SKYRAY S-A1 Cree XPE-Q3 5-Mode 160-Lumen Memory LED Flashlight (1*AA/1*14500)

Pros:

Very bright for a 1xAA light (I've only tried it with very old NiMH and Alkaline AAs), quite decent runtime on the lower settings.
The spacing between modes is very well done (dim can be used to read, bright and mid can be used to illuminate a room quite nicely). SOS mode, while cute, is pretty useless.
No issues with memory whatsoever, as I was worried about: it will even remember the mode if the batteries are removed.

Cons:

When the peice containing the LED emitter is removed, the lense and assembly can shift slightly within the case. Doesn't seem to damage it, but perhaps a sign of over-large tolerances. Doesn't stand on its tail, which would have been very easy to engineer (and would have made the button even more difficult to accidently trigger)

Other Thoughts:

You can tell when a NiMH is running low as the modes all have similar levels of brightness. Heats up moderately on the highest mode, particularly when the battery has a full charge, but it has never got uncomfortable.

Bottomline:

If you want a single flashlight that works in any situation and takes cheap batteries (AAs), you won't be disappointed with this one.

Pros:

- It's very lightweight, mine weighs only 65 grams with AA fitted.
- Almost the complete surface is covered with "grip-texture"
- The glow in the dark switch is a nice feature
- Switching between modes works flawlessly
- For it's size, the brightest mode is very bright
- On the low mode you can easily use it as a reading light without affecting your eyes

Cons:

- I wouldn't miss the strobe/SOS modes if they hadn't been there. But if you use it as a survival light (considered it's sturdiness, output and weight), I can imagine a SOS function could be useful

Other Thoughts:

Maybe another version without the strobe/SOS?

Bottomline:

This is a great flashlight, and even greater when you look at it's dimensions.

Pros:

+ Incredible quality and performance for the cost
+ Works perfect with 14500 and with AA (even below 1,1 volts)
+ It has the best performance on just a NiMh cell (150 lumens or more on HIGH)
+ Memory mode works perfect
+ The modes are well spaced (100-40-10)
+ Lightweight
+ The clickie switch is replaceable, available at DX, and is one of the best I have tested (good feeling)
+ Well machined body, dark gray color
+ Orings everywhere, GITD tailcap button
+ Includes lanyard (removable)
+ Too bright to be a Q3 emitter, maybe a real R2

Cons:

- Can not tailstand (but you can mod for tailstanding in a cheap and fast way!)
- Lacks clip (important for me)

Other Thoughts:

* Inside the battery tube, there is a sticker showing battery polarity and manufacture date (mine is 12/2010)
* Is thinner than you see in the photos.
* Some people say that it does not work with AA or doesnt work below 1,2 volt. Mine works below 1,1volt, can switch on and change modes with no issue. (maybe a new revision driver?)

Bottomline:

This flashlight impressed me.
The desing, never seen before.
The quality, not espected for such a cheap light. The performance, incredible on just a Ni-Mh cell (of course 14500 is brighter)
Maybe, this is the best AA sized light at DX. Why? because it is multimode, it accepts AA and 14500 and produces same light as flashlights with newer LEDs.
100% recommended!

Pros:

+ Incredible quality and performance for the cost
+ Works perfect with 14500 and with AA (even below 1,1 volts)
+ It has the best performance on just a NiMh cell (150 lumens or more on HIGH)
+ Memory mode works perfect
+ The modes are well spaced (100-40-10)
+ Lightweight
+ The clickie switch is replaceable, available at DX, and is one of the best I have tested (good feeling)
+ Well machined body, dark gray color
+ Orings everywhere, GITD tailcap button
+ Includes lanyard (removable)
+ Too bright to be a Q3 emitter, maybe a real R2

Cons:

- Can not tailstand (but you can mod for tailstanding in a cheap and fast way!)
- Lacks clip (important for me)

Other Thoughts:

* Inside the battery tube, there is a sticker showing battery polarity and manufacture date (mine is 12/2010)
* Is thinner than you see in the photos.
* Some people say that it does not work with AA or doesnt work below 1,2 volt. Mine works below 1,1volt, can switch on and change modes with no issue. (maybe a new revision driver?)

Bottomline:

This flashlight impressed me.
The desing, never seen before.
The quality, not espected for such a cheap light. The performance, incredible on just a Ni-Mh cell (of course 14500 is brighter)
Maybe, this is the best AA sized light at DX. Why? because it is multimode, it accepts AA and 14500 and produces same light as flashlights with newer LEDs.
100% recommended!

Pros:

+ Quality manufactured
+ Shiny led works better than a Q5
+ Good size
+ Works with AA (better than my UF C3 SS)
+ Works even better with 14500

Cons:

- Had fingerprints inside the glass
- Price could be a couple of dollars lower.

Other Thoughts:

A good EDC flashlight for AA and LiIon use. Good modes, throwy beam. Price could be closer to $10, though.
Using LiIon doesn't burn the driver like a C3 SS.

Bottomline:

A good flashlight. Easier to carry than a 1x18650 light. Could buy more if the price was somewhat lower.

Pros:

Very nicely made. Provides a good beam (not too narrow/ but not too "floody".)
A very bright emitter and it doesn't seem to chew through the batteries (I've been running it on one NiMh recharegable with no problems.) Give a decent throw (taking into consideration the modest power source) outside at night. Perfect for a lady's handbag or car glovebox as a bright emergency light. (Blinding would be attackers at night would be easy!)

Cons:

I bought it for my 2yo daughter to play with, it has copped some heavy drops and survived fine. However, when near new I had intermittent problems with the light cutting out. I recently investigated the problem and found cleaning all the threads and electrical contact surfaces with contact cleaner/ lubricant appears to have fixed it.

Other Thoughts:

My daughter loves all the flashing functions.

Bottomline:

Very happy with it - highly recommended.

Pros:

Good AA Light
EDC size pretty ideal
Pretty watertight, I would guess.
Glow in dark tailcap button
Nice finish
Strike Bezel, if you want to whack something!
textured bezel for good flood
glass lens so the light gets out

Cons:

None for my uses.
Spot could be bigger and more flooded.

Other Thoughts:

Good $10 gift light to take people from Walmart quality to real flashlight performance.
Beam is typical small spot with good flood overfill. Flood is bright enough to use and spot won't blind you!
All you need is this, a good pocket knife and a . . .

Bottomline:

Will see time as a gift for family.

Pros:

- Very bright.
- Excellent mode memory implementation.
- Pretty well made.
- Glass lens and aluminum reflector.
- Nice beam.
- Not expensive.

Cons:

- Doesn't light up with AA or NIMH as advertised.
- The level are not spaced far apart enough.
- Strobe and SOS are annoying.
- Short runtime.
- I prefer Low-Mid-High instead of High-Mid-Low.
- Gets hot in High (but warm in Mid, and cool in Low, which is good)

Other Thoughts:

I am impressed by the brightness in High mode. However, I think both the Mid and Low should be lower by 1/2 each. As is, High gives about 30 minutes, Mid gives 1 hr, and Low gives 2 hours.
Mode memory works great. It remembers the last mode used, and I have not experience any "next mode" issues. Since it has mode memory, the mode order should really be Low-Mid-High. I like to leave my light on Low, but it's very annoying to have to skip over Strobe and SOS modes every time I want to up the level.
The Beam is nice. It's smooth and a bit floody, but still has decent throw. I prefer SMO reflector for XPE led to get a bit more throw.

Bottomline:

Get one, but make sure you realize that it takes only 14500 lithium rechargeable batteries.
DX: please correct description to reflect battery type.