Want to get a LED Torch.

C

cyberarmy

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My friend had a Fenix L1D Q5, I just love the 5 mode settings and CREE LED. But it's quite pricy and I had found this Ultrafire which is also not bad, use the same Cree LED with regulated output, 5 modes, Aircraft aluminium. Link http://www.extremeshop.co.za/index.php?display_item=14455 or http://www.extremeshop.co.za/index.php?display_item=14411

But these torches are using 18650 Li battery, can't use normal AA to operate I guess? And you need to get a specific charger to charge the battery too? Or can I use these normal charger to charge Ni-MH batteries?
 
cyberarmy said:
Yes, very tempting. Any idea about my battery question?
Click to expand...

18650 is a totally different size to AA and also different volatage (18650 come in 3V and around 3.6V), the charger is unique for either 18650 or CR123. They are also different technology, LiOn is susceptible to bad charging, be very careful as they have been known to vent flame if charged incorrectly.

I have a Fenix P3D as my main light and use either 2 rechargable CR123 (also known as 16340 and both 3V and 3.6V work fine) or a single 17670 (which is slightly slimmer than 18650, but same length).

Another really good light, especially size-wise is the P1D Q5, only 1 CR123 and almost as bright as the P3D, will also work with 3V and 3.6 rechargeables as well as non-rechargeable (but expensive) CR123.
I have had a few Ultrafire lights, but the quality is quite a way down from the Fenix.

Have a look at www.fenix-store.com/ who offer free worldwide shipping. I've had a few lights from them.
 
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Dave123 said:
18650 is a totally different size to AA and also different volatage (18650 come in 3V and around 3.6V), the charger is unique for either 18650 or CR123. They are also different technology, LiOn is susceptible to bad charging, be very careful as they have been known to vent flame if charged incorrectly.

I have a Fenix P3D as my main light and use either 2 rechargable CR123 (also known as 16340 and both 3V and 3.6V work fine) or a single 17670 (which is slightly slimmer than 18650, but same length).

Another really good light, especially size-wise is the P1D Q5, only 1 CR123 and almost as bright as the P3D, will also work with 3V and 3.6 rechargeables as well as non-rechargeable (but expensive) CR123.
I have had a few Ultrafire lights, but the quality is quite a way down from the Fenix.

Have a look at www.fenix-store.com/ who offer free worldwide shipping. I've had a few lights from them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply and this is what I am looking for, user experience and comparison.
 
cyberarmy said:
But these torches are using 18650 Li battery, can't use normal AA to operate I guess? And you need to get a specific charger to charge the battery too? Or can I use these normal charger to charge Ni-MH batteries?
Click to expand...
If you're looking at CR123 tech (and you should) :p, toddle off to the Mica in Dunkeld West and get a charger/battery combo and, if you're impatient about charging times :rolleyes:, a second battery. Sure, it'll set you back a bit; say a coupla hundred, but once you've been through a few charging cycles you're smiling! Note: I have a P1D that wasn't the unit I bought :D ...IOW the one I bought (yes, locally, from Kreature at the time) developed a personality so I handed it in and it got replaced, no questions and no bloody terms and conditions.

Related note: the P1D is the 2nd item on which I've had tremendous support from Awesome Tools, the other is my now 10 year old Leatherman SuperTool which is now on its 3rd plier jaws ...IOW, if you want support, it's well worth considering buying locally.

P1D note: when carrying it in a leg-poclet/wherever, make DAMN sure you've screwed the lens assembly out far enough because you count on the thing switching itself on in there and let me tell you that li'l 3W LED makes some serious heat ..I've jumped a good few times from suddenly becoming aware of the insistent "I'm burning" message coming from my leg! :cool:
 
bdt said:
If you're looking at CR123 tech (and you should) :p, toddle off to the Mica in Dunkeld West and get a charger/battery combo and, if you're impatient about charging times :rolleyes:, a second battery. Sure, it'll set you back a bit; say a coupla hundred, but once you've been through a few charging cycles you're smiling! Note: I have a P1D that wasn't the unit I bought :D ...IOW the one I bought (yes, locally, from Kreature at the time) developed a personality so I handed it in and it got replaced, no questions and no bloody terms and conditions.

Related note: the P1D is the 2nd item on which I've had tremendous support from Awesome Tools, the other is my now 10 year old Leatherman SuperTool which is now on its 3rd plier jaws ...IOW, if you want support, it's well worth considering buying locally.

P1D note: when carrying it in a leg-poclet/wherever, make DAMN sure you've screwed the lens assembly out far enough because you count on the thing switching itself on in there and let me tell you that li'l 3W LED makes some serious heat ..I've jumped a good few times from suddenly becoming aware of the insistent "I'm burning" message coming from my leg! :cool:
Click to expand...

Mica Dunkeld West is down the road (Physically) so I will give it try once I decided which model to go for, thanks.
 
bdt said:
If you're looking at CR123 tech (and you should) :p, toddle off to the Mica in Dunkeld West and get a charger/battery combo and, if you're impatient about charging times :rolleyes:, a second battery. Sure, it'll set you back a bit; say a coupla hundred, but once you've been through a few charging cycles you're smiling! Note: I have a P1D that wasn't the unit I bought :D ...IOW the one I bought (yes, locally, from Kreature at the time) developed a personality so I handed it in and it got replaced, no questions and no bloody terms and conditions.

Related note: the P1D is the 2nd item on which I've had tremendous support from Awesome Tools, the other is my now 10 year old Leatherman SuperTool which is now on its 3rd plier jaws ...IOW, if you want support, it's well worth considering buying locally.

P1D note: when carrying it in a leg-poclet/wherever, make DAMN sure you've screwed the lens assembly out far enough because you count on the thing switching itself on in there and let me tell you that li'l 3W LED makes some serious heat ..I've jumped a good few times from suddenly becoming aware of the insistent "I'm burning" message coming from my leg! :cool:
Click to expand...

So how you managed to buy from Awesome tools? You can't buy straight on their website I presume and I emailed one of the sales lady and asked how to buy, she apologised about the website problem but no mention if she's going to send me a quote of whatever.....
 
also look at www.dealextreme.com they have some potent SSC P7 torches and the prices are good, they also sell rechargeable batteries and chargers. No shipping charges.
 
So I have decieded I want the Ultrafire WF-502B R2. I can either use extremeshop or deamextreme. ES seems to be a part-time run business and I am not sure how reliable their service is (And they source these LEDs from dealextreme? as I see the caterogies and stocks are the same). How's your experience with dealextreme? ETA of shipping and custom/VAT, what's the process? Thanks.
 
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cyberarmy said:
So how you managed to buy from Awesome tools? You can't buy straight on their website I presume and I emailed one of the sales lady and asked how to buy, she apologised about the website problem but no mention if she's going to send me a quote of whatever.....
Click to expand...
I never have bought straight from them :cool: - I know about 'em from having my torch/Leatherman serviced 'n seeing them in PopMech. I handle the actual buying part through a pal who does have the whole buying thang setup with them.
 
cyberarmy said:
My friend had a Fenix L1D Q5, I just love the 5 mode settings and CREE LED. But it's quite pricy and I had found this Ultrafire which is also not bad, use the same Cree LED with regulated output, 5 modes, Aircraft aluminium. Link http://www.extremeshop.co.za/index.php?display_item=14455 or http://www.extremeshop.co.za/index.php?display_item=14411

But these torches are using 18650 Li battery, can't use normal AA to operate I guess? And you need to get a specific charger to charge the battery too? Or can I use these normal charger to charge Ni-MH batteries?
Click to expand...

I was myself looking at some torches for my dad just a few hours before you posted. We were thinking of getting this little monster:
SpiderFire SSC P7 SSC P7-C 2-Mode 900-Lumen LED Flashlight with Strap. That SSC P7 is indeed quite potent as cfvh600 described them. They also have a ~60minute rated runtime so it is fine for some minimal use. But if you do not need a 900 lumen torch, don't bother with this one. Otherwise just buy the DIY body kit available and decide on your own LED etc.

The 18650 lithium batteries and charges are available for ok-ish prices from dealextreme as well as you already know by now.

Be sure to check the buyer's comments on that site before buying anything!

Then just to answer you PM Question...

cyberarmy said:
Hi ld,

Your previous experience with Deal Extreme, how long it took them to ship your order to the post office? Reason is http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=170695

I see that the torch I wanted is in stock with them and want to get it, anyidea how much I am looking at for the custom duty/VAT? Pay at Post Office?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Extremeshop orders the stuff from Dealextreme DIRECTLY. Dealextreme then mails you the stuff without it ever going through Extremeshop. So theoretically ordering the torch from Extremeshop would take about 1 day longer than ordering it from Dealextreme. Do not expect your order to show up within a week or 3 - orders take quite a while to get to SA.

Normally if customs duty gets charged you'll need to pay it at the post office before they release the package to you but Dealextreme marks the packages as a "GIFT" and values them at about 35HK$ so they (usually) get through customs without a hitch.

Customs will wake up to this blatant 'avoidance of customs duty' should the volume of packages from dealextreme start to pick up and will probably start to ask for the original invoice to charge customs on the true value of the package. Before they release the package you will be required to take the invoice to the local customs depot to pay the applicable fees. This should amount to a minimum of 14% VAT afaik and whatever import duty applicable on [whatever you ordered] plus a small holding/acceptance/whatever fee. But they are not doing this yet afaik.

It might be a good idea to always add the "Drop Shipment and Gift Service" to your order as it removes the DX logo from package and might help it through customs.

I think that answers most of your questions?
 
Last edited:
ld13 said:
I was myself looking at some torches for my dad just a few hours before you posted. We were thinking of getting this little monster:
SpiderFire SSC P7 SSC P7-C 2-Mode 900-Lumen LED Flashlight with Strap. That SSC P7 is indeed quite potent as cfvh600 described them. They also have a ~60minute rated runtime so it is fine for some minimal use. But if you do not need a 900 lumen torch, don't bother with this one. Otherwise just buy the DIY body kit available and decide on your own LED etc.

The 18650 lithium batteries and charges are available for ok-ish prices from dealextreme as well as you already know by now.

Be sure to check the buyer's comments on that site before buying anything!

Then just to answer you PM Question...



Extremeshop orders the stuff from Dealextreme DIRECTLY. Dealextreme then mails you the stuff without it ever going through Extremeshop. So theoretically ordering the torch from Extremeshop would take about 1 day longer than ordering it from Dealextreme. Do not expect your order to show up within a week or 3 - orders take quite a while to get to SA.

Normally if customs duty gets charged you'll need to pay it at the post office before they release the package to you but Dealextreme marks the packages as a "GIFT" and values them at about 35HK$ so they (usually) get through customs without a hitch.

Customs will wake up to this blatant 'avoidance of customs duty' should the volume of packages from dealextreme start to pick up and will probably start to ask for the original invoice to charge customs on the true value of the package. Before they release the package you will be required to take the invoice to the local customs depot to pay the applicable fees. This should amount to a minimum of 14% VAT afaik and whatever import duty applicable on [whatever you ordered] plus a small holding/acceptance/whatever fee. But they are not doing this yet afaik.

It might be a good idea to always add the "Drop Shipment and Gift Service" to your order as it removes the DX logo from package and might help it through customs.

I think that answers most of your questions?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comprehensive reply.
 
cyberarmy said:
Just confirmed my order via paypal, let see how long it will take to get here.
Click to expand...

Here is one of my orders of last year...
Order 0130T57K placed & paid on Thu, Jan 31, 2008 at 1:40 AM.
Shipment confirmation received on Sun, Feb 3, 2008 at 7:42 AM.
Retrieved package from my PO Box on Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 11:28 AM.
Received a delivery followup email on Sun, Mar 2, 2008 at 7:52 AM.

So it took about ~22 days from order until I got it. Not bad imo.
 
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