I have a bunch of 18650 batteries now. But nothing to use them in.

I've purchased from dealextreme before, but they have a huge flashlight selection- and I don't know which one would be best.

I'm basically looking for something with at least 3-4 modes (high/med/low and ideally a police strobe)


Does anyone have any suggestions on what and where I should buy? I want it to be bright as heck, around the same dimensions as a 3 AA Maglite, (maybe a bit bigger) and also be able to dim down pretty well.


Thanks for the input.

If I was buying just one single light, and wanted something good, I'd probably go for the JetBeam Raptor RRT-2 or the JetBeam Jet III M, but that's probably because I like JetBeam


On more of a dealextreme-style budget, I'd consider:

MTE M3-2 Cree MC-E 8-Mode 700-Lumen LED Flashlight with Assault Crown (1*18650) - I have one of these on order, so it remains to be seen what it's like. Should be very bright, but I wouldn't expect it to be terribly robust. It will be bright, but not a thrower.

2-Mode HAIII Long Throw R2 Flashight - from kaidomain, this is the cheapie thrower I just bought, and it seems pretty good so far, and I don't know of a better thrower in this price range. It's a bit big for jamming into pockets, though. It only has two modes, if that's an issue.

X2000 Flood-to-Throw Zooming Glass Optics Cree P4-WC LED Flashlight (1*18650) has had a price drop, and is a handy light with the whole focusing thing, even if it only has a P4 emitter. No modes, though.


Probably more along the lines of what you're asking for, though, is this:

UltraFire WF-502B Cree R2-WC 5-Mode Memory 250-Lumen LED Flashlight with Clip (1*18650/2*CR123A) - I've never used one, but it has an R2 emitter and five modes, so it certainly looks to fit the bill. $16.85 seems pretty reasonable, too.

Posted by unlisted I have a bunch of 18650 batteries now. But nothing to use them in. I've purchased from dealextreme before, but they have a huge flashlight selection- and I don't know which one would be best. I'm basically looking for something with at least 3-4 modes (high/med/low and ideally a police strobe) Does anyone have any suggestions on what and where I should buy? I want it to be bright as heck, around the same dimensions as a 3 AA Maglite, (maybe a bit bigger) and also be able to dim down pretty well. Thanks for the input.

900 lumens
I haven't used such a beast, I stick to stock batteries because they're easier to carry, and tend to pair with cheaper lights. On the off chance that you drop a light, it's nice to not be out a day's pay...

Ask at candlepowerforums if you want to start a war ;)

Posted by AnAppleSnail Ask at candlepowerforums if you want to start a war ;)

That is exactly why I asked here- I just want a cheap but half decent light. (something to fill the gap between a HID floodlight, and my 3 x AA LED Maglite.

I have the UltraFire U4-MCU Cree Q5-WC 3-Mode 230-Lumen LED Versatile Flashlight (CR123A/18650/18500/AAA) from DX. It was cheap and reliable and it's my 2nd or 3rd light. I prefer my 2 mode Spiderfire (also DX) because I can't figure out why I'd ever need a strobe. It's also cheap and cheerful.

<hijack> do some laptop batteries use 18650's inside a plastic case?? </hijack>

Posted by rob666 <hijack> do some laptop batteries use 18650's inside a plastic case?? </hijack>

Yes indeed!

I have that one.
Threads were filthy, as I'd expect from DX.
The strobe mode is worthless too . . .
Those issues aside, it's a GREAT light for >$14US.
Get it.

Posted by metawaffle UltraFire WF-502B Cree R2-WC 5-Mode Memory 250-Lumen LED Flashlight with Clip (1*18650/2*CR123A) - I've never used one, but it has an R2 emitter and five modes, so it certainly looks to fit the bill. $16.85 seems pretty reasonable, too.

Posted by metawaffle If I was buying just one single light, and wanted something good, I'd probably go for the JetBeam Raptor RRT-2 or the JetBeam Jet III M, but that's probably because I like JetBeam

Just when I thought I had the best torch ever (III-M), you come along with the RRT.... Now, I NEED that too.

For the price, you will not be disappointed by the quality or performance of JetBeam. Although the belt clip broke after two days (I'm sure they will replace it when I make the effort to call), the throw from the III-M is impressive. The RRT-2 looks like an improvement.

The rrt-2 looks amazing! There is just one overwhelming flaw: The low mode is 30 lumens. A bit too bright for many UE situations. I'm sticking with my III-M and waiting for the next jetbeam to come out.

Posted by Assistance The rrt-2 looks amazing! There is just one overwhelming flaw: The low mode is 30 lumens. A bit too bright for many UE situations. I'm sticking with my III-M and waiting for the next jetbeam to come out.

Yeah, I agree, it's good to have a really low low. My Jet III ST goes as low as 2 lumens - I wish they'd stuck with that.

2-Mode HAIII Long Throw R2 Flashight - from kaidomain, this is the cheapie thrower I just bought, and it seems pretty good so far, and I don't know of a better thrower in this price range. It's a bit big for jamming into pockets, though. It only has two modes, if that's an issue.

Metawaffle, would you recommend this light for draining?

Posted by accessgranted Metawaffle, would you recommend this light for draining?

It might be overkill for draining, since it's meant for longer distance stuff. I would stick to something with a smaller head that fits a pocket more easily.

I don't mind the size of the light so much but I want something that will light up the tunnel both near and far. I also like to shoot at low ISO's and mid range apertures so I need something that is pretty bright, as drains seem to eat up a lot of light. I have been looking for quite a while on Deal Extreme but there are so many choices that it's hard to figure out what is best. Do you have any suggestions around that same price range?

Posted by accessgranted I don't mind the size of the light so much but I want something that will light up the tunnel both near and far. I also like to shoot at low ISO's and mid range apertures so I need something that is pretty bright, as drains seem to eat up a lot of light. I have been looking for quite a while on Deal Extreme but there are so many choices that it's hard to figure out what is best. Do you have any suggestions around that same price range?

Well, one option would be to go for a P7 or MC-E light, which pump out a heap of light (though they do eat batteries). I've had this light from DX for about a week, and it's been decent so far, despite all the annoying modes I haven't taken it underground, but I suspect it would be pretty handy down there. The beam has a very bright floody look, in contrast to the tight spot of the Kaidomain thrower.

It's my second-largest LED light, but look at the difference in head diameter between it (2) and the thrower (1). That size difference is significant when you're trying to stick it in a pocket.



The X2000 zooming torch (number 3 in my pic) is fun, and handy in the drains, and is now only $14 - available in three different battery types, too. There are a few mentions of it on this board.

For a bargain general purpose light, though, I still like the look of this one, that DevilC gives the thumbs up to above, though I haven't used one myself.

Is that at all useful?

Well after comparing the difference in size of the heads between the first two flashlights in your gear photo I see what you mean about the size of the Kaidoman thrower. I still haven't decided which light I will get but I think I need something that throws more light than has even illumination because I would like to be able to light up the what is right in front of me as well as what is say 100m down the tunnel as well.

Also the X2000 looks like a great torch for light painting as it seems to have a very even illumination. I have had it on my list of things to buy for a while now.

I appreciate all your help if I hadn't asked I probably would have ended up getting the Kaidoman light and been cursing the fact that it wouldn't fit in my pocket....hahaha

Posted by accessgranted Well after comparing the difference in size of the heads between the first two flashlights in your gear photo I see what you mean about the size of the Kaidoman thrower. I still haven't decided which light I will get but I think I need something that throws more light than has even illumination because I would like to be able to light up the what is right in front of me as well as what is say 100m down the tunnel as well. Also the X2000 looks like a great torch for light painting as it seems to have a very even illumination. I have had it on my list of things to buy for a while now. I appreciate all your help if I hadn't asked I probably would have ended up getting the Kaidoman light and been cursing the fact that it wouldn't fit in my pocket....hahaha

I love this one that I got from DX: http://www.dealext...tails.dx/sku.19767

SpiderFire SSC P7 SSC P7-C 2-Mode 900-Lumen LED Flashlight with Strap. Takes one 18650 battery and it's great for lighting up a drain. It's not a fantastic thrower, but it's pretty good. Oh, did I mention that it's just $35?

Posted by rob666 I love this one that I got from DX: http://www.dealext...tails.dx/sku.19767 SpiderFire SSC P7 SSC P7-C 2-Mode 900-Lumen LED Flashlight with Strap. Takes one 18650 battery and it's great for lighting up a drain. It's not a fantastic thrower, but it's pretty good. Oh, did I mention that it's just $35?

Yes, that is actually the one I am leaning towards right now it looks like it might do the trick and you can't really go wrong at that price. Thanks.

Posted by rob666 I love this one that I got from DX: http://www.dealext...tails.dx/sku.19767 SpiderFire SSC P7 SSC P7-C 2-Mode 900-Lumen LED Flashlight with Strap. Takes one 18650 battery and it's great for lighting up a drain. It's not a fantastic thrower, but it's pretty good. Oh, did I mention that it's just $35?

Two modes! I should have bought that instead of the eight-mode MC-E

Posted by Assistance The rrt-2 looks amazing! There is just one overwhelming flaw: The low mode is 30 lumens. A bit too bright for many UE situations. I'm sticking with my III-M and waiting for the next jetbeam to come out.

I have to agree, I was disappointed that there was not an infinite programmable mode like the III-M. At 30 lumen (low), it is too bright sometimes. The distance between settings is small and not very palpable. Cree rings are severe. But damn, is it bright.

So I'll be making that purchase really soon...

Any consensus on what light I should buy? I don't overly care about the police strobe anymore.. just more concerned about having a good bright LED light, that can be dimmed.

Also, what about a laser, what would one recommend? (yes, I'd love to burn paper with it if at all possible) :p


I prefer everything to use those 18650 batts, as I have about 8 of them.


Thanks guys.