Sipik SK68 Ultrafire clone question (with pics)

[Mike_TX]

I've seen lots of favorable comments about the Sipik SK68, so when I came across an Ultrafire version of it, I thought I'd give it a try. It appears to be essentially the same light, all the way down to the little yellow warning triangle on the bezel.

Here's a picture:

The beamshots show really trashy patterns. Full zoom:

Full wide:

Lots of rings and halos and messy artifacts. Is the Sipik better than this, or is that what everyone has been praising? :thinking:

 

[cyclesport]

I've seen lots of favorable comments about the Sipik SK68, so when I came across an Ultrafire version of it, I thought I'd give it a try. It appears to be essentially the same light, all the way down to the little yellow warning triangle on the bezel.

Here's a picture:

The beamshots show really trashy patterns. Full zoom:

Full wide:

Lots of rings and halos and messy artifacts. Is the Sipik better than this, or is that what everyone has been praising? :thinking:

These are nice little cheap lights if you luck out with a good one, but yeah...looks like your copy isn't one of the better ones I've seen. I've had around 6 or 7 various SK68 clones and some are better than others. All will have corona and halo rings around the perimeter of the main full flood beam, but usually they are tightly together at the very edge of the flood beam. The flood spot should be fairly smooth without very noticeable artifacts if any(depending on the quality of the lens that also varies w/each light).

The best and most consistent ones I've bought are the "no-name" versions from Tom Top @ around $7. They work great with 14500's and the driver still works w/Eneloops after using the 3.7v Li-ions...some don't. My advice...gift it to someone and try again.

 

[saypat]

drop a 14500 in it, take it outside at night, and be AMAZED!

 

[Newuser01]

No name version on am@zon $5 shipped? You can try it for not much mula.:twothumbs

 

[Chicken Drumstick]

Doesn't look like it's zooming in all the way, it should offer up a projection of the LED emitter.

You will get rings, but honestly they're only an issue if you are white wall hunting, outside you'll not notice them.

My sk68 in use:

15 feet

105 feet

 

[Mike_TX]

Yes, this is the $5 Amazon one. And yes, the emitter does show up as a Batman alert - just not at 3 feet - so it is zooming all the way.

Guess I'll pick up a 14650 and play with that. Frankly, though, my XM-L C8's and even my 501-B's with XM-L's and XR-E's blow this one away so badly it's almost not worth the trouble. I got it just out of curiosity, though, so nothing lost.

 

[Newuser01]

my XM-L C8's and even my 501-B's with XM-L's and XR-E's blow this one away so badly it's almost not worth the trouble.

These are in a different class of lights all together. I also own the C8 and 501 b with custom drop in also. But I still like these sipik's for what they are. I have them loaded with e2 cells in the car, near every door of the house and such. :-)

 

[mccririck]

Shining it against a white wall at 3 feet is unrealistic. If you're looking at something 3 feet away you certainly wont need it zoomed, you'll just blind yourself.

I've been using one at work for a year and a half and have no issues with rings.

 

[DanglerB]

Same for me, mine arrived about a month ago and has not left my pocket since. It is beyond expectation for what a $6 shipped 1x AA Nimh light should do. Using Eneloops its more light for less money than a free HF (which needs 3x AAA), and far better build quality etc. Still can't beat free HF with good, but discount alkalines for a leave them all over light, but overall the free HF light has lost much of its initial appeal after owning the sk68 clone.

Anything a clear step up in performance seems like two or three steps up in price.