Ultrafire 502B CREE XML T6 1000 LM 5-Mode Led Flashlight, 2 Batteries + charg = WOW!

[akthor]

SO I have wanted a tacticool style flashlight for a lonnnnnnngggg time. BUT I couldn't afford or really see myself paying $100 for one. The few I see in the Exchange that are reasonably priced are always scoffed up first or I am strapped for cash that week. I had looked at the cheap chinese made ones and finally I figured what did I have to lose light plus battery and charger could be had for under $30. So I searched around and ended up with a Ultrafire 502B CREE XML T6 1000 Lumens 5-Mode Led Flashlight, 2 Batteries + Charger from Ebay for $18 shipped.

Let me begin by saying I am a complete noob when it comes to flashlights. I have never held a Surefire I have only seen them in a case at the gun store. Even though this flashlight with batteries and charger was only $18 it is still the most expensive flashlight I have ever owned. Most of the flashlights I have owned previously are found in Walmart and include a battery that once it wears out you throw the light away.

So with that in mind this light blows me away! I play BF3 (yes I am 44 too) and my friends and I all bitch about being blinded in the game by the lights attached to various weapons in the game. Well now I see that is totally realistic! This thing is brighter than the sun! I am amazed that such a small thing can be so bright! I have no experience or a way to measure Lumens but I have a 3 D cell mad light that seems like a candle in comparison. Fit and finish are great. I would still be amazed if the light was double the price. Even at $50 I would feel I got a deal.

The 5 modes are cool, hi, med, lo, SOS, strobe and the light has a memory function so it stays on the setting you used unless you immediately click the light of an on to change modes. If I was a swat or soldier the clip is probably not strong enough for that kind of use but work fine for clipping to my EDC bag. Charger and batteries seem fine. Its nice that the light comes with 2 batts but the light only uses one so you can have a spare charged one ready.

Every person I have shown the light to are impressed by it and when I tell then it was $18 shipped to my house their jaw hits the floor then when I tell them it also comes with 2 of the special batts it uses and a charger they almost pass out. I will be ordering a bunch of these since everyone says buy them one and they will pay me me for it and for giving them to friends and family as gifts and to keep one in the car and one for my fishing bag and a couple spares lol.

The only drawbacks are it comes over on a slow boat from China so it took about 3 weeks to get here. Also the light and charger come with no paperwork or manuals. I did a quick google search on charging and using 18650 batteries.

When it gets dark if I remember I will take some pics outside to show the brightness and throw.

 

[Coolz]

I have several really good lights, and while looking for some batteries on Amazon I ran across this light. I went to my usual forums and took a look at what they had to say. Most was negative, but a few people said, hey for the money they are great.

Well, I bought one for $18 on Amazon, got it in two days (thanks to my Prime), and this thing would never replace one of my good flashlights. But let me tell you, it IS worth the money, because it's really not bad! I mean, it puts out as much light as my Olight M20-X, so it's no slacker. The clip is crappy. The biggest downfall is the switch - very sloppy w/no momentary. Again, it's completely worth the $18.

 

[ericb445]

The led looks off center from the pics

 

[Coolz]

Mine is centered, but I might just have gotten lucky. Really though, for $18 my expectations were met (and then some). I'll put it in my truck or one of my packs for a backup.

The led looks off center from the pics

 

[akthor]

As I said as a light noob and this being the only light like this I have ever handled for $18 its pretty amazing. I am going to get one and give it to an IT friend who will use the hell out of it and if it doesn
't hold up I will report back.

The picture is the stock on from Ebay mine is also centered.

Is there a light in the $50 to $75 range that would have comparable features and Lumen output but with a better switch, momentary ect? Same sizewise or smaller. I have read reviews too on this light and it seems the switch is the major complaint. Will any switches from other lights drop in?

 

[Coolz]

There are a LOT of lights in that range that will rock your socks off! One of my favorite that compares to this is the Olight M20-X, which can be found in that price range. If you were to hold one of these Olights, you would immediately notice the difference in build quality, and the switch is fabulous. The light output is right on par, because the 1000 lumen claim of the Ultrafire is a bit far fetched. It's bright, really bright, but more like 500/600 lumens, and who really knows about the run-time.

A FourSeven's Quark model could be found on sale that would be really nice, but would have to use different size batteries. Really, that is only the slightest tip of the iceberg of lights that put the Ultrafire to shame, especially in the price range you are looking at. Some good budget brands are: FourSevens, Fenix, Olight, and Sunwayman. As I stated earlier, there are lots out there.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Try the Thrunite TN12.

 

[akthor]

I won a Thrunite TN12 for $49 thru Ebay I will give a review and comparison between the two once it arrives.