I have one of those little zoomable cree torches for walking the dog, but it doesn’t kick out enough light to keep track of a black dog in the woods. It has ultrafire and Q5 on the side. Could anyone recommend a replacement that will be brighter and flood a little better on a super, super tight budget?
I was looking at the ultrafire XLM T6, and I guess I’d need to buy a 18650 battery and a charger?
Happy to ship to the UK as long as it’s cost effective.
Can be used with 1 x 26650, 1 x 18650 or 3 x AAA cells.
I am in a dispute with the seller of mine, I was a real noob and ordered it with a 18650 cell and a charger, both are really bad. The link is to another seller who asks even less.
The light is not perfect as well, and sure the quality an be higher, but for this price it shines very well, I have to do some stuff, but I will try to make some pictures of it outside a little later.
EDIT
rainy and cold
Used simple CanonSX400IS in hand (I didn’t want to hassle with tripod)
We don’t have a dog but the cat was happy to oblidge
right click -> open in new tab for a slightly better view
Are you using your flashlight with AA batteries? If so, perhaps all you need to do is get 14500 li-ion batteries and a li-ion recharger. Output will approximately double with the change of battery type.
And if you’re worried about blowing your flashlight using the higher voltage, read through the Amazon review comments. You’ll find anecdotal experiences of people using this flashlight with li-ion batteries without any problems.
Guys - thanks so much.
Miller, really kind of you to take some pictures. The zoom pattern looks similar to my ultrafire, which goes to a square when zoomed.
1dash1 - yes, I have been using AA batteries. First some enelopes and vapextech rechargeable nihm’s, though recently I’ve just run standard duracell as they seemed a little brighter. I really like the idea of upgrading to li-ion.
It also seems from that thread you linked that my torch is upgradable…… well, one step at a time - I’ll get some li-ion and report back
Oh, one more thing I forgot to ask - do I need any special care with the Li-ion battery I’ve just ordered?
The site doesn’t seem to mention so, but I guess you’ll know for sure.
I’ve used lipo before where I had to charge in a safe bag and not discharge below a certain voltage per cell ( I forget how low now)
Use protected li-ion batteries, like the Xtar 14500 cell linked to earlier.
1. As soon as you notice the flashlight beginning to dim, turn it off or replace the battery. Do not rely on the circuit protection to prevent damage. The circuit protection is intended as a failsafe device, not as a routine cutoff switch.
2. Get into the habit of recharging your flashlight periodically, even before it dims.
3. If you have a battery charger with voltage indicator, keep track of the voltage whenever you recharge. After a while, you should get a good idea of your usage pattern and how low the battery is getting with each use. Your goal should be to keep the voltage level above 3.5V. (If you don’t have a battery charger, but have a voltmeter, check the voltage of your batteries using the voltmeter.)
4. On some occasions, you may misjudge and allow the batteries to drop to as low as 3.0V. That is okay, but try to avoid it, if possible.
5. You can operate the flashlight safely without knowing the battery voltage. The battery protection will prevent the batteries from dropping below 2.7V (danger level). It’s just wiser to know what margins you’re operating with.
6. The three greatest problem areas in the use of li-ion batteries are (1) cheap cells, (2) stacked in multi-batttery configuration and (3) during recharging. You’re using a single cell flashlight and presumably using quality cells, so the first two item are non-issues. Regarding recharging, it is recommended that you always be present during recharging.
Perfect - thank you so much. So pretty similar care to Lipo batteries, I can cope with that.
For cells I ordered the exact ones you linked above - they have some good reviews and look spot on.
I ordered the LiitoKala in the last link too and I think that should show the % capacity remaining once I start to charge.
I didn’t realise how interesting this would all get. I thought I’d just get a recommendation for a replacement and be on my way, but actually I’ve been reading with interest since yesterday.
Nice.
Yes it’s an addictive forum.
Sorry bout the pour quality pics, was hush hush in rainy weather. I should have put out the lights inside, the cam didn’t got the real way the house was lit.
Mine was not impressive on AA, almost not worth using. I upgraded to a 14500 from Efest and it became useful but still not the kind of experience I have gotten from all my other LiIon lights. Though it may not be a concern to you I have found the 14500 doesn’t run as long as I need (I use mine as a work-light for hours, not minutes) and it dims to AA alki level about halfway through the run-time. This is not a bad light with the 14500, just limited with older (possibly fake) emitters and not enough cell performance because of the cell size. You will like what a LiIon does for it but if you decide you need more or better it is out there and at good prices for what you get. Plus the LiIon gear can transfer over.
Prepare to be assimilated into the wonderful world of Flashaholism :bigsmile: Guard you wallet and make space for the lights you’ll be happily be acquiring more of soon!
My wallet is quivering. I had only planned on picking up a cheap replacement for under £10. A new cell and charger have cost £7, but now I’m looking at the group buy of D80’s and thinking would that blow my sk68 out of the water, even on 14500 cells?
I’d need another cell to power it, but the charger I’ve ordered is compatible…
Oh, and I need 60mins runtime as I always give the dog an hour.
No, I’m being strong. I’ll wait on my 14500 arriving and see how that goes.
If I still don’t feel that it’s enough, I’ll plump for the D80 assuming it’s still available.
Mrs Nightshade told me last night that she’d given up on the SK68 when walking the dog (we do alternate nights) and had resorted to using her phone’s flash in torch mode as it was brighter and cast more of a flood……can’t have that now can we?
Keep reading and you’ll find plenty of great info about lights.
A couple of points: Rechargeable cells are the way to go. After you burn through several packs of AA you could have paid for Eneloops and a good charger. Better, buy a multiple chemistry charger that will do both NiMH and LiIon.
Further, buy multi mode lights. Far more useful than single mode, you can choose high for outside w/ the dog then switch to low for inside looking for the dogs’ toy under the couch.
Finally, remember the flashoholics mantra, “One is none, two is one!”
Ah, you’ve just reminded me that I own such a charger - a Hobbyking Eco Lipo charger and a quick google shows that it does cater for Li-Ion too. I have already ordered the charger above, but perhaps I’d be better using the HK - it gives voltage readouts and can do storage charges and such…… I don’t think you balance Li-Ion do you? though I’ve only got 1 cell so that’s irrelevant.
I’d need to get some kind of battery holder though, as all of the leads I have won’t be suitable. There is one for AA’s, but it needs 4 cells to be in it at once.
Can I also just thank you all once again for all your help and for making me feel welcomed. It’s great to get such nice responses when you turn up all bright eyed and without a clue
So yesterday I found out that I’ve passed my latest accountancy exam - just 4 more to go till I’m chartered. I felt a need to celebrate, but …. just how should I do that?
Yes, you guessed - I rewarded myself with a D80 shaped hole in my savings account. So much for being strong.
If there;s one thing I’ve learned in my 56 years on this planet, it is to reward yourself when you deserve it because you’re worth it. And because if you wait on someone else to reward you, you might end up with an empty bag.
Kudos on the test results and best wishes for even better to come (Hint: Plan on a M43 or similar for that )
Phil
