D-mini clone

Hi, first review.

Received this little 3 modes CR123 flashlight from Kai.
https://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=2211

Since my new Ultrafire 880 mah RCR123 wouldn't work properly in my P2CDE, i had to buy another fl.


It's a little bigger, but still pocketable. Definitely not a keychain.


The Cree led is well centered and finish is very good for this kind of fl.


It's hard to see on this pic, but this cheapo (left, running on Ultra 880 mah) have a brighter and tighter hotspot than my P2CDE (right, running on Duracell primaries)

The lo mode is just a little brighter than my MTE 1xAA SSC. I did not made runtime test yet.


Pros:
2 modes hi, lo
Twin o-rings at battery end, better water proofing?
Very sturdy made, thick aluminium
Detatchable lanyard
Can be used in candle mode

cons:
The switch was a little stiff. Works better with contact cleaner.

Very good value for the price. There is plenty flimsy Cr123 fl around, but this one seems built to last a little longer. I didn't feel bad to let my P2CDE home to go camping with this one past week end.

Thanks!

Can you try a primary in it and compare the hi and low to your P2D?

can't wait for mine to arrive.

discoverEDC said:

Can you try a primary in it and compare the hi and low to your P2D?

Click to expand...

I don't know if it's the same circuit (I suspect it is), but I have had two of the original luxeon version of the "8W mini", and the light is really designed to work on RCR. On primaries, overall output is at best only ~25-30% as bright as RCR in these lights, on either hi or lo.

I've moded my stock lux ones with both a Cree and a SSC, and the outcome is very nice in both (I prefer the Cree for throw, despite beam rings). My cree mod with the stock smooth reflector has a slightly larger hotpot and is ringier than this stock-cree version - but the hotspot is still noticeably less than my P2DCE as well. The SSC mod with stock smooth reflector has an even smaller hotpot, which I don't care for as much.

Great review - keep 'em up! :thumbsup:

I'm also very interested to know how it performs with a primary. I'm thinking of picking one up for a car light and want to run it on primaries and need to know if it works well off primaries. Please test how primaries work for us. Thanks.

selfbuilt said:

I don't know if it's the same circuit (I suspect it is), but I have had two of the original luxeon version of the "8W mini", and the light is really designed to work on RCR. On primaries, overall output is at best only ~25-30% as bright as RCR in these lights, on either hi or lo.
Great review - keep 'em up! :thumbsup:

Click to expand...

Oups!

Just did the test with Panasonic primaries. This circuit is definitaly made to run on RCR123. I could not belive your 25%-30% numbers, but it's below 50% for sure.

No big deal. I have a Fenix for primaries and this D-mini wannabe for free lumens RCR. :thumbsup:

Still an excellent value in my book. It's not worst than a fl designed to run on 14500 17xxx or 18xxx.

I will post a pic for primaries beamshots when darkness.

Thanks!

jsr said:

I'm thinking of picking one up for a car light and want to run it on primaries

Click to expand...

Better use a good o'l 3d or 3c maglite for this application. Batteries are widely available wich is very important. You can also use it as a hammer, a baseball bat, a lever, a shovel...and a fl.

An Ultrafire C3 with 2xAA tube would be my next choice for this use.

I also saw a 9.99$ led/halogen 12v powered rechargable fl. This 2 Million candelas also comes with cigar lighter plug.

Very tempting.

Thanks for checking the operation with primaries gerry. I used to have 3D Mag in my car, but batteries died on a night I needed it. Another time, my mini-mag didn't work when I needed it because one of the AAs leaked and ruined the light. I prefer to use lithium lights in my cars so they can be left alone and not worry about dead batteries. I have breaker bars and knives I can use as weapons.

Overall output (ceiling bounce) is as bright or slightly brighter than the D-Mini. It is a very respectable "thrower". The beam is nicely focused but does not have the intense central hotspot of the D-Mini. Even with the subtle shadows that exist within the D-Mini's beam, it still projects with noticeably more intensity than the clone. This is based on a brief test approx 150 ft from a light-colored travertine wall. For its size, the D-Mini is still ahead of the pack.

Brightnorm

Just from Kai this light name Cavan sku#2347 https://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=2347
I feel like having a D mini clone but with 18650 body and best of all it's HAIII
and it has momentary clicky as well

nanotech17 said:

Just from Kai this light name Cavan sku#2347 https://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=2347
I feel like having a D mini clone but with 18650 body and best of all it's HAIII
and it has momentary clicky as well

Click to expand...

Where does it say HAIII?
Mike

vetkaw63 said:

Where does it say HAIII?
Mike

Click to expand...

The title in that link.