new flashlight cree xm-l
won a cree XM-L led flashlight on ebay for mere 11 bucks….waited for about a month for it to show up from china….sigh…but yesterday it got here
holy fucking crap this thing is awesome !
i got a P7 900 lumens flashlight(reviewed before), and this xml led is just a tad more powerful, but it has a lot more throw, (throw=ability to light up distant objects) (spread is what a household bulb does and lights up a room evenly)
P7 gets hot…real hot, and uses a bunch of power, after 15 minutes it burning hot, however the xml does not which is really cool, well it gets hot, just not as fast
these powerful leds have a tendency to spread a lot, and so not be the best for lighting up and object 50-100 yards away…xml fixes this
if your looking for a led for lamping or general use i would highly recommend the xml, its the best throw, stays cooler
the internal of the flashlight contains the reflector and circuitry…same as the r5, s2 and other leds, which means if you buy a cheap gun light with a xenon or something you can probably drop this sucker right in as a replacement and get upgraded from 20-40 lumens to a 1000 !
also if your looking for über leds keep an eye out for sst-50 and sst-90, last one is supposedly capable of 2500 lumen….from a single led…im gonna ask electrolumens if i can get my fire sword converted up to these…imagine…four sst-90 = 10.000 lumen, bet you could cook with that…its current 3000 lumen is not bad, but more is better
anyhow the xm-l led is highly recommended
All Replies
I got my light in a week or less, but without any instructions what so ever. I also gave them a abivalant Ebay rating for that error.
My charger charges to 4. I have another charger and four of the lregulated batteries coming from Hong Kong.
The light is bright, it took a few days of playing with it to realize how to operate the switch. 1 inch rings fit it, I replace the dovetail screws with a knurled thumb nut screw so I can take it on and off my Condor with no tools.
A Doug FIr tree at 80 yards that I can just make out at 70 lumens, can bee seen well enough to see individual small branches.
I was pissed at no instructions, but the TAG as usual gave me what I needed, thanks all.
My wife who is from the Philippines says you can not get good flashlights there. SoI am planning on ordering 5 or 6 and have them sent to the Philippines with two or three chargers and a few batteries, they have several Typhoons a year.
The place that sells those lights, chargers and batteries, Deal Extreme, also has a 40.00 clone of the $200.00+Surefire light/laser that my family there can use on their handguns and M16’s.
Regards,
Roachcreek
oldgoat,
Try this link or search eBay by the description. I won a bid at $49.99. It’s heavy for rifle mounting but…included the charger + 2 x 18650 batteries and air mailed in 11days.
1600LM CREE XM-L T6 LED Zoomable Flashlight Torch+18650
Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1600LM-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-Zoomable-Flashlight-Torch-18650-/250877002348
Hi Lurker. I had been using a Radfire Spear clone that has 240 LM. I thought that it was pretty bright. I saw Cyngus’s topic here and ordered a couple of lights. I paid $149 for a Thrunight Catapult Cree XM-L 900 lumin and it is stupid bright!
I really like the light in the second pic. Can you give me a link or tell me where you got it along with a product number?
This flashlight stuff is gonna cost me a lot of money!
Hoot, Cygnus said “for a lower output and longer running go for an Cree R2 it has a very narrow beam but only 270 lumen (its still quite a bit of light) and will easily light up tree’s as far away as the other….just not as wide….which might be good if you dont wanna light up an entire field but want to keep it covert ”
I’d like to try one of those too.
I paid $26 total for an “UltraFire WF-501B 1000 lm”, $37.49 for 1300 lm Pro Series KEYGOS RE-1 (CREE XM-L T6) I think 502-B, and $49.99 for “TrustFire Z5 1600 lm Zoom”. All3 included 2x 18650 batteries and double charger.
I like the TrustFire Zoomable best so far. It’s brighter,lights up either a couple backyards or sooner down to a bright SQUARE been with a faint spread of light. Compared to the bright spread from the 1000 lm UltraFire the Zoom is far better. I tried taking a photo of the difference looking up at a tree, but the brightness of the focused beam causes the camera to darken the surrounding area that is actually lit dimly in comparison.
1st the UltraFire 1000 lm CREE XM-L:
Next, UltraFire 1600 lm CREE XM-L, 2 X $, 50% longer, way heavier:
Oh, all 3 have memory switch. That is it takes 2 quick clicks to cycle to the next mode. Click once to shut it off. Click once again and it comes on in the mode last used.
Thanks Hoot,
Just about got them done. Wouldn’t ya know the 2 that were so close in voltage are not charging equally. I switched them in there charger to see what happens. The battery label reads max charge 4.2V but I don’t think they’ll quite make that in 2 hours and I’m anxious to torch something yet tonight.
The package on my “digital” charger said initial charge time is two hours, and the batteries state they cannot be overcharged.
What’s weird is I got two batteries, but the light just takes one at a time. That is handy, having a spare Li-on battery on standby. They state 10 year life expectancy.
It is brighter than the 200 lumens, but mine has a lot of side illumination, so it isn’t quite the laser I anticipated. But, I am pleased at its brightness, as it is a considerable improvement over my other one, and it’s the same size. That means It will fit my tac light mount and I can use it on my pcps.
Hoot
Cygnus,
Thanks, I feel like a new daddy. Well almost.
Received all 4 of my orders from China, 3 flashlights and some rings, today (0nly 11 days ❗ ).
I checked all the 18650 batteries from 4.0 to just under 3 Volts. The pair that came with the 1600 lm. Zoom that uses 2 at a time were the same but packaged differently. They were real close to the same voltage. The other 2 pair I got get used individually and varied more.
Anyway, no instructions with the batteries or chargers… I put them all on charge and will check shortly to see how fast they charge. 1st 1/2 hour and chatgers warm but not the batteries. Are they slow chargers ❓
Anyone with experience with these batteries please let me know. Do these little 2 battery charters shut off or the REDlight turn Green ❓
Cygnus, It seems like you know your stuff. I have the 2 lights on their way and need to order some batteries for them. What make of batteries do you recommend?
How about chargers? I would like one that will take 4 18650s. Do you know of a good charger that will charge 4 18650 and also charge the CR 123a battery?
I have been on the Candlepower forum reading up on batteries. It seems like Callies Kustoms, Redilast and AW, in that order, are the batteries that are highest rated.
I use the AW CR 123a in my GLV electric cig and they seem to hold up well.
ive had these lights for about 8mo and they will take the abuse i won mine for 2.00 each and i got 5 of them also the headlamps r kickass
Thanks everyone for responding. Very nice write-up indeed Cygnus! I guess I have some shopping to do tomorrow, before the Hurricane comes and we lose power 😆
PS. I thought the night critters get spooked when you hit them with a bright light(?). I used to use a 150 Lumen gun light but the critters would head for the hills when I turned it on. I have been using a cheap $3 flaslight on my Condors for 3yrs now and it works very well. It has a soft blue light and the critters don’t even know the light is on them. Not too powerful of course, and max. range is maybe 25yds if you have good eyes, but the scope helps a lot. I can see well enough to put the crosshairs between a bandit’s or a possum’s eyes at 22-23yds.
Thanks a lot Cygnus, your thread cost me $186!
I ordered a UltraFire 502B Cree XM-L T6 light off of Ebay last night. $36 shipped. It comes with 1 battery and a charger. I plan on mounting it on my Edguns for night shooting. I ordered from them because I could have it next Wed or Thursday. I don’t like to wait for stuff! I couldn’t help myself, everytime I have a few beers and get on Ebay, it costs me.
After I ordered the UltraFire, I Googled Cree XM-L and found a link to Going Gear’s beam shots videos. One video showed a ThruNight Catapult V3 Cree XM-l light with the smooth reflector. They were using it to light up a tree at 100 yards. They must of had a really good camera as they could really zoom in close to the tree. Holy Shit, that light has a very tight throw and really lit that tree up!
I thought about that video all day and ordered one of them before I went to work. About 2 hours later, I got an Email from them stating that the light had shipped and I will have it in 2-3 business days! Free shipping and it only cost me $149.95! It takes 2 18650 batts or 4 CR123As. I have no idea what I needed it for but, did I say that it is really fucking bright!
You caused me to spend $186 with your topic and I haven’t bought batteries yet!
Cygnus X….I have always had a gut feeling you weren’t as stupid as people said, and this post confirms that fact.
Excellent write-up and really clears up a lot of tech questions in layman’s language.
I opted for the 501 because I need it for an under-barrel mount, and it won’t be lit for more than ten seconds per shot. I have the old 501B at 200 lumens, and you are right…it is a fine flood light out to about 75 feet, but with a very weak center beam. Rechargable batteries seemed to last about 2 hours of intermittant use.
With a broadfield, low power scope, these lights are outstanding in night hunting performance. Pure white light and excellent viz within their respective ranges.
I believe the 1000 lumen 501b and 502B certainly gives an individual an option over the expensive adjustable green laser lights, and the bulky 1M Lumen spotlights on the market.
You just know the developers won’t stop there. I foresee 2K and 3k LED small frame lights, likely adjustable, hitting the market in the next couple of years. That approximate the equalivent of a white light laser beam for long range hunting. Wow! Wouldn’t that be the bong!!!
These are exciting times and the prices are incredibly low.
Hoot 😯
Body/tube
the flashlights im talking about is the UltraFire 501b and 502B
501 is a bit slimmer, 502 has a little more material to it….if you should defend your self the 502 would hold up better, also more material gives better heat disapation….at least it will take longer to heat up
these are just the bodies !
my SSC P7 commonly just called P7 led is a spiderfire, it has a bigger head
now led’s
leds are not perfect, and electronic regulation boards vary ! so you might get a led thats rated 900 lumen but will only do 700 lumen….thats the risk your running with ebay stuff, you never know what you got….the electronic regulation board takes power from battery and either boosts or limits the current….this help keep the power level throughout the battery, until your empty…so no more bright light that gets dimmer as battery runs low….it will be 100% from star till about 80-90% has been used and only then will output drop
Cree MC-e is a quadcore LED where you can feed each core individually it pumps out 900 lumen with a good samle…most flashlights feeds each core 700 mah for a total of 2.8A which will give the rated 900 lumen, this led get slightly hotter then the XM-L….mc-e spread the light more think flood light)
Cree Xm-L is a single core where the core is in a zig zag pattern, it runs cooler, and with any given current outputs more then P7, and mc-e…so if you feed all 3 leds 1A the xml will give the most light as it is the most effecient, the mc-e tends to be of a higher quality than the p7 on the budget market so that would be better choice than P7, XM-l throws the light better than mce and p7, especially when combined with narrow parabola
SSC P7 is a quadcore led, but with no ability to control the individual cores, they where first with 800+ lumen leds….its a flood light
all of the three will light up your yard nicely, but for lamping where you want a long throw the xml will win
for a lower output and longer running go for an Cree R2 it has a very narrow beam but only 270 lumen (its still quite a bit of light) and will easily light up tree’s as far away as the other….just not as wide….which might be good if you dont wanna light up an entire field but want to keep it covert
Cree R5 spreads the light a bit more and is also 200+ lumens….and a great led….you can find a five cree R5 module that will upgrade a maglite to 1200 lumens ! it needs a bit of fitting but is possibly the best upgrade for your maglite
switches
most flashlights comes with several modes….this electronic is usually not in the switch but in the powerboard thats attached to the led and parabola. it seems like theres a race to get as many funktions into flash light….such as strobe, SOS, 20%, 50% 100% and some has other things too….personally i like the two mode or single mode….two mode will usually alow you to run the led at 20% for great runtime…and then 100%….single mode is 100% or what ever the electronics are to to….some switches has memory what that means is that the flashlight will start up at the same mode that you turned it off from….that way you dont have to go through 4 modes to get to the one you want…neat…no memory and you will be going through the modes to find what you want every single time you turn it on
batteries
most electronics in the flashlights accepts two lithium cr123 lithium batteries….but its recommended to invest in 18650 lipo batteries, they are only 3.7v but hold more energy, for longer runtime and is rechargeable….you will want to get the batteries with PCB and little circuit board that keeps the battery from over charging due to a poor charger, but most important to keep battery from being discharged too much if the voltage falls under 2.8 volt a lipo will be damaged…actually you want to keep it over 3V for good life time….if overcharged lipo’s will explode…undercharged the chemistry will be ruined….pcb takes alot of the danger out of lipo…which is not that dangerous as long as you keep recharging them, and dont run them flat….they offer great discharge rates, and great capacities …you cant get that in other batteries…lifepo is a bit moresafer but weaker….weakest is the one time use cr123 lithium…they might be 6V but the capacity is low, and discharge rate is not as good as lipo
now if you have a flashlight like the ultrafire, surefire, gun flashlight…its very likely they use the same kind of parabola and electronics which is just a drop in and easy to exchange no need to go by an entire new flashlight…..although a new flashlight is not that expensive….i have had nothing but posetive experience with UltraFire brand
http://www.dealextreme.com sell tons of these flashlight and has desent prices
ebay is another option
search ebay for ultrafire 502B xm-l
i found this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UltraFire-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-Flashlight-Torch-502B-1000Lm-/220793397457?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item33684fe0d1#ht_4101wt_1396 which seems like a good one
or this if you want to try and bid….thats how i got mine for 11-12 bucks http://www.ebay.com/itm/UltraFire-502B-1000Lm-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-Flashlight-Torch-/160641503552?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item2566fad140#ht_4355wt_1163
heres dealextreme offers on the xml
http://s.dealextreme.com/search/cree+xm-l
what would i choose ?
now that the xm-l is out the P7 is done for…xml runs longer and cooler than the p7 s no reason to get that one unless theres a good deal
the mc-e is true and tried and is a great led….if you want a bit more spread this is the one…or the p7…mc-e will run cooler…so again the p7 looses
xml is most powerful with about 100more lumes than the two others, theres plenty of spill for camping and crap…but the powerful center of the light will enable you to light up objects further out
for longer runtime and even more narrow beam go R2 about 200-270 lumen….still very powerful….and very narrow beam….this is great for night hunting what you dont want to light up all of your surroundings…xm-l will be the second choice…just run it on 50% power
batteries i recommend tenergy 18650 2600mah with pcb, these get great reviews good capacities and quality, and secured with pcb…you can find higher capacities but often its bullshit….electrolumens who makes very powerful flashlights in the 3000-12000 lumen range recommends these batteries….i got several, and they have all charged to more then 2600 on my advanced charger and are very equal in voltage can capacity, they are blue and green
i have also used ultra fire with pcb and they have been great too….they are the grey ones…i mention colors as theres a lot of brands and some brands have several quality and capacity ranges and they color code them
you can often get a tenergy kit with lipo chager and two batteries which is recommended….NEVER EVER CHARGE these lipo or lifepo batteries with a nimh or nicd charger…you will burn your house down !…never charge lipo when not at home….charge in a safe place….lipo is not all that dangerous that its made up to be…but when they go wrong they go very wrong….so just use caution….dont charge under your bed…i charge mine in my fireplace because thats where i charge all of my other lipo batteries for my rc stuff as well…should it go wrong…well then its in my fireplace 🙂 you can get lipo charging bags…to put the batteries into while charging…should something go wrong the bag will contain the damage
on a side not….theres a two new players in the field of powerful lights they are driven by the sst-50 and sst-90 the latter produces 2500 lumen when fed enough power ! so if your looking for a super light then go sst-90
electrolumens also makes some nice lights if your rich…google was passing out the firesword which is 4 lipo batteries, 4 cree mc-e all in a nice package for 3000 lumens(permanent damage in as little as 20 second exposure)…and 400 bucks …AUCH….he also makes a twelve led xm-l flashlight for 12000 lumen (instant eye damage) for the little sum of 1500 bucks….double AUCH
while we are at it….Solar force makes a 3W IR (3 core) flashlight that runs of 18650 batteries….this IR led fucking rocks….it will make your sony camcorder able to see in the dark up to 50 yards with standart night more…use super nightshot with lower framerate and you can extend that even further….
in short a ULTRAFIRE 502B with CREE XM-L 1000 Lumen (some makers dont feed the led as much power as it want and they might sell it as 700 lumen…so make sure its the 1000lumen) 1-2 or 5 mode…is up to you…just make sure it has memory
Also what are the brand names of these LED flashlights for those of us that are ignorant? I see a lot of model #’s I think, but not the actual brand name. Then again I don’t know anything about these high-lumen lights either 🙂 I have not done any research on them for 3yrs or more..
I am looking for a strong gun light for one of my Condors, at least 200 Lumens but don’t think I need 1,000 lumens. Can you please recommend 2 or 3 of these inexpensive Chinese LED flashlights between 200 and 500 lumens, and where to buy them from? I hope the ones you guys are talking about have a 1″ body for easy mounting?
thanks!
Harry
Go to Ebay and search for Ultra-fire 501 and don’t limit yourself to 200 to 500 lumens. If that’s what you need, I’ve got one for sale. They are only good out to about 100 feet.
You should be able to find a 1000 lumen light, with recharger and battries, roughly 5.5″ long and 1″ or so in diameter, for less than $35.
Here’s one for $24.95:
If you want one with a coiled remote switch, you can buy it from the same person, usually, for about $5.00, or do a search for ULtrafire “remote switch”.
Hoot
😯
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For the lack of instructions for any of the 3 different torches I bought, I had figured out a way to step through the 5 modes but today a discovered an easier method. Again, all 3 work the same. One full click of the push button turns them on. Now instead of clicking 2x quickly, I found that a partial depression of the push button causes a shift to the next mode. Tehe sequence is as given in the description, high, medium, low, strobe, and S O S, and repeated. When shut off by a full click, these 3 all will turn on in the mode last used.
Is this the same as other flashlight/torches that have memory ❓