dclaryjr

Cool! Thanks.

n0xdw

Has any one looked into the 14451 Aurora AK-P7-3 SSC P7-C 900-Lumen 2-Mode LED Flashlight? I thought perhaps it might have longer run time then the single battery versions. I just ordered one based on this thread but i see there is another page to the thread now. I ordered the protected batteries separately and still need to order a charger of some sort.

Just checked status and i see it is waiting for Supplier. I thought when i ordered it showed as being in stock. The batteries i ordered later are showing in stock but not shipped yet, is that a bad sign?

emj2390

how can i mount a p7 on my helmet?
what charger is best for not overcharging these batteries?
ar ni mh batteries a bad idea for this light?

MadCapsule

On which mode? I ask because I'm trying to determine which P7 has the best medium setting. I've read several posts stating that the P7 is just too bright on high when in traffic, which is where the majority of my riding is done. Also, any idea how many lumens it puts out on medium? If it's in the 200 or so range, I might just get a different light that is more compact. I was going to get the L-Mini from Shining Beam, but it is sold out and it will be a while before L-Mini II is available. The light output of the L-Mini was around 215 lumens, I believe.

socalrider

The L-mini is a very nice compact light.. Make sure to get it with the orange peel reflector, otherwise it is pure spot light.. The only downside is that is mainly takes unprotected cells.. I only found the AW protected cells to fit in the light.. It gets around 100-110 minutes on high mode before dropping down into medium mode.. I use this light primarily as my helmet light..

dclaryjr

I ordered on the 16th. I don't remember exactly but it was something like Waiting for Supplier for four days, then two days of IN Stock, and then another two-three days in Packaging. It finally shipped on the 27th--hope it makes it this week. BTW, the DX page said "ships in 2-3 days" when I ordered it. This is the downside of what is otherwise a good deal.

MadCapsule

Thanks for the info! I'll have to keep the orange peel reflector in mind when the L-mini II arrives (assuming I haven't purchased something else before then).

Bryan (from Shining Beam) also mentioned that he would soon be getting a light in called the X2T. It is supposed to be replacing the L-mini ver.3 and will apparently look very similar to the Inova X5, only with a Cree Q5 emitter instead of whatever the Inova uses. High mode will be 230 lumens and it will run on two CR123 batteries. Edit: The X2T is already in stock and can be found here.

He didn't give me any details about what the specs for the L-mini II would be.

Back on topic: Anyone know how many lumens a P7 will put out on medium and on which model?

socalrider

The X2T looks very similar to the P3D in sizing and illumination.. I have read many threads and medium mode in a p7 can range from 250-350 lumens out the front, a little brighter than a Q5..

I tested a recent P7 light against my Trinewt which is rated at 490 lumens and it was at least 100+ lumens brighter with a more defined hot spot than the trinewt.. This really surprised me..

On a separate note has anyone ordered from Kaidomain?? It seems everyone is buying from dealextreme.. I know Kaidomain offers EMS shipping for an extra 15.00..

seeker333

Shipping isn't really DX's weakness. My last order took 8 days from HK to GA, USA - with 1 day closed for Xmas - thanks to USPS!! I had several parcel shipping from the West Coast right before Xmas in only 2-3 days USPS Priority. My previous order shipped in 9 days. So, the actual shipping time is pretty reasonable considering the cost and distance.

DX's problem is the lousy way they intentionally underestimate wait times for the customer, to lure them into a sale. My last order had 9 items - the longest inventory status message was "In Stock: ships 1-3 days". This order listed as "Ready" for 8 days before proceeding to "Shipped" (packaging stage lasted only hours). It was evidently delayed by batteries. Two batteries were posted to my account as "shipped" 4 and 6 days after original shipment in 2nd and 3rd shipments. Then a few days later the 2nd shipment disappeared from invoice status page. The batteries eventually arrived together in a single shipment 9 days after original shipment. Even their "shipped" status message with timestamp is evidently meaningless.

I got an email message requesting input from me, when in fact they needed no info from me - so just some asinine message they send out with wrong heading. 3 of the 4 emails i sent took 3 or 4 days for DX CSE to answer, and their answers are nearly useless and necessitate a follow-up email. Its like an elaborate psychological experiment designed to test the patience of internet shoppers.

Now the 13060 I just got has gone bad - it was defective from the first power-up. The light flickers and then dims, slowly fades, changes modes or dies completely. I thought at first it was a bad contact / loose battery fit issue, but now it does this sitting still on a desk untouched, so I suspect bad circuit in the pill itself. Wanna guess what kind of hell you go thru to return something to DX?

A $43 P7 flashlight is not an "extreme deal" if 1 in every 2 or 3 are defective. Better off paying more money and buying from a reputable company that conducts business to normal standards. I think my 2nd order to DX will be my last. I may try to recover my loss thru Paypal rather than suffer through DXs ridiculous "customer service express". I wonder if all of DX's delays aren't somewhat intended to prevent such recoveries by pushing customer action back beyond various 30 and 45 day limits set by Paypal and other credit card companies.

I think ShiningBeam is a great place to buy Q5 lights. I have an L-mini v1, its a nice little light. The Romisen RC-N3 is pretty darn good too for <20usd - its as bright as the L-mini or brighter, and maybe even a better thrower - but it lacks the nice beam pattern of the L-mini, as well as multi modes with memory amd low voltage shutoff. Those ITP lights look really nice too - may get one of those new E50s.

I wish SB would start selling P7s.

erikvonb

My buddy ordered one of those and they are pretty big. I wouldn't say it's suitable for mounting on your bars, or even your helmet. The head is big and the body is pretty long as well. It's a great light though. More floody than my MTE 8-mode, and a little bit brighter too.

AEO

you might be better served by the Ultrafire WF-1000L sku.15572.

you'll have to mount it on your stem, or a combination of your stem, handlebars or bar extensions (minoura space grip, etc.) at two points.

I wouldn't even want a single 18650 P7 for my helmet. too heavy for that. sku.15335 is much better for a helmet light.

Cyclist0383

I've had nothing but lies and nightmares from KD. They sent me the wrong product and refused to make good on it, even after I sent them photos. They also said a light 'ships immediately' but a week later it hadn't shipped (they did issue a tracking number the day after the order ) and when I wrote and asked what was happening they said 'it'll ship tomorrow'. When it didn't ship 'tomorrow' I canceled the order, and they said 'are you sure you want to cancel the order? It's sitting boxed up right here, ready to be shipped!' Riiight....

I've never had a problem with DX after many orders, but out of four orders with KD two have been screwed up. Never again.

There is no point in paying for EMS if it takes them well over a week to ship an 'in stock' item.

socalrider

Ziemas

Thanks for the input on KD, they used to be a good trading partner a few years back..

MadCapsule

Anyone know about how much a P7 with a battery weighs?

socalrider

45 to 50 grams.. Oops.. I misread, this is the weight for battery only.. Just under 200 grams for light and battery..

MadCapsule

Thanks. That's much lighter than I was expecting.

deepakvrao

I got the 16091 and its fantastic. Expected really cheap build quality but its actually pretty decent. Very bright. Got delivered about 15 days after ordering.

Cyclist0383

187g according to my kitchen scale.

(I have an MC-E light, but it's the same body as the P7, just with a different flavor of LED.)

MadCapsule

That sounds more like what I was expecting. Thanks.

ROJA

FWIW, I finalized my order with DX on 12/31 and it shipped on 1/5. We'll see how long it takes to get to me in SF.

EDIT: Left HK 1/8 (1/7 in US)

dclaryjr

I'm getting closer!

Label/Receipt Number: RA93 1103 044H K
Status: Processed

Your item was processed and left our ZIP Code 20199 facility on January 5, 2009. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

The bad news is that I temporarily have no job to commute to. I'm a contract employee and although my company was awarded a new contract, the funding hasn't hit the right pot yet. Hopefully I'll be back on the road soon.

socalrider

New P7 mod on the horizon.. I am getting option 1 with 2400 Ma driver which should run just under 800 lumens. It is pricey but the form factor is much more appealing than the other P7's on the market. I am also getting the rear led tailcap, primary use as a helmet light..

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...d.php?t=218409

dclaryjr

My P7 finally arrived--ordered on th 16th, delivered today. After using the Romisen in the CR123 configuration, this thing looks huge! I'll be putting the Trustifes in the charger when I get home to be followed by a test drive tonight!!

bryce_atx

Please let me know how your return experience with DX goes. I ordered a charger on 12/7, it arrived on 12/31. I can live with that, especially during the holidays.

The problem is that I received the wrong charger. I needed something for 18650s, and the one I received doesn't handle batteries that long. I ordered this one: https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15608, but received this one: https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15607. They look similar, but the second one is for shorter cells.

Their solution is for me to ship it back to them, and they'll then send out a replacement. No thanks. I'm going to order a charger locally and try to get a refund from DX.

dclaryjr

I finally got to check out my new light but it took an extra day. The two Trustfire batteries I ordered with the light would not charge! Luckily I had ordered one from BatterySpace when I got my CR123 and the charger. It charged just fine.

As others reported, running this light on medium will be just fine for city commuting, but it's fun to crank it on high to see it light up the load. In retrospect, I wish I had gone with something that had less modes--I don't think I'll ever use any of the flashing modes. But since it comes on in medium mode, it will work just fine for my commute.