DealExtreme flashlight advice

[hahnyc87]

Heres the deal.... I currently own a P1D CE Q5, an Inova XO3, the Lowes 160(ish?) lumen light and a few cheaper ones. I'd like to add a few more to my collection. Being that my Inova and the P1D and one of my other lights use the 123 batteries, I'd like to stick to the same kind and maybe either get a case of cheaper ones or 6-10 of them with a recharger. I am running into a few issues (still, after digging through threads).

1) I haven't the slightest darn idea what batteries to get! I am confused and I have even posted about batteries before. If they are rechargeable, I don't care about runtime, I'd rather have output (unless I'm going to make the unit super hot). Any advice there?
2) What lights do you guys recommend? I would probably give one of these to my girlfriend to keep in her car and then use a few others for my car and apartment. I need a really good thrower (or two) but don't want one of those lights that emits the perfectly focused tight hotspot (not sure how else to describe it). I think I also want one good flood and maybe another in between.

With all the changing Cree LEDs, I wasn't sure what to get and you all are WAY more knowledgeable about this stuff than I am so I seek advice!!! What do I get and what batteries do I get with them? I would prefer compactness and don't want to spend a lot of money (hence using DX) as these lights won't be used that often.

Thanks!

 

[sol-leks]

They seem to be getting slightly mixed reviews, but bessiebenny seemed to like them and that is good enough for me so maybe this might be up your alley?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14228
Uses the batteries you like and gives you both throw and flood, plus its cheap

 

[Jarl]

If the lowes is a taskforce 2C, put a 18650 in it and a Q5 and you have a really nice thrower.

 

[crazee horse]

ive just recieved 2 ultrafire c1"s from DX. took about 6 weeks to arrive, and they are both crap. if you tap them on the side they switch off, and need to be left for 5 mins before turning on again, and a quick splash test wiped them both right out! i wont be buying cheap again. even if they were just to test out.

 

[DArklite]

For the P1D CE Q5, if you decide to go the rechargeable RCR123 route, you MUST use the 3.0v RCR123's. AW sells them in the CPF Marketplace: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=180449
I recommend the WF-138 charger for those.
Later on, when you "graduate" to the 18650 battery flashlights, buy the batteries from AW along with the WF-139 charger and you'll be good to go; that charger will also charge the "normal" rechargeable RCR123 3.6v batteries.
To be safe, use PROTECTED rechargeable Li-ion batts.
You can either order them direct from AW in Hong Kong, or from within the USA from www.4sevens.com or www.lighthound.com or www.batteryjunction.com.

 

[hahnyc87]

For the P1D CE Q5, if you decide to go the rechargeable RCR123 route, you MUST use the 3.0v RCR123's. AW sells them in the CPF Marketplace: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=180449
I recommend the WF-138 charger for those.
Later on, when you "graduate" to the 18650 battery flashlights, buy the batteries from AW along with the WF-139 charger and you'll be good to go; that charger will also charge the "normal" rechargeable RCR123 3.6v batteries.
To be safe, use PROTECTED rechargeable Li-ion batts.
You can either order them direct from AW in Hong Kong, or from within the USA from www.4sevens.com or www.lighthound.com or www.batteryjunction.com.

Why are 18650 batteries or the lights that use them so much better? I thought 123s were the best but I'd be more than happy to go the route with those batteries. Can you recommend some with 18650s?

 

[PhantomLights]

Why are 18650 batteries or the lights that use them so much better? I thought 123s were the best but I'd be more than happy to go the route with those batteries. Can you recommend some with 18650s?

They're twice the length of 123s but have roughly three times the capacity, at least on DX, the best 18650s have just over 2000mah, where as the best 123s are around the 700mah mark.

Although you can create a higher voltage in a smaller space with the 123s, so they have their advantages.

 

[hahnyc87]

They're twice the length of 123s but have roughly three times the capacity, at least on DX, the best 18650s have just over 2000mah, where as the best 123s are around the 700mah mark.

Although you can create a higher voltage in a smaller space with the 123s, so they have their advantages.

Do you recommend any good, compact ones?

 

[hahnyc87]

OK, here are the few I'm looking at now:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5379 (for my thrower light)... anyone know just how far it will throw?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14445

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13095

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14899

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14028

Can anyone link me to a website where I can get those batteries from AW or whatever it is? Are these not a good deal or not what I want?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1283
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5837

Or should I get these from here: http://www.batteryjunction.com/gli18322mahr.html

 

[kramer5150]

Most of those lights use DX P60 drop in modules. They will throw for a good ~50 yards, with some open flood out too over 100-ish yards.

Stay away from the Sufire clones that use DX 14024 switch cap. Out of the box my 14024 was very finicky, you can see my review and read my comments. It works GREAT now that I have it working, but would hesitate to recommend anything that uses it openly.

DX14445 uses the Solarforce R2-M drop in, 14442. You can see my review and read my comments on that module.

You're pretty much starting from scratch, and a budget priced, versatile product may not be a bad choice as you refine your tastes and discover what works for you.

Of the lights you listed I would opt for the 14445, several modes and 2 cell combinations to pick from, I have been satisfied with my 14442 drop in although I am not sure how well it performs at lower voltages off a single cell.

 

[hahnyc87]

Most of those lights use DX P60 drop in modules. They will throw for a good ~50 yards, with some open flood out too over 100-ish yards.

Stay away from the Sufire clones that use DX 14024 switch cap. Out of the box my 14024 was very finicky, you can see my review and read my comments. It works GREAT now that I have it working, but would hesitate to recommend it openly.

DX14445 uses the Solarforce R2-M drop in, 14442. You can see my review and read my comments on that module.

You're pretty much starting from scratch, and a budget priced, versatile product may not be a bad choice as you refine your tastes and discover what works for you.

Of the lights you listed I would opt for the 14445, several modes and 2 cell combinations to pick from, I have been satisfied with my 14442 drop in although I am not sure how well it performs at lower voltages off a single cell.

Thanks for the help. What about this one: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3371

 

[Jarl]

Try a WF-600 for a dedicated budget thrower. However, as stated, your TF can be turned in to a decent thrower if it's the 2C 60X version.

 

[kramer5150]

Thanks for the help. What about this one: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3371

You should keep in mind I dont have first hand experience with any of these lights... so take my comments for what they're worth (just a guy looking at specs and features).

I haven't had any problems with my 501B, I am using it as a 6090 host. Considering its only $9, it has no business being this reliable... but it is:thumbsup:, and I have nothing to complain about (other than that clown who spam'd out my youtube video). The fit, finish and machining on the 502B looks a lot cleaner and more refined than my 501B.:thumbsup:

 

[LEDninja]

You can get AW batteries directly from AW over at marketplace.
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=180449

If you do not have paypal Lighthound carries them.
http://www.lighthound.com/Li-Ion-Protected-Batteries_c_24-1.html

So does 4sevens
https://www.4sevens.com/index.php?cPath=53_57

-----

You should also look at the SSC-P7 lights. I recommend a 5 or 3 mode as there is a medium for when you don't need uber brightness. They are easily 3X brighter than the P60 drop in style lights you were looking at, and the ones with the bigger reflectors can throw just as far.
I got this one.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12060
Big head.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13336
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12809
2 batteries will double the runtime.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14212
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14396
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14645
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15572

 

[Flashfirstask?later]

OK, here are the few I'm looking at now:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13095

A pretty decent light (not a thrower) though it runs hot after a bit and does not seem as bright as the claim is though it has a about MOP reflector so no cree rings nor defined hot spot like of a LOP P60 dropin. I would have preferred the more recent 5-Mode version as it came out just after I received a sku.13095, so if I did not need as much light I could use it on low or med and it would have been cooler and run longer. Still more slimmer and not bulky like some single 18650 lights can be, but then those bulky ones are usually throwers.

 

[Flashfirstask?later]

I haven't had any problems with my 501B, I am using it as a 6090 host. Considering its only $9, it has no business being this reliable... but it is:thumbsup:, and I have nothing to complain about (other than that clown who spam'd out my youtube video). The fit, finish and machining on the 502B looks a lot cleaner and more refined than my 501B.:thumbsup:

How does the 502B fair against the Solarforce/spiderfire L2 as it can take a protected 18650 versus a protected 17670 in the L2.

 

[Vball]

There is a great light that is listed in almost every DX light topic. The Romisen RC-N3. However I would get the Q5 version from Shiningbeam instead of the P4 from DX. They also carry the ultrafire cr123 rechargables. Fast shipping and located in US. This is my favorite light almost as bright as 6090 dropin shines 50-70 yards easy on 1 cr123 3.7 rechargable last for about an hour.

 

[cheetokhan]

Another big thumbs up for the Shiningbeam version of the RC-N3 :thumbsup:
I'm starting to really like the single CR123 cell lights. I now have the RC-N3, a Nitecore EX10GD, and a Jetbeam Jet II IBS. They are all great lights, but the RC-N3 is half the price of the other two and it holds up very well in comparison to them.
The other two lights have slick user interfaces with variable intensities and blinky modes. The RC-N3 just has off and real bright
The EX10DG has a wonderfully smooth beam, but is not as bright as the RC-N3.
The Jetbeam has the best UI and the brightest beam, but it's a little ringy and a little blue. Just a tiny bit blue.
The RC-N3 has a very smooth beam, is almost as bright as the Jet, and has almost as tight a hotspot for good throw. It also has a wonderful creamy colored beam that gives very true-to-life colors. Also, the RC-N3 has a forward clicky, which to me, is a big plus.
You can't go wrong with the RC-N3

 

[hahnyc87]

I'll definitely be buying that romisen you guys recommended from Shining Beam. Which batteries should I get for that as it isnt an 18650? As far as the WF600, it looks good but a little large for what I'm looking for. How about a little bit smaller?

 

[Gunner12]

A Good P60 accepting light from what i hear is the Romisen RC-M4.

If you want a thrower, try the WF-600 like Jarl said. The larger reflector lets the light have a usable distance of 150 meters from what I hear.