The PT-18 has become one of my three favorite lights since its Nichia transplant. I have no connection with the company, or any flashlight related businesses, just a persistent curiosity about the failure of this particular model to grab the interest of buyers.
When it was first released, especially after Vinh produced his video, and offered Nichia upgrades on copper boards (now no longer included as a Skylumen option), I figured it would satisfy many interested in a poor man's triple. Seeing 30% discounts during Cyper Monday, and noticing the PT-18 now being closed out at 30% off from another dealer, I have to wonder why it has turned into such a marketing dud.
Cons:
The design looks like they copied (stole from) the Wasp
Only CW LEDs are offered as stock
There is no glass lens to protect the TIR optics
The bezel around the 'too recessed and soft' electronic switch can fall off, or become loose
The LEDs come mounted on aluminum
The tailcap is large, and might be considered incongruent
Lumen ratings are overstated, and the included battery is their own brand
In my experience, the USA dealership is 100% unresponsive to any inquiries I have made, doesn't answer the phone during the business hours they claim, and offers very little in the way of technical information.
Pros:
The proprietary TIR optic seems better than many others, with good flood beam, and lack of petaling thanks to its 'larger than Carclo' head.
With little more than an electric stove, soldering iron, a YouTube video, rubber strips and pliers, you can implant Nichia 219s or other CREE flavored XPGs
It isn't picky about the cells it accepts, and is able to deliver long runtimes from 18650 cells
A micro-USB charging port is built in under the head, protected from the elements without the need for any rubber cover
The head can be interchanged with the PT-16, 14, and 10
Constant current is claimed, and it does in fact seem to avoid PWM and pulsed current (jon slider can correct me if needed)
It is the only relatively inexpensive, and widely available stock triple I know of until now that the Jaxman E2L tube light is making an appearance.
The anodization is top quality, at least on my sample, which has survived falls without a scratch
The balance is good, pineapple knurling adequate, and threads well machined
Its size puts it among the most popular lights from ZL, who has lost some esteem among many due to lack of choices and consistency involving tint options
It doesn't EDC as well as my smaller ZLs, and can't reach as well as my TX30C, but with the 3 x Nichia 4000k HiCri LEDs installed, I have to say it is kinder to my eyes, and more pleasant for extended indoor use than my other lights, becoming my 'go to' light for most purposes.
The question is: What turns you off about the PT-18?
When it was first released, especially after Vinh produced his video, and offered Nichia upgrades on copper boards (now no longer included as a Skylumen option), I figured it would satisfy many interested in a poor man's triple. Seeing 30% discounts during Cyper Monday, and noticing the PT-18 now being closed out at 30% off from another dealer, I have to wonder why it has turned into such a marketing dud.
Cons:
The design looks like they copied (stole from) the Wasp
Only CW LEDs are offered as stock
There is no glass lens to protect the TIR optics
The bezel around the 'too recessed and soft' electronic switch can fall off, or become loose
The LEDs come mounted on aluminum
The tailcap is large, and might be considered incongruent
Lumen ratings are overstated, and the included battery is their own brand
In my experience, the USA dealership is 100% unresponsive to any inquiries I have made, doesn't answer the phone during the business hours they claim, and offers very little in the way of technical information.
Pros:
The proprietary TIR optic seems better than many others, with good flood beam, and lack of petaling thanks to its 'larger than Carclo' head.
With little more than an electric stove, soldering iron, a YouTube video, rubber strips and pliers, you can implant Nichia 219s or other CREE flavored XPGs
It isn't picky about the cells it accepts, and is able to deliver long runtimes from 18650 cells
A micro-USB charging port is built in under the head, protected from the elements without the need for any rubber cover
The head can be interchanged with the PT-16, 14, and 10
Constant current is claimed, and it does in fact seem to avoid PWM and pulsed current (jon slider can correct me if needed)
It is the only relatively inexpensive, and widely available stock triple I know of until now that the Jaxman E2L tube light is making an appearance.
The anodization is top quality, at least on my sample, which has survived falls without a scratch
The balance is good, pineapple knurling adequate, and threads well machined
Its size puts it among the most popular lights from ZL, who has lost some esteem among many due to lack of choices and consistency involving tint options
It doesn't EDC as well as my smaller ZLs, and can't reach as well as my TX30C, but with the 3 x Nichia 4000k HiCri LEDs installed, I have to say it is kinder to my eyes, and more pleasant for extended indoor use than my other lights, becoming my 'go to' light for most purposes.
The question is: What turns you off about the PT-18?
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