UltraOK Technologies V-SHARK VS-X1
Be-Seen Triker's Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆
Summary:
| Battery: | 18650 |
| Switch: | Reverse Clicky in Tailcap |
| Modes: | Low/Med/Hi/Flash/SOS |
| LED Type: | XM-L |
| Lens: | Glass - uncoated |
| Tailstands: | No |
| Price Payed: | $20.69 |
| From: | ebay (UltraOK link) |
| Date Ordered: | June 12th, 2011 |
Pros:
- Plain design
- Large reflector
- Nicely machined
- GITD all around
- Includes lanyard and holster
- Budget XM-L Flashlight * (needs an appropriate driver!)
Cons:
- Seriously underdriven
- Solder quality on switch and plus terminal
- Long 18650 cells don't fit ** (can be easily mod'd to accept 18700 protected cells)
Features / Value: ★★★★☆
This is a nice aesthetic design for a single 18650 flashlight. A simple large reflector host with an XM-L emitter. As a budget XM-L at sub-$21 delivered would seem a great deal. And it realy is a great deal with the exception that the driver is made for the XR-E. Even so, this light puts out good light at only 800ma giving it excellent runtime. This V-shark was built properly and worked right out of the box. This light was delivered clean complete with all GITD o-rings and tailcap. The tailcap uses the larger 16mm switchcap but it is too big to tailstand. My 4-star rating is based on the low output being the accepted norm for this light. Obviousy, if you expected the advertized 1000 lumens, this would get -maybe- 2-1/2 stars. Think of it as a $20 XR-E light with an XM-L emitter.
Design / Build Quality: ★★★☆☆
I am quite happy with the machining of this light. All the threads feel smooth, particularly the threads that are still anodized. The re-machined threads, those for electrical contact did benefit form a wipe down. Overall, this light was clean and lightly greased. I'd throw this light in a bathtub and I wouldn't worry about it drowning.
I will deduct a few points on the soldering of the switch to the circuit board and the plus (+) spring on the driver. I also didn't like the fact that the brass ring that holds the driver was not completely press-fit flush. That last one is a nit, but I did notice it in the disassembly process. The driver was well built and clean and the wiring was soldered well. Unfortunely, there was a flux-splatter on the emitter dome but I was able to remove it without any visible defect.
The 16mm emitter is glued with soft putty. A nicely designed disk snaps into the pill as a backup insulator. The reflector does not press on the emitter. The chance for an electrical failure is quite minimal. I do have to deduct points for the lack of space for the longer protected cells. The attempt to provide fit and finish to the switch spring made for an awkward button that is much to thick. Removing the brass button solves the problem, but this is not something an amature flash-a-holic to be should have to deal with.
One feature that impressed me is the lip in the front bezel. It has a specific recess for the o-ring. The bezel itself feels a bit delicate but it really does help this light remain elegant.
Battery Life: ★★★★★
This is a -DUH- section of the review. The current draw on this light is 800ma on high, 300ma on medium, and 50ma on low. If you can't get 3 hours on high, you have some very bad batteries.
Light Output: ★☆☆☆☆
1000 lumens; -NOT-! ...but for an 800ma drive on an XM-L, it puts out some good light. I used this light for one night time bike ride and it easily put out the light I needed, very comparable with my 1400ma XP-G R5 flashlights. Even at 50ma, the XM-L still likes to flood a room with light. I will rate this section according to the advertized output... one star for gross false advertizing.
Summary: ★★★☆☆
I am happy that I was able to modify this flashlight to accept my Panasonic 3100 protected cells. I am also happy that all it needs is a driver change to bring it up to its full potential. I am not concerned about heat discipation; this light has a very nice thermal path. I am not concerned with the components of the driver being on the battery side as there is already a spring in place that would be similar to the NANJG 105 8x AMC7135 2.8A driver. I am also very happy with the reflector and the beam it throws. The smooth reflector is finished very well without any blemishes. As a matter of fact, the whole light is free of any serious blemishes. The emitter is perfectly centered, and the assembly of the light is super simple. I would have preferred the KAN-028 switch but there is room for that one for a future upgrade. I give this light 3-stars mainly because of the disappointing driver. If it had been driven harder, I would not hesitate to go with 4-stars.
Bonus Section: Images (next post)
I know this flashlight is much like the Sky*Ray 1JC8 previously reviewed.
I hope that the images posted in the next post will answer questions some of you may have had about this light.
