Okay, okay. I'm pretty much narrowed down on the fact that I want the KD C8. But I have two questions about it:
1. Is the orange peel or smooth reflector better?
2. Do I get the XTAR charger/battery deal for $22, or do I get the trustfire charger/flames?
Second, I'm thinking about getting the Sipik sk68 as a small pocketable light. But I'm wondering if there's anything that is better within that size/price range?
just to point out. there are plenty of reviews of chargers. Tr-001 is one of the MEH. but if its one thing ive learned in my time buying flashlights (esp with the help of this site) is that if you cheapen out, you just keep buying
honestly, it has overcharged my batteries, even when watching it (caught it at 4.3V, so im lucky)
I bought the trustfires when they were newer out (tho had been out a while, maybe a few months) and has nothing but bad luck
When were talking high draw flashlights, I would hate to tell a noobie to take off the protection if it isnt working right. While protection doesnt fix all, thats just really BAD advise.
also, i SERIOUSLY abuse flashlights. My p60s are RARELY picked up. And i have some cheapo and nice ones. My leds DID de-dome, at only 2.8 amps. after about .8 hours on high. that was with a TRUSTFIRE lol. so who knows, maybe it started to draw high.
but for a first seriously good flashlight, skip the p60. those are good for later modding.
C-series have all been good from all manufactures ive bought from, so id stick with those. Also for modding, the Aurora V6 is a great host too. even for an XML. you can get the empty host on DX as well
I recommend people interested in modding and such, to get a hobby charger, and a solid flashlight thats moddable with sufficient heat sinking.
26 bux is hardly too much money for an everything charger. Not sure how much the IMAX is, but the accucell is cheap and sufficient. not to mention has stuck to its name.
why waste the money on a tr-001 when for only 16 bux more you can get a 10x better product? were not talking about spending 100s of dollars on CPF crap!
its still uber budget friendly. and super easy to use!
in fact i spent 28 bux each on TWO Soshine multi-chargers... now THATS a waste of money. but hey, thats what were here for.
we share our experiences so the new people can skip some of those steps we screwed up on.
actually, im thinking about converting those soshine chargers into shells to use for my accucell 6.
also, on the OP vs SM reflector. I prefer OP, not much has seemed to be lost in comparable flashlights from OP, and the beam is usually much smoother.
The TR001 is the one I have, and, I think is better. Why?
2 channels
12 volt input
Good algorithm.... (in my opinion)
The sipik will work with both NiMh or 14500. But with these -> http://www.dealextreme.com/p/trustfire-protected-14500-3-7v-900mah-rechargeable-lithium-batteries-2-pack-26124?r=43033281 you will have a lot more output (silicone grease under the star required!)
I bought a KDC8 that was nice than I bought a T-mart C8 the pill was hollow aluminum and the head was not completely machined to accept the standard C8 pill so unlike a lousy P60 host this thing was useless.
KDC8 pill left Tmart Ultrafire C8 pill right hollow junk
KDC8 head left fully machined Tmart Ultrafire C8 pill right machining
to accept standard C8 pill incomplete standard C8 pill wil not fit
The switch was absolute garbage on the Tmart /Ultrafire C8 also
In my opinion you really need to be careful with the C series lights stick with the KDC8.
Get the xtar chargers. They're the only ones w/ proper algorithm. Hobby chargers unfortunately need magnets and clips which are not safe and only do one at a time. Good for hobby charging, not optimal for flashlights.
