VB-16 Q5

[ernsanada]

I just got the VB-16 from Deal Extreme

Shipping took 4 days but from ordering to receiving the light took 14 days to Socal. About the average time items take to get to me.

Cost was $29.00.

Has a Cree Q5.

16 brightness modes, press the first button ("+") to increase brightness and the second button ("-") to reduce brightness (and to switch off).

OP Aluminum reflector with glass lens.

Comes with a lanyard.

3W regulated power output

Powered by 1 x 18650 or 2 x CR123A (3.0V/3.

Comes with a forward clickie.

Comes with Type III Hard Anodize Finish. The finish bands running through the finish with a mis-match of color.

Fit is good.

I just finished lux readings and my VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP from Waion beats it. I have a thread on CPF Review about my VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP from Waion.

I thought the VB-16 Q5 OP would beat the VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP but the lux meter tells a different story. Maybe because the VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) has a deeper OP reflector.

In these pictures you can see the horizontal lines running through out the finish.

Comes with a forward clickie.

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I used VB-16 Q5 OP, VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP and Regalight WT1 Q5 SMO Cree in some beam shot comparsions.


Left, VB-16 Q5 OP. Right, VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP

Left, VB-16 Q5 OP. Right, VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP

Left, VB-16 Q5 OP. Right, Regalight WT1 Q5 SMO

Left, VB-16 Q5 OP. Right, Regalight WT1 Q5 SMO

I also took lux readings. These are the lux readings I got. I am using a Meterman LM631 Light Meter measured at 1 meter. I waited 2 minutes before taking the readings. I am using AW's Protected RCR123's and AW's Protected 18650's which were fully charged.

VB-16 Q5 OP, 2 RCR123 - 3430 lux @ 1 meter

VB-16 Q5 OP, 18650 - 3400 lux @ 1 meter

VB-16 SSC OP, 2 RCR123 - 4170 lux @ 1 meter

VB-16 SSC OP, 18650 - 3610 lux @ 1 meter

Regal Light WT1 SMO, 18650 - 10,180 lux @ 1 meter

Regal Light WT1 OP, 18650 - 6,600 lux @ 1 meter

Regal Light WT1 SMO, 2 RCR - 11,350 lux @ 1 meter


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VB-16 Q5 OP @ 90"

VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP @ 90"

Regal Light WT1 Q5 SMO @ 90"

VB-16 Q5 OP @ 90" Stepped down exposure

VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP @ 90" Stepped down exposure

Regal Light WT1 Q5 SMO @ 90"

Left, VB-16 Q5 OP. Right, VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP @ 90"

Left, VB-16 Q5 OP. Right, Regal Light WT1 Q5 SMO @ 90"

Left, VB-16 Q5 OP. Right, Right, VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP @ 90" Stepped down exposure

Left, VB-16 Q5 OP. Right, Regal Light WT1 Q5 SMO @ 90" Stepped down exposure

 

[TDK-R]

Great review !!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup:

Thanks.

 

[Lighthouse one]

Thanks...I've been wondering whether the new VB 16 was as good as the earlier models...or just a cheaper knock off. Is the quality of the light good...not counting the blemished finish?

 

[ernsanada]

Thanks...I've been wondering whether the new VB 16 was as good as the earlier models...or just a cheaper knock off. Is the quality of the light good...not counting the blemished finish?

Function wise it's good as the others.

I've had problems with the finish on another VB-16. It was a Type III Hard Anodize same color. Had horizontal lines and cracks.

My 1st Gen. VB-16 had a very bad reflector. Many rings, more than a Cree using a SMO.

I think if the VB-16 Q5 had the deeper reflector shown on the right, it would have had better lux numbers.

All the VB-16's had their minuses except the VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP from Waion. No flaws with that one.

 

[ernsanada]

I used my homemade light box.

I used 2 AW RCR123's fully charged on both lights. I waited 2 minutes before I took the readings.

These are my results.

VB-16 Q5 OP - 7760 lux

VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP - 7200 lux

 

[sims2k]

Is this light waterproof or water resistant at all ? Would be great if it is.

 

[Tubor]

Would make a great present if it ran on AA's, maybe 3 for comparative voltage, with a slightly wider body. Like the interface. Thanks for the review.

 

[ernsanada]

Is this light waterproof or water resistant at all ? Would be great if it is.

I'm not sure about the 2 varaible brightness buttons. I wouln't want to take the chance to see how waterpoof the buttons are.

 

[fasuto]

The VB-16 from waigon is water resistant, I swam with it in the sea without problems.
Anyway when I really need a waterproof light I use Barbolights or UK

 

[dc]

I used my homemade light box.

I used 2 AW RCR123's fully charged on both lights. I waited 2 minutes before I took the readings.

These are my results.

VB-16 Q5 OP - 7760 lux

VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP - 7200 lux

Well, looks like the Q5 version does indeed put out more lumens than the SSC P4 according to your test, a great value buy indeed. I hope mine come soon.


DC

 

[ernsanada]

The VB-16 from waigon is water resistant, I swam with it in the sea without problems.
Anyway when I really need a waterproof light I use Barbolights or UK

How far or deep did you submerge the VB-16 form Waion?

 

[bspofford]

Ordered mine on 11/7/07, and package arrived yesterday with everything but the VB-16 HAIII Q5 lights. Darn.

 

[Yenster]

Hmmm....ordered mine on 11/8/07 and it still hasn't even shipped. It looks like ernsanada ordered it on 11/13/07 and already received it....hmmmm....

I guest orders with DX sometimes fall through the cracks.

 

[katsyonak]

I ordered mine on 11/11/07 and it's been in the status of "Packaged" for several days and then in the status of "Ready for shipment shortly" for several more days (and still is). I opened a ticket and this is what I got from them:

Really sorry that your remaining item 9741 (VB-16 HA-III Q5 Cree 16-Mode Flashlight (1x18650/2xCR123A)) is still unable to be fulfiled due to stock shortage.

Would you mind making an exchange for this ?

So I guess there are stock problems with this item and DX should update their product page accordingly so other people will know that they are ordering an item that is unavailable.

 

[fasuto]

How far or deep did you submerge the VB-16 form Waion?

Not to much, about 50cm below surface

 

[ernsanada]

These are beam shots using fully charged Protected 18650's.

VB-16 Q5 OP @ 32'

Right, VB-16 (SSC P4 USWOI) OP @ 32'