150 lumen light at sams for 15 bucks!

[fenix-rules]

i was shopping at sams club today and i came across these element k2 flashlights advertised at 150 lumens. normally i would write them off but the led inside the flashlight was a luxeon. so i decided to buy 2. when i got home i immediatley opened them and compared them to my fenix tk10. i started the tk10 on low to give the lights a fighting chance but when i turned them on they outpreformed the tk10 on low and was pleasantly surprised.even on high the lights were able to compete with the tk10. i will upload beamshots when it turns dark here in houston but from what i can see they are great lights. ps. they run on three AAA bateries they probably arent regulated but nonetheless great lights check them out here is a link.http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=381032

 

[fenix-rules]

apparently after reading the reviews the baterry holder inside the light breaks very easily but you can call the 1-800 number on the back and they will send you replacements for free so no worries on that. i have 2 back ups on order already just in case.

 

[Xtremespeed]

I bought a pair of these this weekend also. They are pretty impressive. Especially for the price. Much brighter than my G2 and a Princeton Tec Impac xl I have laying around. The only complaint I have is the switch. Takes very little pressure to turn it on, and seems rather flimsy. Also lacks momentary. Great for the $ though.

 

[Grog]

My local sams had stopped carrying these are have a new set that they rate at 160 lumens and has several different modes. I have a few cellphone camera pics I can try to upload later (as I'm not sure if I want to actually buy them for fun).

 

[trailblazer]

do you know what the 800# is my battery magazines broke but dont have my package anymore.

 

[Grog]

do you know what the 800# is my battery magazines broke but dont have my package anymore.

From this page...

http://reviews.samsclub.com/1337/381032/reviews.htm



By: TheVirginian

Ok, first and foremost, THANKS Radar for posting the 800 number to Allied (manufacturer). I am going to repost it here so it's on the 1st page to save some browsing time for others. The number is 1-800-248-6657 and i believe it was option 3 for "parts & service".

Like the others i was thoroughly disappointed to open the light to replace batteries and find it in pieces. HOWEVER: This company, when i called, knew exactly what the problem was going to be, and sent me THREE (yes 3) battery barrels as replacement so I would have a spare.

I TOLD him only one of the two lights was actually broken but the 2nd looked as if it has stress cracks forming around the tiny screws.

He said no problem, i will just send you three....... I cannot complain about them because that kind of customer service is applaudable. I wasn't asked for proof of purchase or anything. Just my name and address and he said they'd be shipped today.

Because of already liking the lights (minus the battery barrels) i gave it an overall rating of 5. Quality gets 4 because of the problem in the first place, but scores that high because of the willingness on their part "to make it right".

Hope this helps anyone else with this problem.

Also, their hours are monday thru friday 8am -5pm PACIFIC time, but the parts dept opens at 7am pacific

 

[droeun]

Looks really nice. I wonder if it's manufactured by Dorcy & marketed under the Element name exclusively for Sam's. I used to have a Dorcy that was also impressive & looked similar. After changing the batteries I noticed the holder was broken too.

 

[bluecrow76]

Interesting... to get that kind of light from a Luxeon K2 they would have to be using the K2 TFFC emitters, escpecially since they're running off 3xAAA batteries. If that's the case this light might be a good candidate for a custom 18650 tube.

 

[jayb79]

Is the battery carrier one that has both positive and negative on the same end? If it is then adapting any lithium gets more complicated.

 

[cree_buyer]

here's a review with runtime graphs... it would look 'semi-regulated' thanks to the flat discharge curve of NiMh batteries. with alkalines it's going to drop like a rock!

 

[DavidD]

I've had a set of these Element K2 150s for many months, and think they are great lights. It seems most folks on here don't really like the 3xAAA configuration, but I don't mind it for a utility light. Running NiMH in them gets them at least semi-regulated.

One of them my wife uses to see into the dark corners of her closet, the other one resides in the kitchen junk drawer. I have used it a few times while doing car repairs, and I don't mind if it gets dropped and banged up.

To be honest, I didn't know people were having trouble with the battery holders breaking apart. I don't baby them at all, and the holders are still in pristine condition. Guess I've been lucky. Good to know about the phone number for replacements though.

@jayb, no. Positive in first (feeding from tailcap end), just like a battery.

DavidD

 

[Grog]

Here are the pics of the newest version my local samsclub has. Pardon the cellphone pic quality, I also remembered to downsize them to 800x600 first

$28.87
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r4/gromnc/01-22-09_1845.jpg

Grey Silver color
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r4/gromnc/01-22-09_1846.jpg

Black
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r4/gromnc/01-22-09_1847.jpg

 

[timbrubaker]

These K2 Elements just dropped from $28 to $14.71 for the pair at the Sam's around here... Killer lights for the dollar. Great for bedside, glove box, gifts.