Why is the VB16 Q5 came with 32 modes?
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nerdgineer
Flashlight Enthusiast
The first model had only 16 modes (first 16 of 32 levels were all "off"). When they made it with 32 levels, the seller (AW?) decided to keep the original name as a sort of a trademark, so it stuck.
Fallingwater
Flashlight Enthusiast
Are those 32 brightness modes or are there various strobes thrown inbetween? Groups? How do you use a 32-mode light, anyway?
PurpleDrazi
Newly Enlightened
How do you like the light itself?
I have one of the older Kai VB-16's and was thinking of upgrading . . .
Francis
I have one of the older Kai VB-16's and was thinking of upgrading . . .
Francis
I still can't get myself to like these.
I had some of the OG VB-16's sold by Wits' End. Lost 1 and sold the other, but liked those a lot. So I bought a Cree and SSC version (both HA nat., but they sent one black instead :huh: ), and while bright, the levels are not visually spaced so it's kind of annoying to use. Plus the fact that it responds to the ramping buttons a bit slow.
I had some of the OG VB-16's sold by Wits' End. Lost 1 and sold the other, but liked those a lot. So I bought a Cree and SSC version (both HA nat., but they sent one black instead :huh: ), and while bright, the levels are not visually spaced so it's kind of annoying to use. Plus the fact that it responds to the ramping buttons a bit slow.
the VB-16 Q5 came with 32 brightness modes, NO annoying SOS or strobe. The lowest low is extremely low and the high is very bright. It came with great built quality, uses forward clicky and memorizes your last mode. Comparing to my Ultrafire C2 CREE-P4 , it is much much brighter. Setting at just ~70%, it is still brighter than my Ultrafire C2 and my other p4 cree running Li-ion. The mode change interface is very simple, since it has 2 buttons (+/-) near the top of the light and a tail clicky to turn on and off.
Overall, I'm very impressed by this light, definitely strongly recommending anyone buying it.
Overall, I'm very impressed by this light, definitely strongly recommending anyone buying it.
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I'm not good with cameras, the tint of VB16 Q5 is actually nice and white, not purplish as shown in the picture. Sorry!!!
VB-16 Q5 MAX VS. Ultrafire C2 P4 CREE (both using 18650)
VB-16 Q5 ~70% Vs. UF C2 P4
VB-16 Q5 Max Vs. UF C3 modded to direct drive on 14500
VB-16 Q5 MAX VS. Ultrafire C2 P4 CREE (both using 18650)
VB-16 Q5 ~70% Vs. UF C2 P4
VB-16 Q5 Max Vs. UF C3 modded to direct drive on 14500
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matrixshaman
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yes - the 16 mode silver model I got is one of my main lights now I use from my desk for many purposes. I thought the originals had 32 modes & also had a separate red button for strobe. Yours doesn't have that? I had not seen a 32 mode version other than the original (IIRC). What sku number is that at DX? I wish I had bought one of these long ago - great lights!
matrixshaman
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hmmm - that is the exact same one I bought. I don't think mine has 32 modes but let me count. Wow - I never tried counting from the brightest down to the lowest. I got 31 modes or maybe I missed one! Great find! Very cool! Anyway the top several modes are very difficult to see the difference in brightness levels but I've got a Lux meter I'll try checking those with at some point.
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PurpleDrazi
Newly Enlightened
LA OZ
Enlightened
Yes, my early VB16 was supposed to be 16 but it is 32. I believe all VB16 other than the very early version is 32 modes. However, there is very small gain in observable brightness for the last 10 modes.
phantom23
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2007
- Messages
- 2,044
Throw lux about 6500 against 5000 (Q5). Seoul is better thrower because of deeper reflector and wider emitter beam (more light reflected from reflector).
Yenster
Newly Enlightened
I received this light from Kaidomain two weeks ago and it also has 32 modes. With a single 18650 battery, the current at the tailcap measured in equally stepped increments from 12ma to about 850ma. So the ~26ma steps towards the higher levels are not even noticable. It would have been better (visually) with smaller ma increments down low, and larger ma steps up high.
BTW, WARNING, I also tried two protected trustfire 16340s, but due to the added length of protected batteries, it was too long for the flashlight. It wouldn't make contact unless the tailcap was screwed on tightly...but then {crack!} the driver was pushed in, and the two buttons then jammed. So be warned.
BTW, WARNING, I also tried two protected trustfire 16340s, but due to the added length of protected batteries, it was too long for the flashlight. It wouldn't make contact unless the tailcap was screwed on tightly...but then {crack!} the driver was pushed in, and the two buttons then jammed. So be warned.
big beam
Enlightened
Waions driver was about the same.12ma per step.One thing I learned was it takes a lot more power to drive an emitter as the amps go up for very little gain in brightness.At least with Waions 4 TH generation light .
DON
DON
