button's trim ring, as some have done to UF headlamps to prevent accidental activation. It would be used as a tactile locator in this application.

10

Sounds like a little skateboard grip tape on the button is all this light needs to be perfect, did I just say that.

11

Glad to hear you like it. I gave up all hope of a review and ordered the light a few days ago from bestinone for about $37.55 shipped, so I may like mine even better. Hoping I'll be able to find a clip to fit, as I find p60s to be a little too large for pocket carry. I think this might just be the perfect blend of size and performance. Thanks for the review!

12

Any idea how low the low is? Are we talking UF-H3 low of around 5 lumen or are we talking sub-lumen lows like a Zebralight?

13

I would guess 10-15 lumen on LO. Certainly not ZL levels.

14

OK, I just ordered it! Now, no more flashlights unless the perfect aspheric thrower comes out at the right price!

15

thanks for the review..

i've long come to the conclusion that you can't budget a zebralight..looks like a decent light though!

16

Sounds good to me - I like that driver - but the 18650 headlamp version is very picky about which 18650s it'll work with. Sounds like this one might be a but better in that respect.

17

I agree - the best light of any kind I've ever bought was a Zebralight H50. And unless today's Spark headlamp beats it, it'll still be my most used light.

18

yeah I have the sc600, h31 and h600..use them daily..just outstanding lights..my uf-h2 hardly ever gets used..the sc600 and h600 were a toss up between zlt or spark..went the zlt way but the sparks are really nice also..

19

Thanks for the review. I forgot all about this light. I have not bought a ready made light for a long time and this looks like a good candidate.

20

Sold me on the light - it is now on its way here.

Hope I like it as much as you do.