Cree q5 mini flashlight

[Nicholas123]

The reason I bought the T6 was because of the strobe functions. For everyday use the Q5 is perfect and this does take AA batteries, so this would be my recommendation.

I only added the T6 in the first place after someone else mentioned it, really wish I hadn't, although it is also a great torch.

OK Nigel.Fair enough.

 

[longjohnsilver]

How much brighter would the lithium batt make it?

I've got 2 of these in front of me now, the one with the lithium battery is significantly brighter, I'd estimate approx 30% brighter.

 

[Storyline]

Thanks Nigel, so 18650 batteries are physically larger than AA? (i haven't for some reason been able to determine that so far)
Looks like it is off to Amazon again !

Yes, the 18650 batteries are physically larger - similar proportions to an AA but just bigger.

Just to echo the other points on this thread, it really is a lottery when buying these torches as they are all copies however when you get a good one they are amazingly bright compared to old gen torches. I had a similar wifely comment 'surely you cannot want any more torches' as they kept arriving but they are so cheap it is hard not too

 

[nigelmercier]

... it really is a lottery when buying these torches as they are all copies however when you get a good one they are amazingly bright compared to old gen torches. I had a similar wifely comment 'surely you cannot want any more torches' as they kept arriving but they are so cheap it is hard not too

They are now only £2.30 each, so even if half of them didn't work they would still be amazing: http://amzn.to/OcfAH6

 

[katoosh525]

I have been using a few of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200687906391?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
laughably cheap at £1.50 each. I doubt they are anything like 3 watts, but they are remarkably well built. All work, use a single 1.5vAA battery (which lasts so well that it can't be 3W draw from the battery, let alone to the LED), and frankly how for so little money the thing can be made, (with it's power supply, as the LED will have a forward voltage of about 3V, so that won't run from a single cell without one), in a decent metal case, with a reliable switch is just beyond me.
It's no replacement for a big torch, but for the money you leave one in every jacket and every room. It will very easily pick out a buoy from 100yds in the dark.

 

[nigelmercier]

I have been using a few of these...

I think that is similar to my first LED torch which I bought in a garage. I'm sure it is handy, but without a CREE LED and beam width adjustment, it isn't as nice as the ones we are discussing.

 

[Poecheng]

Yes, the 18650 batteries are physically larger - similar proportions to an AA but just bigger.

Thanks Story - much appreciated

 

[katoosh525]

If the £2.30 ones really do have an LED made by CREE in I would be amazed. They will all be copies.
In my experience the best ones at least have reliable switches, though quite how the Chinese can make a single AA torch (with it's electronics to drive a 3V forward voltage LED remember) yet get something so simple as a switch wrong never ceases to amaze me.
The ebay specials are modern gen ones, and rather better than anything I have ever had from a garage, but I am now going to be £2.30 poorer as I need to get 'yet another torch' for comparison!