I have just read how pleased hereAgain is with the Courui light that 18sixfifty modded. It has reminded me that I had always planned to get one of these Courui lights to mod myself……
But where should I buy from, are they all about the same build quality, or are there some places to avoid?
Any advice please?
I’ve wanted one of these for a while.
I got my Courui (linked) for $38.38. It arrived very fast and in perfect condition. Didn't have an AR coated lens though, but I hear no Courui does. This is the same vendor that honored offer for C12's with XP-L even though the ads had a price mistake of $5.75. Spoke volumes to me.
Thanks folks 
Mine, a little slow but… http://www.dx.com/es/p/couru-l2-cree-xm-l2-t6-600lm-3-mode-white-flashlight-black-1-3-x-18650-279608
Be careful, it is XM-L(2) T6, not XM-L2 U2
Mine, purchased in March, is XM-L2. I do not know if T6 or U2… my eyes are not very accurate, they do not see the difference between 1000 and 1100lm.
fyi - not sure it's been mentioned, but this AliExpress store: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/708513 is KD (Kaidomain.com):
Shenzhen Lanhaite Electronics Limited Co.
It has the same listings, same prices, same descriptions, same pics, specially of the Courui.
Would I trust it's an XM-L2 U2? No way... Almost all these vendors either lie or are lied to by their sources.
Just throwing in one more
I got mine from FT, the name is not shown on the page but mine has Courui on the side and is the same as all the pics on this site.
https://www.fasttech.com/products/1742502 $38.79
Cheers David
I wouldn't say KD is better or worse than anyone else. All I can say is that the "92 CRI" 219B's they have sent me seem to be the real thing as far as I can tell (just using my eyes). The C12's they send me did actually have XP-L's. All my other purchases from them have be satisfactory too.
That doesn't mean I believe without question that my Courui has an XM-L2 U2 emitter, but I personally have no reason to disbelieve it either. Some around here have been saying they don't trust KD for a long time now. I don't know what the basis of those statements is or if it is even still relevant.
I dont really mind what bin of led it comes with, as it will be modded anyway. I was more interested in build quality because so often the quality varies from seller to seller. The hd2010 is a typical example of this with slightly differing threads, cheaper anodizing (paint?!) dirty reflector etc…
I’ve hit the buy button from KD for $38.38 delivered.
I just placed an order with KD (MT-G2 bare, Courui, parts), but I've done testing of their claimed XM-L2 U2 LED's sold individually and I pretty much know they were not U2's. I've found they are not responsive in my dealings with them in the past, and the website product listings are just plain awful:
I have 11 orders with them over the last two years, no real problems (accept the LED's), and I know I'd buy a lot more from them if I knew what I was buying. For me, they lose sales of things simply because there's not enough info on them. When FastTech came along, it was such a pleasure having nice pics, details, responsiveness, much much better website for orders, etc. Of course it didn't last too long with FT...
I always have trusted Hank at IOS to know what he lists for LED's is true and correct -- proven that over and over. He told me other vendors (like KD) cannot get confirmation on specs on LED's like he can because he buys at a more direct source - maybe CREE directly, while they buy from the gray market with no tracing on the bin/tint info.
For the MT-G2, KD actually lists the bin code from CREE, so for this emitter (KD MT-G2), I better trust I'm getting the right thing. For KD, I think they basically are straight/honest, just have poor sources and don't put in the time/effort on the website and support.
True that Tom E. They do seem to shot themselves in the foot with their poor product descriptions. I only buy emitters (good ones) from a few vendors that I know I can trust. I make an exception of those Nichia 219B's because the price is just so crazy low (5 for like $13.xx).
Hopback,
You should get a good light if the Aliexpress company I bought from is indeed KD. Mine seems to be the same quality as the ones I've seen in the various threads. Specifically compared to the light in the OP of this thread, it seems identical except my emitter is on a 20mm base and I mine has the battery tube lables, "Courui", "CREE", and "XM-L2". It seems everyone's is the same so far though. The Courui is probably still new enough and low enough priced that hasn't been copied yet. It sure seems like a lot of light for the price. Nice big, high quality reflector, decent matching, fit and finish. Anodized threads everywhere except pill to head and battery tube to head. Clean, no grease or dirt from the factory in the light. All my lights of similar size and quality cost much more. I'm very happy with mine. Only wish they were 3S with a buck driver stock.
EDIT: Fixed some typos. Seems some of my keys don't respond well anymore. Also added bold wording.
ebay listing.
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/SpecialFire®-COURUI-1600LM-Flashlight-Searchlight/dp/B00GPILGZY
Both shipped from China. Close to best price i have noted is Fasttech.
http://www.fasttech.com/product/1742502-courui-d01-1-cree-l2-1200lm-3-mode-cool-white-led
Just noticed GearBest has it at a very good price of $32.07 for next few days: http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_85126.html
Thats a good price, $6 cheaper than I paid!
Dont that just always happen…
Yep - just placed my order of one at KD 5 days ago...
Right here, started hours ago: COURUI DO1 'Big Head' (Black/GRAY NOW AVAILABLE) $29.99 @ Gearbest ( use coupon: gbcourui) A long-throw modder's light! ($29.99)
What a nice surprise to find a parcel waiting for me when I got home from work!
Now I can join in the Courui modding fun
14 days from clicking ‘buy’ to receiving the light, not the quickest, but by no means the slowest…