I am wanting to get an inexpensive MC-E flashlight that can run on 18650 batteries from a place such as DX and am wondering which model you would recommend. I'm looking for something that is 2-mode but if it has an effective strobe that would be a plus. Thanks for your input.
Which Inexpensive MC-E Light Would You Recommend?
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bullettproof
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I got the Trustfire single mode SSC P7 that Runs on 2x18650's its a C bin and I would say 600-650 Lumens out the Front. Mine draws 2.8A which is pushing the led hard. Get a single mode because you wont get the power out of it with several modes. Also get 2x18650 a 1x18650 dosent push it hard enough.
This is what I have and Im very pleased with its output and price. Also get a UCL Lens it takes the same size Glass lens as a D maglite. That will improve its clarity.Also it completely took the Donut Hole away at 14 inches or more.And it also gives you a 7% increase in Lumens
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12761
This is what I have and Im very pleased with its output and price. Also get a UCL Lens it takes the same size Glass lens as a D maglite. That will improve its clarity.Also it completely took the Donut Hole away at 14 inches or more.And it also gives you a 7% increase in Lumens
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12761
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Wiggle
Flashlight Enthusiast
So far I'm happy with my MCE drop in from DX. High, low, strobe in a P60 drop in. Get that, and your choice of 18650 P60 host (Solarforce is a popular budget choice, but also check out the P60 host thread for other options).
How does this light seem to you? http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16501
I like the fact that it runs on 1-18650 and that it is reasonably small. Will the P60 drop-in DIY that you mention create more light than this one?
I'm not wild about the 8-mode aspect of this light, but folks seem to be happy with the model overall..
I like the fact that it runs on 1-18650 and that it is reasonably small. Will the P60 drop-in DIY that you mention create more light than this one?
I'm not wild about the 8-mode aspect of this light, but folks seem to be happy with the model overall..
Wiggle
Flashlight Enthusiast
I am quite happy with my MTE P7 which I suspect performs similar to that MC-E. It will have more output than the P60 drop in and more throw thanks to deeper reflector. This comes at the expense of a bigger light though but still manageable.
sol-leks
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I think they will be but you know its hard to say. Shiningbeam usually stocks some very nice lights at reasonable prices and they also have the benefit that because they are in the us the shipping is faster, the customer service is better and all the lights are tested to work before being shipped to you. However, the lights are usually the same kind of brands that they stock on DX, or the higher end of the budget brands. Nothing as nice as say fenix, but alot cheaper.
bullettproof
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With that MTE light you only have 1 x18650 and it has a small head you have to worry about it heating up real fast because its head is to small. All those BS modes are gonna take power away from that light also. I bet that light isnt over 350 Lumens. Plus its a K bin if I recall.
You can have the biggest best LED made but if your not driving enough power to it or keeping it cool with proper heatsinking your wasting money.1x18650 isnt going to drive that light these companies use cheap parts and arent efficient with all these modes and 1 battery.You can buy what ever you like but Im sure youll learn fast.
You can have the biggest best LED made but if your not driving enough power to it or keeping it cool with proper heatsinking your wasting money.1x18650 isnt going to drive that light these companies use cheap parts and arent efficient with all these modes and 1 battery.You can buy what ever you like but Im sure youll learn fast.
Hi there,
I got this drop in and am using it in this host and it works great!
It may not be 410 lumens as advertised but it is sure as heck bright!! It runs on 1x18650 or 2xRCR123s but do not use RCR123s with that drop in as it is advertised as max 4.2v. So i am running that drop in with a protected Trustfire 18650.
The host is a reverse clicky and the drop in is a 3 mode (high-low-strobe) and the modes change with a half click (or turn off and on quickly). The strobe is also very fast.
Great combo in my humble opinion.
EDIT: of course i could have just gotten one from MTE (which i had been eying, but since i already had the host and dont use UV all that much, i decided to go with the drop in, no regrets)
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Chrontius
Flashlight Enthusiast
What about a quad-core for us without li-ion cells? A good charger is north of $50, and batteries are $5-10 each. Bonus points for dropins that will run in a Surefire 6R configuration.
electric sheep
Enlightened
Dereelight 2.4a is superb and much brighter than my direct drive warm tint.
I emailed Bryan Chen from Shiningbeam.com yesterday about their upcoming MC-E lights and he wrote back saying that he should have two MC-E lights in by the end of the week which will be listed on their website very soon. Here's what he said about specs for the lights:
"I will have two types of "M-bin" MC-E light, one will be the size of the RX-1, the other one is smaller than the MTE light you linked to me. Driven at 2.5A, will be very well regulated. Most of them will be 3 modes, and a few 5 modes (including strobe and SOS). They'll be compatible with 18650/17670 and 2 x CR123A. It going to be true 700 lumens output. Runtime is unknown."
He said the price range will be around $60..
How does this sound to you? A good deal?
"I will have two types of "M-bin" MC-E light, one will be the size of the RX-1, the other one is smaller than the MTE light you linked to me. Driven at 2.5A, will be very well regulated. Most of them will be 3 modes, and a few 5 modes (including strobe and SOS). They'll be compatible with 18650/17670 and 2 x CR123A. It going to be true 700 lumens output. Runtime is unknown."
He said the price range will be around $60..
How does this sound to you? A good deal?
easilyled
Flashaholic
DHart
Flashlight Enthusiast
I have the MTE SSC P7 and it's an awesome light.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12623
Due to the deep and wide reflector, it takes the naturally floody P7 emitter and gives it a nice strong central beam that throws decently and at near to mid ranges is extremely potent... and of course you still get that broad, bright floody P7 wall of light. I am very pleased with the light. And feel it is very well worth the $36! I imagine their MC-E version is probably quite similar.
It will be very interesting to see what Bryan will be offering!
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12623
Due to the deep and wide reflector, it takes the naturally floody P7 emitter and gives it a nice strong central beam that throws decently and at near to mid ranges is extremely potent... and of course you still get that broad, bright floody P7 wall of light. I am very pleased with the light. And feel it is very well worth the $36! I imagine their MC-E version is probably quite similar.
It will be very interesting to see what Bryan will be offering!
sol-leks
Flashlight Enthusiast
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Yeah I am really hopeful for the lights from shiningbeam, because it seems like there is no middle ground for this kind of light right now. That is also very exciting that they will be able to handle 18650's and cr123a's. 1865's are great, but its nice to have the option because although they aren't super common you can still find cr123a's in a lot of places now.
DHart
Flashlight Enthusiast
I'm a huge fan of 18650's and once you have the charger and a few extra 18650 cells, you're set!
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Spence
Enlightened
I recently got the DX MTE M-3-2 MC-E 700 lumen with 8 settings, I believe. It runs on one 18650 and performs pretty well, with three different strobes. It was less than $45 with free shipping of course, but took close to two weeks to arrive.:duh2:
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