BessieBenny's Budget LED (DX/KD etc) Flashlights Review Roundup (Part XI)

[hoongern]

Romisen RC-T7 (MC-E)

Hey all, I did a search and couldn't find anything on this -

I was looking around Shiningbeam's website earlier today and came across the Romisen RC-T7 (http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-154/**NEW**-Romisen-RC-dsh-T7-MC-dsh-E/Detail)

I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about it. I was actually looking for the MG RX-1 MC-E which seems to have been out of stock for quite a while now, and I was wondering how this Romisen would compare.

It seems that it only takes 2x18650s though.. which could be good or bad.. (makes it longer) I guess that's fine since I'm not going to EDC it.

Or if anyone else knows a 'decent' <$80 MC-E thrower which is mostly going to sit at home except when needed, please tell me! (I already EDC a Fenix PD30, LD01, E01 & Romisen RC-N3 Q5)

Thanks!

 

[Tom_123]

Sorry, can't help with the RC-T7.
I own a Romisen RC-N3 and I like it a lot, so I'd be very interested as well
how the RC-T7 compares.

As an alternative:
I got myself an Epsilon ED-P71 and I'm quite happy with this light.
Over all output is less than from my Solarforce L900m, but the ED-P71 throws further.

The ED-P71 is sold here at the marketplace, there's also a review somewhere here.

 

[fstuff]

rc-g2 broke 🙁

my rc-g2 broke 🙁
the clear round dome on top of the emitter came loose.
i tried to superglue it back, but i guess i got some glue on the emitter. it's not as bright anymore 🙁

i've also come to realize that i need a belt holster. leaving it in my front pocket is getting to be a pain when you have to pull it out often. (this is for work.)

these 3 inexpensive lights have free holsters:
1) People's Cree Q2 (3xAAA) $9.56
http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13442

2) Ultrafire C3 (P4, 1xAA) $10.73
http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1993

3) Handy Q5-wc (3xAAA) $11.50
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13974


Anyone know how's the throw of these vs the RC-G2?

Thx!


edit:
i'm trying to keep costs down. since i use my flashlight for work, it gets banged up, dropped, etc.
i expect it to break or lost (ie: down a hole)
2 of these inexpensive lights = 1 Shining Beam rc-g2 II 😱

i dont think the rc-g2 casing is designed to take a beating

 

[Zatoichi]

Re: rc-g2 broke 🙁

Anyone know how's the throw of these vs the RC-G2?

Thx!

I have an RC-G2 but don't have the others to compare. I'd guess though, that the G2 probably out throws the C3 due to it's bigger reflector. I would pick the C3 out of that lot though because it's the only one that dosen't use 3 x AAA. It also has loads of good comments, I'm tempted myself.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Re: rc-g2 broke 🙁

RC-G2 has been known as a thrower...

How about a Q5 G2 from Shining Beam?

 

[kosPap]

Ultrafire twisties question....

hi all!

does anyone has one of the Ultrafire twisties (c1 or C5)? What is the board diameter? 17mm?

BTW, I will buy yours if you are willing to part with it (PM me)

 

[kavvika]

gstuff, if you have the know how and a good soldering iron, you can replace the emitter. Otherwise, sent me a PM if you're willing to sell it as I've been looking for a RC-G2 to mod for a while now.

It's a shame the Akoray K-103 now includes a reverse clickie. I was this close to purchasing one until I read this thread. Hopefully I'll find a used one someday. I just cannot stand reverse clickies.

I'm impressed with the heatsinking on theat MTE P7. Looks like that slug is copper and the star makes solid contact with it as long as there's thermal grease underneath. The screws would make for easy uprading once brighter bins are released. I still won't buy one however; I haven't seen a slim (non-turbo head) Chinese P7 light that I find good looking.

 

[richardcpf]

Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

Just got my Ultrafire C3 Q5 SS 5 modes, this is the new version SKU. 26122.

Before you continue: I suggest you to immediately stop reading and get one if you have $15 to spend, and if you don't like it, I will give you those $15 back myself. Im serious.

I wanted to write a quick review about this little awesome SS beauty, because this is truly the best AA deal in the market, to me, at least. Sorry mods if I posted this in the wrong section, but I should clarify this ain't another DX/KD whateverfire cheapo.

So how great is this "budget" flashlight? It is so great, I have nothing to complain about, for the first time in my flashaholic life. To be precise, the machining and threads are perfect. Looks very classy and high end, feels heavy and resistant in hand, performs great on either AA or li-ion. On AA NiMh is overall brighter than the Romisen G2, and with li-ion it is brigther than my P2DQ5 on turbo. Can you believe it? Because I can't.

Pill, switch, reflector and all components are removable. Came with all GITD orings, including one in front of the lens. This is a quick beamshot I took:

Romisen G2 NiMh, Fenix P2DQ5 Turbo, Ultrafire C3 Nimh high.

Fenix P2DQ5 turbo with fresh charged li-ion, Ultrafire C3 High with 10440.

While I was taking this last beamshot, I went into panic and thought my P2D was damaged: "Please come one.. this ultrafire can't be brighter... P2D's battery must be drained.. something must be wrong... I havent switched to turbo yet right?... impossible..." And I changed batteries 3 times, got the same results. So I had to dealt with it: My $15 ultrafire is brighter than my $50 Fenix. It might get less runtime and heat up faster, but heck, its brighter. Both spot and flood.

Size comparison

DX is not paying me to write this review, this flashlight is simply amazing. As I said, the best AA deal in the market, best deal under $15, and the best flashlight I've ever bought, value-wise of course (Nothing has been able to beat the LD01SS yet). Im ordering 10 more to give them to my friends and family.

 

[MerkurMan]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

Nice review! I was impressed by another member's post on this light and had to order one myself. Hopefully it won't take too long. :thumbsup:

 

[m16a]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

Do you have a comparison of the levels in output? What would you estimate them to be? Also, how is the tint? I may consider buying one or two of these as gifts for my buddies.

 

[Mockingbird]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

Sounds like a great light, and I suppose you could run it with a 10440. But, if it will hold a AA, I'm guessing you meant to say 14500 rather than 10440?

 

[Crenshaw]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

It is a good light, i have the one mode version, but its only a P4, ive wanted to replace it, but i cant figure out how to open the pill.

Crenshaw

 

[richardcpf]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

Do you have a comparison of the levels in output? What would you estimate them to be? Also, how is the tint? I may consider buying one or two of these as gifts for my buddies.

My guesses are... compared with my many other flashlights

Alkaline:
Low: 15 lumens
Med: 40 lumens
High: 80 lumens

Li-ion
Low: 25 lumens
Med: 90 lumens
high: 190 lumens

Tint is white, perfect white. Doesn't get yellowish in low modes, which really amazed me.

Sounds like a great light, and I suppose you could run it with a 10440. But, if it will hold a AA, I'm guessing you meant to say 14500 rather than 10440?

I dont have any 14500, just throw an 10440 inside and turn it on. The spring is long enough to reach it, and put some tape around the battery to prevent it from moving. I also used 14250 from my Raw al and some magnets.

 

[brik]

Akoray AK-16 better than K-106

I recently bought a [PDC] Akoray AK-16 (from KD) and a K-106 from DX. I gave the K-106 to a friend, i thought i'd share why.

These are similar lights: look almost the same, K-106 is a fraction smaller, and most important to me both can run on a AA sized alkaline, eneloop, or Li-on cells. Same very good build quality on each.

I think the beam pattern is better on the AK-16 but that is preference; on my samples the spot is smaller and the wash dimmer with the K-106 but others may prefer that way. The AK-16 beam also seems a little smoother.

I also have a liteflux LF3xt so i have those (expensive) CR123A cells around. A strong selling point for me is the AK-16 can also use CR123A size cell, due to springs and centering cones at both ends. The AA size cell is held snug by the cones, the 123A size is snug against the tube walls. That's a nice feature, but the length of the AK-16 springs are rather annoying (to me) when installing a AA size cell, it always feels like the top spring is slopping to the side. I think the K-106 is better for casual users.

So, the big difference. The max output from each light is the same (looks like the same level by eye, no lightbox here) but the lowest level on the AK-16 is much lower. See images below. I love a low setting on my lights. Oh, and one more thing - the Fenix diffuser cone fits exactly on the AK-16!

Note: Kai Domain lists it as the PDC AK-16, not Akoray AK-16.

below: AK-16 on low (alkaline), K-106 on low (alkaline)

below: AK-16 and K-106 on high setting (alkaline)

below: AA cell in the Akoray/PDC AK-16

below: AK-16 with Fenix diffuser tip, fits perfectly

 

[hazna]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

I'm dubious about the consistency of the ultrafire build quality. I bought one the earlier ultrafire c3 (one mode, cree P4)... It stopped working properly after a gentle knock. Sure, it was a cheap $15 flashlight, but that is still $15 down the drain.

 

[MerkurMan]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

I'm dubious about the consistency of the ultrafire build quality. I bought one the earlier ultrafire c3 (one mode, cree P4)... It stopped working properly after a gentle knock. Sure, it was a cheap $15 flashlight, but that is still $15 down the drain.

There was a generation of C3 that was absolute garbage. I bought both the 2AA 5-mode and a 1AA single-mode last year sometime. The single-mode took some filing of the solder bumps on the driver as well as cleaning of the tube ends to work properly, and the 5-mode just up and packed it after about 10 minutes of runtime. The driver had scorch marks on it.

Hopefully they've resolved these issues.

 

[MerkurMan]

Re: Akoray AK-16 better than K-106

Hmm, looks like I'll have to make a visit to KD soon!

One of my minor niggles with the K-106 was that the Fenix accessories didn't fit snugly. This light brings me one step closer to perfection. 😗

 

[BigBluefish]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

I was lucky and got one of the good SS C3s back in early '08. Don't know if it was a P4 or Q2, though I'd guess a P4. Very cool color temp, but flawless beam, which is suprising for a cree. Mine was a very nicely made light, and mine has proven reliable.

 

[RGB_LED]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

I have 3 of the 14500 version (thought it may be able to handle AA but turned out it couldn't... 🙁) but, for the price, they're awesome. I'm glad to hear that it can now handle AA batteries.

I did have to clean / lube the threads on each of the lights and buy holsters for them but this is a great, reasonably priced AA light! Stock up for gifts!

Btw, what's the input voltage on this light? Just curious if it can handle 3.7v Li-ion's as well...

 

[hyperloop]

Re: Greatest Ultrafire of all times: New C3 Q5 SS, Quick review.

Before you continue: I suggest you to immediately stop reading and get one if you have $15 to spend, and if you don't like it, I will give you those $15 back myself. Im serious.

can i just tell you that i don't like it, keep the light and your $15?? 😀

just kiddin', i have an old Ultrafire C3, the P4 one with an extension tube, its a great light, i must have gotten one of the good ones in the DX lottery, it's been dropped, kicked about and generally abused as much as a light brought for shoreline saltwater fishing can be abused and it works fine, its been relegated to my dad's nightstand now so i guess its time to get a replacement.

thanks for the great short review, definitely an influencing factor to hear from a fellow CPF-er. Better get 'em while they're hot!

EDIT: you're an evil influence you are, just ordered 2 😀