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The Ultrafire F&L J1 (J1, henceforth) is a very
small, very bright little light. Is is suited to keychain
or pocket carry and utilizes a single CR2 lithium cell
for power.
Body: The body is made of machined aluminum
with an anodized coating. I do not know if this is type
II or type III. It looks like type III to me. The head
and the battery tube anodize colors do not quite match.
The base of the light has a star-like platform for standing
on end, and a threaded area in the center for attachment
to a small tripod base.
On the sides are 6 flats machined into
the battery tube. These were not polished after machining,
or were not machined all that well, since you can see
the cutting marks from the equipment. It does not look
like this was intentional at all. Similar machining
marks are found on the tail. The lettering on the head
and body are laser etched.
Bezel/Head: The head of the light contains a
recessed lens (material unknown) in front of a smooth
silvered reflector (material unknown). The 3W LED is
well centered in the reflector. Behind the LED is the
driver circuit and contact plate for the battery.
Output: The white light produced by the LED
is very white with no significant tinting. It provides
a good spot with a wide spillbeam. Overall the beam
is very good and very bright.
Beam at one meter at target center
Runtime Plot: Runtime was OK considering the
tiny power source that it uses. We do have to consider
that this was with a Battery Station CR2 cell which
tested at about 40% on my ZTS battery tester. A new
cell testing at 100% should provide 25%-50% longer runtime.
After the output drops, it can maintain that low level
of output for some time, allowing you the chance to
find another battery in your pack.
Runtime
completed with BatteryStation brand batteries. More
information on runtime plots is available HERE.
Switch: The head is the switch. Tighten for
on, loosen for off.
Seals / Water Resistance: One O-ring seal between
the head and the body prevent the entry of contaminants
at that location. Unfortunately the O-ring on the sample
received was sliced in at least 2 places, lengthwise.
As a result I would not trust to get this particular
light too wet. It appears that there is a lens seal
in place behind the lens.
If it gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible
without tools and let it dry before using again.
Ergonomics: Well, it is small, that's for sure.
Easy to grip and use.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
Batteries: one CR2 cell powers the light. These
are very expensive for a good quality cell and do not
provide very long runtimes. Duracells cost about $10
for a pair at Walmart. Less expensive ones are available
online, but quality is questionable.
To change out the battery: unscrew the tube, drop out
the old cells, place in new cells observing proper polarity.
Reattach the tube to the head and you're ready to go.
Accessories: Lanyard (attached).
What I Liked: Water resistant,
Tough/impact resistant, Bright, Easy battery change,
Lightweight, Stands up
What I Didn't Like: Short runtime.
Picky Little Things: Received with
a sliced O-ring, Obvious machining marks on the sides
and tail that were not polished out.
Conclusions: I'm giving this light
3½ Stars because of its very bright output, small
size, and what looks like at least an attempt at regulation.
The runtime is a bit too short for my liking, the machining
needs some significant refinement, and shipping the
light with a cut O-ring smacks of poor quality assurance.
I'm not quite sure what to make of this little light,
but my impressions of it just aren't that spectacular.
Some folks may like it a lot, others probably won't.
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