Hrvoje
Newly Enlightened
More than a month after I placed an order, my UltraFire RL-198 finally arrived. This is new UltraFire model, and only available at few stores (DX and KD is not one of those). This model looks like scaled up version of UltraFire RL-168 AA/14500 flashlight, and that one is obviously inspired by JETBeam Jet-I Pro (first version).
This is nice looking 3-mode (high, medium and low) 18650 only flashlight. As in RL-168, the Osram Golden Dragon Plus emitter is used. This emitter in a smooth reflector isn't the best combination. The beam is very ringy, although it has good throw, more than enough spill and somewhat warmish tint.
Manufacturer claim 150 lumens on high, and this could be truth. However, the tail cap current draw from a freshly charged Samsung 18650 cell is only 0.7 A on high, 0.2 A on medium and 0.03 A on low.
Also, I suspect that regulation is not very good, because the current draw from half empty cell (the resting voltage about 3.9 V) is 0.5 A on high, 0.15 A on medium and 0.02 A on low.
There is a stainless steel retaining ring holding the glas lens in position. It is interesting that Jet-III M bezel ring is interchangeable with this one, although RL-198 ring is about 0.5 mm wider. Dimension of uncoated glass lens are 29 x 1.6 mm, so I'm about to order the similar one from Flashlightlens, AR coated of course.
The finish of this flashlight is very nice and uniform, deep charcoal black semi mat HA-III.
The chrome plated clip looks sturdy enough for every day carry, but time will tell.
The switch is a reverse clicky, and pretty good, not too stiff and not too soft. The flashlight is able to tailstand.
All in all, this is one nice and solid light, but not worth the price. I bought mine from eBay for $40. Considering type of led used and a lousy driver, the real price should be some $30.
I will probably swap the driver and try how the SSC P4 led perform in that deep smooth reflector.
This is nice looking 3-mode (high, medium and low) 18650 only flashlight. As in RL-168, the Osram Golden Dragon Plus emitter is used. This emitter in a smooth reflector isn't the best combination. The beam is very ringy, although it has good throw, more than enough spill and somewhat warmish tint.
Manufacturer claim 150 lumens on high, and this could be truth. However, the tail cap current draw from a freshly charged Samsung 18650 cell is only 0.7 A on high, 0.2 A on medium and 0.03 A on low.
Also, I suspect that regulation is not very good, because the current draw from half empty cell (the resting voltage about 3.9 V) is 0.5 A on high, 0.15 A on medium and 0.02 A on low.
There is a stainless steel retaining ring holding the glas lens in position. It is interesting that Jet-III M bezel ring is interchangeable with this one, although RL-198 ring is about 0.5 mm wider. Dimension of uncoated glass lens are 29 x 1.6 mm, so I'm about to order the similar one from Flashlightlens, AR coated of course.
The finish of this flashlight is very nice and uniform, deep charcoal black semi mat HA-III.
The chrome plated clip looks sturdy enough for every day carry, but time will tell.
The switch is a reverse clicky, and pretty good, not too stiff and not too soft. The flashlight is able to tailstand.
All in all, this is one nice and solid light, but not worth the price. I bought mine from eBay for $40. Considering type of led used and a lousy driver, the real price should be some $30.
I will probably swap the driver and try how the SSC P4 led perform in that deep smooth reflector.
