MTE 5-Mode or Kai CREE Q2?

[Mandog]

Finally was approved here!

I have boiled down my choices to these two lights. From what I've read they are equally impressive, and cheap. I was hoping someone could help me make a decision with comparisons, or maybe recommend a better light for up to $25 that runs on regular batteries (not sure how I'd recharge the batteries when the power goes out, or where I'd find a wall jack in the woods ). Currently I've just been browsing these websites since they seem to have the best prices (I'm a cheapskate, I know).

MTE:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6162

Kai:
https://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=2436

I've also had my eye on the MTE SSC-P4 42180-U and the UltraFire Cree C3.

This would be my first true flashlight purchase other than years of crappy dollar store types.

 

[Gunner12]

Why not Buy Both and keep one as a back up/loner light. They are $32.90 together. Two lights are better then one.

Welcome to CPF!

 

[matrixshaman]

Welcome to CPF! MTE seems to be one of the real quality China lights IMO. Most of them are not as good of quality especially in the machining of threads but MTE seems to excel in this and overall quality from what I've found. Also I've got a personal preference for dealing with DealExtreme.

 

[Mandog]

I could buy both, but I really only need one. I'm just trying to make the smartest buy. Thanks for your comments and for welcoming me, this seems like a great community and great place to learn.

 

[selfbuilt]

I also favor the build quality of the MTE lights (sold at DX) over the Kai lights. Note that they use the same circuit, so you are really only choosing between the builds. That being said, the Kai lights are larger (both thicker and deeper), and throw further for the same amount of light output.

 

[rizky_p]

I like quality of MTE light except the one that uses Rebel 100 and CR123. the quality is simply horible being not using real rebel reflector, the head and body doesnt make good contact(light work intermiten), changing mode when shaken, realy ugly thread. I am quite surprise with the quality of this MTE, i own MTE AA light and its quality is excellent. I get the feeling that it is being rushed into market. I

 

[Mandog]

I'm assuming the "circuit" is the type of LED used? How can I tell if they have the same circuits (if I can at all)? The MTE has a yellow tint to it's beam whereas the Kai has a white beam.

 

[wakibaki]

rizky_p, sorry to hear about your CR123 experience. Maybe you should return the light...

I have an MTE 5-mode Rebel 100 CR123 from DX. I don't know anything about the Kai light, but I unreservedly recommend this DX one at 18+ dollars.

CR123s are generally the brightest single-cell small lights.

The build quality is marginally inferior to the Fenix light (P1D-CE P4) which I have, and the beam is a little blotchy with some tint variation, but I consider it functionally slightly superior in terms of light output and modes + it's designed to accept rechargeables. It actually cost me only a quarter what the Fenix did. Don't get me wrong, you can point to loads of things on the Fenix and say 'this is better', but they make no difference in practical usage.

I run it on these: - http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3273

You can get lithium primaries too. Lithium cells really are better than the rest, all round, other than in terms of availability. They hold their charge well too, unlike most other rechargeables...

w

 

[Gunner12]

I'm assuming the "circuit" is the type of LED used? How can I tell if they have the same circuits (if I can at all)? The Kai has a yellow tint to it's beam whereas the MTE has a white beam.

The circuit refers to the boost circuit and the mode changing. They should be similar at the least due to both having to boost a 1.5v source to 3.7v and both having the High-Medium-Low-Strobe-SOS string of modes.

The MTE uses a Rebel 100 LED which should be more efficient then the Cree Q2 used in the Kai 5 mode. But the Kai 5 mode has a better beam then the MTE Rebel 100. The MTE is smaller and the Kai is bigger but the Kai light should have more throw.

 

[selfbuilt]

The circuit refers to the boost circuit and the mode changing. They should be similar at the least due to both having to boost a 1.5v source to 3.7v and both having the High-Medium-Low-Strobe-SOS string of modes.

Yep, that's what I was referring to - but in addition, I've done actual runtime tests on the P4 Cree-based Kai and MTE lights, and get exactly the same amount of output for same amount time, leading me to conclude that they are using exactly the same circuits (with the same efficiencies).

You can see some runtime comparisons to better quality lights here:
Rex 2.1, Luma 301, DX X.1, C-LE v1.2, Fenix L1DCE-Q2, DX/Kai 5-Stage Review: RUNTIMES

 

[Paul6ppca]

I got my son an MTE seoul reg AA ,its nice for the money and BRIGHT.Low isnt that low but much lower than high.Its pretty well built for $18! Nice beam and tint.

 

[mattblick]

I have had the MTE 5 mode since Friday and I am very pleased with it.

The finish and build quality are much better than I expected. As people have noted this light would be better with an OP reflector instead of a smooth one but the few artifacts are no big deal to me. It is bright, small, and efficient.

I gave the light to my four year old for torture testing yesterday. He was constantly clicking the switch, probably hundreds of cycles during the day. He dropped it onto the tile floor at least twice, and who knows what else happened to it in his possession. When I grabbed the light to take with me this evening the finish was still perfect and the light performed as new. A light that survives a day with a four year old is reliable enough for me.

I had been running it with Tenergy 2600 (yeah, right) NiMh cells, but I found some Rayovac Hybrid 2100 cells at Target and have them in the charger now.


-Matt-