My thoughts on the Sunlite 16WFP flashlight

[TITAN1833]

My thoughts on the Sunlite 16WFP flashlight.

It puts out 580 lumen OTF tested and confirmed in a IS,the side switch will put out about 130 lumen's for much longer run time in emergency or if you just need less lumen's when walking a trail.The good news is it has both throw and flood combined,the throw is about equal to the 8W but it leaves it there as it lights up much more of the surrounding area as well.

What is different about the 16W when compared with other multi die lights,well IMO it is more useful outside due to the warmer tint used,but the main difference is the way the die is put together there is less of a gap so this gets rid of most of the doughnut associated with this kind of L.E.D and I believe with the OP reflector it has gone altogether,I have the SMO reflector installed it shows slight artefacts but not dark voids or doughnut

My only gripe is I wish it came with both SMO and OP reflectors,and they could have included some extra o-rings two things I'm sure sunlite may consider in the future.

Although being 228 mm long it will be easier to carry than others I have seen, reason being it weighs only 288 grammes including battery great if you have to carry this thing for days on end, a plus in my book and with the body only 25mm in dia it will be more comfortable in the hand for extended use.

But another good feature you can use the 16W head on the 8W body decreasing the size to 163mm in length,yes you lose some lumen's and the run time is shortened but it's an option and more importantly a testament of how versatile it can be I think the lumen's with this set up is around 480 but to the eye the difference is not really noticeable IMO

Now some may say it lacks multi levels,well IMO those with multi levels ask yourself this,what levels do you really need! do you need all of them or just a couple of your favs i.e low level and max? this is what this light has a low and a max 130 and 580 lumen's.

That said I do EDC a Ra clicky that gives me 140 lumen's down to a measly .006 lumen's so I'm covered also it would not be wise to carry and rely on one light that gives IMO wasted levels like for example: 900 lumen 700 lumen 400 lumen 200 lumen 100 lumen and 50 lumen to me and this is just my opinion some of those levels would be a waist of time and space.

And there is another plus I only have to carry one spare battery "and not a handful" which will give me 4 hours of very bright usable light in total,not bad at all IMO for a non regulated light.

Now onto the best thing this light is versatile in that you can use the battery pack for other sunlite heads i.e you can use it for a looong run time head light a desk lamp just use the flexi neck, or utility work light the options are endless it gets a five star rating from me just for that.

This light is not the prettiest out there to be fair but IMO it is a tool to be used and not put on a shelf to be admired there a picture of your loved ones would serve better.

The build quality is good the knurling offers very good grip even with wet hands the light is easily operated with gloves via the tail cap switch,however although you can do this with the side switch the button could be a little larger IMO but bear in mind the side switch is the low 130 lumen level.

It offers very good heat sinking I left it on for 1hr 50 mins it gets quite warm but doesn't keep rising in temp it stays steady,I used no cooling fan while testing after all you don't carry a fan out in the field.So I can confirm it conducts heat away from the led as it should do.

If you are looking for a no frills! no nonsense! lighting tool that puts out high lumen's has decent throw has good run time and is light enough to be carried for extended periods and feels very comfortable in the hand then I recommend the sunlite 16WFP
as an alternative to other multi die lights.

Oh I should mention the great CS you get if you purchase I have found it to be second to none IMO

Lastly but not least some pictures.

The 16WFP



The 16w head on the 8w body note in this combo it's only 163mm long



The knurling good grip even with wet hands.




Another shot showing the 16w head on the shorter 8w body.



easy to use with gloves as the switch cover is 16mm in dia,but more importantly it feels great to hold with gloves on and it feels secure.This picture reminds me I need new gloves they are too small LOL




Again with the 8w body,yes I like this combo.



Versatile no problem here,need a powerful head lamp just screw the 16W head onto the head set attachment and you have a 580 lumen OTF head lamp with flood and throw combined or use the side switch for 130 lumen looooong run time.BTW the head only weighs 113 grms



There are plenty of beam shots showing the 16WFP true potential already but I will try and take a couple of my own shortly.

a couple of pics showing the front end




My poor attempt at a beam shot @100M plus
control shot


100+meters to the bush and house



That's it for now any questions please ask, thank you

[easilyled]

I would find a comparison with a Solarforce L950M very interesting.

The latter light is also a quad die (SSC-P7-DSX0I) and is also about 9 inches long with a large 72mm reflector
that throws a long way with a beam with no doughnut.

[Ryanrpm]

The L950M would make for an interesting comparison for sure. It does have a much larger head diameter...almost 20mm difference.

I'd be willing to buy one....but I'd like to see some beamshots of it first. And in the only L950M thread out there....I don't see any beamshots.

[TITAN1833]

yeah I was talking to someone yesterday about the solarforce L950M but found the same as you guys a lack of beam shots,shame it looks a good competitor to all P7/MC-E lights the only beam shot I could find was of the L900

One thing I did note was the weight 366 grms without battery not really a big deal but another thing going for the 16W is it's weight 288grms with battery 215 grms with the 8W body honestly I carried it in my front pocket and hardly noticed it there,which is why I said it makes a difference when you have to carry this thing all night especially if you are carrying lots of other gear too.

[Glenn7]

You summed it up quite well Titan - there's not much more I can add at this early stage of owning it - only to say my first impressions of the light inside the house are oooh thats very yellow/green
- but take it out side and WOW its bright!!!

IMO it would make a really great search and rescue light because of color rendering of foliage and depth of perception because of the tint - also I think it would be good in a foggy/rain situation - as in the tint would penetrate better than white to blueish tints (even though they are my preffered tint colors)

Any way let the pix do the talking

[Ryanrpm]

Nice photos Glenn! Did I hear that you sold your M1-X?

I think that the M1-X is a better comparison to the 16w than any of the others. The DEFT looks like its burning a hole in that poor tree.

You are right.....the Green is fantastic.

[TITAN1833]

Thanks for posting those beam shots Glenn it's something I don't do very well plus a crappy camera too.

nice to see it compares favourably with the M1X only brighter IMO

but those beam shots speak for themselves and for me the 16W is definitely up there with the best P7/MC-E lights currently available and better than some more recent ones I have seen

[Glenn7]

Yes M1X is gone - and why would I want that dim light

Now I cant wait to try the 4amp driver for the 16W Moowahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

And I will add more pix as I get my extra beasties that are coming I have a MC-E for the DEFT coming - a P7 Watersword from Elecktrolumens @ 3600+ lumens - a jetbeam Raptor - and a EagleTac M2X Tri R2 Cree hehe

I was going to post this on your thread Ryan buy I found Titans first today - and anyway I couldn't compete with your brilliant running review

[Glenn7]

OH AND NO DONUT HOLE - I MIGHT ADD

[Ryanrpm]

Originally Posted by Glenn7

OH AND NO DONUT HOLE - I MIGHT ADD

Were you using the SMO or OP reflector for your beamshot above?

Sometime this week, I am going to do long distance white wall shots against the side of a school using both reflectors.


I personally prefer the smoothest beam possible. But when used outdoors at long distances, the SMO is the best option for the throw.

[Glenn7]

I was only given a SMO - I think the beam is ok as is - it has enough spill and good throw - but thats just IMO - and I believe this light is one of the brightest out there just now
and I would like to see the L950 side by side to compare - Hmmm it must be your turn to buy the the next big pointy light Ryan - I think if I buy any more I will get

[TITAN1833]

:subliminal message:

Glenn and Ryan must buy more lights to compare,over and out

[Glenn7]

Ha ha funny guy

[Ryanrpm]

Yeah, no doubt.


Seriously though, I'm heavily contemplating getting the TK40 or L950M to make a decent comparison. Just trying to keep it apples to apples.....and thats why I'm leaning away from the M2X. The M2 is not impressing me much at all with the beamshots of it so far. It's like they had it on medium setting or something.

Glenn, what is in your Wiseled tactical?

[Glenn7]

not that I am telling you what to do Ryan but with my experience with these multi die LED's - of those two I would buy the L950 - because IMO the bigger the reflector the more throw you will get - if thats what you want of course.

Any of these multi die lights will have a big/great output if driven right - but its how all that power is focused - meaning do you prefer flood or throw - again from the spec's if you were to drive a P7 and a MC-E @ 2.8amps the P7 will produce more lumens (and yes you can over drive ether to out preform each other) but the P7 because of the way the dome is bigger spreads the light out better to then gather with a reflector to make it throw better & it wont have as bad a donut hole as a MC-E.

Now these are now just some more of my opinions as to why I would also go for the L950 - its cheaper - you can get it at Kia for $108 Or (just saw them on lighthound too) V's $158 for TK40 - it uses 2 x 18650's V's 8 x AA - messing with 8 x AA could be a pain keeping it fed and taking 8 spare AA's - also having had a jet M1X that was a MC-E - and it had a bigger deeper reflector than the TK40 and I know that the 16W out throws the M1X - then I know the TK40 wont out throw the 16W - so why buy a light that I know would have less power or throw that is.
The TK40 is 1.5" shorter - would have a better IU - and have better build quality - but I guess we have to ask ourselves are these more important than lumens/throw.

Hope this has made sense & and my rambling hasn't bored you.

[ernsanada]

TITAN1833,

Do have have any front shots of the Sunlite 16WFP?

Where did you get the Sunlite 16WFP and how much?

[Glenn7]

Originally Posted by ernsanada

TITAN1833,

Do have have any front shots of the Sunlite 16WFP?

Where did you get the Sunlite 16WFP and how much?

Its not for sale yet - these are more of a proto type - but you can put your name down for one on this thread http://www.powerledlighting.com/bbs/...c.php?f=1&t=67
I will post some pix of the front when I get some time - if titan doesnr get them up first

[Ryanrpm]

Hiya erns........Plenty of front shots in this thread.....

Thanks for the advice Glenn. I already have 2 AW 18650's, so I might as well go for the L950M. Besides, this forum is lacking a decent review of that light anyways.

I'm going to post the following pictures in my review thread...but thought I'd put them here too....if you don't mind Titan.

Here is a long distance 'white wall' shot, using both reflectors. And I put the 8w in there too.

Here is a control shot at 240ft.



Sorry for all the ambient lighting....but they had a bunch of lights in the parking lot turned on...

Here is the 16w OP:



16w SMO:



Here they are...side by side so you can see the difference a little better:


And here is the 8w...just for fun...


Thanks again Titan.

[Glenn7]

Good old trusty ryan and his pix - you get an A for all your great effort

[Glenn7]

Ok you wanted pix of the emitter

Moderator note: Glenn, 2 of your oversized pics removed. Please resize your pics to the specs in the CPF image rules (before someone wanders through & deletes them).

the lines are just micro scratches on the heat sink - can only just see them with the naked eye




Then I noticed that there looked like a dead bit of emitter Grrrrr! - so I put a inferred filter on to see if it was a dead bit of emitter



Then without



It didn't look dark?? Hmmm - maybe its some crap on the emitter - so I wiped it with a cotton bud and hey that was what it was



All gone!

[Glenn7]

Oh and I just realized Ryan that you asked me what a WiseLed Tactical is - www.wiseled.com - very nice lights but expensive.

[Ryanrpm]

Wow...nice shots of the emitter!!

In the shot of your bright white emitters.....how is it that we don't see any cross separating the chips?

[Glenn7]

Originally Posted by Ryanrpm

Wow...nice shots of the emitter!! No wonder erns asked you for them.

In the shot of your bright white emitters.....how is it that we don't see any cross separating the chips?

I think maybe because they are faint anyway but I was only spot focusing on the die - I could shoot for them - but thats not what I was trying to capture - if you want me to i can do it to show them.

[TITAN1833]

Cool pictures Glenn:show off! hehe! J/K they're great

Erns I've added a couple in the first post showing the front end but they show the reflector mainly

[jankj]

Originally Posted by TITAN1833

It puts out 580 lumen OTF tested and confirmed in a IS,the side switch will put out about 130 lumen's for much longer run time

[ ... snip... ]

The 16w head on the 8w body note in this combo it's only 163mm long

THIS is really, really fascinating

How is the low level output of the 16W head on the 8W body? I understand there really isn't much difference between the two levels of the 8W (I've seen guestimates of 200 lumens versus 300 lumens on turbo). How does this work out with the 16W head/8W body combo?


I'm very intrigued by the thought of playing lego with sunlite: A short, pocketable 16W head on the 8W body making the flashlight small and light enough to be actually with me for casual (unplanned) use, such as backpacking, and the 16W body for serious use.

But if the run time/ light levels of the 16W head/ 8W body really isn't that different then this combo isn't as versatile at it could and should have been....

Originally Posted by TITAN1833

Versatile no problem here,need a powerful head lamp just screw the 16W head onto the head set attachment and you have a 580 lumen OTF head lamp with flood and throw combined or use the side switch for 130 lumen looooong run time.BTW the head only weighs 113 grms

Hey, that does not sound too heavy... Is it comfortable to wear? Have you tried walking or running with it?

I'm curious about a headlamp with that long head, which really isn't an ideal mass distribution for a headlamp. But it is surprisingly light, so it may or may not be bouncing when doing physical excercise. Should be a very, very good headlamp for downhill skiing, though (exept I would not like to fall with that long thing on my forehead).

[TITAN1833]

The output using the 16W head on the 8W body is around 400 ish lumens the side switch I'd estimate to be around 300 lumens run time will be reduced to around a hour due to the single 2200 mAh battery I have,

that said you can get a 2600 mAh battery which might add to that run time figure.


Yes I have tested the 16w head on the head set and walked/ran with it..really you would not notice wearing it BTW the head set attachment came with a quick release lead I assume if the lead snagged onto something it would part between the head set and body of which would be carried on a belt or in a pocket.

But if you are worried about falling over then maybe use this set up.

The slim 15mmx 12mm 100+ lumen head + 8W body,now this is one of the smallest head lamps you will find any wear

[jankj]

Thanks a lot for your clear answers, Titan

Originally Posted by TITAN1833

The output using the 16W head on the 8W body is around 400 ish lumens the side switch I'd estimate to be around 300 lumens.

A little less useful than a true two-level light, something like 50-ish (long run time, adequate light) and 400-ish would be perfect for me. I guess the 8W never really was meant to be a two level light... The "turbo" option of the 8W probably came as a result of product evolvement (look, it's even brighter now!) than by original design.

Originally Posted by TITAN1833

Yes I have tested the 16w head on the head set and walked/ran with it..really you would not notice wearing it

Nice to know... I'm seriously droodling over this light now

Originally Posted by TITAN1833

But if you are worried about falling over...

I'm not afraid of falling, quite the oposite! In fact, real fun skiing for me will inevitably involve landing head-first in a pile of snow. No falling = chicken, a.k.a. playing it safe. I'd rather not have a 8-10 cm long object sticking out of my forehead when NOT playing safe is the very purpose of the trip . . . A better idea is to strap the complete flashlight on the very top of a helmet. I probably should start using a helmet when serious skiing anyway...


If I'm not into "high probability of falling"-mode this will not be an issue for me, really.

That being said, I like the look and specs of the "slim" lamp, but it has though competition from other, more traditional headlamps.

[Ryanrpm]

Here is the runtime chart for the new side switch on all future short bodies. They have reduced the lumens to gain more runtime.



So to 50% brightness.....we get just over 5 hrs. Not bad!

[TITAN1833]

Originally Posted by jankj

Thanks a lot for your clear answers, Titan



A little less useful than a true two-level light, something like 50-ish (long run time, adequate light) and 400-ish would be perfect for me. I guess the 8W never really was meant to be a two level light... The "turbo" option of the 8W probably came as a result of product evolvement (look, it's even brighter now!) than by original design

I forgot about the reduced side switch mode..ah well thanks to Ryan he has answered your concerns

[1brightguy]

Originally Posted by jankj

I probably should start using a helmet when serious skiing anyway...

You might go snow blind with a sunlite