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#Post#: 1844--------------------------------------------------
UltraFire UF-T20 Mini review.
By: MRsDNF Date: July 28, 2013, 5:06 pm
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My thoughts and impressions on this light.
I bought this light from the MF special buys that was held here.
(HTM) http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafie-uft20-magnetic-tail-cree-xml-t6-400lumen-led-flashlight-stepless-brightness-control-titanium-1634014500-p-11794
I have been using this light for a few weeks at work inspecting
under and around trucks.
I initially tested it on a lithium 14500 but the light would
shut off after a couple of seconds so has not been used since.
Protected 16340 batteries off the Trustfire name do not fit as
there to long and again I would not use them in this light due
to the voltage anyway. CR123's fit fine but I have not used them
enough to comment.
I dont have a lot of small off the shelf lights to compare this
too only lights that I have built. The hot spot from the XML led
is to me amazingly small. In small lights I've built I'm used to
XML's having a flood of light but this has a distinct hot spot
and a good spill. The light to me appears as a neutral to very
slightly warm tint.
The lens is advertised as being coated. I cannot verify this as
it appears to be clear glass.
There is no knurling on this light. It is merrily thin lines
machined in a crosshatch pattern and it is indeed very smooth.
PWM is not real good. If you dont like PWM dont buy this light.
I'm a fan of the deep bezel as this light has only been carried
in my pocket which usually has keys in it. The deep bezel has
prevented any damage to the lens and so far free from finger
prints. It does affect the beam slightly but to me its more of
an advantage than disadvantage.
I have not used the clip at all but it appears well made. I will
not be removing it as I can identify where the switch is as its
on the opposite side. The switch itself is tiny and has a very
firm push to it for turning on. I doubt anyone would accidently
turn this light on in there pocket. I do have a problem with its
tiny size though which in all honesty is not a problem, just my
big mitts. From new I had issues with the light working
erratically. A quick squirt with some CRC internally to the
switch has fixed this problem of dry contacts.
Anodizing from new was well done. It is showing a few small
marks in it now but that is from the constant contact it has
with the keyring that resides with it in my pocket.
I'm not a fan off flashy modes and these are well hidden and not
likely to be found by accident.
The magnet on the tailcap works well and so far the light does
not look like falling of anything it is stuck to.
This may not be all that hygienic but the two things this light
is crying out for is less PWM and something rubber or the likes
that slips over the tailcap so that you can hold the light in
your teeth. I'm sure I'm not the only one that does this.
The variable brightness works extremely well. The only thing I
would change here is a pause at maximum brightness and minimum
brightness. As it is it just goes straight through both.
Overall I'm a fan off this light. It would off been better if it
ran on 4.2 volts and protected 16340 batteries.
I apologise for the lack of pictures but I'm a bit out off
action at the moment. Thanks for reading.
#Post#: 1846--------------------------------------------------
Re: UltraFire UF-T20 Mini review.
By: Spasmod Date: July 29, 2013, 7:20 am
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Thanks for your thoughts Steve. It's a shame about the lack of
cell support and the bad PWM in what otherwise appears to be a
fairly decent light.
#Post#: 1850--------------------------------------------------
Re: UltraFire UF-T20 Mini review.
By: JohnnyMac Date: July 29, 2013, 5:23 pm
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Thanks for the review, Steve! I hope you are ok and nothing
serious has you out od action.
#Post#: 1870--------------------------------------------------
Re: UltraFire UF-T20 Mini review.
By: relic38 Date: July 30, 2013, 11:20 pm
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Thanks for the nice review, Steve! I've been looking for a
single AA light for a police officer. Maybe this is an option.
How bright is it on an AA Alkaleak compared to the CR123A?
#Post#: 1871--------------------------------------------------
Re: UltraFire UF-T20 Mini review.
By: MRsDNF Date: July 31, 2013, 1:45 am
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I may need some help correcting this as its the first time I've
used my light meter to make anything off figures.
For comparisons sake I've included the measurements from the
TrustFire Mini 02. The meter was on 10x to get a reading so I
have multiplied my readings by 10. All measurements were taken
at 1 meter.
TrustFire Mini 02.
OEM battery. 900 Lux.
UF-T20.
New CTS X-Cell Alkaline. 1440 Lux.
Turnigy LSD 2400 NiMH. 1600 Lux.
Nitecore new CR123A. 3150 Lux.
Have I done this the right way? My light meter is the same as
many others use being the LX1330B. Cheers.
#Post#: 1872--------------------------------------------------
Re: UltraFire UF-T20 Mini review.
By: JohnnyMac Date: July 31, 2013, 12:12 pm
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Pretty sure it's the same meter I have. If the lux is under
2000 (ie. 1999) then you can have it on the basic mode. The
only time you need to have it on 10x is if the source is pushing
2000 or more lux. I always know when I have a bright light on
my hands when I pop it on the IS and I have to change the meter
to 100x just to get a reading from it. Only one light has done
that for me so far - my TR-S700. ;D
#Post#: 1873--------------------------------------------------
Re: UltraFire UF-T20 Mini review.
By: relic38 Date: July 31, 2013, 1:58 pm
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Thanks Steve, that tells me that the UF-T20 gets about double
the output on a Li-Ion compared to a NiMH.
#Post#: 1876--------------------------------------------------
Re: UltraFire UF-T20 Mini review.
By: MRsDNF Date: July 31, 2013, 4:45 pm
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Thanks JM. From switch on the meter just went to zero when the
light was shone on it at 1 meter. This is the next setting up
which popped up 10x on the screen. I will have to take some
pictures when I'm more mobile.
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