DX SIPIK CK361 review [img heavy!]

[3zuli]

I'm buying more flashlights than lasers :wtf:
so this time I wanted something more throwy. I found this light $14.80 - SIPIK CK361 Cree Q3-WC 3-Mode 180-Lumen White LED Flashlight with Strap (1*18650) - 18650 Cree Flashlights and ordered it.

SHIPPING
ordered on 4/2/2011, shipped on 4/7/2011 and recieved on 4/18/2011, which is one of the faster shippments from DX.

short unboxing video:

once again, the well-known yellow DX envelope, with the flashlight inside (and some other goodies too )
Rating: 9/10

Overview

first look - looks a bit thinner than other 18650 lights

compared to my other lights and a 18650 battery

dimmensions:14cmx4cmx2.3cm (length x reflector x tailcap diameter)
this light is not very heavy (it's one of the smaller lights), feels comfortable in hand
light color is close to my XM-L
Current draw: 0,7A
flood/throw: 1/9, best preformance <100 meters (untested yet)

BUILD QUALITY
I can only say "WOW". This light looks to be 100% waterproof, there are double o-rings on both ends of the battery tube and on both sides of the front lens.
The only bad thing is the tailswitch, the rubber cover feels really thin (and the tailcap is hard to open - there are no threads inside, the switch is just press-fit inside)
Rating: 9/10

all the parts

the head (note the o-ring)

the battery tube. double o-rings :beer:

the object of interest - reflector assembly. When the battery tube is unscrewed, the reflectors rattles inside, but when screwed in the huge spring holds everything tightly in place

time 4 closeups!

compared to my MTE P7 and XM-L

this shape is practical...

...because of this. Thanks to this, the clicky is very comfortable to press during one-hand operation

BEAMSHOTS

the beam from ~1m

compared to my other lights
[more beamshots to be added soon]
Overall rating: 9/10

 

[lazeerer]

Re: [WIP] DX SIPIK CK361 review [img heavy!]

Well done. Flashlight looks Good.

So the LED is Facing at the Reflector.?

:gj:

+:beer:

 

[33696933]

Re: [WIP] DX SIPIK CK361 review [img heavy!]

ah a recoil light , must throw like crazy looks great .

 

[3zuli]

Re: [WIP] DX SIPIK CK361 review [img heavy!]

the throw isn't as great as I expected, I think the entire recoil setup needs to be refocused
for now, the spot is about 1.5m wide at ~20m (I'll try to take some beamshots this evening)

 

[3zuli]

edited the 1st post, now it's a full review

now, here comes the question: To Mod or Not To Mod it with a XM-L? :thinking:

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

Try using an xp-e, or even an xp-c if you can live with reduced lumens. Although R2 bin of XR-E is probably better than R2 of XP-E in this particular light, XP-E may be available in higher bins.

Nice review, cool pics. I like how it almost acts like an aspheric, throwing an image of the LED out the front. You might try experimenting with the focus until you get the spot to be as square as it gets.

 

[3zuli]

I found XR-E on dx, but I need just the emitter. is it worth it to try to desolder it from the star, or should I get just the emitter?

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

Check larger distributors that you know will deliver to your area. They usually offer LED emitters w/o stars. It isn't too hard to desolder an LED, but I just don't know if any heat damage is occurring. Also, less chance of damaging the LED if you don't have to desolder it.

I wonder, though, how to get at the LED in that light.