Review - Best Mini Cree Q5 Led Flashlight Torch

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In this Cree 7w flashlight review nosotros cover a few different variants of the Cree Q5 300 lumen LED flashlight. Nosotros have purchased over 100 of these Cree LED flashlights, and then this post is written from experience. (I give pocket-sized flashlights every bit practical gifts, every bit noted below.)

The Ultrafire 7w 300lm Mini Cree was and still is the quality leader. They are no longer bachelor.

These were affordable flashlights that use a single standard AA or 14500 3.6v battery. The 300 to 500 lumens listed (depending on the model) is more like 100 lumens.

The instance is sturdy aluminum with a belt clip and a transmission focus. The 14500 battery will brand the flashlight brighter assuming information technology is a true XR-E "Q5".

Before yous buy a lot of these, we suggest yous buy one half-dozen pack of these and ane five pack of the Kootek XPE Q5 flashlights. The XPE are better in virtually all categories.

The flashlights are nearly 25mm (just nether an inch) wide and 92mm (3.6 inches) long, weighing nearly .143 pounds/65 grams/2.3oz.

These flashlights tend to cost much more than individually, which is why we recommend you purchase multi-packs.

Contents

• Pros
• Cons
• Best Uses
• Details
• Our Experience
  • Sentry Out for "Off Brands"
  • Reader feedback
• Conclusion
• More Flashlight Alternatives

Pros

Information technology is bright, cheap and reasonably durable. The casing is water resistant (simply not waterproof) aluminum alloy and has no IPX rating.

Bombardment life is good. With LED tech, batteries last a long time compared to the old flashlight models I used as a child.

A remote pressure level switch is available for weapon mounts (but we don't recommend information technology for that use).

Annotation the unit in one of the pictures is the Ultrafire, but is the same "build". This is was the best flashlight for the money but now the XPE based AA flashlights are our recommendation.

Cons

The Cree Ultrafire Q5 7w LED is heavy for an EDC (Every Day Comport) flashlight in a pocketbook or pocket. If the unit is left on "high manner" it gets hot.

Out of the 100+ we ordered about 3% were bad out of the box or failed soon thereafter, and given the return processes we just used them for parts or tossed them. The ones we bought had the water gasket, but they did not have an IPX rating (h2o resistance rating).

The individual LEDs are visible as a series of rectangles when information technology is fully focused, which may bother some people. Every bit noted, quality and lumens vary, especially with the constant changes in brands.

All-time Uses

Stashed in a motorcar or truck, one in the glove compartment and two in the trunk/toolkit. These are good for nightstands, bathroom and kitchen drawers.

Put one in an emergency kit, 72 kit, outset assist kit, get home kit and a problems out bag. If you or the kids lose one yous aren't losing an expensive flashlight.

We recommend 3 iii mode LED flashlights for every vehicle for regular and emergency use.

I was on the way home and came across a deer blow. In clearing the road, vehicles were not slowing down. I put one flashlight facing traffic in each direction with strobe on, which did slow down traffic more than normal hazard lights.

Details

When we first ordered this cheap flashlight we were suspicious that a $iii flashlight could be whatsoever good. (Annotation they are at present closer to $five.)

It took a couple of weeks to get in from China. When we got information technology we were pleasantly surprised. The case feels a bit overbuilt and industrial.

The three modes are toggled using the large orange pollex button (tail cap) on the back. The flashlight doesn't remember the last mode.

The advertisements say that they are 300 or 400 lumens (brightness).

In testing the mini Q5 Cree flashlight is really about 80 to 100 lumens (depending on the model and focus) – in that location are numerous name brands such as Ultrafire, Thorfire, Trusfire and Sipik – all of which appear to be the same flashlight.

Note: The lumen rating is over-estimated on nigh all Q5, C8 and T6 flashlights. But the more expensive proper noun brands have reliable lumen info.

Our Experience

We accept purchased over 100 of these. I gave them as parting gifts to my team at my previous employer, and we have given them as Christmas presents.

Out of the 100+ nosotros have had a few duds, but given the toll and general quality for the ones that work it is a great deal, and they won't intermission the bank if you lose them.

Even though the mini Q5 Cree flashlight is almost 80 to 100 lumens, it is still a very bright light with a fully charged AA.

The light color or hue is non too "red or blueish". Information technology is a fairly clean white and varies toward blue (known as "cool white"), however, given the wide variance in production each one might take different color hues.

With a 14500 battery they are slightly brighter but we have standardized on rechargeable AA batteries (but we do have a couple 14500s for testing).

The Q5 Cree flashlight has a decent range (throw) of about 30 anxiety to 75+ feet, depending on inundation vs. narrow focus beam. Although the LEDs are visible in the narrow focus, the brightness is just right for shut tasks like pulling a sliver.

The wide focus works better for a night-time tire change or lighting up a room. The strobe is bright and is a practiced alternate to a road flare. The lower intensity is good for enough light to run across your way effectually the firm in the night.

Watch Out for "Off Brands"

Exist cautious buying the off make / unnamed Q5 flashlights – at that place are many. They are similar and some are slightly less expensive, however, not all of them employ the Q5 LED and even with the Q5 many but have on/off, not 3 modes.

The single mode Q5 flashlight should be about $ane to $2 cheaper than the three mode unit. In that location are some "waterproof" versions that include an o-band seal.

We recommend the Kootek but if yous actually want these, you should simply order one or single pack, and then gild more if the quality is acceptable.

We concluded upwardly with a few single mode no-name flashlights when nosotros intended to get iii fashion, so confirm the seller has a good rating and you lot are really purchasing the Cree Q5 LED flashlight.

Reader feedback

Our readers report using the flashlight over four years and they are still working well. Some readers study inconsistent lumen and quality in the mini Q5 Cree 7w flashlights.

The linked flashlight we selected remains fairly well rated. (Here is a link to the original Ultrafire, merely it is more expensive).

We have heard of people having problem with the switch, and units being bad to outset. We have as well had complaints of bait and switch with advertising listing the three mode and delivering single manner instead. Also lower lumen than fifty-fifty the 100 lumen.

Conclusion

The Cree Q5 LED flashlight is a minor, cheap, single AA bombardment, LED flashlight with an adaptable focus.

It'south a functional option for hunting, cycling, climbing and camping, but the newer models such equally the Kootek volition throw more low-cal. See our full review of the Kootek in the All-time Cheap Flashlight post.

The video below shows a comparing of the Cree Q5 and the Kootek. (If the video doesn't load, make sure adblockers are turned off.)

Watch out for faux ratings. Some "loftier ratings" on amazon are due to lots of short reviews. Many in a curt fourth dimension period with grammatical errors (to me that indicates they are fake reviews).

Likewise watch out for high shipping costs. (Some sellers price an item depression and overcharge on shipping.)

When you're stocking upwards, it'south a adept idea to pair your flashlight purchase with rechargeable AA batteries and a good AA charger.

Rechargeable batteries and a good charger tin hands pay for themselves in a few years, and save y'all a lot of money over time.

More Flashlight Alternatives

• Kootek XPE LED Flashlight
• v Brightest Flashlight – AAA, AA, Tactical, Keychain and Spotlight
• All-time Battery Chargers and Batteries

Final update: Oct 2021.

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Source: https://commonsensehome.com/cree-q5-led-flashlight-review/

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