Closet buckle light owners; need your comments, please

[Rzr800]

I have been waiting for something 'groundbreaking' to come along in a 3A light after giving away all my LODQ4's at Christmas and a Tiablo
A1 to my wife (didn't manage to keep one for myself). My guess is that most 'noticeable to the human eye' increases in brightness will be more prevalent in the larger lights as technology moves along. I'd really like to now try some of these less expensive lights containing what they advertise as higher bins (U?) than anything out presently; with the thought that if I kill it...I can buy 2 more before I've even touched what I've spent previously on the others.

These are the two lights that I can't seem to find any formal review on beyond assorted comments after a number of you up here have purchased the V1,2 and 3 versions of the buckle light. I'm not sure if the 10440 capable light will ever be produced again or that it is truly worth waiting for...but are these two below the top contenders for throwaway value at maximum output in this size? (I woud never own an unprotected 10440 cell; yet if the light itself is indeed brighter in some other respect; the extra couple bucks would possibly seem worth it).

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=3241 (buckle)
http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=2813 (10440 compatible)

Something tells me that SHOT '08 may not reveal anything of this size, output or value level in a throwaway (or otherwise) EDC light. Thanks for your help in advance; as my feeling is that many more actually own this light up here and use it all the time than ever actually comment on it (I'd call it the "NDI syndrome" :eeksign.

 

[LEDninja]

Kai Buckle Light Run Times
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=182769

Ultrafire WF-602C SSC U Bin AAA/10440
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=172973

 

[Rzr800]

Fantastic find, LEDninja and thank you very much. Although I gave away all our $50 lights; it appears as if at least some CPF owners feel that these work just fine. Are there any American companies out there producing similiar (at least reliable) quality at anywhere near these prices?

 

[Crenshaw]

DONT BUY IT!.....












so theres stock when i order them again....:devil:

lol


Crenshaw

 

[swxb12]

Are there any American companies out there producing similiar (at least reliable) quality at anywhere near these prices?

That's a tough one. You could try this one (link).

 

[Marduke]

Direct comparison:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=179957

 

[LGCubana]

I've got 2 of the V1
&
2 of the V2

No problems with any of them lighting up. Only issue with V1 has been how far they have to be backed out to eliminate accidentally being turned on.

I just ordered the o-rings for them; which should take care of this.
http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=4095

I've been very happy with them. I use them for close range; < 15'. Where an intense hot spot with little side spill (CREE), doesn't do it.

 

[LEDninja]

Fantastic find, LEDninja and thank you very much. Although I gave away all our $50 lights; it appears as if at least some CPF owners feel that these work just fine. Are there any American companies out there producing similiar (at least reliable) quality at anywhere near these prices?

The only light I can think of is the Streamlight MicroStream.
The UK 2AAA eLED is very dim.
You can try looking for a Dorcy 1AAA at Walmart USA. $5-$6.
Most everything else is 2AAA or 1AA or CR123A.

 

[Rzr800]

That's a tough one. You could try this one (link).

Thanks for educating me on Dorcy; as it appears that they provide a domestic light that looks pretty beefy at a reasonable price. I'm not up enough on the LEDs to make any output comparisons (Luxeon 1 watt; apparently) yet at least they're out there giving us an option and might hopefully reveal something even better at SHOT.

 

[Rzr800]

Direct comparison:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=179957

Thanks, Marmaduke. I thought that I had spent enough time searching it; yet it looks like I had better spend some more next time.

A big thanks to LGCubana and LEDNinja (again) also

 

[Rzr800]

DONT BUY IT!.....so theres stock when i order them again....:devil:
lol
Crenshaw

To late! (lol):twothumbs

I bought one for myself (to finally have a 3A light) and one for the kid that I look after. So that's it, nobody talks about 'em...for good reason!

 

[TOOCOOL]

I have a V 2.0 hanging from my belt, I'm happy with it now that I put a Fenix EO O ring on it

 

[Crenshaw]

To late! (lol):twothumbs
So that's it, nobody talks about 'em...for good reason!

:devil::nana:

Crenshaw

 

[Vikas Sontakke]

By the way, in my experience, the buckle light gives the most useful beam. The hotspot gradually fades in to very generous corona/spill.

- Vikas

 

[horizonseeker]

I like mine, it was a v1, put some teflon tape to make the tail cap tight when it is in the off position and all is well. I really like the SSC beam as it blends the hot spot and the pill well and gives a very nice overall beam pattern.

 

[swxb12]

Mine is a v1 as well.

I think people complained about the bad o-ring, battery rattle and bad threading design with this version. The battery rattle is not noticeable when I use nimh. Yes, if I purposefully shake the light like a maraca I hear and feel it but it is just thuds. Not a clickity-clack rattle. And the threading is not a huge problem, I just don't over-twist the light when I turn it on. Pretty simple, as soon as the light turns on I just don't twist any further.

The only thing I need to do is add a better sized o-ring (like one of my L0D replacement ones) to give the light a better water seal.

I'm very happy with it and as mentioned the beam is extremely useful because of a wide angle, gigantic hotspot, nice tint, and lack of artifacts/rings. Funds permitting, I hope you ordered more than one