Ultrafire C3 / Akoray k-106 / Uniquefire s10?

[junglewarrior]

Hi Guys,

So glad I stumbled upon this site, its great!

So I've been scanning over these pages for about a week, doing a little research...

I've narrowed my first LED purchase down to the Ultrafire C3 / Akoray k-106 / Uniquefire s10.

I've read mixed reviews about all 3 - one of the most worrying things is the reliability from Dealextreme. There are a couple of UK sites selling these, would that make any difference?

All I want from a torch is the following;

-Bright as possible
-Low setting
-Clicky
-Looks the part...
-AA size
-Cheap cheap cheap (Gotta start at the bottom...)

Any other suggestions would be welcome!

I go on holiday in a fortnight and want to order and receive before then if poss...

Cheers,
Mark

:thinking:

 

[Ian2381]

The Ultrafire C3 Stainless steel is the best for the price, If there is a problem with the light it is easy to fix as long as you know how to solder and follow instructions from CPF members.

I would suggest to skip the budget lights and buy an ITP A2 (1xAA) or ITP A3(1xAAA) which is made of better quality.:twothumbs

 

[Zatoichi]

The only UK sites I've seen sell these brands are either ridiculously over priced, or actually Chinese sites that appear to be British. If you've found a genuine cheap one I'd appreciate the info.

I have the C3 in SS (actually I bought two and gave one to the girlfriend) and I have the single mode S10. Both decent in my experience, but as you've heard, DX quality control seems barely existant. I'm happy taking my chances with them, and have never had to do more than a little tightening up and cleaning to get them working. So there's a risk involved, but they're nice lights for the money.

 

[brted]

The problem with the C3 lately is people have been getting a low-end XR-C LED instead of the brighter XR-E. The S10 1-mode is good, but I wasn't that impressed with my 6-mode (and it burned out when I tried a lithium-ion battery). If you can afford the 3-mode programmable AKOray K-106 from KaiDomain, it is a great light and less than $20. Mine isn't all that bright, even on a li-ion. Seems like people say the DX 5-mode AKOray is brighter, but they also have more problems with it.

You didn't say whether you plan on using lithium-ion batteries, but all 3 of these will be less impressive on AA's (maybe half as bright).

If you just want AA, some people like the Hugsby P31, but it is one mode only.

Welcome to CPF!

 

[Zatoichi]

The problem with the C3 lately is people have been getting a low-end XR-C LED instead of the brighter XR-E.

True, my second one didn't have the same emitter, but it's still very nice for the money IMO.

 

[mfm]

Ultrafire C3 / Akoray k-106 / Uniquefire s10.

I wouldn't bother with any of the above, the quality of all the C3s and the other listed lights is quite bad, better look at the Uniquefire AA-S1 (although the beam is quite yellow), Ultrafire A10 (which is more expensive) or that Hugsby (which I have no experience with myself).

 

[junglewarrior]

Thanks for all your replies - lots of food for thought...

I have decided on the ultrafire c3 from dx (credit crunch...). Just ordered it so hopefully it will be here by christmas lol.

I have pretty much come to terms with the fact that some repair or other will need to be done as soon as i take it out of the box; what kind of issues can I typically expect though?

Read a couple of reviews where folks have had to add orings to the lens and 'super tighten' the bottom section.

Any info appreciated greatly, cheers.

Mark

 

[AlphaZen]

I have an Ultrafire C3 in SS and got it from DX. It is a great light and I have had no problems with it. I hope you have the same luck! I got a K-106 in the same order that was DOA (dead on arrival), however.

 

[Zatoichi]

I have pretty much come to terms with the fact that some repair or other will need to be done as soon as i take it out of the box; what kind of issues can I typically expect though?

I didn't have any problems with either of mine, but if you do a common and simple one is the switch needing tightening inside the tailcap. If you look inside the tailcap there's a ring around the battery spring with 2 dents in it, which you use to tighten it up. Other than that I clean the threads and any visible contacts, tighten up anything else that's loose, smear a little silicone grease on the o-rings. That's all I've needed to do with any DX lights. Anything more serious I would return it to them.

 

[Nautic]

I wouldn't bother with any of the above, the quality of all the C3s and the other listed lights is quite bad, better look at the Uniquefire AA-S1 (although the beam is quite yellow), Ultrafire A10 (which is more expensive) or that Hugsby (which I have no experience with myself).

I agree with what mfm wrote about the AA-S1. Its a excellent light. Very bright on 14500s.

Dont mind what peoble are saying about DX. I have never had any problem with them or their lights. Last week I received a light here in Europe 5 days after I ordered it from them! So slow delivery are a myth too.

 

[higbvuyb]

Anyone ordering a flashlight from DX for the first time should also order the pointy tweezers. Cheap, not complicated enough for real quality issues, and extremely useful when you inevitably have to unscrew/tighten part of your flashlight(s) to make it work.

 

[a1penguin]

I have the Ultrafire A10B, which is the 18650 version. It's a very nice light. The body is heavy duty metal; nice and thick to absorb all that heat. I'm happy with the brightness level. I have no idea what real lumens look like as almost every one of my lights only gives DX-lumens.

I'd recommend it based on the sturdy feel of this light.