Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - How are you liking your P7 flashlights?

I figure it's time to start a new thread, the P7 thread is too long.

Please post your reviews, experiences, and suggestions here. If someone can make a post specifying exactly what to buy, even better.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16091

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15642

High quality flashlight. Bright enough in Medium and Low modes for on road use with reasonable run times.
High mode is great for off road. It's too bright in traffic! A policeman pulled me over and told me not to use it in high mode with oncoming traffic. Rapid flash mode is extremely bright even on a bright sunny day.
Bike clip holds the flashlight firmly without the rubber strip so you never need worry about losing it. Fits perfectly without rubber strip on road drop bars and a thin rubber strip from an old tube works for smaller diameter handlebars.

Haven't received mine yet, but this is one of the recommended setups:

DealExtreme: $42.96 MTE SSC P7 C-Bin 900-Lumen 8-Mode LED Flashlight (1*18650) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060) - Sku 13060
DealExtreme: $10.00 TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790) - Sku 05790
DealExtreme: $8.44 Digital Li-Ion 18650 Battery Charger (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6105) - Sku 06105
DealExtreme: $1.90 Universal Bicycle Mount (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274) - Sku 08274

I have three. Two Aurora 2-modes, and an MTE 2-mode.

I use dual Auroras on the handlebars. I put them both in high mode on a stretch of road with no streetlights, and can see perfectly at 23 mph. I put one off and one in low when I get to traffic areas, and occasionally pop it in high if it seems like a car might not see me.

On a long downhill with streetlights, one in low is plenty of light at 31 mph.

Two modes is plenty I and don't need any other modes.

I am 100% satisfied with these lights and have retired my Fenix L2D Q5 to use only as a daytime blinker. One P7 is more than twice as floody as the Fenix and throws further.

I have a p7 (sku 13060 (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060)). I use the medium setting most of the time; high when there's no streetlights. The strobe setting is good for foggy/cloudy days but it's kind of a hassle to cycle through 5 or 6 settings to get to the strobe. Overall the p7 is bright but is has too much flood. I haven't ridden with it in the rain so I'm not sure how it performs when the light or the ground is wet.

My P7 has been great. I use medium when on city streets and high when on unlit trails and pathways. I just road home last night along the Greenbelt. The flash light lit up the path like I was a car.

Haven't received mine yet, but this is one of the recommended setups:

DealExtreme: $42.96 MTE SSC P7 C-Bin 900-Lumen 8-Mode LED Flashlight (1*18650) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060) - Sku 13060
DealExtreme: $10.00 TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790) - Sku 05790
DealExtreme: $8.44 Digital Li-Ion 18650 Battery Charger (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6105) - Sku 06105
DealExtreme: $1.90 Universal Bicycle Mount (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274) - Sku 08274

Yeah, this is the setup I've run since September. Great light.

60 min run time seem a bit on the low side for high, what are the other modes like?

I have a 2 cell version from DX. I don't have a good run time on high because I'm using lower end batteries that have not been charged fully. A coworker just got a $500+ Light & Motion Seca 700 Ultra LED setup. We compared the lights and the DX brightness was very close to the Seca in brightness and threw a bigger circle! I think it was $40 shipped.
It's really bulky but I used an angle bracket and have it mounted on my front fork skewer.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16091

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15642

High quality flashlight. Bright enough in Medium and Low modes for on road use with reasonable run times.
High mode is great for off road. It's too bright in traffic! A policeman pulled me over and told me not to use it in high mode with oncoming traffic. Rapid flash mode is extremely bright even on a bright sunny day.
Bike clip holds the flashlight firmly without the rubber strip so you never need worry about losing it. Fits perfectly without rubber strip on road drop bars and a thin rubber strip from an old tube works for smaller diameter handlebars.


Between the mount you are using and this - which would you suggest?

Yeah, this is the setup I've run since September. Great light.

You are the one that helped me pick it...thanks!

Between the mount you are using and this - which would you suggest?

I don't believe it will fit the mount you pictured without using serious force. My Ultrafire won't even go in with the tail cap removed, which is a shame because the mount is really sturdy.

I don't believe it will fit the mount you pictured without using serious force. My Ultrafire won't even go in with the tail cap removed, which is a shame because the mount is really sturdy.

Sheesh - had ordered two of those mounts. Anyway I have another order coming thru and will include this mount too.

I used that $1.9 mount. works great on my 16092

Works great on my 12060 MTE also

I don't believe it will fit the mount you pictured without using serious force. My Ultrafire won't even go in with the tail cap removed, which is a shame because the mount is really sturdy.

It fits my P7 (same one as pictured) without trouble. I don't try to slide it in, I just push straight down and it snaps into place.

I also use the $1.90 mount. Holds the light securely and goes on and off easily. Sometimes simple is better.

It fits my P7 (same one as pictured) without trouble. I don't try to slide it in, I just push straight down and it snaps into place.

I didn't even consider that approach, I'll give it a try! This light is a bit too jiggly in a Twofish Lockblock, so I'll be happy if it fits in the 8274. :thumb:

Between the mount you are using and this - which would you suggest?

I like this one.

I go off road on occasion. There's no way a limb can catch the light and pull it out of the clip unlike sku.8274 shown at the top.

Between the mount you are using and this - which would you suggest?


I have the pictured mount it sucks, it just doens't hold the flashlight steady, I have to loop a rubber band from one side of the light, under the bar, to the other side of the light to hold it in place...

As far as the light itself, I love my P7, it is bright enough to see 100+ feet ahead of me, and cars seem to notice me more :thumb:

I got two rechargable batteries, I have had the light for 3 months or so and have only charged them once a piece!

These P7 threads need to stop ASAP, I reading them and keep thinking of buying one, the wife will kill me if I spend more $$$ on flashlights!!!!

I blame all of you if the wife kills me after I buy one.

Also if in your posts you can put which one you have that would be great, I'm thinking an 12060, seems to be the way to go, 80 minutes on high.

Well I have 2 P7's and love them. I got back into riding about 4 months ago after a years long break. Anyways I've been swapping back and forth between the two P7s. Before this I was using a PB 3 LED light and/or a MiniMag LED and had some scary moments in the dark downhill portions of the park I usually ride though.. that was until the P7s arrived! anyways. I use either the cheap $2 Deal Extreme mounts, Fenix Mount, or the hardware store Conduit mounts. not sure which mount I like best just yet.

First one is the MTE 2 mode..
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12325

Works great! insanely bright and small. Not sure on the run time because I usually only ride short distances but really since it only uses 1 cell it doesn't seem like a problem to keep a fresh charged cell to toss in if needed. The hot spot is large and really floods out at farther distances. My only gripe is because of the small size of this light it gets hot really quick not sure how hot it will get in the summer but we will see.


2nd P7 I have is the TrustFire 5 mode with the large reflector on it.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13336

Works great with roughly the same light output but is a bit more focused at distance than the 2 mode. The Head on it is very large and front heavy but the large head keeps this light cooler than the small 2 mode. The hot spot on this light seems more focused at long distances and had a much wider overall spread of light than the MTE 2 above. The only problem I have with this light is the heavy head on it causes it to rotate down as I ride once in a while if I'm using it on my old chrome handlebar bikes and the mount is not tight enough.

now for some comparative pics..
Left-right.. LED MiniMag, 2D cell LED Mag Light, Trustfire 5 mode P7, MTE 2 mode P7.
http://home.comcast.net/~pewter-camaro/P7_02.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~pewter-camaro/P7_03.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~pewter-camaro/P7_04.jpg

I hope this helps!

This is what I've got, although I am still waiting for the mount.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6105
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13004

The light appears to be just what the doctor ordered and I look forward to getting it all set up. I believe the whole set-up cost me around $80.00

Haven't received mine yet, but this is one of the recommended setups:

DealExtreme: $42.96 MTE SSC P7 C-Bin 900-Lumen 8-Mode LED Flashlight (1*18650) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060) - Sku 13060
DealExtreme: $10.00 TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790) - Sku 05790
DealExtreme: $8.44 Digital Li-Ion 18650 Battery Charger (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6105) - Sku 06105
DealExtreme: $1.90 Universal Bicycle Mount (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274) - Sku 08274

This is the exact same setup I have, but with two lights and two chargers. One for the handlebars, and one on my helmet. I am extremely satisfied with the lights so far. I've had a few people ask me where I got them, because they couldn't beleive how bright they were.

I was expecting to have to charge the batteries every other day, but since I'm running the lights on medium most of the time, I only end up charging them once a week (and they're not even fully discharged)

I've only had to use the high setting for riding on unlit paths or when playing around on the MTB trails near my house.

I really wish that there was a 3-mode version of the MTE light, as I have no use for any of the strobe features. Low-> Medium -> High is all I need.

The only minor complaint I have is that I wish that changing modes was only done via a full click and not a half-click. I hit a huge pothole on the way home one day and noticed that the light changed from Medium to High setting (I noticed after an oncoming car bright lighted me)

I'm considering buying more of these...just waiting to see if a 3-mode come out anytime soon

-Erik

This is the exact same setup I have, but with two lights and two chargers. One for the handlebars, and one on my helmet. I am extremely satisfied with the lights so far. I've had a few people ask me where I got them, because they couldn't beleive how bright they were...

Glad to hear they work well. I am still waiting for mine. USPS has them in Jamaica, NY (about 20 miles from me), so it should be here any day...

... I really wish that there was a 3-mode version of the MTE light, as I have no use for any of the strobe features. Low-> Medium -> High is all I need. ...

+1 on that.. my 5 mode is just too much and I don't like that hard bumps change the mode once in a while. the 2 mode I have has to be clicked off to change mode but its only two mode and the low mode is actually a little too dark and high is well all out. either way I'm happy to have the light.

You are the one that helped me pick it...thanks!

No problem; glad it worked out for you. :beer:

+1 on that.. my 5 mode is just too much and I don't like that hard bumps change the mode once in a while. the 2 mode I have has to be clicked off to change mode but its only two mode and the low mode is actually a little too dark and high is well all out. either way I'm happy to have the light.


After replying to the this thread, I decided to have a look at my light to see what I could do to fix the automatic changing of modes...

I grabbed my light and banged it around a bit to mimic the movement it would make when hitting bumps in the road...nothing.

I then grabbed it and shook it up and down quickly (like trying to get ketchup out of a bottle) and voila, the modes started changing. I figured that the battery must be sliding and losing contact with the springs. My frist thought was to add some metal spacers, but I didn't have anything suitable to use. So I grabbed some scotch tape and wrapped the battery once so that it was a tighter fit it the flashlight. (not so tight that I couldn't get it back out though)

I seems to have done the trick so far, but I haven't ridden with it yet. I'll be trying it out on the way home from work this afternnoon. I'm assuming that it'll work well, but I'll report back on how it worked later tonight or tomorrow...

Haven't received mine yet, but this is one of the recommended setups:

DealExtreme: $42.96 MTE SSC P7 C-Bin 900-Lumen 8-Mode LED Flashlight (1*18650) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060) - Sku 13060
DealExtreme: $10.00 TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790) - Sku 05790


I ordered the light and batteries today (already have the mount and charger covered). Combining this with a helmet mounted Romisen N3 should end my light buying for now (allow I'm thinking of trying to put together a PondScum rear light:))

Haven't received mine yet, but this is one of the recommended setups:

DealExtreme: $42.96 MTE SSC P7 C-Bin 900-Lumen 8-Mode LED Flashlight (1*18650) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060) - Sku 13060
DealExtreme: $10.00 TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790) - Sku 05790
DealExtreme: $8.44 Digital Li-Ion 18650 Battery Charger (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6105) - Sku 06105
DealExtreme: $1.90 Universal Bicycle Mount (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274) - Sku 08274

Received mine today. Took exactly 2 weeks from order to delivery.

First impressions:
-Looks good and solid
-8 modes will take getting used to
-Bright!
-The mount didn't fit on the very center of my handlebars as they taper ever larger (31.8mm i think).

Here are some pics:

Thanks for all the help in this thread and the 18-page one. I am excited about my new setup. I just ordered:

p7 Light 13060
batteries 5790
charger 6105
mount 8274
mount 15642

This seems to be the popular combination of items.

All this for only a few bucks more than the 1W PB Blaze light. Hopefully this setup will be a fair bit brighter (I currently have the 1/2W Blaze and it is very visible, but is more for visibility to others than for active lighting of the road.)

My first questions:
1. Does that charger (6105) shut off automatically once the batteries are charged?
2. If my batteries are protected, does the answer to #1 matter? (Maybe this is just double protection.)
3. Can I charge one battery at a time using the 6105?
4. Can I charge two batteries that are at different levels of discharge?

(I also looked at charger sku 1251, but it had some negative comments about overcharging. It did state that it shut off automatically when full and that you could charge two batteries that are at different charge levels.)

My first questions:
1. Does that charger (6105) shut off automatically once the batteries are charged?
2. If my batteries are protected, does the answer to #1 matter? (Maybe this is just double protection.)
3. Can I charge one battery at a time using the 6105?
4. Can I charge two batteries that are at different levels of discharge?


1. It stops charging the battery when it is full, however the charge still emits a green light so it is not "off."
2. I don't know. But i think the batteries will not overcharge due to both reasons.
3. yes.
3. yes.

Received mine today. Took exactly 2 weeks from order to delivery.

First impressions:
-Looks good and solid
-8 modes will take getting used to


I ordered the same light...today is the two-week point--still waiting:(

I started to order the five mode but I read something that pushed me toward the eight-mode that was safety related although I don't remember exactly what it said or where I saw it. But, as you said, I guess I'll get used to it.

1. It stops charging the battery when it is full, however the charge still emits a green light so it is not "off."
2. I don't know. But i think the batteries will not overcharge due to both reasons.
3. yes.
3. yes.

Please be very careful with 18650 lithium batteries, some of the less expensive charger like ones sold one dealextreme are known to overcharge these cells if left on overnight.. Lithium Ions have been known when overcharged severely to vent with flame.. If you want a charger that is quality and you do not have to worry about buy the Pila charger..

I recommend 16092 over 13060. Its significantly brighter with more evenly distributed light, has mode memory, and fewer useless modes to start with. Head-to-head on my handlebars the 16092 is clearly better light.

6105 charger works fine, twice as fast as 4151 - which is main reason i bought it in followup order to 4151 charger. 4151 charges other sizes, i use it for 16340s too. 6105 stops charge at 4.16v, 4151 goes to 4.13v. 00998 is a neat little 16340 charger, perfect for travel because plug folds into body.

I bought TF and UF 18650s and 16340s, some with protection, some without. They all work fine.

I got a 16844 (xre, not p7) too, nice light for the money. Very lightweight and pocketable, 5 mode, no memory, SOS is actually SOO, 1x16340, 16 bucks. Almost as bright as my shiningbeam rc-n3 Q5 lights. I'm getting another one soon.

I recommend 16092 over 13060. Its significantly brighter with more evenly distributed light, has mode memory, and fewer useless modes to start with. Head-to-head on my handlebars the 16092 is clearly better light.


Seeker- thanks so much for the response. I don't think anyone has posted a comparison of the 16092 and the 13060 before. The 13060 was recommended in other threads because it was cheaper and, on paper, appeared to be as good or better than the 16092.

The other difference is that apparently the 13060 is regulated, but the 16092 is not regulated (even though it says it is). I'm not sure if that is a problem or not, but since I will only be running it for an hour (or two at the most), I don't think that should be a problem. Let me know if I'm missing something here.

Based on your advice, I have asked DX to change my order to the 16092. We'll see if it works!

Neither are regulated - direct battery driven. They both go pretty good till 70-80 minutes, then slowly die.

FWIW, here's time vs voltage in rundown comparison of mte c (13060) and d (16092) models:

c - 0/4.13 30/3.77 60/3.68 90/3.57 120/3.06
d - 0/4.13 30/3.77 60/3.67 90/3.51 120/2.77

D is brighter and pulls a little more juice. I think it's more efficient since the rundown is nearly the same but the light is better.

note: i suspect there is a significant level of variation in all these dx-marketed lights, so YMMV

I ordered the same light...today is the two-week point--still waiting:(

I started to order the five mode but I read something that pushed me toward the eight-mode that was safety related although I don't remember exactly what it said or where I saw it. But, as you said, I guess I'll get used to it.

Do you have a tracking number?

Please be very careful with 18650 lithium batteries, some of the less expensive charger like ones sold one dealextreme are known to overcharge these cells if left on overnight.. Lithium Ions have been known when overcharged severely to vent with flame.. If you want a charger that is quality and you do not have to worry about buy the Pila charger..

+1

While i am using the cheap dealextreme charger, i wont leave the house, or go to sleep while its charging. I also make sure to remove the batteries promptly once charged - it helps to get a general idea of how long it takes to fully charge...

Do you have a tracking number?

Yep...says it left Hong Kong on the 27th!

+1

While i am using the cheap dealextreme charger, i wont leave the house, or go to sleep while its charging.

After reading some of the advice on CPF (like always charge Lithium batteries in a fire-proof box), this sounds like pretty good advice! :)

Not worth of new thread but thought I'd throw this in. I have found out that the Run time on my Romisen RC-N3 Q5 using a rechargeable CR123 is rather short. I had it on for around 25 minutes yesterday off of a fresh charge. Today I was about 15 minutes into my commute when the light noticeably dimmed. I like using it in the CR123 mode because it's lighter and I barely notice the weight on the helmet. When I ran it as an AA light, I did notice it. So it appears my options are to charge the CR123 daily, or go with the added amp-hours of the AAs.

I'm curious to see what my run time is going to be with the P7 on a single 18650.

Yep...says it left Hong Kong on the 27th!

Here are my tracking details:

Label/Receipt Number: RA920356728HK
Detailed Results:

Processed, December 14, 2008, 6:16 am, JAMAICA, NY 11405
Foreign International Dispatch, December 10, 2008, 4:18 pm, HONG KONG AIR MAIL CENTRE, HONG KONG
Foreign Acceptance, December 08, 2008, 4:54 pm, HONG KONG


Mine was finally delivered on the 17th (I'm in NY). It seems the shipping method, once it hits the U.S. is not trackable. So once it gets through customs (in my case Jamaica, NY) it goes into the regular USPS mail stream. Delivery will be 3-5 days after that i assume.

Mine was finally delivered on the 17th (I'm in NY).

This is all mine shows for now:

Outward Registered Letter

Destination - United States of America

The item (RA931103044HK) left Hong Kong for its destination on 27-Dec-2008

So hopefully sometime next week!

Too bad ShiningBeam doesn't do P7s

What is the run time with normal road use, i.e mostly medium but a little high and low as needed?

They were able to switch my 13060 for the 16092! Big thanks to Seeker for letting me know about the differences between these two lights!

My order status is "waiting for supplier" right now, but hopefully I will get it within two weeks. Is that about normal from DX?

What is the run time with normal road use, i.e mostly medium but a little high and low as needed?

From what I've read, you should get a little over an hour on high power (maybe 80 minutes or so) or much more on medium, I've read anywhere from 3-7 hours. Since you buy and charge batteries in pairs, why not bring an extra battery on longer rides to be safe! I will also have a backup light on my bike (a "to be seen" Planet Bike unit).

This is all mine shows for now:

Outward Registered Letter

Destination - United States of America

The item (RA931103044HK) left Hong Kong for its destination on 27-Dec-2008

So hopefully sometime next week!

Too bad ShiningBeam doesn't do P7s

Here is the USPS tracking side. You'll want to follow this from now on: http://trkcnfrm1.smi.usps.com/PTSInternetWeb/InterLabelInquiry.do?origTrackNum=RA931103044HK

They were able to switch my 13060 for the 16092! Big thanks to Seeker for letting me know about the differences between these two lights!

My order status is "waiting for supplier" right now, but hopefully I will get it within two weeks. Is that about normal from DX?

Yeah 2 weeks seems to be the average to the US.

The thing with these cheap chargers is you have no idea what they are doing unless you probe them with a multimeter. Is the QC good enough to know that they will terminate the charge at 4.2V or does it go higher? A bit scary...

I took a couple of those ultra cheap DX 18650 chargers and modified them to be strictly battery holders to use with hobby chargers like the Triton, Orbit Microlader and TP1010. These chargers all have proper Li-Ion CC-CV charge cycles. They also give a visual readout of voltage, current and mAh in (and out if discharging) and can be used with balancers. I also wired in balancing leads in the two cell charger-now-holder. It costs more and requires some initial fiddling but with this setup you know exactly what is happening, additional safety precautions come into play (i.e. the TP1010 will alarm if there is overvoltage or excessive unbalance) and battery health can be determined with relative ease.