The reflective coating has started to bubble on the flat part of the reflector that surrounds the opening near the LED too. It’s quite unsightly, and disappointing.
Brief comparison/review of the V3? Tint, mode memory?
Comments about the UF-V3.
Better spill and bigger hot spot than a few of my C8 lights, head is similar size.
No artifacts on mine.
Throws well but not as much as the HD2010 but it has a bigger head so that is to be expected.
Always starts in High if off more than 2-3 seconds, otherwise goes to next mode.
I am not good at tint differences, looks pretty white to me like most of my other lights.
All in all just a nice light for less than $20.
Tmart has them in US warehouse.
HTH
Keith
Throws like a mutha, lol, further than I expected, but got to say no good to me as a work light!!, beam is too thin, but not sorry I bought it it’s a real curio.
I also saw some faint flaws at the base of the reflector, and was surprised to see that the LED seems to be BELOW the level of the base.
I can understand why some of the guys would like to see a XM-L in this light, seems to me that would turn it into a real BEAST of a thrower!!
So far I think that I like my Small Sun C10 (have 2 of these) better then the A60. The A60 definately has a very tight beam and the spill is not all that bright. So I am thinking if the spill is not that helpful at distance then why not just focus it all into one beam like on the C10. Is that reasonible thinking or just nonsense?
I have a confirmed 270 yards with the green C10 with rifle scope (hunting with these lights). The next time I am out at the farm or deer lease hopefully I will be able to do a comparison of the C10 and the A60 side by side.
ps - But I ordered my 3rd A60 this week and DX shows only payment confirmed in the order status. Cant remember if that is a good thing or either a bad thing. Wonder if they have already sold out again of the A60’s
Check out this comment and the thread linked therein:
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/10930#comment-240523
Gary makes an interesting case for the spill of XMLs messing with your vision such that it is harder to make out detail, compared to XRE. I get what you are saying megabeam, I thought the same, but you really may need an even larger head for XML to really throw the way you are thinking of. Think HD2010, and larger.
Oh I am hat, believe me I am, my other half has now caved in regarding the hobby,lol,
she even asked me yesterday if I’d like a good torch for Xmas, so I pointed her at a HD, hehehe.
Anyone recommend a good dealer??.
Yep mines just arrived from DX today. Finishing quality is okay not fantastic but for the price you can’t complain. It just says Cree Q5 on the side also not Jacob. I fired it up the hotspot is small & bright but up against my HD2010 with a king kong it’s no where near as bright! Il have to wait till tonight to compare throw!
Can anyone confirm the DX jakes are genuine?, or could they be clones?.
All the ones I’ve gotten have only ‘CREE Q5’. They work superbly. They’re made likewise - mind you for the bucks. The ‘real’ Jakes themselves might’ve been clones. Who the heck knows except for DX.
For all I care they could also say……
’Mary Poppins Thinks These Are Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and I’d still buy the heck out of ’em.
They throw like Randy Johnson on benzedrine. Here’s an illustrative to help one get the picture.
It ain’t the print it’s the output. If I were you I’d buy one before they aren’t around period or at least this quality level.
One note though. The lens on mine 9 out of 10 times were filthy. They need serious cleaning attention. I bet you gain at least 10% OTF.
Yeah my lens was dirty as well. I gave it a boiling water bath with some light scrubbing with the soft side of the sponge, and then finished it off by rinsing under methylated spirits.
I’m about to order one…cross your fingers!
My lens was very grimey too. Tried cleaning it again and inadvertently dedomed the emitter 
it came right off when I touched it with a qtip.
In messing with it further I managed to kill the emitter. Weak. So I guess I will need to swap the emitter out at some point. Kinda sucks but it was cheap so no big deal.
I just wanted to add if I may as good as the Jacob A60 throws, it won’t out throw your better XM-L throwers at longer distances.
You may and we know! And we know ILF well enough to trust him ;-)
(But not at 15$ they will)
18650 to 18650 but not enough to wet my undies nor impress me enough bang for the bucks to look down my nose comparitively on the A60.
It’s obvious to me by its design (perhaps it was with a deliberate purpose) that by default the A60 is a pretty unique light. The tighter hotter hotspot and primarily the lesser spill output of the Q5 than the XML gives it certain big advantages. You don’t want more spill in front of your eyes helping to ruin your now already compromised night vision nor do you want it helping to illuminate things around you that won’t certainly appreciate getting illuminated. I’ll let you deduce instances where illuminating things, breathing entities, whatever around you more than absolutely necessary could be very unwise.
Lights are tools to me. I believe in using the right tool whenever possible. The A60 is one heckuva tool.
+1 My lens was/is horrible it is cloudy and dirty looking.
That’s true. You won’t find a better thrower for less than $15 shipped to your door.
But I’ll tell you guys another good one to get for about $11 more.
The Small Sun ZY-T08 is another great light to buy. It’s the best $26 thrower I know of. I liked it so much I bought another. Add this light to your arsenal.
but if I’m gonna spend real close to $30 then I’ll just buy another TF X8 and it also has the option of an extra runtime 18650. But that’s because I’m familiar with it and its quality and performance. The X8 is no wuss either when it comes to throw. I think it’s a great all-around light and exceeds plenty on several levels costing a lot more. Also and one of the foremosts, the X8’s mode memory is just unbeatably useful to me. Once you’ve had it it’s tuff to go back.
I’ll prolly buy one of those ZY’s someday based on your recommendation though. I like the design and most of all compactedness.
Yeah I think it goes without saying there are better throwers… but can anyone name a better one for the same money?? If you can, I’ll probably buy a couple.