jplee3 said: *finally* got mine today... *sigh* it's a really nice light and the spotlight is interesting. i noticed when i zoom in the spot light narrows down a square-like shape with some visible grid lines. is this normal? anyone else know what i'm talking about?
i may order another one!
Yes, all of them are like that. I think it is the shape of the Cree chip. I didn't like it at first (still don't really). Still, after 3 months of daily use at work and play, my lights are still going strong. I have spent alot more money on lights that weren't half as good.
hakujin
Dismembered Member
posted: Feb. 18, 2012 @ 3:17a
These torches are fascinating. I can't believe how much I'm anxiously anticipating two more (and thinking three might not be enough!). Also thinking of another (is there even a step up to the Q5? with more rugged and waterproof-ness.
do any of you know whether these are made out of Luminant Device Ltd of Hong Kong or is it Cree's newer facility in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China?
Also, would 3.7V 900mah also be acceptable in these as well and would both aforementioned chargers be able to charge a 3.7v?
Anyway, thanks in advance to anyone that can take a go at my questions!
Danzilla
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 18, 2012 @ 3:33a
PugRanch said: Here is a cheaper charger from TomTop. It looks like it will work to me, but I guess I'll find out when it gets here.
As for using 14500 cells in place of AAs, keep in mind an alkaline AA cell is 1.5V and 14500 cells are 3.6V. 14500 cells should work great in this application but don't put them in your Wiimote or camera just because they are the same physical size as AAs.That one's cheaper, but the first one charges a variety of Lithium cells, up to 18650, another popular cell that's used in certain flashlights that can usually also take 3x AAA.
Ordered another one. This time $6.62 after applying "led229" code.
CPAESQ
Ancient Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 8:38a
Got 3 based on the good reviews here. can't wait to test this out
GeorgeT
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 11:34a
I can't believe I just bought another flashlight. I thought I was cured of this damn disease.
Solandri
Ancient Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 1:25p
jplee3 said: *finally* got mine today... *sigh* it's a really nice light and the spotlight is interesting. i noticed when i zoom in the spot light narrows down a square-like shape with some visible grid lines. is this normal? anyone else know what i'm talking about? Yes it's normal. You're seeing the Cree emitter chip. The focusing lens is making the flashlight act like a slide projector. When the beam is focused to its narrowest, the LED emitter is in focus, and thus visible.
You can do the same thing with a magnifying glass, a desk lamp, and a wall. Since the magnifying glass is fixed focus, you will have to move it to focus. Put it between the lamp and wall about about 2-3x the width of the glass away from the wall. Exact distance varies with each magnifying glass, so move it closer and further from the wall. When it's in focus you'll see an image of the lamp projected on the wall (upside down and inverted left-right).
palnic
New Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 2:45p
Any light source(flashlight, spotlight, troffer, etc) produces less then 100lm/W is obsolete end inefficient. Our company makes 2x2 troffer with 98lm/W efficacy.
kchunk
Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 4:38p
Wow...this has turned into one strange thread. Almost 6 weeks from the first post and people are still going crazy for this flashlight. I mean I've never seen a reaction like this to a flashlight. And so many flashtologists...wow! Now don't get me wrong...I'm a flashlight guy too. I work graveyard shift - have for more than 10 years. In my work we live by the flashlight. But I don't think there has ever been, nor ever will be, a flashlight out there that could spark this kind of reaction in me.
Could it be that I've been exposed to a lot of flashlight technology and development over the years that I've seen the best and worst and everything in between? Or maybe I'm just not the flashlight connoisseur I thought I was. Anyway, maybe I should order one (or three, seeing as so many people were so upset with themselves that they only bought one) and see what all the damn hype is about. But then again, if I buy this flashlight and it's "just another superduper, waytoo bright, Chinese led flashlight, why then I'll really feel like a tool as I've succumbed to retail hype...and I really hate when I do that. Oh, the dilemma!
Espeanage
Frivolous Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 4:55p
I got mine about a few weeks ago, took forever though. It's really bright and has a good radius. I was surprised by how bright it was when I first turned it on. Takes AA batteries as well, so two big thumbs up from me!
chrispitude
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 5:02p
I don't think it's that it's a killer flashlight, so much as it's just a nice, small, bright flashlight for the money.
hakujin
Dismembered Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 8:27p
what's killer (and brighter) in the sub 15 price range? i'm not being sarcastic btw, I would like one.
GatorLex
Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 8:30p
Ordered 1/10/12 and still no flashlight.
PugRanch
Happy Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 9:41p
kchunk, you're not missing out. It's a good deal for the money, but basically it is exactly what you described -- a Chinese too-bright flashlight. I bought two for camping, kids, and backup of my daily carry but it's not going to replace my daily carry even though it's brighter. This one is a little bit too thick for my taste and the lack of variable output is a deal breaker for me.
By the way, with the higher voltage battery, this light gets noticeably warm. There is either a linear regulator in there or no regulator at all.
As for the longevity of this thread, keep in mind it took a LONG time for delivery.
jplee3
Senior Member - 7K
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 10:13p
I really like this light. It's pretty neat how you can screw off the magnifying lens at the top and use it as a pseudo-lamp. It's extremely bright though... I'm trying to think of a way to diffuse the light to soften the light yet still distribute it well.
Danzilla
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 19, 2012 @ 10:42p
PugRanch said: kchunk, you're not missing out. It's a good deal for the money, but basically it is exactly what you described -- a Chinese too-bright flashlight. I bought two for camping, kids, and backup of my daily carry but it's not going to replace my daily carry even though it's brighter. This one is a little bit too thick for my taste and the lack of variable output is a deal breaker for me.
By the way, with the higher voltage battery, this light gets noticeably warm. There is either a linear regulator in there or no regulator at all.
As for the longevity of this thread, keep in mind it took a LONG time for delivery.Well that and the fact that the offer is still available with the current LED229 coupon code.
deepakaaa
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 20, 2012 @ 3:03a
This has a boost converter that boosts alkaline cell output from 1.5 volt to 3.2 volt required to drive the LED. So it is not necessary to go for the special high voltage Li ion batteries (they may be unsafe too). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boost_converter
deepakaaa
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 20, 2012 @ 3:04a
This has a boost converter that boosts alkaline cell output from 1.5 volt to 3.2 volt required to drive the LED. So it is not necessary to go for the special high voltage Li ion batteries (they may be unsafe too). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boost_converter
My January 11 order finally arrived today. The flashlight looks identical to the Meritline one. However, with the lights turned off, I can see in the lens that the TomTop light has a considerably larger LED chip. It is definitely brighter...a lot brighter than the Meritline. I ordered 14500 batteries from DealExtreme and they should arrive soon. I'll bet one of those batteries will make this TomTop light phenomenal.
trevmar
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 22, 2012 @ 2:23a
PugRanch said: kchunk, you're not missing out. It's a good deal for the money, but basically it is exactly what you described -- a Chinese too-bright flashlight I bought one of the units which have three modes - normal, low and flashing. The low is 1/3 the power of the main beam, and I choose it for all but the most difficult of tasks. Only drains one third the power, too I am a very happy camper Thanks OP
nice trevmar! seems exactly the same but extended features. will probably arrive a helluva lot sooner too. i doubt I'll get my 2nd order for months which is asinine really since other orders from China are much faster.
Doua
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 23, 2012 @ 10:39p
I have still yet to receive my order... I doubt I'll get it, might have been lost, so requested refund. I placed another order; hopefully I'll get this one.
allawd
Member
posted: Feb. 23, 2012 @ 10:45p
Just got mine a couple days ago.
joiexiang
New Member
posted: Feb. 24, 2012 @ 3:11a
Does it use good? Anyone who have received it can answer?
Danzilla
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 24, 2012 @ 6:09a
Doua said: I have still yet to receive my order... I doubt I'll get it, might have been lost, so requested refund. I placed another order; hopefully I'll get this one.How long ago did you order? These orders from Hong Kong/China can take 3-4 weeks easy, if they're delayed even a little.
hakujin said: nice trevmar! seems exactly the same but extended features. will probably arrive a helluva lot sooner too. i doubt I'll get my 2nd order for months which is asinine really since other orders from China are much faster.If you didn't notice, that eBay seller is shipping from Hong Kong too. It may be a little faster, but still will take weeks.
joiexiang said: Does it use good? Anyone who have received it can answer?OR you could just read what they've ALREADY written. I can understand being new, but that shouldn't mean being lazy too. More than 8 people have already received them and reported back in this thread, if you take a minute to read.
Doua
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 24, 2012 @ 2:12p
Danzilla said: Doua said: I have still yet to receive my order... I doubt I'll get it, might have been lost, so requested refund. I placed another order; hopefully I'll get this one.How long ago did you order? These orders from Hong Kong/China can take 3-4 weeks easy, if they're delayed even a little.
It's been well past that. Order was on Jan 12th.
hakujin
Dismembered Member
posted: Feb. 24, 2012 @ 4:27p
Danzilla said: Doua said: I have still yet to receive my order... I doubt I'll get it, might have been lost, so requested refund. I placed another order; hopefully I'll get this one.How long ago did you order? These orders from Hong Kong/China can take 3-4 weeks easy, if they're delayed even a little.
hakujin said: nice trevmar! seems exactly the same but extended features. will probably arrive a helluva lot sooner too. i doubt I'll get my 2nd order for months which is asinine really since other orders from China are much faster.If you didn't notice, that eBay seller is shipping from Hong Kong too. It may be a little faster, but still will take weeks.
joiexiang said: Does it use good? Anyone who have received it can answer?OR you could just read what they've ALREADY written. I can understand being new, but that shouldn't mean being lazy too. More than 8 people have already received them and reported back in this thread, if you take a minute to read.
Oh, I noticed. I order stuff direct from China all the time. Living on the West Coast, I've gotten some shipments in less than 12 days. Others can take 3-4 weeks. This took 5. I think the last shipment will take even longer than that. TomTop is SLOW.
jtroye32
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Feb. 24, 2012 @ 7:22p
Doua said: Danzilla said: Doua said: I have still yet to receive my order... I doubt I'll get it, might have been lost, so requested refund. I placed another order; hopefully I'll get this one.How long ago did you order? These orders from Hong Kong/China can take 3-4 weeks easy, if they're delayed even a little.
It's been well past that. Order was on Jan 12th.
Haven't received mine either. Ordered on 1/12 too. I'll give it a few more days I suppose before inquiring.
netmaster911
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 24, 2012 @ 10:15p
Received my shipment.
I am using it with 14500 cells, wow.. very bright!
Nice for the price.
hakujin
Dismembered Member
posted: Feb. 25, 2012 @ 12:48a
would be nice is someone here did a side by side pic of the 14500 vs regular alkaline in this CREE flashlight. would definitely consider getting some if the difference was highly apparent. but in general, not a big fan of rechargeable in general these days; hard for me to justify added cost when there are so many banging alkaline deals here! more so when we are talking about a unique rechargeable w/ unique charger.
hakujin
Dismembered Member
posted: Feb. 25, 2012 @ 6:04p
inadvertently realized today that tomtop refunded my last order about a week ago. anyone else see this? to boot, paypal is garbage and has limited my account. i guess their bots can't fathom how a person's area code may differ (geographically) to the area in which they live. in laymans terms, this is called 'hold your money hostage for interest because we are not a real bank'.
ZAZOO
Member
posted: Mar. 1, 2012 @ 10:02a
For March the 10% off coupon for LED flash light is LED331
soresuri
New Member
posted: Mar. 1, 2012 @ 11:02a
Thanks OP! Nice find.
Danzilla
Broke Member
posted: Mar. 1, 2012 @ 11:25a
hakujin said: inadvertently realized today that tomtop refunded my last order about a week ago. anyone else see this? to boot, paypal is garbage and has limited my account. i guess their bots can't fathom how a person's area code may differ (geographically) to the area in which they live. in laymans terms, this is called 'hold your money hostage for interest because we are not a real bank'.Yes, Paypal sucks balls, but unfortunately they have almost a monopoly on making payments safely to small and overseas companies, and especially using eBay.
dannieboiz
Ancient Member
posted: Mar. 2, 2012 @ 1:51a
I already have a couple LED flashlights but I bought one of these anyways. I will now have to dedicate a drawer in my toolbox for the flash lights alone. lol
darkstar1968
New Member
posted: Mar. 2, 2012 @ 8:06a
WOW I am very excited about getting the two that I ordered! My order shipped on Feb 16th and I assume that they will arrive around the 12th of this month.
I had to email tomtop to find out when it shipped as there site doesn't tell you that, but they did respond within a couple hours from my asking.
So ordered on Feb 14th, they shipped on the 16th and delivery____________?
I was in for one more, thought it better to buy two. +anyway bought three more
++$.99 for a tracking number.
Danzilla
Broke Member
posted: Mar. 3, 2012 @ 4:52p
jtroye32 said: Doua said: Danzilla said: Doua said: I have still yet to receive my order... I doubt I'll get it, might have been lost, so requested refund. I placed another order; hopefully I'll get this one.How long ago did you order? These orders from Hong Kong/China can take 3-4 weeks easy, if they're delayed even a little.
It's been well past that. Order was on Jan 12th.
Haven't received mine either. Ordered on 1/12 too. I'll give it a few more days I suppose before inquiring.Maybe they ship in batches, but mine shipped Feb 20 (Monday, I ordered on the weekend) and received today, just 12 days after shipping.
As others have said, they're very nice for ~$6 lights. Even with just AA batteries I'm happy with the ones I received. If you don't expect Fenix quality (high-end LED lights), you probably won't be disappointed. Now I just wish I had ordered more than two to give to other people.
PS. Noticed mine start to warm up with just AAs. I wonder how warm they get using 3.6+ V lithium 14500s.
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