Anyone have this - Dorcy Cree Rechargeable

[jnj1033]

I saw a new(?) Dorcy at Sears today. It is rechargeable, has a Cree XRE, claims 220 lumens for 2 hours, and comes with car and wall chargers. Costs $50.

Here is a photo.

Does anyone have this, or has anyone reviewed it? Are the output and runtime claims credible? How are the throw, build quality, longevity, etc?

Best regards,
J

 

[Marduke]

There are a couple running threads on it
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201517&highlight=dorcy

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202235&highlight=dorcy

 

[mikekoz]

I started one of those threads and it sadly went pretty much ignored!:shakehead I think the main problem is Dorcy is not the most respected name in flashlights here on CPF. I will tell you this though from owning this light for a month or so now....this thing kicks %$#@!!!. I own a Tiablo A9 and this thing will outshine it. As a matter of fact, this is my brightest light!! Now I am not saying it is my BEST light, because it is not. The 220 lumen claim on the package seems pretty accurate. It is a thrower and will will shine a beam of light a LONG way, but what is also great about it is it has a usable spill also. I have already compared it to the immortal Taskforce Cree light a few times. This light outshines and out throws it. I know it is $20.00 more, but the build quality on it is much better in my opinion. The other thing about it is since it is available locally at Sears, if you hate it , you do not have to ship it halfway around the world to get a refund!!:thumbsup:
There was an old commercial years ago that said ..."Try it..you'll like it!".

Mike

PS. I am also looking into a higher capacity NiMH battery pack for it. I think Battery Junction sells the cells.

 

[arioch]

I also have one ... and here are my thoughts:

Positive:
1.) Best dang thrower I have, and I got a lot of lights, including the Taskforce Cree 2C, Rayovac Cree 3C, Malkoff drop in with 3D Mag, Malkoff M60 in 6P, Fenix TK10, a host of DX Cree lights, and much more. The Malkoffs both have more spill, but the Dorcy's hotspot is veeeeery impressive.
2.) It comes with A/C and D/C chargers.
3.) Hotspot has a nice beam profile, even with smooth reflector. Yes, there are rings, but they are not bad.

Negative:
1.) Anodize (looks like type II) is already wearing off after only about a month of use.
2.) Plastic lens is already scratched up- Pyrex or UCL would have been nice.
3.) collar around barrel unscrews to reveal the charging port right below the switch; the collar on mine is loose, and unscrews on its own. I am unable to tighten it enough to keep it from doing this. Loctite and other products are not useful, as the collar needs to be unscrewed often to charge the light.
4.) There is no indicator on either the charger or on the light to show if the light is being charged, or if the battery charge is full.
5.) Switch is reverse clicky and requires a somewhat firm press to activate. IMO, a reverse clicky switch should not require a very firm press to activate; this is okay for a forward clicky's momenatary function to avoid accidental activation in the pocket or bag, but not for a reverse clicky. Forward clicky would have been better (for me).
6.) Switch is on the side, and is not easily located by feel at night or in the dark. Tailcap switch on this would have been nice.

Miscellaneous:
1.) Body is similar to the old Streamlight Ultrastinger, but with a shorter barrel length.
2.) The light is too small to be a tonk light, but too large to be an EDC.

Although I did list several things about the light that I thought could be better, if you want a super thrower light for about $50 (I spent $55 at the Sears here on Maui), this be the one. To better make my point: I work as a nighttime driving security patrol on a golf course (2- 18 hole courses). I have been using this light, and I can light up things (hotspot) pretty much anywhere I can normally see during the daytime.

Light saber lovers out there rejoice!!!

 

[Beamhead]

1.) Best dang thrower I have, and I got a lot of lights, including the Taskforce Cree 2C, Rayovac Cree 3C, Malkoff drop in with 3D Mag

It out throws the Malkoff 3D M@g drop in?

 

[arioch]

The hotspot does ... the Malkoff in 3D has hella more spill. Also, the hotspot on the Dorcy is more defined, as a circle. The Malkoff, either because of the SSC P4 or else the Mag reflector, does not have as defined (circular) a hotspot.

I have generally stayed away from the "super hotspot with no spill strictly for light saber lovers" type of lights because of their impracticality for work use (like the old incan Pelican "Laser Spot" lights), but this Dorcy provides both a super hotspot and also a very usable spill beam at long ranges.