Black Cat (5000k Version) Review

The Black Cat is a budget flashlight, powered by either a single AAA cell or a rechargeable lithium ion 10440 cell (which I don't use). You can find these at the two major Hong Kong-based budget sites (Deal Extreme and Kai Domain). There are various models of this light, with cool white, neutral white (called the 5000k, which is what I have), an elusive warm white version (which initially was shipped out as the 5000k version, even though it was much warmer), and various solid color versions. Deal Extreme only has the cool white versions, which means this light came from Kai Domain. The cost was approxamatly $8 ($6 after the partial refund which I'll detail later).

(Leftmost light)



The first you notice about this vibrant red aluminum light (type II anodizing) is its place of origin, which is displayed proudly on the front.



There. You see? It's quality, because it's from Germany. Wait, no, yeah, no… Gemany? Well, if you are quick to notice that then you'll have a pretty good idea of the quality of this light.

I'll talk about the LED before I rip into its flaws.

It has an Osram LED, which is tiny and very bright.





It's not particularly efficient, though. On a fresh NiMH cell it ran dry in around thirty minutes. But one thing it has going for it is its tint. I can't say it exactly nails 5000k, but it comes close. It's slightly cooler than my neutral white 4Sevens Quark RGB (with a neutral white MC-E RGBW LED), and has an ever so slight green tinge to it (similar to the Cree XP-G S2's tint, though not anywhere near as severe). It's definitely pleasing to the eye.



Here's the light compared to the neutral Quark RGB:



And compared to some warmer lights (starting on the left: Black Cat, neutral white Quark RGB, warm white Quark 123² Tactical, incandescent Mini Maglite):



And the big comparison (starting on the left: Superbright 3W, Fenix E01, Olight T20-M (Q5), Quark 123² Turbo (S2), Black Cat, neutral white Quark RGB, warm white Quark 123² Tactical, incandescent Mini Maglite):



And a saturation enhanced version of the same picture:



And here is a comparison with what I consider my most "pure" white light (so far as cool white LEDs are concerned), with the Olight T20-M (Q5) on the left and the Black Cat on the right:



Now on to construction. It seems to be constructed well, but it's not. The rear clicky is very good though, I will say that.



The anodizing seems slightly uneven in places. The reflector is indeed aluminum, and the lens is real glass, not plastic. It seems to disperse heat mediocracy. It does get very hot after a few minutes of use, and that's with a rechargeable AAA. I shudder to think how hot it would get with a li-ion cell.

It is, of course, only a one mode light, which is fine by me.

Now for the critiques.

This light has a perpetual flickering problem. There is a poor contact somewhere, but unfortunately I can't even get the head off the body. They must have Lou Ferrigno at the factory tightening those things, because it won't even budge. I contacted Kai Domain seeking a refund, but also knowing that I wasn't really willing to ship it back to Hong Kong, so I settled for a 20% refund, which they transferred promptly.

This light would be a great little one to keep in the car or kitchen drawer if it didn't have the flickering issue. I really want to like it, but between the flickering, comically short runtime, poor heat dissipation (and the fact that it's from Gemany) I just can't justify recommending it.

But, then again, that is the risk you take when you order from these Hong Kong companies. This is the first time I've been burned by bad product. Your mileage may vary.