My second attempt at the ultimate “cop” belt light… we’re getting closer!

Night_Breaker · December 15, 2011, 9:33pm

I will.

So far, the C88 E1320 modded for me is real nice. Great thrower. High quality light. Current plans for this C88 light are to test these batteries: http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Capacity-Pre-Charged-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B0058GZWXQ/ref=pd_cp__2

with this charger: http://www.amazon.com/Maha-Powerex-MH-C9000-Advanced-Analyzer/dp/B00454YCWY/ref=pd_sim_p_4

I believe my C88 falls outside your parameters in several areas. I like it a lot, and I'm glad I have it, but I don't believe this is the "ultimate patrol light." I do like the versatility of its AA battery usage.

My TF-R2 resides on my duty belt as my current compact patrol/search light. No downsides to this light. But it falls outside your parameters in terms of size. I don't mind it's size, and I like the form factor better than the C88, but your criteria seems to call for a P60-size light.

Current plans for the TF-R2 are to put in a Cutter U2 1C emitter driven at 4.2A, in either H-M-L or H-M-strobe. This light is awesome, takes P60 pills, and it throws. My modding plans also push this light past your criteria in terms of price. I paid $20 for the light with a Q5 LED, but I put in a generic T6 I had laying around, and a custom U2 drop-in will cost about $50.

I ordered http://www.tmart.com/BeamTech-BT4000-CREE-XMT6-18W-2700LM-5-Mode-Flashlight-Gray_p136640.html on 12-11-11, I think the day it was listed. Now I got a message this is backordered. I'm very hopeful about this configuration. Do you own a 3xT6 light? If not, you have to use one on patrol at night to appreciate it. While my SR3800 is uncomfortable on the duty belt, it does sit by my side in a cup holder in the patrol vehicle...

I ordered http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fandyfire-hd2010-cree-xm-l-t6-600lm-5-mode-white-led-flashlight-1-x-18650-107154 and like the TF-R2 this is getting a U2 LED emitter.

However, I'm most curious about getting the BT4000 into my hands for testing. But its $50, $30 over your price criteria. But a 3xT6 and 1x26650 at $50 is well worth it, if you users would be willing to carry it...

I still have yet to order one of these: http://www.lightmalls.com/rq-07-cree-xml-u2-5-mode-led-flashlight-1-18650 I can't help but think your users would find this useful. I use (carry daily) this host with a T6 created by E1320 (Erik). It is a T6 1A (but tint looks like a 1C) driven at 3.1A and H-M-L. Damn near perfect patrol light. Compact, and with Erik's drop-in it actually throws okay. I have a U2 3.1A drop-in I've tested in this host, but Erik's T6 is better. Nonetheless, I'm curious about that U2 version for $20 I linked above...

This is where I stand right now.

CopperTop · December 15, 2011, 10:46pm

The next thing on my list to look into as well with you… The BT4000… looks exactly ideal… (but with an option for an add on tube for a second 26650)… I don’t think the price on this is too bad actually, the $30 price that I was looking at earlier is for a small pouch light, not really a patrol search light…the belt light would be really an EDC -every person carry … light on the belt 24/7… for those many times you may be in a situation, basement etc… where you want or need that accessory –that you did not think you “would” have needed (or forgot it stuck between the seats) but now have available…with the amount of stuff needing to be fitted on the belt – I have been told –if it is to be there 24/7 it had better be small, (P60 or smaller size) -not something that’s needs taken off or out or it will defeat the purpose and then we go on to the situation of just using the bigger beat light… and this is not meant to replace that…maybe the more I look at the Tank007 736 or the SS-A100 –these will have to foot the bill for now…small and leave it there until you really need it.

The BT4000 would be a different scenario all together…the “real” light… and something I (and some others too) really want to have a look into as well, ( I have been reading some mountain bike forums that are looking for the similar throw/flood light combined as well) I only have some Rebel, XPE and XPG triples, no triple XML’s yet… still holding out for ones like the BT that can accommodate the greater capacity of the 26650…glad I waited… a few friends have commented that a smooth bezel in this size light would be preferred over the slight “tactical” one… I hate to say why –but for the odd time it may be used for other purposes….

I have the Sky Ray SR5 in a T6 –just like the RQ07 and have tried it with my U2 P60 drop in… you are right it is a nice light, but my personal preference is the same drop in the L2T , as I mentioned I have the same in a Q5 zoom aspheric as well, too many options…and it still seems to me in that RQ07 size light that the SS-a100 has far more flood (I really like the “size” of the flood) and a brighter hot spot on zoom (just not at the same time)…than even my U2 P60… it would be nice if you could get one of these sometime and test it out compared to what you have there in your experience to see if rates any better... or could be moded out better, I see that the Tank007 736 is available in a T6 –I may look into this or mod one out and push it up to the 2.5-3A… it has a good heavy pill that should work good, but it seems I am not going to beat the flood of the SS-A100 so maybe not... the wallet is really hurting this month… so we’ll see.

It seems we like a lot of things… but are seeking something just a bit –better… then everyone buy’s into it…

I have two of the C9000 chargers on constant go with 2000mAh duraloops… three kids still at home, 2 Xbox’s, Wii and the like keep it going… great chargers.

CopperTop · December 16, 2011, 12:06am

Just an FYI shot... Tank007 736 -second from left.... SS-A100 to the Right of the L2T in Centre... C8 to the right of L2T on right.

Might not seem like a big difference but in a holster on a belt it is significant.

Enjoy...

CopperTop · December 16, 2011, 2:37am

Intresting light...lots of questions...

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/5447

Quote from my old thread: "What I want...I can't find the "perfect" light for me."

"So back to my “theory” –about the XML… I believe with the right collimator…55° -I hope as small as 20-37mm to fit the size I would like… coupled with a plano-convex (maybe?) … “could” give us what we want. The Led is fixed with the collimated lens inside the housing and the convex slides from right touching the collimator to maybe about ¾” slide away –where ever the focal plane is, but both collimator and lens have to be optimized and designed to work together. I have many lens and collimators for different LEDs… probably a hundred or so… but only recently did anything with some XML’s jacked into the X2000, and was not inpressed. So I may be way out in left field here…. But… some thought went into it anyways … we’ll see....And... regardless the LED... I still want an L2T sliding zoom!!!"

Seems someone else had similar thoughts...

Night_Breaker · December 16, 2011, 1:52pm

What is the light next to (right side) of the SS-A100?

CopperTop · December 16, 2011, 2:15pm

The one to the right of the SS-A100 is my home made... "Yezl T9"

Has the head off this:

http://www.ultraok.com/newest-version-zoomable-focus-3-modes-cree-led-aluminum-flashlight-torch-400-lumens_p1864.html?cPath=882_884&zenid=7b0389ab89cf77164f6ed9ccf7a398a0

It has the same 38mm lens as the T9 and it seems the zyc10 but is mounted into an X2000 body... it is my single best very tight thrower... tried an XML into it then went back to a XRE Q5

The spot is about 4 time’s brighter and 1/4 the size of the X2000 light ... great for just lightsaber throw

But… the flood is so much smaller… ½ the size... if only the lens could be pulled closer to the led...

Many have talked about this and I have one on order... so slow getting here... this light seems to accomplish the same:

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/small-sun-zyc10s-cree-q5-260lumen-3mode-zooming-glass-optics-led-flashlight-black-18650-p-8459

CopperTop · December 16, 2011, 7:02pm

Here is another zoomie with what appears to have a good travel flood to zoom , meaning it may have a very big flood as well, -just give us one in a 26650 will ya!

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/trustfire-z6-cree-xml-t6-1000lumen-5mode-floodtothrow-glass-optics-led-flashlight-battery-charger-box-set-18650-p-8751

CopperTop · December 17, 2011, 1:36pm

Like the one above... but two tubed

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-t8-cree-xml-t6-3mode-floodtothrow-glass-optics-led-flashlight-black-218650-p-8796

This is getting interesting...

CopperTop · December 22, 2011, 12:34am

Well, I ordered the first SS-A100 (and then ordered two more) and did the mod to the new 3A driver on the first one and did not notice much of an improvement over the second one I tested drawing respectable 2-2.2A... i just did a check on the third light fresh from the box and can't get more than .95A from the stock driver... same battery -double checked ... so there seems to be an inconsistency in the drivers... I hope you get a good one if you ordered one.

OTMOPO3OK · January 12, 2012, 4:50am

What is the light to the left of EDI? Looks like the one to the right ( which I like the shape of ) except shorter.

Any news on any of the lights you have been waiting to receive?

BTW Thank You, for posting such a collection of well picked lights next to each other. I bookmarked your photo and keep coming back almost daily to check flashlights for size reference.

CopperTop · January 26, 2012, 9:41pm

The light to the left is this one:

http://www.ultraok.com/hotest-version-cree-q5-led-zoomable-adjustable-focus-3-modes-aluminum-alloy-flashlight-torch-ultra-bright_p1781.html?cPath=882_884&zenid=10f91bd1e1b991df3918fd94d2bdca30

All in all it seems most of these cheap $8-14 lights are the same –but my new favorite of the cheapies has to be the Tank 007 TK736, very well made, good o-rings, nice big sink, smooth, and above average brightness.

The Small Sun ZY-C10-S was a bit of a disappointment for me, nice tight hot spot but not nearly enough flood, there really is no reason for the design not to bring the lens right up to the LED to utilize a good size flood, that’s the point of a “zooming” flashlight.

I have been offline for a bit so just now back at it, waiting for a couple of U2 XML’s and XPG’s on 16mm stars for a couple of mod tries on the SS-A-100 and the Tank 007…so we shall see. I ground down some pre 1979 pennies that are 98% copper to add to the heat sinks and will push the amps a bit…

CopperTop · January 27, 2012, 12:39am

This is interesting:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/26650-18650-1600Lm-CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-Flashlight-Torch-Zoomable-M12-KEYGOS-/160718647607?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item256b93f137

26650 18650 1600Lm CREE XM-L XML T6 LED Flashlight Torch Zoomable M12 KEYGOS

It looks like it may have the same problem as the Z5 in that it will not bring the lens close enough to the LED to utilize the big flood advantage of the XML, I think I will wait for Manafont to get one in or someone to do a review before I order this one.

Sorry Yavi -did not mean to hijack your thread here:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/6121?destination=node%2F7168&2419_name=9a

OTMOPO3OK · February 3, 2012, 3:54am

Thanks for detailed reply, CopperTop.

I see they offer this Tank 007 TK736 in Q5, R5 and T6. Hmm....I don't know if T6 zoomy is really practical, Q5 and R5 should have a similar pattern and throw. After all your rave reviews my finger is itching for XML T6 TK736.

torelu · February 21, 2012, 11:33am