Phantom,
I don't have any Q5 lights from DX (yet), but I took this...
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6965
and swapped to a Q5.
With the stock driver circuit, it measured 13,500 lux @ 1 meter with (2) 18650 batteries. Running around 700 ma to the emitter, it doesn't get hot at all. I didn't bother testing runtime, but the driver circuit regulated current very tightly over a 3v range on a power supply, so it would not drop much in brightness until the batteries shut off (protected 18650 batteries shut off around 2.75v).
To give you an idea of the brightness....
I did a side-by-side test @ 1 meter against a Xenon HID headlight low beam. The headlight's brightest spot measured 16,500 lux, beating it by 3,000. But since most of the headlight's beam measured 10,000-15,000 lux, it was a pretty close race. (BTW, it was a 2003 Infiniti G35, and only the low beam is Xenon that model year, so no high beam test).
Anyway, it looks like a mini-searchlight beam when you point it up on a dark night.... it's bright.
This light...
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5448
measured 5,000 lux with (1) 18650, and runtime was 3 1/2 hours to 50% brightness on high. Not as bright as the 6965, but impressive for it's compact size.
All measurements taken with this:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5100
Comparing the two, they're different animals.
The 6965 is a great thrower, with a very bright, narrow spot, but a bit bulky (9-1/2" long), and not useful for much else than spotting deer, blinding (and clubbing) a burglar, or amazing your friends while annoying your neighbors.
The 5448 is a good light for daily use. Wider spot, very bright for over 3 hours, has a low mode for close work, and is compact and lightweight by comparison (5 3/4" long). Good light to use with with a holster or coat pocket.
Both are (for the price) built well, nice finish, compact, and impressive for the amount of light produced from such a small package.
BTW, a very nice AA pocket light is:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3607
1500 lux, but kills an alkaline battery quick.
With a rechargeable 1900 mah Rayovac nimh, it runs full brightness (<10% drop) for over an hour, 1-1/2 hours to 50% brightness, but it's dropping like a stone the last 15 min.
Judging by the finish and design I'm guessing they're all manufactured by Romisen...
http://szromisen.com/index_en.asp
and sold under various brand names.
They are all very nice lights, but for different uses.
You can't go wrong with any of them, IMO.
I hope this will help you make a choice.
But, since this is CPF...... shouldn't you buy them ALL ??
