Hello from Rindge, NH

Introduce Yourself
1

Hi everyone,

I had to join this forum because I enjoy it very much, and I've learned a lot from many of the consistent, veteran posters on this board. I'm planning to continue reading and learning from all of you because, like all of you, I've caught the bug, to my wife's slight dismay.

I would like to learn and practice all I've read about related to determining light output and emitter efficiency, taking tailcap readings, understanding how to mod/improve different lights, understanding how the drivers work, things along these lines. Your knowledge in this area is very impressive, and I'd like to learn all this valuable information over time, and perhaps contribute reviews in the future.

I'm currently campus safety at a local university that's five minutes from my house, and I'm a veteran flashlight user, back from the 80s when we used to put Xenon bulbs in our 7-C-cell MagLights, before we converted over the rechargeable MagLights, which were popular for quite some time. I was also a journalist in the computer/consulting industry for 18+ years.

Lights I use/have now:

Sky Ray 3800 3xT6 3-mode -- This is certainly a night breaker, but it has somewhat largish form factor for belt wear, and I think it needs a forward clicky. Nonetheless, the light operates flawlessly, and I'm extremely happy with it. Paid $52 from Manafont.

UltraFire P10-R5 5-mode -- This form factor is ideal for me. Light operates flawlessly. I'd love this light in black with a T6 or U2 emitter, and 3-mode. Paid $18 from DX.

UltraFire WF-502B -- I added a one-mode U2 emitter. Nice light output and form factor, but I'm detecting an extremely slight/occasional but consistent "flicker" during output, and emitter or switch seems "glitchy" - sometimes emitter is low, and then turning it off and on corrects this. I'd like this light more if it operated flawlessly. Had P60 shell and paid $16 for U2 drop in from Kaidomain (now they sell them for $11). If I did it over again, instead I would have ordered: http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=11251

UltraFire V6-T60 -- Just got this yesterday. Almost as bright as U2 light, but operation seems glitchy. No light flicker, but sometimes light won't come on, but pressing switch again usually turns it on. Going to experiment with different batteries to newbie troubleshoot. Paid $24 from DX (not feeling great about purchase so far. This might be returned).

Small Sun ZY-C84 Q5 flood-to-throw. Okay light for the $10 or so I paid, but honestly, no mode memory is kind of annoying (not enough to return though).

Coming in the mail...

UniqueFire/Kingston UF-2100 3-Mode T6 lights (just ordered 2 -- a few days apart). Paid less than $15 each using the BLF code on DD. I hope these work well... I like this size light.

An UltraFire C8 5-mode light from eBay for $16. Honestly, I only ordered this light because of the price, even though this might not arrive with T6 emitter as listed... rolling the dice.

Finally, enroute are six Cytac 2600 batteries and a Cytac charger.

Wishlist...

Right now looking for a single-18650 thrower with clean form factor. So looking at UltraFire U80-style light.

UF-980L might be ideal, but costs more than double my $20 per-light limit, a rule I only break occasionally. So I'm waiting for restock on: http://www1.shenzhen-wholesale.com/high-power-cree-xml-t6-led-aluminum-flashlight_sku4481.html?cPath=1_20

or

I might return the UltraFire V6-T60 and order the UltraFire NH-T60 two-mode light for $30. I really like the form factor of the NH-T60, but I understand the light output on the UF-980L is higher, so I'm torn here... going to think about this one for a while...

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Welcome.

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Have you checked on the price of return postage to China?

I have never returned anything to China, but I have heard it's expensive and time consuming.

BTW, on the ones that flicker, you might clean and lube all the threads and make sure the switch retainer is tight, look at solder connections......basicly look for any point of high resistance in the circuit.

My KD C8 had dirty threads and flickered.

My Trustfire X9 had a loose switch retaining ring.

Both OK now.

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Welcome Night Breaker. :)

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Welcome to BLF, Night Breaker!

Your collection is off to an excellent start. For your single 18650 thrower break your budget limit, if only this one time, and get a Trustfire X9!

Johnny

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Welcome Joe

I have shipped some stuff back to China and if it doesn't fit in an standard card envelope it is not worth the trouble.

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Welcome breaker -

The 980L may cost double but if it's performance and reliability mimics mine, you'll be singing its praises from the rooftops. (as I have, ad nauseum) It is the reigning king of my humble collection but like you said, there are cheaper alternatives for the same lumens. It may be because I haven't looked enough or experienced enough flashlights but I've yet to see a single emitter torch that combines this level of performance with the reliability I've experienced.

Another choice might be an equivalent host hopped up by somebody like the above commenter, E1320. He made my poorly manufactered, $23 F15 into a reliable, more floody (than the 980L) XM-L powerhouse that has considerable reach, too. And, while doing away with the annoying blinking modes.

The combined cost of such a venture would also be above your $20-per-light minimum but the performance gained is a relative bargain, either way you go.

Foy

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Welcome to BLF! I agree with Foy about the 980.. monster light with poor reliability.

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Welcome NB

Good to have you here.

Have fun and don't get too hung up on price tags. Not that I ever think there is a need to spend crazy money, but sometimes a bit more, sometimes a lot less.

I tend to go in the "lot less" direction - but not always.

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Great Thrower and Budget, agree with JohnnyMac on that.

One of my best buys. There are about 4 good threads about it, use search and then get one.

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Night Breaker hello and welcome

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Actually, the 980L is my most reliable flashlight. Not a single hiccup since day one, even after running it on high for 10-15 minutes. (over 150 degrees exterior temperature) Others have had perhaps a different experience, E1320 for one.

Foy

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I really think they are a reliable light. People love to complain more so than praise and a lot of 980Ls have been sold to members on this forum so you know when they burn up you are going to here about it. I only no of 3 that died 2 of which the emitters fried from people knowingly feeding them over 4 amps of juice and my driver meltdown. So I would say only one with a manufacturing defect out of 100s, that is pretty good for a budget light.

I will say I really like that light you linked to that is a 980L knockoff that would be a great light with a Nanjg 3 mode driver set to 3.5 amps as long as the reflector is decent.

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Hi Foy, for it's size 980L is a Hot Rod, but I think that Trustfire X9 puts out better even if it is a bit bigger.

It seems to me that the 980L is for experienced racers. The X9 is a stock Chevy with a Big Block.

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That's a great analogy, Steve. One I can easily relate to. And, speaking of the "knowingly" feeding of over 4 amps, I have to re-post a favorite from my review:

Definitely not a light to loan out sans warning.

Foy

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Interesting on that TrustFire X9, that it's a single-18650 light that is only 26mm shorter than my SkyRay 3800 3xT6 with two 18650s in it...

I guess the X9 must throw pretty good. However, I like how the 3800 floods and throws simultaneously.