MTE Lumiled CR123A 3.0/3.6V ALU Flashlight $10.00

Does anybody have this light? Is it easy to mod with SSC U-bin or would it need a driver? How is the overall quality? Is the plating good? Does it feel like an expensive light? Please comment!

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3342

Very nice looking, compact torch. Specifications say it's polished so I don't think it's plated with anything, if that's what you mean

Re: MTE Lumiled CR123A 3.0/3.6V ALU Flashlight

If it were me I'd opt for something a little better regulated, but thats just me. That output curve looks a little more like an alkaline than a NiMH.

Re: MTE Lumiled CR123A 3.0/3.6V ALU Flashlight

It does not run on either alkaline or NiMh. This is CR123 or RCR123A torch.

Nobody from CPF has bought this in the past?

- Vikas

Re: MTE Lumiled CR123A 3.0/3.6V ALU Flashlight$10.00

I have one. It's not a light worth using in it's stock form. The body feels cheap. It's a direct drive light that is very poorly put together. It's very dim using a primary 123 but ok when using a R123.

It's wired so the battery must be used backwards (the body is connected to the anode). I hate lights using the battery in this configuration. It's probably set up this way because the inside of tail end is machined flat so it can not contact with the negative end of the battery to cut down on cost.

The luxeon almost seems like it's fake to me. I've never seen a luxeon with the leads cut the way they are on this one.

I do like the reflector though. It's like a copy of the IMS17 but it's a tad bit deeper & looks like it has a better finish (mine compared to the IMS17 I have anyway). Gives a bigger smoother hotspot than the IMS17.

It's not worth the $10 to use as it is but it is worth the $10 to get the reflector & use the body as a host for a low cost beater light.

When I'm done modding it I'll post again here.










Left: Stock MTE on CR123, Right: Arc LS, Seoul USXOH, IMS17, 611mah


Left Stock MTE on R123, Right: Arc LS, Seoul USXOH, IMS17, 611mah

Re: MTE Lumiled CR123A 3.0/3.6V ALU Flashlight$10.00

THANK YOU!! It is disappointing that body feels cheap.

Thanks,
- Vikas

Re: MTE Lumiled CR123A 3.0/3.6V ALU Flashlight$10.00

The body feels cheap when compared to an Arc LS. I'd say the body is about the same thickness as a Fenix light. The threads are pretty damn good for such an inexpensive light.

I swapped out the old emiiter for a Seoul USXOH. BTW, I believe the old emitter is a fake Luxeon, the slug is also different from any Luxeon I've seen. I Ditched the direct drive contact board & potted a MJ converter to the threaded pill that is rated at 550mah on a primary 123. Still not sure if it's safe to use a R123 with the MJ converter, I'm guessing no.

I left the reflector unmodded. Suprisingly the lens is glass but nothing special. Mineral glass still appears to be optically clearer. I added a 0.5mm flat button head screw to the inside of the tailcap for negative contact. Now the light uses batteries the "right way".

The light cost $10, the converter I had laying around that I got for $9 years ago & the USXOH cost me $4. The light turned out pretty good & has a very nice output. It does get pretty hot after 15 mins. I'll probably EDC it for a week or two.






Left: MTE Seoul USXOH 550mah on CR123, Right: Arc LS, Seoul USXOH, IMS17, 611mah