Thank you for the post. So is an XP-E inferior to the XML T6 that’s suppose to be in the light? It seems that way but I don’t know.
I placed an order with Richard this afternoon based on the links above. I just ordered this as well: KD 20mm (External) x 17.1mm (Inner) Copper Ring Adapter for 17mm Circuit Board - 5 PCS
Not sure how long it will take to get them air mail from HK? But excited to work on this project. It’ll be good experience.
An XP-E can be a good emitter for a thrower. It will output fewer lumens, but if it's a quality XP-E driven properly, would have a higher surface brightness, giving you better throw with a smaller hotspot.
Although, I've had several XP-Es that come in cheaper lights turn out to be much dimmer than my older XR-E lights. I'm not sure if they are low-bin emitters or counterfeits.
An XP-E is similar to an old XR-E with a smaller dome and without the collar.
Thank you. So if it isn’t a T6 then the ad isn’t delivering what they advertised. Both these lights are noticeably dimmer than the first SK98 I purchased and as noted, dimmer that the SK68 as well.
If you got a XPE instead of a XML light, perhaps you can get a partial refund. Also it looks like you can resistor mod the driver…or if you want direct drive, you and bridge across one of the sense resistors.
I contacted the seller. We’ll see what they say/offer. Only paid like $9 for both so I’m not going to cry over it. But I would reflect it in the rating because it isn’t what was advertised. At any rate I’ll use these as learning test beds as I step further into modding.
Kinda excited about it. I know the driver/stars from Richard will arrive fairly quickly (the other stars I ordered only took like 4 days). Don’t know about the 17mm to 20mm rings though as I’ve not ordered from them before. Gives me time to work on the other F13 so that’s fine. Putting a star from Richard in it (same as the first one and liked the results).
wait…did you just say wee beastie?
Thanks for posting that page, excellent resource 
Update: Seller gave me $4 back so basically I got two SK98’s for $5 and change. I can live with that, particularly since I was going to use them as test beds to learn how to mod anyway.
So here’s the results
The Q5 host worked wonderfully with M.E.’s Qlite 8*7135 driver and the Noctigon star listed above. But it did get hot. I compared it with the Convoy S2+ I just got last week from Simon that has the 3*7135 driver. The Q5 light was of course brighter but I wouldn’t say it was head-n-shoulders above the Convoy. Both are very bright lights. But the Q5 host of course got a lot hotter. So I ordered a couple of Qlite 4*7135 drivers from Richard. I figured the 1.4A would give comparable performance to the Convoy S2, which I thought was rather nice. Plus it would have the longer run times that I’m looking for in a personal light such as this. I’ll swap them tomorrow and give them a side-by-side test with the Convoy S2.
I did one of the SK98’s tonight when I got home from work. I’ve had the Qlite 8*7135 drivers and the Noctigon stars for a while but had to wait for the 17mm to 20mm copper rings to come in, which they did yesterday. Well it was a success! Soldered it all together, applied Silver Arctic where I could and then polished and lubed all the threads. Tossed in an 18650 and headed outside. I soldered the second star as I wanted L/M/H/Strobe/Beacon in this light. All worked great. High allowed me to shine it on focus on a tree probably 100 yards away with ease. Even on focus it throws a big square spot, which again for a light like this I like. Very satisfied and a BIG THANK YOU you to all that contributed to the thread with your suggestions. Couldn’t have done it without your experience, suggestions and links. Thank you
Finished the second SK98 this morning. Works great!
Swapped the drivers on the Q5 host to the 4*7135. Works but I can’t get the modes I want yet. Only getting L, M, H and not the strobe and beacon. I’ll try the second driver and host and see what happens.