Best SST-50 flashlight?

[Seneca]

Hi

I was thinking of buying the UniqueFire UF-1500L "1100 Lumens" light to use as a headlamp when using my quad (I'm gonna duct-tape it to my helmet).

But I've never heard of uniquefire before, and for almost 70$+shipping+tax, I want to be sure I getting good stuff.

DX lists this model as having "Digital Regulated 4000mA Current Output" which I see as a good sign. And the reflector is a flood type, I think this would be good, but I also need some throw too since I'm driving pretty fast. Should I go with a different reflector? What do you think?

So... Is this a good buy or can you recommend something else?

btw lovecpf

 

[jorn]

Hi

I was thinking of buying the UniqueFire UF-1500L "1100 Lumens" light to use as a headlamp when using my quad (I'm gonna duct-tape it to my helmet).

But I've never heard of uniquefire before, and for almost 70$+shipping+tax, I want to be sure I getting good stuff.

DX lists this model as having "Digital Regulated 4000mA Current Output" which I see as a good sign. And the reflector is a flood type, I think this would be good, but I also need some throw too since I'm driving pretty fast. Should I go with a different reflector? What do you think?

So... Is this a good buy or can you recommend something else?

btw lovecpf

I dont think a big flashlight like that taped to a helmet (while driving something fast) is a good combination.
1.risk of neck injury. If it is a really bumpy ride. (its prob. heavy)
2 it can fall off. If a dx "something"fire light drops, they may break. (most of them are crappy)

 

[Seneca]

Ooookaaay :/ Good points...

My friends have lights that are a bit smaller, perhaps 150g +1x18650 battery.

But I want more lumens...

Is there any SST-50-based lights that is a lamp+housing and have the power source seperate? I found a P7 based on DX, but it's only "900 lumens"...

 

[Lighthouse one]

You should post in the bike forum...down the pages farther. They have lots of experience with this type of question....I also remember seeing a P7 style bike light in the $75 range on DX.

 

[MerkurMan]

First off, if you're looking at a DX SST-50, I suggest the UF-1500 not the UF-1500L. At least on my examples, the 1500 is much brighter, and the emitter is centred much better. Also, the reflector is deeper which gives it a nicer beam pattern.

I personally don't think, however, that you could successfully duct tape one of these monsters to your helmet and have it stay in place. You'd need to at least figure out a way to lash it or clamp it properly. Also, your helmet would have to be fairly tightly strapped to your head, or else the weight of the torch bouncing around would jostle it around your head.

The UF-1500 (the grey-coloured M1X knockoff-looking one) is a helluva bright flashlight, though, and it has a beautiful, artifact-free beam. It's hard to tell due to tint and beam differences, but I'd say it's a bit brighter than my EagleTac M2XC4 neutral. :o

 

[rickypanecatyl]

This guy works awesome!

It's a 50 watt MR16 bulb in a cheap plumbing housing. I power it from a 18 volt, Li Ion Makita drill battery that fits in my pocket.

I ride with guys at night with $300 35 watt HID's. Granted they are a cleaner package, snap on and off etc but mine works far better. I don't know which is "brighter" (some say the HID's are 3X brighter per watt.) Mine is probably 2X as strong on the 18 volt battery than it is on the 12 that it was made for. It will last several hours though like that (the bulb) and when it blows you get another $2 one :)

There is no question though for riding trails at night mine helps you see far better than a typical 35 watt HID. (I'm learning this is a very different topic than how bright a light is). I know surefires staple add is about blinding and temporarily disorienting an attacker ... blinding someone (and yourself a bit too) is one category, helping you see better for riding is another.

 

[joe1512]

Keep in mind that most Lumen ratings are lies. 1500 lumens my butt.

Right now there are not a whole lot of SST-50 lights available. Those two from DX look decent, but I seriously doubt they are Regulated. Even if they pull 4A, they wont be able to dissipate the heat.

Personally I bought an XTAR TZ50, though that might be problematic in the future. (Got mine for 70 bucks).
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=211427

For what you want, I think a P7 light would be just as good. I dont think the SST-50 is really anymore efficient. Its just a 1 die, vs 4 die light which means its beam profile is better. If I were you, I wouldn't worry so much about the lumens and take one of the P7s...probably one of the 30-32 dollar ones.

There is a Bike kit for around 70 bucks that has a P7 light with 2 18650s that might work well for you.


Anyways, my point is that the SST-50 is not generally worth paying extra for at this time. A P7 is plenty good for your purposes and you will have a lot more choices.