old4570
Flashlight Enthusiast
For review I have the Balder SE-1 , Link to manufacturers page
I would like to thank Balder for making this review possible . [ And thank you Martin ]
Product description from Balder :
SE-1
Features:
1. Extreme competitive Price.
2. Strong metal clip.
3. Compact size and light weight, suitable for EDC (every day carry).
4. Mil-Spec Type III Hard Anodized finish.
5. Made from Aluminum alloy, really strong.
6. Water proof to IPX-8 standard.
7. Fully-regulated circuit, Broad input voltage (1.0V - 4.2V) and battery compatibility (i.e. alkaline, NiMH, 14500) .
8. Precision Aluminum reflector (Orange Peel) .
9. Simple operation. High-Medium-Low. No SOS and strobe modes.
10. Tactical switch for momentary on.
11. Prominent runtime.
12. Anti-reverse protection.
13.Can be updated to XPG R5 or XML T6 LED
Specifications:
1. Dimension: Head diameter 24mm, Tail diameter 24mm, length 102mm
2. Cree XPE R3 LED
3. Lumen and runtime:
Single AA:
Maximum output of 120 lumens for 1.2 hours
Minimum output of 3 lumens for 50 hours
4. Material: Aircraft Aluminum Alloy T6061
5. Weight: 40g (without battery)
6. Water proof to IPX-8 standard
7. Battery: single 14500 or AA
8. Accessories: O-rings, user's manual, tail cap, holster (optional accessories)
http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/old4570/100_3444.jpg
Initial impressions :
The light arrive in a sturdy plastic case and was well packaged , and on initial examination the light appears the be very well made . This impression was confirmed when I began to unscrew the tailcap and head , the tolerances are tight , and the O rings are nice and tight without being overly so . There is no battery slop when shaking the light vigorously , and the machining - knurling and finish look to be very well done [ no flaws found ] .
There is PWM [ med and low ] but its faster than the BD-1 and quite a few other lights , so if you dont like real slow PWM , then the SE-1 might be more to your liking . I have to say , I was impressed with the SE-1 on taking it out of the box .
Performance :
Lets start with AA , Nimh
Rayovac 4.0 Nimh @ 1.42v , High = 2.32A - 100L , Medium = 0.79A - 33L , Low = 0.06A - 1L [ Low is the same with all AA's ]
Recyko @ 1.42v , High = 2.32A - 100L , Medium = 0.79A - 35L , Low = there all the same
Sony @ 1.38v , High = 2.22A - 97L , Medium = 0.76A - 32L
Alkalines
Alk-1 @ 1.5v , High = 1.62A - 76L , Medium = 0.57A - 27L
Alk-2 @ 1.55v , High = 1.95A - 92L , Medium = 0.68A - 32L
Dry Cells
1/ @ 1.6v , High = 1.2A - 54L , Med = 0.44A - 18L
2/ @ 1.56v , High = 1.4A - 63L , Med = 0.51A - 22L
3/ @ 1.59v , High = 1.04A - 30L , Med = 0.42A - 12L
Cheap Lithium AA
1/ @ 1.78v , High = 1.9A - 96L , Med = 0.68A - 33L
http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/old4570/ScreenShot010.jpg
14500 Li-ion [ @ 4.1v ]
Now I dont like trying a fully charge Li-ion in a new AA light , as you never know what might happen , the good news is = Nothing , no smoke or funny odors from a smoked driver . The bad news is , the SE-1 really drives hard , too hard I dare say .
14500 Trustfire Flame @ 4.1v , High = 1.8A - 305 warm start - sags to 256L within 30 seconds , Medium = 0.53A - 99L , Low = 0.02A - 2L
I have to say , with the 14500 , the light is over driven , medium and low are fine , but I would just like to see the 14500 limited to 1A on high , especially with the XP-E emitter , or the other way to go would be to XM-L the little light . [ That would be something ]
14500 beams ... Hi - Med - Low and two angles in my back yard
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6877/screenshot012ai.jpg
Conclusion :
Well made
Smooth threads
Nice finish [ no flaws found yet ]
Very good clip
OP reflector
Does not tailstand
Easy to operate [ Forward clicky - 3 modes - no junk modes - always starts in high ]
High Quality Knurling
No battery slop
very nice beam [ White ]
Does have PWM in med and low - but faster
O rings really seal well
Driven hard on a 14500 [ To hard ]
I have to say I'm impressed with the SE-1 from Balder , it may not look much smaller than the BD-1 , but once its in your hand , you can really feel the difference , same goes for when its riding in your pocket , you feel the difference , the SE-1 is smaller - lighter - and makes more sense for anyone contemplating a AA flashlight . I think the BD-1 would be the 14500 option or light of choice and the SE-1 if you mainly use AA batteries , and occasionally use the 14500 . Well that's my humble opinion , but aside from the current draw on high [ 14500 ] I am very impressed with the SE-1 and cant find anything to really fault , a very strong performer and I give it 9 out of 10 .
Now a quick note on the clip , if you leave it in place , it should function perfectly well , and offer trouble free service , but if you remove it and start to stress it in ways it was not designed to handle , then quite possibly you could break it . So it makes good sense to just leave it in place and be happy , and if you don't want it there , just remove it and put it somewhere safe . With the clip on the light , I have been pulling on it , pushing it this way and that , and have found nothing to concern me , so .
A shot from the top @ the emitter
http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/old4570/100_3448.jpg
Looking at the back of the head
http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/old4570/100_3447.jpg
Inside the tailcap
http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/old4570/100_3450.jpg
Body tube , looks like the Pill might be glued in
http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/old4570/100_3453.jpg
My cat [ Tikki ] , she got jealous when I was taking pictures of flashlight , so jumped up on the little dresser draws , blocking the flashlights from the camera ..
I went outside and spent some quality time with her right after taking this picture .
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