XPG-R5 320lm Flashlights.....The right thing to get?

[Pook]

Due to sadly rather inconvenient financial difficulties I've not bought a new light for rather a long while and I've got rather left behind as to what LED's are currently the best.

So I've been having a look at the "XPG-R5" 18650 torches as I want something bigger and brighter than my normal AA's

While I'm sure the 320lm is probably a rather large exaggeration...would I be right in thinking that that is the LED to go for for a bright but reasonably priced flash light?

I'm looking to spend upto about $40 so sadly the "SST-50 1000lm" lights are out of my very meagre price range at the moment.

I'm currently leaning in the direction of the UniqueFire L2 Cree XPG-R5 5-Mode

Could someone poke me in the right direction if I've foolishly wondered of the right path

 

[old4570]

Due to sadly rather inconvenient financial difficulties I've not bought a new light for rather a long while and I've got rather left behind as to what LED's are currently the best.

So I've been having a look at the "XPG-R5" 18650 torches as I want something bigger and brighter than my normal AA's

While I'm sure the 320lm is probably a rather large exaggeration...would I be right in thinking that that is the LED to go for for a bright but reasonably priced flash light?

I'm looking to spend upto about $40 so sadly the "SST-50 1000lm" lights are out of my very meagre price range at the moment.

I'm currently leaning in the direction of the UniqueFire L2 Cree XPG-R5 5-Mode

Could someone poke me in the right direction if I've foolishly wondered of the right path

Should be fine , but dont expect a thrower ..
Great for inside and outside the home , camping / walking etc ..
I have many XP-G lights , and like them all , but they dont throw as well as a XR-E .. If you want something that will light up the back yard when you hear something go bump , XP-G is a good way to go .

Cant vouch for that particular light , as its new ... But from what I see in the pictures , it looks interesting .

 

[Pook]

Ahh Thanks for the help..I was feeling a bit lost.

 

[js-lots]

I recently just received that light from dx. I am pretty happy with it and believe it or not the reflector on this particular light works pretty well. The light seems brighter then any of the typical r2 drop ins I have purchased from dx in the past. I think you will enjoy it and the body is pretty unique as well. It is sharp looking. when measuring from the tail end the light was drawing 1.2A. I purchased the one with one mode.

 

[Pook]

Thanks JS.....

I've been thinking my 18650's are pretty old now and should get some new ones, but again there are rather a lot to choose from.....I'll have to have a read.

 

[Fichtenelch]

So, i guess you don't have a p60-compatible host?
Then, why not just get a Solarforce L2 from sbflashlights and then a XP-G drop-in, maybe from Nailbender or Trunite...

 

[T0RN4D0]

Some people just don't understand what a budget means lol :]

Its like suggesting someone whos looking for a cheap car, to go and buy a nice BMW engine. The engine alone may be a bit over your budget, but heck, you'll have a nice engine, and you can scrape up some more cash for something to put it in.


Also i would like to congratulate js-lots on the statement of the day; "body is pretty unique as well". Unique? That thing is the most often copied boddy lol. (sku.14027, sku.23287, sku.18473...) Surefire 6P defender with slight (or even non haha) changes made by Ultrafire, Spicefire, Uniquefire...


And so i won't be just critising everyone... I would wait a bit for those lights, as i havent seen any reviews yet. Come on people, those of you who have could take a minute and scrape together the 500 words. Especially people from here who know what to look for in a LED light.

 

[Pook]

Hehe....Well they are right, I would like to buy one of the nicer flashlights...

The Solarforce L2 is an interesting option that I hadn't actually thought of, I think probably more than I can convince my self to spend at the moment....but probably a sensible "investment" at some point.

I know there can be a very marked difference in quality when you spend a little more. Most of my lights are Ultrafire & the other *fire names. I got a Rexlight2.0 a few years ago & while it didn't cost a lot more, every thing about it is nicer. It's my most used light but it still looks like new.

So It's more where to spend money and where not....No rush now I suppose anyway, Chinese New Year and all....

 

[dirtech]

That light looks exactly like a fake Solarforce light I bought from Solarforcestore.com I think. It's been reliable after I figured out a problem with the tail cap.

 

[Ecolang]

So I've been having a look at the "XPG-R5" 18650 torches as I want something bigger and brighter than my normal AA's

I'm looking to spend upto about $40 so sadly the "SST-50 1000lm" lights are out of my very meagre price range at the moment.

I'm currently leaning in the direction of the UniqueFire L2 Cree XPG-R5 5-Mode

Could someone poke me in the right direction if I've foolishly wondered of the right path

I have that one, the body and parts are 100% interchangeable with the Ultrafire WF-504B so any review of that will tell you about the mechanicals.

Reviews here http://budgetlightforum.cz.cc/node/134 and here http://www.jayki.com/flashlight_review_board/5659

This XR-E R2 dropin throws father than the XP-G R5's but produces rather less light in total.

The dropin is OK, nice beam, tight hotspot, neutral colour. It should throw as well as any XP-G will in a reflector that size.

I like it.

 

[mvyrmnd]

I can't agree more on the Solarforce L2 option.

As for dropins, there's a single mode and 5-mode XP-G dropin on DX now. I just got the single mode and I'm quite pleased with it.

It sums up budget, as you can get the L2 body, with extension tube for 2x18650 on eBay for $20-30, and the dropin is only $12-13 depending on modes.

This is my setup, and it's rapidly becoming my go-to light.

EDIT: I just looked at the review link that was posted, the WF-504B is identical to the Solarforce L2P. I can't vouch for quality, not having one, but recently I've become a big fan of Solarforce gear. I think their quality is outstanding, and it seems they're making a play for the big time.

 

[Fichtenelch]

Some people just don't understand what a budget means lol :]

Its like suggesting someone whos looking for a cheap car, to go and buy a nice BMW engine. The engine alone may be a bit over your budget, but heck, you'll have a nice engine, and you can scrape up some more cash for something to put it in.


Also i would like to congratulate js-lots on the statement of the day; "body is pretty unique as well". Unique? That thing is the most often copied boddy lol. (sku.14027, sku.23287, sku.18473...) Surefire 6P defender with slight (or even non haha) changes made by Ultrafire, Spicefire, Uniquefire...


And so i won't be just critising everyone... I would wait a bit for those lights, as i havent seen any reviews yet. Come on people, those of you who have could take a minute and scrape together the 500 words. Especially people from here who know what to look for in a LED light.

It is propably not cheaper to get a drop-in from nailbender, but it's propably better than burning money on a xp-g r5 drop-in from dx which pulls 2.3A, is far away from beeing efficient and maybe is propably put together by a trained monkey. i once ordered a l2 from silver931 with a ssc p4...i got a l2 with a free upgrade q5...which was so off-center, that it blocked the reflector...and it didn't even work. so, did i save money with that?

Anyways, i also like the ultrafire / superfire c1 a lot, got one of these here with a nailbender xp-g r4 drop-in.