Spartanian II Review

[ernsanada]

I just received a Spartanian II pre-production sample from neoseikan.

The final production version should have better knurling.

The Type III Hard Anodize should be improved.

The sample sent to me had some spots in the Black Anodize. The Natural Color Anodize has some 'blotches".

The Spartanian II feels very "hefty". It reminded me a combination of different MR Bulk light's.

My version comes with a deep OP Reflector. Uses a Cree XRE Q5.

The switching or changes of light levels is done with the "knurled" part behind the lens Bezel Assembly. Turn right or left and hold the knurling for a second and the light stays on. If you want to momentary on just right for less than a second. To shut off the light turn the knuling to right and hold for about 2 seconds. The switching mechanism will return to neutral. Spring actuated.

The Spartanian II must be turned on to get to the other 13 levels. Turn the knurled bezel to the left to get to the lower levels of light. Turn right to get to the upper levels of light.

If you want the Spartanian II to "memorize' the setting set what level of light you want and twist the rear battery cover around 1/8 of a turn counter-clockwise until the light shuts off. Twist the rear battery cover clockwise and you have the light set to that light level. You can set either the left or right turning of the knurled bezel to set a desired level.

The only drawback is that say if you have the light set on the "right" to high on and the "left" to low off you have to shut off the light in "right" high to get to low which is set to "left". It may sound confusing but it is very easy to figure out.

I took the Spartanian II to work to use and found out the light accidently turned on in my front pocket while I was working. A good idea is to loosen the rear battery cover about 1/8 of a turn to keep the light locked off.

I really like the Spartanian II. The UI was very easy to figure out. The switching to get get to the different levels of light is unique to me because I am used the rear clikie's, rear twistie's and side button lights.

I was sent an email and told not to twist off the head it may destroy the driver.


Made of Alcoa 7075-T651 or Alcoa 6061-T6
HAIII, 50~60um. Gray or Green or Black.
CREE XR-E Q5 bin.
Foretech Driver Board for Spartanian2.
13 levels. (from 0.5mA to 700mA).
1*16340/RCR123A battery.
Fully Regulated.
Over-discharge and reverse protection.
SCHOTT B270 & Dual-coated Lens.


The Positives.

Can fit AW's Black RCR123 with no problems.

Very easy to use UI.

Deep OP Reflector gives some "throw" in the beam.

Bulit tough.

A good low light level.

Very easy to use one handed.


The Negatives.

No rear lanyard hole.

Has the "Cree Ring" on it's beam. I know it will bother the wall hunters but it does not bother me.


Hopefully the final version can offer a OP Reflector version. A lanyard hole maybe nice.

Price TBA.


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Use a Cree XRE Q5. SMO Reflector. Final version to have a better focused throw reflector.





Rear of the Cree Q5 Module.



AW's Black RCR123 with no problems.



The final version will have a better gold coated tail spring.







When I actually saw the Spartanian II it reminded me of one of MR. Bulks lights.

Left to right, Spartanian II, MR Bulk's Chameleon, MR Bulk's Lion Cub




Size comparsions.

Left to right, Spartanian II, JETBeam Jet II, Nitecore PD, Fenix L1P



Left to right, Spartanian II, JETBeam Jet II, Nitecore PD




I also took lux readings of the lights above. These are the lux readings I got. I am using a Meterman LM631 Light Meter measured at 1 meter. I waited 2 minutes before taking the readings. I am using AW's Protected 14500 and AW's Protected RCR123's.





Spartanian II

Level 1 - 10 lux @ 1 meter
Level 2 - 40 lux @ 1 meter
Level 3 - 160 lux @ 1 meter
Level 4 - 690 lux @ 1 meter
Level 5 - 1010 lux @ 1 meter
Level 6 - 1300 lux @ 1 meter
Level 7 - 1840 lux @ 1 meter
Level 8 - 2380 lux @ 1 meter
Level 9 - 2900 lux @ 1 meter
Level 10 - 3370 lux @ 1 meter
Level 11 - 4240 lux @ 1 meter
Level 12 - 4920 lux @ 1 meter
Level 13 - 6260 lux @ 1 meter


Spartanian II RCR123 - 6260 lux @ 1 meter

Jet-II Q5 SMO RCR123 - 4070 lux @ 1 meter

NiteCore Smart PD D10 1AA 14500 - 2060 lux @ 1 meter


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I did a run time with a fully charged AW Protected RCR123. The Spartanian II was set to high. Level 13 - 6260 lux @ 1 meter


Temperature averaged 97 degrees on Lens Bezel Assembly during the run time.


6260 lux @ 1 meter....2 minutes
6150 lux @ 1 meter....5 minutes
6130 lux @ 1 meter...10 minutes
6100 lux @ 1 meter...15 minutes
6090 lux @ 1 meter...20 minutes
6070 lux @ 1 meter...25 minutes
6070 lux @ 1 meter...30 minutes
6060 lux @ 1 meter...36:50 light shut off.

At about 36:20 minutes the light blinked off then on once about every 10 seconds until the light shut off


This is the run time set a level 9 - 2900 lux @ 1 meter with Aw Protected RCR123 (Black).

2840 lux @ 1 meter....00:15
2820 lux @ 1 meter....00:30
2800 lux @ 1 meter....01:00
2779 lux @ 1 meter....01:15
2780 lux @ 1 meter....01:30
2740 lux @ 1 meter....01:45, SS II started to go into low voltage mode.
2740 lux @ 1 meter....01:46, SS II Shut off.


This is the run time set at level 4 - 690 lux @ 1 meter with AW Protected RCR123 (Black).

680 lux @ 1 meter....00:10
670 lux @ 1 meter....1:30
660 lux @ 1 meter....4:20
650 lux @ 1 meter....7:20
640 lux @ 1 meter....8:30
630 lux @ 1 meter....8:40
630 lux @ 1 meter....8:48, SS II started to go into low voltage mode.
630 lux @ 1 meter....8:53, SS II Shut off.

Spartanian II ran 8 hours 53 minutes in level 4.



-----------------------------------


Spartanian II @ 90"



Jet-II Q5 SMO RCR123 @ 90"



NiteCore Smart PD D10 1AA 14500 @ 90'"



Left, Spartanian II. Right, Jet-II Q5 SMO RCR123 @ 90"



Left, Spartanian II. Right, Jet-II Q5 SMO RCR123 @ 90" Stepped down exposure



Left, Spartanian II. Right, NiteCore Smart PD D10 1AA 14500 @ 90'"



Left, Spartanian II. Right, NiteCore Smart PD D10 1AA 14500 @ 90'" Stepped down exposure



Spartanian II @ 32'



Jet-II Q5 SMO RCR123 @ 32'



NiteCore Smart PD D10 1AA 14500 @ 32'

[neoseikan]

Some additional specs:

1- "If you want to momentary on just right for less than a second. "-> Or left for less than 5 seconds.
2- When the light is OFF at the highest level, it can still be ON, at a lower level.

[Confederate]

Looks like a nice light. Is it available now? If so, where?

[PhantomPhoton]

Looks like the smo reflector has some nice throw.
Thanks for the review, I've been wondering when this light was coming. Looks like it isn't too far out now.

[neoseikan]

Hi. PhantomPhoton

Yes, we almost spend a whole year on Spartanian2.
But the final version will appear very sooner than elder versions.

[Kurapica]

Thank you for your review. We are finalizing this product and have done a lot of bug-fix and feature enhancement in our lab and factory since we sent this batch of sample. With the final version, almost any aspect will be improved. I think the final version will be here soon.

[orcinus]

Can't wait! Looks like a really nice light (if a bit oddly designed ).
Wonder what the price point will be...

[neoseikan]

Thank you! orcinus.
Any idea for oddly design?

[orcinus]

I was just kidding

It looks a bit like a torpedo or a bomb

[richardcpf]

Looks like a monocular/sniper scope

[Relojero]

Thanks as always for your terrific reviews.
Can this light's switching be done one-handed?
Mike

[ernsanada]

Originally Posted by Relojero

Thanks as always for your terrific reviews.
Can this light's switching be done one-handed?
Mike

Switching to different light levels one-handed is very easy.

[kaichu dento]

Love the UI and high output and hopefully the new reflector will smooth out the beam.
(Your backyard beamshots may have me sold on a Jet-II !)

Nice comparison chart for high beams; any chance of getting you to post a similar one of low beams? Particularly interested in knowing if the Spartanian can go as low as the D10.

Thanks for a great, and highly anticipated review!

[Rob187]

Sorry, but that's one awfully uneven beam from the Spartanian II.

[ernsanada]

Added run time.

Spartanian II ran 8 hours 53 minutes in level 4.

See above Post #1

[Kurapica]

Originally Posted by ernsanada

Added run time.

Spartanian II ran 8 hours 53 minutes in level 4.

See above Post #1

Thank you. Level 4 is designed as 50mA.

[ernsanada]

Added run time.

Spartanian II ran 01:46 in level 9.

See above post #1

[orcinus]

2800-2900 lux for over three hours on a single RCR123?
I'd say that's pretty impressive!

[ernsanada]

Originally Posted by orcinus

2800-2900 lux for over three hours on a single RCR123?
I'd say that's pretty impressive!

Sorry,

I made in error in the numbers.

Spartanian II ran 01:46 in level 9 when the light shut off.

Above post corrected.

[orcinus]

Don't do that, nearly got a heart attack...
Still, 1:45 is pretty nice too!

[Xak]

Looks like there is a dark ring between the hotspot and spill.

[orcinus]

It's a thrower... With a relatively smooth reflector.

Tight beam & smooth reflector = sharper beam features, such as the light ring around the hotspot. Nothing new here nor particularly different from other throwy lights.

[alibaba]

Hmmm, it's definitely bright and has good runtimes from an RCR-123 but what advantages does the UI offer? A couple of things worry me:
first, is that spring-activated ring (in the middle of the battery tube) reliable? It seems like, by design, it would be prone to water/dust entry and fouling.
second, I don't like the fact that you need two hands (to twist the tailcap) to save a setting.

I'm all for new and different things but I'm just trying to figure out the benefits of this design/UI over a classic tail switch like the Nitecore SPD?

[neoseikan]

Originally Posted by alibaba

Hmmm, it's definitely bright and has good runtimes from an RCR-123 but what advantages does the UI offer? A couple of things worry me:
first, is that spring-activated ring (in the middle of the battery tube) reliable? It seems like, by design, it would be prone to water/dust entry and fouling.

Hi. Alibaba.

The ring is reliable in common condition. The room inside the ring is completely isolated from the LED/Driver/Battery.
Some water/dust won't be a problem.

Originally Posted by alibaba

second, I don't like the fact that you need two hands (to twist the tailcap) to save a setting.
I'm all for new and different things but I'm just trying to figure out the benefits of this design/UI over a classic tail switch like the Nitecore SPD?

Well. We have to save a setting with two hands. But we don't need to do it very often, because Spartanian 2 has a simple UI to reach any level.
For example, we start at Level 1, and the goal is Level 5.
Just, Right, Right, Right, Right. You get it. my thumb moved for 4 times.
What will happen on a traditional clickie?
Supposed it has also 13 level, and we start at Level 1, the goal is Level 5.
We have to click-click(level2),click-click(level3),click-click(level4),click-click(level5). 8 times.
What will happen if we missed the level 5?
OK.
S2: Turn the ring to left. DONE.
Common Clickie: click-click(Level7),click-click(Level8),click-click(Level9),click-click(Level 10),click-click(Level 11),click-click(Level 12),
click-click(Level 13),click-click(Level1),click-click(Level2),click-click(Level3),click-click(Level4),click-click(Level5)
I don't have a SPD, so I can't tell which one is more comfort to me.
Maybe some other reviewers can tell the difference.

[AardvarkSagus]

Well, the SPD does have some of the same advantages being able to go back down if you pass your desired level on the way up, for instance. Also it is a ramping light where you have just a single press-hold that will bring you all the way from Minimum to Maximum rather than a series of clicks. Plus it does have the built in shortcuts to min and max that help things as well if you need to go all the way in a hurry.

Two of the most interesting things I see about the S2 however are A.) The ability to have 2 preset levels to start in (giving you greater "out of the gate" flexibility) and B.) an entirely different grip that is used to hold the light.

The S2 brings the light below waist level which may prove to be a more comfortable and natural position for wandering down a dark path at night or walking the dog or heading downstairs to check the thermostat etc. (I still have a manual thermostat, no programming). I'm looking forward to seeing more of it.

[kaichu dento]

Am I the only one who would like to see one of these in a AA with a slimmer design like the D10?

I really like the UI on these, but can't imagine myself carrying such a bulky light, and dare I say, not very attractive either.

Neoseikan, probably too early for you to be thinking of an AA with slimmer dimensions, but what do you think in the future?

[neoseikan]

Originally Posted by kaichu dento

Am I the only one who would like to see one of these in a AA with a slimmer design like the D10?

I really like the UI on these, but can't imagine myself carrying such a bulky light, and dare I say, not very attractive either.

Neoseikan, probably too early for you to be thinking of an AA with slimmer dimensions, but what do you think in the future?

Hi. If there are more versions of spartanian, I think the first one is a 18650 version.

[Kurapica]

Originally Posted by kaichu dento

Am I the only one who would like to see one of these in a AA with a slimmer design like the D10?

I really like the UI on these, but can't imagine myself carrying such a bulky light, and dare I say, not very attractive either.

Neoseikan, probably too early for you to be thinking of an AA with slimmer dimensions, but what do you think in the future?

We will soon have several product lines and now Legion II with a P7 is designed. Maybe the next year we will have a exciting idea for a AA battery. What I mean is, as a designer, he must know how to make a "correct" product, not only for customers' demand. We know many people love AA, but we just not found the best solution and we are keep looking for it.

But don't worry please. Once we have decided to design one AA, it would come with a ring in all probability.

[kaichu dento]

Originally Posted by Kurapica

We will soon have several product lines and now Legion II with a P7 is designed. Maybe the next year we will have a exciting idea for a AA battery. What I mean is, as a designer, he must know how to make a "correct" product, not only for customers' demand. We know many people love AA, but we just not found the best solution and we are keep looking for it.

But don't worry please. Once we have decided to design one AA, it would come with a ring in all probability.

I'm happy with my D10 for now, but if you guys come up with something in the same type of compact, knurlerd format with the Spartanian UI, you'll have me buying them for all the people I won't give the D10 UI to!

I'll take half a dozen to start!

[PhantomPhoton]

Originally Posted by neoseikan

Hi. If there are more versions of spartanian, I think the first one is a 18650 version.

Ohhhhh! Now you're talking my language. I hope to see adoption of 18650 in the mainstream a little bit more. LiFePO4s should hopefully allow this to happen, especially if they can make improvements in energy density.