Almost there : Solarforce VS Ultrafire

[old4570]

Both are Cree R2 - 5 mode + Memory

Im still waiting for the correct R2 assembly for the Solarforce . [ This one is 3.7v only ]

But both should be 2 x CR123A / 18650 [ 2 x 3v/3.7v RCR123A ]

Ive been using the Solarforce for a few days now , and no complaints .

So - Solarforce L2 VS Ultrafire WF-502B

The ultrafire only arrived today , so ill use it till the correct R2 arrives and then I can do a head to head test of these cheap Hot Shots !
Cheap as in they dont cost $100 +

Ultrafire was $19 from DX
Solarforce was $30 from SolarforceStore + Belt pouch + 18650 Batt

Hopefully the R2 assembly will get here this week [ 3-8.4v ]

 

[NigelBond]

Have you tried an 18650 in the l2 yet? I have both these lights and my l2 will not fit 18650s. The 502b will but it's a really tight fit and the cells need to be poked out from the other side or you can tap the body against your hand a few times. The 502b might have a plastic disk in the head side of the body. I knocked that out.

 

[kramer5150]

nice, looking foreward to your review...

:thumbsup:

 

[seaside]

Oops, deleted.

 

[arcel1t]

My 502B is also tight when it comes to 18650. But it works great I have reserved one battery for this light because every 18650 I put in mine gets scratch'd.

 

[old4570]

Fit and finish on both is about the same , the anodizing on the Solarforce looks a little better , but the Ultrafire just might have a more flat finish .
My solarforce is a slop fit for the batteries , and the Ultrafire is a nice fit without being tight .

Yes , the Solarforce is using a 18650 due to the 3.7v Cree R-2 , I have ordered a 3-8.4v Cree R-2 as a spare , ?? when it gets here [ DX ]
Actually its doing 6600Lux @ 1 meter on Hi [ What can I say - Im looking forward to a country drive so I can do some beam shots ]

Yeah , I can check if there compatible , or swap over !

The 502 has a belt clip , and I have had it on my belt for about 2 hours now , to see how it rides :thumbsup: . All I can say is all flashlights this size should have a belt clip , thats one for the ultrafire .

Update Ok the Ultrafire Cree R-2 fits the Solarforce just fine , the Solarforce Cree R-2 is not a good fit in the Ultrafire .
Hope that helps .

 

[monkeymajik]

Awesome looking forward to this review! Trying to decide between 502/503b and L2 hosts at the moment. Would like to see some 2x123 vs 18650 beamshots if you can? How do you find the 5-mode interface?

 

[old4570]

Awesome looking forward to this review! Trying to decide between 502/503b and L2 hosts at the moment. Would like to see some 2x123 vs 18650 beamshots if you can? How do you find the 5-mode interface?

I have learned to hate strobe / SOS .

Otherwise Im very happy with multi mode , its starting to get dark , and Im charging two trustfire 18650 2500mA Batt's ATM + I have some fully charged RCR123A's waiting .

ATM I can only run the Ultrafire on CR123A's . The fix hopefully being in the mail .

But yeah , Plan was to test Primary - CR123A's + rechargeable ones .

The Ultrafire is definitely brighter with more voltage , But Im stuck using 18650 with the Solarforce L2 until the correct bulb arrives . Though 6600Lux @ 1Meter is nothing to sneeze at .

 

[old4570]

Actually , the 18650 Batt is giving higher Lux readings in the Ultrafire .
7200Lux and the best RCR123A gave 7100Lux .

 

[old4570]

Trustfire 18650 2500mA @ 4.08v

Both flashlights had the same batt's @ the same voltage reading , so here are some back yard beam shots , I hope this will do until I can do a proper review / test of both these flashlights

First the Solarforce : Hi - Med - Lo





Now its time for the Ultrafire : Hi - Med - Lo





This will have to do until the full review .

 

[oronocova]

I also have both of these lights. Weird thing is my 502 does not have a clip (I wish it did) and my 502 does fit 18650. I can't tell much noticeable difference between the two in brightness nor with 18650 vs 2x123A in the 502. I have an 18650 tube on it's way for my L2.

 

[DAKIK]

How far away would u say those beam shots are?
thanks

 

[old4570]

Just waiting for the 3 - 8.4v Bulb . If it comes tomorrow [ Fri ] ill be a happy camper .

I did some backyard shots . You can click on them as there just thumbnails .
But I was planing on going to a Lake/Park that is dark as , and should show throw etc real well .

Too much light in town .

 

[Norm]

Are the various body parts interchangeable head, tail, etc.?

 

[old4570]

Nope !

The only parts that will swap over [ Part ] is the R-2 Cree assembly from the Ultrafire , which will swap into the Solarforce L2 without any problems .

The R-2 Cree from the Solarforce is an overly tight fit in the Ultrafire , and would require modification to fit .

Other than that , there both very different , but similar sized and featured .

 

[Moonshadow]

First the Solarforce : Hi - Med - Lo

My L2 is the same: not enough difference between brightness levels.

Took it out in the rain, which made it easy to see the PWM: I reckon about 66% duty cycle on medium and about 33% on low - not really enough to make that much of a noticeable difference between levels.

Would have been much better to have 33% for medium and then a much lower low.

 

[old4570]

How far away would u say those beam shots are?
thanks

Did you mean the posted ones = 10 Meters

Or the ones Im going to do ?

 

[old4570]

Went for a short drive :

Saik SA-8 [ 3xAAA ]


Solarforce 3.7v Cree R-2 [ 18650 ]


Ultrafire WF-502B Cree R-2 3 - 8.4v [ 18650 ]

 

[DAKIK]

Did you mean the posted ones = 10 Meters

Or the ones Im going to do ?

yh the ones posted

Thanks

 

[Superdave]

I've purchased Ultrafire parts and taken them apart to find things labeled with the Solarforce brand.