Ultratac S20

beam0 · 2018-03-22T22:21:39.000Z

djozz:

I like just 3 modes, length is critical to me (18650 lights are on the border of pocketable), and I can replace leds myself. So that makes the S20 more interesting to me than the SP32A. Critical as well is direct access to low mode from off, that still has to be confirmed.

I’m always looking for the shortest 18650 light, that’s why I’m subscribed to this thread.

I already have the SP32A and it’s a great light but it’s long…

…However… the main reason I got the SP32A is because it legos with the Convoy / Jaxman 18350 & 18500 tubes:

106.7mm with the 18500
89.3mm with the 18350

So it’s a real gem with the shorty tubes.

.

So for this Ultratac I agree with you djozz, 3-mode is fine and I will also swap the LED, but I also need to know the UI.
One thing I would miss (if it doesn’t have) is direct access to the highest mode.

beam0 · 2018-03-22T22:23:58.000Z

BLightSam:

@beam0,

Thanks for the “detailed” comparison despite not having much detailed info.

Brightness of 1500lm intrigues me when others in this category is about 1200 — 1000lm. (Will 300lm difference be noticeable?)

1200 to 1500, maybe not so much
1000 to 1500, it will be noticeable

BLightSam · 2018-03-26T13:21:12.000Z

beam0:

BLightSam:

Brightness of 1500lm intrigues me when others in this category is about 1200 — 1000lm. (Will 300lm difference be noticeable?)

1200 to 1500, maybe not so much

1000 to 1500, it will be noticeable

BLF A6 and Zanflare F1 are supposed to be 1200 lumens (Turbo). Turns out SP32A also gives out only 1200 lumens instead of the listed 1500 lumens, according to 2 reports. So my question becomes moot.

(Thanks for others responses.)

beam0 · 2018-03-26T17:35:45.000Z

BLightSam:

beam0:

BLightSam:

Brightness of 1500lm intrigues me when others in this category is about 1200 — 1000lm. (Will 300lm difference be noticeable?)

1200 to 1500, maybe not so much

1000 to 1500, it will be noticeable

BLF A6 and Zanflare F1 are supposed to be 1200 lumens (Turbo). Turns out SP32A also gives out only 1200 lumens instead of the listed 1500 lumens, according to 2 reports. So my question becomes moot.

(Thanks for others responses.)

Yeah, I though 1500lm sounded a little high for what I’m seeing, but 1200lm is quite bright. I’ve got to get a light meter, at least to do basic comparisons.

beam0 · 2018-03-28T18:38:53.000Z

.
………………… S20 User Interface: ……………………

Long press for ON/OFF (memory - starts on last mode used)

Single clicks to change modes L-M-H

.

Hidden Strobe: Fast double click (from ON)

Lock out: Double click (when OFF) to activate/deactivate

djozz · 2018-03-28T19:56:16.000Z

I wished mode memory was never invented If I can not even remember the important things in life, why on earth should I know in what mode my flashlight was last time I switched it off?

beam0 · 2018-03-28T20:50:04.000Z

djozz:

I wished mode memory was never invented If I can not even remember the important things in life, why on earth should I know what mode my flashlight was in last time I switched it off

I agree, I despise mode memory.

Instead of memory, a better solution would be having shortcuts from off to various levels, like this:

(UI of DQG Tiny 26650 III)

From OFF
–1 click to med
–2 clicks to high
–3 clicks to low
-Hold for turbo

From ON
–1 click to off
–2 click to turbo
-Hold to change modes: low-mid-high

It would be great to have a UI like DQG’s above, with programmable firmware that you could pre-set/change your desired levels for the turn on clicks.

Hotled · 2018-03-31T18:39:57.000Z

Strange, I don’t see it listed on the home website?

beam0 · 2018-04-01T14:38:39.000Z

Hotled:

Strange, I don’t see it listed on the home website?

I noticed that too about 10 days ago when I found out about this light.

I also find it odd that a company can design and implement a new model, all they way through production and listing it on amazon, but still not have a listing for it on their website. I’ve also noticed this same pattern with one or two other companies, can’t remember which ones ATM.

beam0 · 2018-04-04T02:05:39.000Z

beam0:

djozz:

I wished mode memory was never invented If I can not even remember the important things in life, why on earth should I know what mode my flashlight was in last time I switched it off

I agree, I despise mode memory.

Instead of memory, a better solution would be having shortcuts from off to various levels, like this:

(UI of DQG Tiny 26650 III)

From OFF
–1 click to med
–2 clicks to high
–3 clicks to low
-Hold for turbo

From ON
–1 click to off
–2 click to turbo
-Hold to change modes: low-mid-high

It would be great to have a UI like DQG’s above, with programmable firmware that you could pre-set/change your desired levels for the turn on clicks.

Just became aware Zebralight has this type of UI, and in the latest version the brightness levels are programmable:

Basic Operation:

One click turns on the light to High or turns off the light.
Two clicks turns on the light to Medium.
Three clicks turns on the light to the beacon-strobe mode.
Long press turns on the light to Low and then Medium and High. Release at the desired level

H1, H2, M1, M2, L1 and L2 can be programmed to any of the 12 available brightness levels

.
Under consideration are these 3:
(all are 18650, NW 4500K CRI80+)

92.5mm length:
SC64w (XHP35) SC64w 18650 XHP35 Neutral White Flashlight-SC64w

96mm length:
SC600w Mk IV HI (XHP35 HI) SC600w Mk IV HI 18650 XHP35 Neutral White High Intensity Fla
SC600w Mk IV Plus (XHP50.2) http://www.zebralight.com/SC600w-Mk-IV-Plus-18650-XHP502-Neutral-White-Flashlight_p_225.html

Of course they’re quite expensive, but I already have many lights, so at this point I could buy one Zebra in place of the next 2 or 3 budget lights.

beam0 · 2018-04-17T22:19:55.000Z

Check out the Nitenumen “C8” EDC w/USB charging, 99mm length.

Started a thread on it today: Nitenumen compact EDC 18650 light w/USB charging - Amazon deal

moderator007 · 2018-05-22T00:29:01.000Z

I came across this ultratac s20 light today on amazon and started searching, it landed me here (my flashlight home). Has anyone purchased this light or have anymore info. I can’t find a review anywhere.

djozz · 2018-05-22T06:35:35.000Z

I haven’t, waiting for someone to do a review/impression. It is all about the user interface, if that is good I want one, if not good this flashlight is one of many I will not use and therefore not buy.

grayski74 · 2018-05-22T08:00:21.000Z

I am waiting for a review too… One that covers, as you say, the interface, and also whether there is PWM.

Also for the Nitenumen C8.

I need to know if there is PWM before I buy, and if there is, is it high enough frequency for me to not notice.

beam0 · 2018-05-23T00:33:37.000Z

djozz:

I haven’t, waiting for someone to do a review/impression. It is all about the user interface, if that is good I want one, if not good this flashlight is one of many I will not use and therefore not buy.

I don’t have this light yet either but i did post about the UI in post #28 above (with photo from the user manual), looks like it starts on low.

Firelight2 · 2018-05-23T00:51:57.000Z

djozz:

I haven’t, waiting for someone to do a review/impression. It is all about the user interface, if that is good I want one, if not good this flashlight is one of many I will not use and therefore not buy.

I have one.

Interface:

Long click for on-off (hold for about 1 second)
short click to change modes (low-med-high)
Double-click from off: activate or deactivate electronic lockout (will blink once for locked, twice for unlocked).
I forget if the light has mode memory. I think it does.
I think double-click from on activates strobe, but I’d have to double-check that.

Impressions:

Fit and finish is decent. Knurling is a little smoother than I’d like but works ok.
USB cover is recessed and fits well enough it won’t come out accidentally and flop around.
Battery compartment springs are a bit short. My sample did not work with flat tops due to this. Button-tops work fine.
Came with a copper star with some thermal grease underneath. No idea if it’s DTP or not, but copper is a good sign for a budget light.
16mm star - easily swapped out for emitter of your choice. Parts are not glued.
Metal switch button is extremely easy to accidentally depress making lockout necessary. Fortunately double-click for electronic lockout is very easy to do.
Overall a fairly nice light for the price. Not a huge fan of hold for on-off though. I prefer something like D4 or Zebralight interface.

beam0 · 2018-05-23T01:18:51.000Z

grayski74:

I am waiting for a review too… One that covers, as you say, the interface, and also whether there is PWM.

Also for the Nitenumen C8.

I need to know if there is PWM before I buy, and if there is, is it high enough frequency for me to not notice.

For the Nitenumen C8 I don’t know for sure if it has PWM (Don’t know how to measure that) but I don’t notice any strobing effect. Here’s a reply to someone else asking about PWM in the Nitenumen C8 thread:

Firelight2:

I was unable to spot any visible PWM with mine. I tried 2 methods: beaming the light on medium mode into a desk fan, and swishing the beam around the room rapidly. I did not notice any visible strobing effect. I assume the driver either uses high-frequency PWM or is current-controlled.

Also the UI is not too good (you have go through blinkys to get to off) also it always starts in high, and there’s no memory.

Nitenumen compact EDC 18650 light w/USB charging - Amazon deal 18650 Flashlights

I’ve been looking at this new Nitenumen “C8” EDC light ($19.99) on Amazon for about a week… The price was just lowered today to $15.99! …Plus there’s a 5% discount coupon which brings it down to $15.19 (plus tax) So I couldn’t resist any longer and “pulled the trigger” on it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8C71PH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It was a total impulse buy and I probably shouldn’t have done it since I also plan to buy a DQG Tiny 4th this week! :person_facepa…

Video review: [Video Review] Nitenumen C8 side switch usb charging $20

And it’s currently unavailable.

beam0 · 2018-05-23T01:37:37.000Z

Firelight2:

I have one.

Interface:

Long click for on-off (hold for about 1 second)

short click to change modes (low-med-high)

Double-click from off: activate or deactivate electronic lockout (will blink once for locked, twice for unlocked).

I forget if the light has mode memory. I think it does.

I think double-click from on activates strobe, but I’d have to double-check that.

Metal switch button is extremely easy to accidentally depress

Thanks for posting, I thought the switch was rubber from the photos, good to hear that it’s metal though. (so I can do my switch locating mod)

I’m surprised to hear it’s extremely easy to accidentally turn on, I thought the opposite because in the photos the switch appears to be recessed, plus the long hold to turn on, is it really 1 full second? (user manual shows .5 second).

Also can it be physically locked out by slight unscrew of the tail cap or head?

BTW, according to the user manual (See post #28 above) it does have last mode memory.

bucky · 2018-05-23T02:36:49.000Z

I purchased the light too , really like the size and fit and finish the UI on the other hand is not great very long press for on and off about 1.5 seconds

Firelight2 · 2018-05-23T08:01:37.000Z

beam0:

I’m surprised to hear it’s extremely easy to accidentally turn on, I thought the opposite because in the photos the switch appears to be recessed, plus the long hold to turn on, is it really 1 full second? (user manual shows .5 second).

Actually it might be 0.5 seconds. While I’m not generally a fan of long press for on-off, this is about the least offensive version of that UI that I’ve seen since it is still pretty quick. I’d still rather have a D4’s instant on-off ui though.

The button is dome-shaped metal and it is not recessed at all. It protrudes above the surface of the light and will very easily turn-on in the pocket if not locked out. Not as easily as the Nitecore Concept 1, but pretty close. If you’re pocket-EDC’ing this light using some kind of lockout is essential.

Also can it be physically locked out by slight unscrew of the tail cap or head?

Yes, you can also mechanically lockout the light by slightly rotating either the head or tail. The threads at both ends of the body tube are anodized.

One other note
The compartment for the star has a the head of a screw protruding into it. I didn’t try unscrewing it, but it might hold the switch in place. Only the top part of the head protrudes but it is enough you can’t just drop in another 16mm star.

The star the light comes with has a notch for this screw hole. If you want to put in a new emitter you can either reflow onto the stock copper star or you maybe spend a half hour with a needle-file (or 30 seconds with a Dremel) making an extra notch in your new star. On the upside, this screw does prevent the star from rotating when you tighten the bezel so no chance of breaking the driver wires.