Lights. CREE XML XM-L T6 / U2 etc Thread

[Hacienda71]

Think I have just screwed up. My twin U2 from last year has developed a fault, so decided to get a new x3 U2 decided a UK seller would be best as lithium batteries can be pulled in customs. Found a vendor in Manchester offering second class royal mail delivery. Clicked buy it now. All good. Then when I looked at the seller's profile in more detail noticed that they were registered in China not the UK. Will be interested to see if it turns up by Wednesday or Thursday as estimated.

 

[Hacienda71]

Update light arrived today. Blindingly bright, new style waterproof battery pack and better connectors and cables than the X2. Can't wait to try it out. For £26 I really can't grumble.

 

[fossyant]

Update light arrived today. Blindingly bright, new style waterproof battery pack and better connectors and cables than the X2. Can't wait to try it out. For £26 I really can't grumble.

Seller linky ? I'm assuming you got a solarstorm x3 LED

 

[potsy]

Update light arrived today. Blindingly bright, new style waterproof battery pack and better connectors and cables than the X2. Can't wait to try it out. For £26 I really can't grumble.

Seller linky ? I'm assuming you got a solarstorm x3 LED

He's still got a way to go to catch you fossy, no need to panic buy more lights just yet

 

[tincaman]

Manchester supplier of the X3 on Ebay

 

[Hacienda71]

Manchester supplier of the X3 on Ebay

Seller linky ? I'm assuming you got a solarstorm x3 LED

That is the one.

 

[dee.jay]

I am thinking about buying this: -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7200Lm-5x...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item5d4bf2b449

Is the charger safe? I'm sure I'd heard about some of them blowing up!

 

[dee.jay]

Also, this is a long thread, and I'm a bit confused about all the choices!

What are the best lights I can get for road/some cycle path use? I bought a set of Cateye's and compared to these they are really not that bright! (£39 I spent on those too)

Bought those thinking about the safety concerns about these Chinese things.... maybe I need to be.... enlightened

 

[tincaman]

I am thinking about buying this: -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7200Lm-5x...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item5d4bf2b449

Is the charger safe? I'm sure I'd heard about some of them blowing up!

Having bought many lights over the last 3 years, I would avoid anything with more than 2 led's contained in one head. They generate too much heat, lower the run time and also don't actually give you any more light to play with ( don't be sucked in by the mythical lumen count, its pure marketing lies). Each led has to be driven at a lower current for them all to work together.
Stick to 2 led's and choose a newer version of the XML led, eg. the XML2, in U2 or U3 version
Batteries and chargers are a minefield, don't ever count on getting a good set when you are paying less than £30 for a complete light set.
If someone links up a light set from Ebay with a sensible set of specs and can say that the battery and charger they were supplied works well and gives a couple of hours run time then consider getting one of those, otherwise it could be a lot of pot luck.
I have personally sorted my battery and charger system by using a holder which takes individual 18650 cells

And then use one of these to charge the cells as required

Now I just purchase the light head itself when I want a new one.

 

[dee.jay]

I really don't like the pot luck aspect of this. My wife would muller me if I introduced a fire hazard (and rightly so!)

 

[potsy]

I really don't like the pot luck aspect of this. My wife would muller me if I introduced a fire hazard (and rightly so!)

This is the thing, you could pay £000's for similar light output from one of the reputable makers of lights or take a chance on one of these cheap ones and do what you can to make them safer.
Had no problems with either of my two though I've now got one of the battery packs linked to upthread where you buy your own batteries to go in it, still use the original chargers though.
You can charge the battery packs inside a biscuit tin or something to minimise the damage if they were to catch fire

 

[dee.jay]

I see, so I could source my own 18650's and charger myself?

I note that those batteries are popular with e-cigarette things too

 

[potsy]

I see, so I could source my own 18650's and charger myself?

Yes, you then just buy the head unit only, works out a bit expensive but you will have much more reliable kit

 

[dee.jay]

Well that sounds better

Though it's just too tempting to spend the same amount and get something reputable off the shelf though.

 

[fossyant]

I have quite a few of the Chinese lights. The batteries have been ok, but I've also gone down the route of the pack shown above as well as an Xtar charger.

My favourite light has to be the Yinding 2x U2. It's tiny, well put together and very bright. The solarstorm lights are also good for the money. I have a triple t6 that's only as bright as the double units in reality.

There is a huge choice.