Cree ZS-2…crazy bright/stupid cheap

[Riddus]

My uncle gave me the aforementioned flashlight recently and I love it. It was well used when he passed it along and now seems to be failing me a bit. Looking for a new one on eBay, you can buy them all day long at under $5 including shipping. My question is, why is it so cheap? All other comparable (single AA, 200-300 lumen, adjustable beam) lights I have found are $40+. What gives?


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[LoveHate]

Do you have a link?

[enki_ck]

Just search for sipik clone.

[Corwyn]

It looks and feels like my Ultrafire Cree Q5... I just got a couple of those for under 5$...

[dks]

They are cheap because it is a basic, simple design, the emitters used are a few years old, many companies seem to be making them, the electronics used are simple.
Usually a good clean solves all their problems.

There is really only one direct competitor (both use AA or LiIons, both cheap, both with a decent reputation) though it is less bright. It usually has no branding.
Shown on the left


You can see more in the link here: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,35523.msg969333.html#msg969333

[Riddus]

Those on the right are the ones! I've done a little research, and most flashlight enthusiast don't care for the zoomy lens lights because they are dirt or water proof, but if you are looking for a bright, portable light on a budget, I would recommend them (just pick up a couple for spares).


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[Riddus]

They are cheap because it is a basic, simple design, the emitters used are a few years old, many companies seem to be making them, the electronics used are simple.
Usually a good clean solves all their problems.

There is really only one direct competitor (both use AA or LiIons, both cheap, both with a decent reputation) though it is less bright. It usually has no branding.
Shown on the left
(Image removed from quote.)

You can see more in the link here: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,35523.msg969333.html#msg969333

How do you go about cleaning one?


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[dks]

They come apart, in various pieces and you clean the contact areas, that is where current needs a path to go through. (Look through the thread I linked to get an idea)

These are the tube ends, the spring, the contact area on the pill etc.
Use some alcohol and maybe some contact spray. If you use lubricants on the contact areas make sure that they are not electrical insulators (silicone grease, for example, will not allow electricity through easily)
Sometimes the switch will need cleaning too (short circuiting/bypassing the switch will show you if the switch is the problem)

Many times if the problem is serious it will be cheaper to just get a new one 

[Riddus]

I plan on picking up a Nitecore EC20 to replace it, but I think I will try to clean it out and save it for back-up. Thanks.


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[sandyli310]

Red one looks great. Doing some research on it now!

[Corwyn]

Had to necro one of these to say that my black Sipik 68 Ultrafire after 1 day of pocket carry with the phone and powerbank lost all her paint on its side and the top unscrewed itself.. still works fine, but a bit underwhelmed by the finish...

[dks]

shame... You can now paint them it in some fancy colour 

I am surprised as mine have been holding fine and some are a few years old..

I assume you were just unlucky. The ultraOk do seem better quality.

[glowtrits]

Those 3 pieces, are good for simple and normal uses, as I doubt they will hold up if they are submerge into water or expose to water element for a while.

I have the similar piece, on the left side (Black). Great and bright, with the pull out to zoom. No point to zoom, as the brightness reduces a lot, yet a decent piece to have in case you are left out in the dark.

[Lynn LeFey]

Due to discussion on these, (I think it was originally dks that talked about them), I picked up two from Amazon, under $5 each.

For the price, I'm SUPER impressed. I haven't had them long enough to discuss durability, but function for the price is great, brightness is incredible, and they SEEM solidly built.