Waion VB-16 4th gen. SSC P4 - Mini Review - Many pictures and beam shots

[whc]

Got my long awaited VB-16 4th gen. flashlight from Waion last week, have bean waiting for it ever since I fist saw the preproduction, and some months later it is now here...

Must say it has bean worth it waiting, simply love this flashlight, ever since I got it I haven't really used other flashlights.

It has a very nice, smooth and quit forward clicky (tactical), knurling grip which is excellent, unique UI best as it gets (IMO), nice smooth beam with decent throw, really comfortably to hold in hand.

The VB-16 4th gen. is a little big for a 1x18650/2xCR123A flashlight, that is due to its unique two bottom UI, kind of step less modes/brightness (it is 32 modes of output), and a red bottom for switching throw modes (strobe and SOS).

It has a nice LOP (Light Orange Peel) reflector, which gives the flashlight a nice "Luxeon" kind of beam (a bit floody with decent throw), my favourite kind for around the house and shorter distances.

The quality feel of the flashlight is very good, feels like a much more expensive flashlight then it really is, like the HAIII finish, kind of a "rough" feel to it.

Now lets make the pictures do the talking ...

The 2-button UI

The mode button

From left: VB-16, M1, CL-1H, T5

Got the 2x18650 body as well

Disassembled

Doubble o-rings

Protected 18650 fits like a charm

1x18650 vs 2x18650

Tail stands nicely, but only when it is turned on

Clooseup

Fits Lumapower holster nicely

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Now to some beamshots....Enjoy ...

Throw...

VB-16 1x18650 on High

VB-16 2x18650 on High

Lumapower M1 SSC P4 1x18650

Dereelight CL-1H 1x18650 on High

Amilite T5 1xRCR123A

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Some White wall shots...

VB-16 1x18650 on High

VB-16 1x18650 on High, 2-stops underexposed

VB-16 2x18650 on High

VB-16 2x18650 on High, 2-stops underexposed

Left: VB-16 1x18650 on High, Right: VB-16 2x18650 on High

Left: VB-16 1x18650 on High, Right: VB-16 2x18650 on High, 2-stops underexposed

Left: VB-16 1x18650 on High, Right: M1 SSC P4 1x18650

Left: VB-16 1x18650 on High, Right: M1 SSC P4 1x18650, 2-stops underexposed

Left: VB-16 1x18650 on High, Right: CL-1H 1x18650 on High

Left: VB-16 1x18650 on High, Right: CL-1H 1x18650 on High, 2-stops underexposed

Left: VB-16 1x18650 on High, Right: T5 1xRCR123A

Left: VB-16 1x18650 on High, Right: T5 1xRCR123A, 2-stops underexposed

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Now to the Lux readings department...:naughty:...

Here is some Lux reading of Overall Output:

Waion VB-16 4th gen.:
1x18650 3.7v on high: 8970 Lux
1x18650 3.7v on low: 48 Lux
2x18650 3.7v on high: 9150 Lux
2x18650 3.7v on low: 55 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 9090 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v on low: 53 Lux

Amilite T5:
1xRCR123A 3.0v on high: 8340 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 10910 Lux
Dereelight DR-CL1H:
1x18650 3.7v SSC P4 on high: 7300 Lux
1x18650 3.7v SSC P4 on low: 2190 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SSC P4 on high: 7740 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SSC P4 on low: 3450 Lux
1x18650 3.7v Cree XR-E on high: 7340 Lux
1x18650 3.7v Cree XR-E on low: 2560 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v Cree XR-E on high: 7290 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v Cree XR-E on low: 2840 Lux
Fenix L1D-CE:
1xAA Ni-Mh on turbo: 3990 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on high: 3770 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on medium: 1910 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on low: 430 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh OP on turbo: 4410 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh OP on high: 4030 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh OP on medium: 2060 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh OP on low: 460 Lux
1x14500 Li-ion on turbo: 8240 Lux
1x14500 Li-ion OP on turbo: 8390 Lux
Led-Lenser Hokus Fokus:
3xAAA Ni-Mh: 4850 Lux
Lumapower M1:
1x18650 XR-E OP on high: 8140 Lux
1x18650 XR-E OP on low: 1640 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v XR-E OP: 8950 Lux
1x18650 SSC P4 OP: 5540 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SSC P4 OP: 8230 Lux
Lumapower Tactical M1:
1x18650 3.7v OP on high: 7770 Lux
1x18650 3.7v SM on high: 8140 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v OP on high: 8130 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SM on high: 8250 Lux
Lumapower LP-Mini:
1xRCR123A 3.7v OP: 7810 Lux
Lumapower M3:
1xAA Ni-Mh on high: 3640 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on medium: 1270 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on low: 40 Lux
2xAA Ni-Mh on high: 4300 Lux
2xAA Ni-Mh on medium: 1310 Lux
2xAA Ni-Mh on low: 350 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on high: 5880 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on medium: 3020 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on low: 690 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 4390 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on medium: 2940 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on low: 680 Lux
Nuwai X-3:
2xAA Ni-Mh: 3020 Lux
Ultrafire WF-500L:
2x18650 3.7v: 4660 Lux
Rexlight REX2.0:
1xAA Ni-Mh on high: 3810 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on medium: 810 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on low: 210 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on high: 5550 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on medium: 1570 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on low: 570 Lux

Here is some Lux reading at 1m in Throw:

Waion VB-16 4th gen.:
1x18650 3.7v on high: 4540 Lux
2x18650 3.7v on high: 4560 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 5230 Lux

Amilite T5:
1xRCR123A 3.0v on high: 2520 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 3260 Lux
Dereelight DR-CL1H:
1x18650 3.7v SSC P4 on high: 2430 Lux
1x18650 3.7v SSC P4 on low: 1110 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SSC P4 on high: 2540 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SSC P4 on low: 1550 Lux
1x18650 3.7v Cree XR-E on high: 3290 Lux
1x18650 3.7v Cree XR-E on low: 1160 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v Cree XR-E on high: 3410 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v Cree XR-E on low: 1380 Lux
Fenix L1D CE:
1xAA Ni-Mh on turbo: 1460 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh OP on turbo: 1510 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh OP on high: 1410 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh OP on medium: 730 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh OP on low: 170 Lux
1x14500 Li-ion on turbo: 3150 Lux
1x14500 Li-ion OP on turbo: 2820 Lux
Led-Lenser Hokus Fokus:
3xAAA Ni-Mh: 4460 Lux
Lumapower M1:
1x18650 XR-E OP on high: 4820 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v XR-E OP: 5500 Lux
Lumapower Tactical M1:
1x18650 3.7v OP on high: 4940 Lux
1x18650 3.7v SM on high: 7150 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v OP on high: 5070 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SM on high: 7390 Lux
Lumapower M3:
1xAA Ni-Mh on high: 1240 Lux
2xAA Ni-Mh on high: 1530 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on high: 1980 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 1550 Lux
Lumapower Lp-Mini:
1xRCR123A 3.7v OP: 4700 Lux
Nuwai X-3:
2xAA Ni-Mh: 1340 Lux
Ultrafire WF-500L:
2x18650 3.7v: 4710 Lux
Rexlight REX2.0:
1xAA Ni-Mh on high: 840 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on medium: 210 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on low: 60 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on high: 1460 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on medium: 460 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on low: 160 Lux

 

[Rob187]

Nice review, whc.

It's a great light - one of my best acquisitions! BTW, it has 32 levels although the top 8 are very close in output and hard to tell apart with the naked eye.

 

[dirobesh]

Great review! I really like the look of this light. I think a (very) early christmas present for myself might be on the cards.

 

[fasuto]

I think it has 16 levels.

In all photos I see the "VB-16 logo" aligned with the two buttons. Do yo screw the head to mach it? Mine, if totally screwed, is back, near the red button.

 

[robm]

I thought the name VB-16 hinted at 16 levels too

On mine the VB-16 logo lines up perfectly with the 2 buttons - your's must be special fasuto :nana:

 

[whc]

Nice review, whc.

It's a great light - one of my best acquisitions! BTW, it has 32 levels although the top 8 are very close in output and hard to tell apart with the naked eye.

Ahh 32 levels I knew it was in the 30th range , yes it is really hard to see the difference between the first 8 levels, but that's ok I think, brilliant UI....

 

[whc]

Great review! I really like the look of this light. I think a (very) early christmas present for myself might be on the cards.

[FONT=&quot]Yes also like the looks of the light, looks like some thing Surefire could have produces, just for a fraction of Surefire's pricings.

Waion have sold all the 4th gen. so if you have not already ordered one, it is not available (to bad, Waion should have made many more I think)...[/FONT]

 

[whc]

I think it has 16 levels.

In all photos I see the "VB-16 logo" aligned with the two buttons. Do yo screw the head to mach it? Mine, if totally screwed, is back, near the red button.

The head is completely tightened, both mine VB-16 the logo is almost perfectly in centre (just a tad off).

Haven't noticed before...

 

[Rob187]

fasuto & robm

It definitely has 32 levels. I can prove it: Turn your VB-16 on. Make sure it is on it's brightest setting by holding the front button for at least 10 seconds. Then, carefully press the back button 31 separate times. You will then find it is on the very lowest setting.

Initially I wasn't sure how many levels it had until I did some testing. The top levels are not distinct enough but it is a small flaw in a great light.

Rob187

 

[atm]

Thanks for the review whc. I agree it's a great light, I'm very happy with it also.

I remember Waion saying some time ago that the original models had 16 levels, thus VB16 (variable brightness 16???) but when they changed to 32 levels he decided to leave the name as it is so everyone recognized the new versions as an evolution of the original.

 

[robm]

fasuto & robm

It definitely has 32 levels. I can prove it: Turn your VB-16 on. Make sure it is on it's brightest setting by holding the front button for at least 10 seconds. Then, carefully press the back button 31 separate times. You will then find it is on the very lowest setting.

Initially I wasn't sure how many levels it had until I did some testing. The top levels are not distinct enough but it is a small flaw in a great light.

Rob187

Rob187,

I have just tested this, and you are correct - there are 32 levels after all, the top 16 all seem the same, with no notable difference in output, by eye or light meter.

I am also in the process of a runtime test on the highest level - 3:40 in and still at 60% output. Dropped steadily to about 70% over the first 1:45, and is now very gradually declining. This is using a silver Ultrafire prot. 18650.
No load voltage of cell at 3:40 was 3.72v, so soon be time to call it a day - will prob go to 4 hours then be satisfied

 

[9volt]

So is this the same light that DX is selling?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2392

 

[fasuto]

So is this the same light that DX is selling?

No, see this post

 

[9volt]

No, see this post

Thanks for the info, that is very helpful.

 

[Enrico Fermi]

mine shipped today from DX.:twothumbs

 

[ernsanada]

So is this the same light that DX is selling?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2392

It does not have the flashing, SOS mode controlled from this button.

The Deal Extreme does not come with the SSC P4 USWOI.

I ordered mine with the optional battery extender tube so you can run another 18650 battery.

 

[onthebeam]

Don't need no strobe modes. . . !

 

[Enrico Fermi]

ditto

 

[LA OZ]

Waion claim the Dx version has:

- no SOS/ Strobe modes available
- only type II finish
- equipped with old stock SSC T-binned LED
- equipped with old circuit board

I was more interested in his comment on the old circuit board. I hope he could expands that with further detail.

 

[whc]

Waion claim the Dx version has:

- no SOS/ Strobe modes available
- only type II finish
- equipped with old stock SSC T-binned LED
- equipped with old circuit board

I was more interested in his comment on the old circuit board. I hope he could expands that with further detail.

Maybe it really only have 16 levels of output, when the 4th gen should by Waion here on CPF had about 32 levels, plus of curse not strobe and sos...