If I didn’t already have better throwers and better flooders I would probably get this light, but overall I just don’t have a need for it.
Woke up to an email from TMart - it’s on backorder. Do I really want to wait for this version?
Edit > decided to cancel, more on principle - why show stuff and take money and a day later show it on backorder with a 3 week wait?
Thanks!
Sorry for my dummy question, but what is it so good about this light that people praise it so much while HD2010 still has the cut while price tag just a bit less?
Its a great, reliable but very compact light. HD2010 would be too big and focused for daily use while the 980L can serve you good in any situation. At least that's how I see it. :)
Agreed. While the HD2010 is a better light (IMO) this is just more practical for all around usage. I’d take this light over any C8 style light as this style (980L, KE-5, BT-950L, etc…) is the best compromise I’ve seen if you want one light in your pocket that is good for just any situation requiring flood or throw.
+1
I have both lights. The HD 2010 is an awesome torch, but too big to carry comfortably in a pocket. The 980L puts out as much light with 90% of the throw, a larger hot spot so more flood, and is small enough to EDC. It is easily my favourite flashlight. If I could only have one torch, it would be the 980L. Even the $20 clones are great lights, I have one of those too, but the original 3 mode is better quality all round.
I’d love the 980L with the NW emitter and high PWM driver of the XinTD C8. That would have to be close to perfection!
@Jeansy: Go build it? :P I mean, its just a Nanjg driver.. I thought (and still think) about modding my 980L too.. but on the other hand, I've got a great NW L2P, so I might leave it as it is.
yeah my 980l fits great on a duty belt…the hd2010 would be too big for this task…for it’s size the 980l is a crazy light…
OK, foy, need your help (ASAP, while DD offer lasts :bigsmile: )
I’ve seen your outdoor beamshots, but: can you, please, post white wall beamshots, L2P + Manafont UF dropin (or any other ~2,5A at least) and, UF-980L, of course, with lowered exposure? And, L2P and UF980 side by side for size comparison. Will be much appreciated 
PS: throw/beam pattern comparison between 980L and XinTD/KE-5?
Thanks in advance
Left is an UF XM-L (sku 5720) in a blue L2P with the 980L on the right . . .
I tried a couple of other UF equipped lights and they all had similar tints . . . . all were ever so slightly green by comparison. Of course I have some modules that make the 980L tint look a little green too.
Foy
Darn, foy, that was fast, man 
Thanks a lot 
Looks like 980L have smoother beam than XML dropin 
Looking at those outdoor shots, spill is almost the same (size and brightness), right?
Can you, please, post another pic, for side by side size comparison. Having L2P in hand, I can easily imagine 980 size. Thanks 
PS: do you have XinTD or KE-5? if so, just tell me (with your eye-meter :bigsmile: ) how they compares. (brightness, not size)
I've got the MF dropin and the UF980L. Hotspot brightness of MF high equals UF980L on medium. Its a lot brighter and more concentrated.
yeah mf drop in gets destroyed by the 980l…not a fair fight to be honest lol
My 980L arrived from Manafont today, and all I can say is that I’m very impressed. Actually, that’s a lie. The other thing I can say is that I think I need a better DMM. Truth is, I can say quite a lot of other things actually, but let’s just focus on the matter at hand.
The highest reading I can get with my DMM is 3.3A. But it fluctuates all over the place, and that’s even with solder braid tightly wrapped around the contact points. But ceiling bounce tests against another XM-L light that I have confirmed draws a steady 2.9A (at least with my DMM in the circuit anyway) demonstrate something that a mere additional 400mA wouldn’t account for. The 980L is noticeably brighter.
UPDATE: OK, wow. I can’t quite believe this. I rigged up some new leads for my DMM. Like so:
The charger lead (14 AWG) I had already, and the plugs are compatible with my DMM. From the female deans connector onwards is 14 AWG wire with battery bars soldered on to the ends. I bent the one connected to the negative lead at a right angle to facilitate a good connection with the battery terminal.
Guess what I’m reading now with a battery hot off the charger? Between 5.5 and 5.8 amps. The reading still fluctuates a little, but it’s steady within that range. People have said that making some better DMM leads would make a difference, and I believed them. But I just didn’t think that the difference would be this significant.
FYI
Further fun and games ahead.
(put some decent leads on your DMMs guys, if you haven’t already!)
FURTHER UPDATE: Since I have a cheap DMM, I wanted to make sure that it wasn’t throwing out bullshit values. So I managed to hook it up in line while running some battery discharge tests with my hobby charger. At 3, 4 and 5 amps it matched what my charger was reporting to within 10-20 mA. So I am satisfied that these readings are accurate now.
Showing the skyray king to some people on the beach the other night, had my 980L on my belt, (as usual when doing outside stuff) , the king blew the usual minds but i noticed by the end of the evening when people needed a light
(“wheres that flashlight?”)
for regular stuff the 980 came to hand more readily with people who are not flashlight obsessed.
Honestly, i use my S-mini much more in day to day use but the 980 says “FLASHLIGHT” to people who could care less about amp draws.
Solid design, no stupid modes, simple UI, reliable.
Yes, the UF980L is definately better to impress people who arent into flashlights.. what do you use for belt carriage btw.?
I just got the Tmart WF 980L. Should be called WTF980L. Different light. Poor led, beam looks like an xre but it isn’t. More later
Got my Dino-direct version yesterday. Pretty disappointed after reading so much updates from The FOY. Think the version they are selling is a clone. That accounts for the USD20 difference in pricing. It is in 5 mode. The light is not bright enough on high and the result is very unsatisfying.
Should have listened and got from Manafont or HKE.
Br,
tom.
I just ordered one form DD a few days ago. J)