Cheap 18650 Headlamps - Lightinthebox.com - any experience?

[durangobrad]

Was looking into upgrading to a better headlamp and came across this website.

http://www.lightinthebox.com/c/flashlights_4393

anyone have any experience with this site or products?

 

[durangobrad]

Also I figured if I posted it here someone (gear junkies) would have to by a few to try out and I wont have to be the guinea pig

 

[snowcamoman]

I've had a few of the cheap eBay 18650 LED headlamps that have simply amazed me. One of them is 5 years old now and is still one of my favorite winter predator hunting lights. The entire thing was $22 and included 2 18650 batteries and a charger. The batteries are not the best out there, but they've worked fine. I think I have 4 total of the cheap China 18650 setups and all work and work well. They make excellent "loaner" headlamps for new guys I go hunting with. I don't feel as bad if they break or lose one of those vs. a $1000 Lupine.

 

[durangobrad]

Thanks for the Ebay tip, ordered one for $10 shipped from california. Will test it around town on the bike and report back.

 

[COlineman78]

I have this one and if you're looking for something ridiculously bright and don't care about weight check it out. It can drain 2x18650 batteries in minutes. You must be careful which batteries you use with this light. Try to find high amperage drain curves to see how they react.

http://www.lightinthebox.com/lt-2-m...8650-led-cree-xm-l2_p4556776.html?prm=1.2.1.0

 

[COlineman78]

Okay, I ordered 2 lights. I will post how they work when I get them.

http://www.lightinthebox.com/ultraf...earch-green-light-240lm-1x18650_p1767437.html
http://www.lightinthebox.com/genwis...eadlamp-headlight-bicycle-light_p4581705.html

 

[durangobrad]

heres the one I went with

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391347417783?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I don't have experience with these particular lights, but I have been burned with others. Basically, they were knock off versions of the LED's, worked great.....but only for a little while.

 

[COlineman78]

I don't have experience with these particular lights, but I have been burned with others. Basically, they were knock off versions of the LED's, worked great.....but only for a little while.

Yeah, I have some experience with these cheap Chinese lights and from my experience and research you should always be buying CREE T6 lights. The lumen ratings are always way off, but I have never had issues with the T6 LEDs. They are a little more expensive so the models using them were designed to care a little more about performance then just trying to make the cheapest thing out there.

Other sites that I have bought these types of lights are fasttech.com and meritline.com

 

[COlineman78]

heres the one I went with

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391347417783?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Just a warning: I have quite a few of those batteries that come with because they are cheap: as such they don't last long. I lost one at less than 10 cycles and the rest are significantly lowered capacity at 10 cycles.

 

[durangobrad]

Just a warning: I have quite a few of those batteries that come with because they are cheap: as such they don't last long. I lost one at less than 10 cycles and the rest are significantly lowered capacity at 10 cycles.

Thanks, I figured for $10 I wouldnt be getting much but wanted to give it a try for some night mountain biking. If the light is nice Ill pick up a few more batteries.

 

[snowcamoman]

It's hit or miss on the cheap 18650 batteries. I've had 10 decent one's and 2 that lasted only a season. I did drop one of them in the cold though and may have damaged it. Still, for that price, it's worth it.

 

[rileybassman]

I have had great luck with Nitecore 18650s. Don't have a headlamp specifically, but handhelds are great!

 

[COlineman78]

I have had great luck with Nitecore 18650s. Don't have a headlamp specifically, but handhelds are great!

The Nitecore batteries are good, but they are a millimeter or two too long and don't fit in my 18650 USB adapter for charging my phone.