Best cheap SSC P7: Aurora, MTE, Ultrafire, etc...?

So I am going to order an SSC P7 900 lumen light. I know they aren't 900 lumens, so don't even start on that - but they are very bright. My question is what is the best quality cheap brand to buy? I have seen Aurora, MTE, Ultrafire, Spiderfire, XTAR, Trustfire, and I am sure there are many more. I have owned an Aurora and it was not bad. I also owned an MTE and found the build quality to suck. I am not sure if these were just one offs, or if that is how those brands usually are. Does anyone have their favorite cheap brand?

No replies so I'll take a stab...

The MTE 2 mode at DX did ~450L OTF in the sphere of torture. but it dropped rapidly to ~390 IIRC, as the light warmed up a bit.

I think your best bet would be a 3D or 3C mag, direct drive with NiMH cells. Most of those DX lights are DD anyways, but a mag host will provide better thermal cooling for the LED, longer run times than a 1x18650 light... and some degree of reliability.

I agree, the mte 2 mode c bin is the best p7 cheapy you can by out there. I have purchased about 10 for myself and friend and they are all still working. I have my first one since nov of 2008 and still works like a champ. My ultrafire and aurora's have both had problems and required some form of modification.

Joshz said:

So I am going to order an SSC P7 900 lumen light. I know they aren't 900 lumens, so don't even start on that - but they are very bright. My question is what is the best quality cheap brand to buy? I have seen Aurora, MTE, Ultrafire, Spiderfire, XTAR, Trustfire, and I am sure there are many more. I have owned an Aurora and it was not bad. I also owned an MTE and found the build quality to suck. I am not sure if these were just one offs, or if that is how those brands usually are. Does anyone have their favorite cheap brand?

Click to expand...

I have an MTE M3-2, I purchased on e-bay from the importer in Colorado and had it in Florida in 3 days. The light is 5-mode, runs on 2 rcr123, and it's really bright. The quality was very good, too. No defects at all, everything worked as it should.
I'm very happy with my purchase and think I got a good deal, got the light, plus charger and 4 rcr123's for $58, which included Priority USPS. He usually has several different MTE's up for sale on Ebay, but also has a website.

On the other hand I just also got a new Maglite 2D (I'll be getting a 3D soon) with the newer Luxeon Rebel and I'm also very happy with it, at $15 at the Lowes sale, it was also a good deal. These new Maglites are really bright, if you're okay with their size, you should check them out. Costco has the 3D/2AA combo package on sale now for $25. Good luck.

i have the aurora ak-p7-3 for almost a year now, work goods every once in a while the clicky wont work until i click it on/off a few times.

If the choice is between an Ultrafire flashlight or a box of rocks ... You're going to be better off with the box.

Thanks for the responses. I think I may give MTE one more try.

mg-pli from shining beam. $60 good quality 500+ lumens. 3 modes.