Solarforce L2 impressions (Cree R2 5-mode)

[KRUPPSTAHL]

i own several solarforce lights / parts.

i agree - very hard to beat for the money.

the Klingon looking strike bezel - is extremly well manufactured...

and not easy to make.

 

[DHart]

Just wondering any test on the runtimes with a 18650? Thanks

Here ya go... I did a little testing a couple of days ago. All cells used were fresh off the charger.

First, two different Solarforce LC-1 R2-M 5-mode lamps, one a 3.7v and the other a 4.2-8.4v lamp:

Solarforce 3.7v lamp = EV of 4.9 at 29" ceiling bounce

Solarforce 4.2v-8.4v lamp = EV of 4.9 at 29" ceiling bounce

So, no difference in output from a single cell.

Then I compared them for runtime, each with a single 18650 unprotected cell. They ran for 3 hours on high output setting until I shut them off when voltage dropped to about 3v. During the 3 hour period, the output of each lamp gradually decreased. (Apparently these Solarforce lamps are not regulated? I initially assumed they were.)

Output measured in EV as a direct beam measurement (non bounce) from the lamp at about 9'. Measuring intervals were not uniform (next time they will be!), but this will give an idea of how they dropped:

=========R2 3.7v==R2 8.4v
12:25:00 PM=== 8.1=====8.0
12:33:00 PM=== 8.0=====8.0
12:57:00 PM=== 7.9===== 7.9
01:07:00 PM=== 7.8===== 7.8
01:20:00 PM=== 7.7===== 7.8
01:33:00 PM=== 7.6===== 7.8
01:46:00 PM=== 7.5===== 7.7
01:54:00 PM=== 7.4===== 7.6
02:01:00 PM===7.4===== 7.6
02:11:00 PM=== 7.2===== 7.5
02:25:00 PM=== 7.1===== 7.4
02:46:00 PM=== 6.8===== 7.2
03:02:00 PM=== 6.4===== 6.7
03:14:00 PM=== 5.9===== 6
03:21:00 PM=== 5.6===== 5.5
03:29:00 PM=== 5.4===== 5.1

Interestingly, the output dropped a little quicker with the 3.7v version. Which may be more of a function of the two different cells rather than a difference of the two different lamps. There are a variety of different reasons which could explain why the results were as they were... which is applicable, I'm not sure.

Also interesting, I compared ceiling bounce output on two identical SKU Solarforce lamps (LC-1 R2-M 5-mode 4.2v-8.4v) and got EV 4.9 with one and EV 4.0 with the other.... that's a considerable difference in output for what is supposed to be the exact same lamp!

I am a confirmed believer in single-cell lights, I just don't want to be bothered with two cells in a flashlight, for a variety of good (in my view) reasons. And when it comes to a 6P size flashlight, there's nothing better than an 18650 in my opinion. So when I ordered my L2s from the solarforce store, In addition to the 4.2-8.4v lamps that the flashlights came with, I ordered some 3.7v R2 lamps... and those are what I use, powered by AW protected 18650s. I also have a strong preference for Malkoff M60 lamps for my 6P and 3P flashlights.

I also metered two of my Malkoffs:

M60 w/2*16340 EV 5.2 (ceiling bounce)

M60 w/1*18650 EV 5.1 (ceiling bounce)
M30 w/1*18650 EV 5.4 (ceiling bounce)

M60 w/1*16340 EV 5.1 (ceiling bounce)
M30 w/1*16340 EV 5.3 (ceiling bounce)

The output from the M60 is very close to that of the M30, but with an 18650, the M60 will run for an eternity compared to an M30. The M60 is my favorite Malkoff lamp.

 

[Black Rose]

Aren't the R2M 5-mode modules 3.7V-8.4V?

That's whats shown for the black and gray 18650 packages I bought.

 

[jake25]

There are 5 Mode 3.7V dropins. I have some in stock.

 

[DHart]

The lamps that came with my silver-grey colored 18650 Solarforce L2's are described on the lamp label as Solarforce R2-M LC-1 4.2v-8.4v 5-mode lamps.

The drop ins that I bought separately are described on the label as being Solarforce R2-M LC-1 3.7v 5-mode.

For the most part, as you can see from my test results ~above~ the two lamps perform relatively on par with each other with a single 18650.

 

[Black Rose]

Interesting.

The label on the drop-in of my black L2 R2M 5-mode simply says Super Bright R2. No voltage range or anything else printed on them.

I'll be interested to see what the one is the grey one that should arrive this week.

 

[DHart]

Interesting.

The label on the drop-in of my black L2 R2M 5-mode simply says Super Bright R2. No voltage range or anything else printed on them.

I'll be interested to see what the one is the grey one that should arrive this week.

I got one of those "Super Bright" labeled lamps in an Ultrafire light I ordered from DX. No voltage, no branding, that's it. Doesn't seem that it is a Solarforce lamp, but they might all come from the same production line; who knows.

Where did you buy your L2 with the "Super Bright" lamp from, the solarforcestore?

 

[jake25]

Interesting.

The label on the drop-in of my black L2 R2M 5-mode simply says Super Bright R2. No voltage range or anything else printed on them.

I'll be interested to see what the one is the grey one that should arrive this week.

Black Rose

Where did you order your light from? Usually the 1 Mode R2 will say "Solarforce" on it, the 5 Modes have a colored sticker. Purple for 3.7V 5 Mode and I think Red for 3.7-8.4V 5 Mode

Edit, thats weird how it came from the Solarforce store. I'll ask around for you

 

[Black Rose]

Where did you buy your L2 with the "Super Bright" lamp from, the solarforcestore?

Yes, I bought it from solarforcestore.

I bought one of the L2 R2M 18650 packages that included the battery.

I also ordered a grey L2 R2M 18650 package but haven't received it yet.

 

[Disco888]

Just ordered an L2 R2M----Anybody got an idea on time to get to the UK?

Also with regards the dropins--why are there 2 R2 dropins? One 3.7v the other 3.7-8.4v, does the 3.7v have any advantage over the more useful looking (to my novice eyes) drop in with the wider voltage range???

Disco

 

[Disco888]

Also wot is the extension tube for on solarforcestore? there is no info, is it the length and size of an 18650????

 

[phantom23]

There are two sizes. One is for second 18650 cell, the other one is shorter - for third CR123 (or 2x17500).

 

[Black Rose]

Just ordered an L2 R2M----Anybody got an idea on time to get to the UK?

Can't really help with that. Mine took 9 days, including weekends, to get from Hong Kong to the middle of Canada.

Also with regards the dropins--why are there 2 R2 dropins? One 3.7v the other 3.7-8.4v, does the 3.7v have any advantage over the more useful looking (to my novice eyes) drop in with the wider voltage range???

The wider voltage range gives you the option of running 2 16340 (RCR123) cells in addition to single cells like a 17670 or 18650.

 

[DHart]

Black Rose... that's interesting... that some of the L2's come with Solarforce branded lamps and others come with just "Super Bright" branding.

 

[DHart]

Just ordered an L2 R2M----Anybody got an idea on time to get to the UK?

Also with regards the dropins--why are there 2 R2 dropins? One 3.7v the other 3.7-8.4v, does the 3.7v have any advantage over the more useful looking (to my novice eyes) drop in with the wider voltage range???

Disco

If you have a 6P size light and want to run with an 18650 or 17670, or 2*RCR123, then get the wide voltage model. If you want to run the lamp in a 6P with an 18650 or 17670, or in a 3P with a single RCR123, the 3.7v model is fine. Aside from those considerations, and from what I've observed, they are similarly bright with somewhat similar running characteristics.

See my post (#22, above)

 

[Black Rose]

Black Rose... that's interesting... that some of the L2's come with Solarforce branded lamps and others come with just "Super Bright" branding.

I thought it was a bit odd but I still have a 5-mode R2 module - that's the main thing.

My grey L2 R2M 18650 shipped today, so I'll see what it has in it sometime next week.

I should send a note to Solarforce store and ask why I have a "Super Bright R2" module in my Solarforce light and see what they say.
I don't think it really matters; all of these modules are probably coming from the same factory and they just put different "brand" stickers on them.

Of course if I put 2 16340 cells in it and it goes then I'll know I didn't get the module I was supposed to get (3.7 - 8.4).

 

[NightIntoDay]

I thought it was a bit odd but I still have a 5-mode R2 module - that's the main thing.

My grey L2 R2M 18650 shipped today, so I'll see what it has in it sometime next week.

I should send a note to Solarforce store and ask why I have a "Super Bright R2" module in my Solarforce light and see what they say.
I don't think it really matters; all of these modules are probably coming from the same factory and they just put different "brand" stickers on them.

Of course if I put 2 16340 cells in it and it goes then I'll know I didn't get the module I was supposed to get (3.7 - 8.4).

I checked my light (Solarforce L2 5-mode R2) and it also says "Super Bright R2" and I've been using 2 x 16340 cells it in for the last 3 days or so no problems so far.

 

[DHart]

I don't think it really matters; all of these modules are probably coming from the same factory and they just put different "brand" stickers on them.

I think that's probably true... I hope someone who knows for sure will chime in.

 

[Phaserburn]

What color host L2s are available? I've seen "aluminum alloy", is that silver? How tan is "sand"? Is the black gloss or flat? Other colors?

Whats the best place to order? I want hosts/parts, but not the klingon bezel...

 

[phantom23]

Link to thread about colors:
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/228985

Where to buy? I think solarforcestore.com is the best and most reliable place.