Deal Extreme FMR1 Output is VERY Low!

[bimemrboy318]

Here's the light in question:

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3786

DX advertises it as being compatible with a standard CR123 batt.

But even on high setting (and yes I know how to switch levels) this is is as dim as a stock Mini Mag. I mean it's pathetic.

Do you guys think a 3.6V RCR123 will help? I've written DX a replacement request.

Man don't i feel ripped off on a supposedly 200 lumen light. I thought it would at least be 50 lumen... but not even close!

Anyone else have this light and experience the low output?

I wonder if it'll get better with a RCR123 batt? Anyone got an extra to lend me for the test? I'll need it charged up though.

 

[defloyd77]

Are you talking about a stock incadecent minimag or the led version?

 

[bspofford]

Read this thread on the EMR1: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=171543

 

[Olaf]

Here's the light in question:

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3786




I wonder if it'll get better with a RCR123 batt? Anyone got an extra to lend me for the test? I'll need it charged up though.

Calm down, If you look at the pictures the purple battery in the picture is a rechargable. If you use one of those the higher voltage will allow the light to easely put out 200 lumens. A standard 123 just dosn't have the juice to push this light to it's limit. Don't worry Deal Extreme is vary reputable and your light will perform as advertised once you learn to use it properly.

 

[onthebeam]

Mine is very bright on regular CR123. Haven't yet tried on R123 but will report back when I do. Sounds like you got a dud.

 

[Olaf]

Mine is very bright on regular CR123. Haven't yet tried on R123 but will report back when I do. Sounds like you got a dud.

Or the origional poster may be a surefire Troll.

 

[LukeA]

Or the origional poster may be a surefire Troll.

I generally like to read more than one post before I declare that person a troll. I read the first page of the 'Find all posts by...' and he's not a troll.

You, on the other hand, are a DX troll. I read all your posts.

 

[bimemrboy318]

Are you talking about a stock incadecent minimag or the led version?

Stock incan version.

 

[bimemrboy318]

Calm down, If you look at the pictures the purple battery in the picture is a rechargable. If you use one of those the higher voltage will allow the light to easely put out 200 lumens. A standard 123 just dosn't have the juice to push this light to it's limit. Don't worry Deal Extreme is vary reputable and your light will perform as advertised once you learn to use it properly.

This light sucks! I would have passed on it if it said that a 3.6V rechargeable is required to get max output.

An speaking of trolls... you've got 14 posts???:thinking:

 

[defloyd77]

Ouch that's dim. I'd contact Deal Extreme about that if you haven't already and see if they can make things right.

 

[LightScene]

I have a different DX CR123 light that is dim with a CR123 but is bright with a RCR123. It may have to do with the Vf (forward voltage) of the LED, which varies from sample to sample. Meaning most of these lights may work fine with a CR123, but some, like yours, may not (this is just speculation on my part). That's not an excuse, because somebody should check each light to make sure it works before they send it across the ocean.

 

[LightScene]

Calm down, If you look at the pictures the purple battery in the picture is a rechargable. If you use one of those the higher voltage will allow the light to easely put out 200 lumens. A standard 123 just dosn't have the juice to push this light to it's limit. Don't worry Deal Extreme is vary reputable and your light will perform as advertised once you learn to use it properly.

Typical merchant rant. If there's a problem, blame it on the customer. The listing says CR123 NOT RCR123 like it should, so the mistake is DealExtreme's, and they shouldn't be bashing their innocent customers.

 

[bspofford]

There was a lot of confusion with the EMR1 light regarding the same issues of voltage. They recommended only CR123A primaries, but I also tried 3.0V FePO4 cells. I had lousy results but was advised not to use 3.7V 16340 cells. The circuit board was apparently bad, and I have yet to see the "improved" EMR1 with a 3.7V circuit board. Some have reported good output, but I suspect that it isn't even half of the "200 lumens" hype. I'm going to give the same body with a Q2 emitter a try.

 

[Nake]

I got one when they first became available. Mine shows 77lm with a CR123 and with a RCR123 it starts out at 152lm and in about 30sec drops to 133lm and holds there.

 

[Empath]

Or the origional poster may be a surefire Troll.

Speaking of trolls, your posting history indicates that is your entire reason for activity here. :banned:

 

[matrixshaman]

The one I have seems to be one of the good ones. I just measured 422 feet to a house behind us. A couple nights ago I used mine (the tail switch version with the original smooth reflector) to light up that house 422 feet away. It's totally dark here and it was lit up enough to see the house color and details on the house well. That was on an RCR123. Even on CR123's this one seems bright. Most other LED lights and some incandescent ones I have won't even touch that house. Based on bspofford's experience they obviously have had some bad lights. Hopefully they get they get this problem solved as I really like the size and format of these lights - especially the side switch. And they look cool with that gold ring in front. The quality I saw inside when taking it apart was better than I expected too. But it appears there has been a flaw somewhere in the design that makes some of these very weak.

 

[RecycledElectron]

I've gotten one FMR1 and one of the MTE 5 mode tail clickie Rebel 0100's. The FMR1 puts out an awesome amount of light with either a CR123 or RCR123 on high. I got a good one. The MTE only pulls about 120 ma on high, and it puts out maybe 40-50 lumen. I got a bad one that's gonna go back. Sounds like the same problem with the driver in your FMR1 and my MTE. The modes all work fine, it just produces about 1/3 the light it's supposed to. I cleaned it with ProGold cleaner and conditioner and it didn't help the MTE. The FMR1 I got was so impressive that when I showed it to a buddy of mine he had to have it, so I've ordered another. I hope in the quality control lottery, I get a good one. It was as bright on high as my JetBeam MKII with a 14500, supposedly 150 lumens, but it does it with MUCH less heat. I can only run the JetBeam for a couple of minutes before it gets pretty hot. I think you can drain a RCR123 in the FMR1 on high and it'll just warm your hand. I ran the FMR1 for about 15 minutes, it stabilized at just warm. When I stuck my RCR123 into the charger after it cooled, it didn't take long to recharge it, so a WAG is that it (680mah) would have run the FMR1 for over an hour. When I get another one, I'll check it for runtime.

Sorry for my subjective info, I buy a light to use, I don't have any test equipment except for my eyeballs and a voltmeter, which I didn't use on the FMR1 since it worked well.
The side clickie switch on mine was a little vague, but I got used to it. Part of the problem is that it is a little small.

As a sidenote, all MTE's aren't junk. I also got a single mode tail clickie AA (Rebel), which after I gave the reflector a heavy orange peel works pretty well. It's bright. It was pretty ringy and artifacty until I stippled the smooth reflector. Was well worth the money. It also only gets a little warm with extended use just like the FMR1. I've run it for an hour and it stayed at just warm and made lots of light. It's more useful to me than the JetBeam. It would be really great with a high and low mode.

I hope you go for a replacement FMR1, if you get a good one, I think you'll like it.

 

[martytoo]

I've gotten one FMR1 and one of the MTE 5 mode tail clickie Rebel 0100's. The FMR1 puts out an awesome amount of light with either a CR123 or RCR123 on high. I got a good one. The MTE only pulls about 120 ma on high, and it puts out maybe 40-50 lumen. I got a bad one that's gonna go back.

Consider cleaning all the contact areas before sending the MTE back. I was fairly happy with my MTE Rebel 100 but then cleaned the contacts with DeoxIt and ProGold and am much happier as it is now much brighter.

 

[Chazzy151]

I have an EMR1 (drk. green) that is supposed to run on CR123 primaries just fine, it doesn't (very dim), the first run (blk.) EMR1 was supposedly not able to be run bright on primaries, although some had good luck with them. With 3.6v rechargeables my EMR1 drk. green is many times brighter than with primaries. I think running primaries in the EMR1 or FMR1 is hit and miss. Hope you get it sorted out!

 

[onthebeam]

I have an EMR1 (drk. green) that is supposed to run on CR123 primaries just fine, it doesn't (very dim), the first run (blk.) EMR1 was supposedly not able to be run bright on primaries, although some had good luck with them. With 3.6v rechargeables my EMR1 drk. green is many times brighter than with primaries. I think running primaries in the EMR1 or FMR1 is hit and miss. Hope you get it sorted out!

I have now checked mine with both CR123 and R123 and the output is about the same. Super bright and easy to switch between modes, too.