WadeF
Flashlight Enthusiast
I've had my Dereelight DBS v2 for over a week now. I've had a chance to play around with it, take some pics, etc.
The Dereelight DBS v2 is available for direct order here:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=173789
My initial impressions was Dereelight really came through with the 2nd version of the DBS. I wasn't a big fan of the twisting body/head since I never used the 2SM pills that worked with it. By removing the twisting action the DBS v2 was able to be made slightly shorter and now there are less parts to worry about, so the light is more solid and reliable. If you want the twisting, order the DBS v1. I also noticed the finish was better than the first DBS, no machine marks, perfect matte black HA, pretty much perfect from what I can see.
Another great improvement is the addition of the pocket clip. This light maybe larger than some people would want to carry, but it clips into my front, or rear, jeans pocket just fine. I wouldn't want to sit down with it in my back pocket. It can also clip to my belt, I'll show pics of all this later in the review. An alternative to the clip is a anti-roll ring that replaces the pocket clip. Another improvement is the tail switch is more exposed, making it easier to operate. Also new is a AR coated lens (front and back) to improve light transmission. I am thrilled to see how this light came together based on recommendations and feedback from DBS v1 owners. Dereelight continues to be quick to respond to the wants and needs of their customers. I don't know what else they could do to improve on this design. They have even sourced more reliably forward clicky switches.
Well, how bright is it? Performance is the same as the DBS v1, assuming you install one of the new AR coated lenses in the DBS v1. It all depends on what pill (emitter and driver circture aka light engine) you are using, and which reflector. Of course if you want throw, the smooth reflector is the way to go. If you want a more general use set up, you can install an textured reflector, but it will cut down on the throw by a good amount.
As far as improvements in output, this only came for those lucky enough to snag a Dereelight pill with a Cree R2 WH emitter. With my Q5 pills the best I ever got on my lux meter was around 26,000LUX on a fresh 18650, which settles down to around 24,500LUX after a couple minutes.
The R2 WH 3SD pill is the best performing of the pills I have now, on start up with a freshly charged 18650 I was seeing a peak lux of around 30,000LUX! After running for a couple minutes it settled down to 28,300LUX. If I would turn the light off, then turn it back on I would see it peak up to around 29,000LUX, but as it warms up it settles down to 28,300LUX.
The R2 WH DI pill gives me 27,000LUX after running for a couple of minutes.
My Raidfire Spear gives me 24,000LUX after a couple of minutes on a freshly charged cell.
The DI R2 with a textured reflector produces about 11,000LUX.
The R2 WH gives a warmer tint than I'm used to with the other Cree's I have, and I really like it. Hopefully Dereelight will be able to get more R2 WH's, and R2 WC's in the near future. Right now Dereelight is out of R2's at the time of this review, but they have Q5 WC's which aren't far behind.
I still need to take more beam shots, especially outdoor beam shots, and I will be adding them to this review. For now I have taken a lot of pictures of the DBS v2 for everyone to enjoy, my reviews are usually more picture based than hard data. Selfbuilt, StefanFS, and Ernsanada have great reviews, and often include run time data.
So let's get to some pictures!
As always, click for a larger version.
The DBS v2:
Side view showing clip:
Close up of bezel:
Clip side:
Another angle showing the Cree R2 WH emitter:
Some people always wants me to take shots with the light on, so here:
Side view:
The DBS v1 had machine marks visible in the scallops around the bezel, on the DBS v2 they are nice a smooth:
Another close up of the bezel:
Close up of the clip, my favorite clip on any of my lights, strong and smooth:
Shot of the tail switch:
Flip side:
The Raidfire Spear, DBS v2, DBS v1:
Let's crack it open, here's the inside of the tailcap, the spring here is new for v2:
The body/battery tube and head are all one peice now:
Close up of the threads on the head of the light, and dual o-ring seal:
Close up of the threads on the rear of the body, and dual o-ring seal:
Another shot of the rear of the body, showing where the body tube makes contact with the tail cap:
Here's the body without the bezel or tailcap:
Reflector with pill screwed in, lots of material for heat sinking:
Close up of the R2 WH 3SD pill:
Rear shot of the pill:
Reflector with pill installed:
Another reflector shot:
Look at that monster reflector!
Shot of the bezel, front out of focus, oops:
Rear shot of the bezel:
AR coated lens:
The lens looks invisible, the old lens makes whatever you sit it on look a bit darker, but not the new lens:
Included with the DBS v2 are spare o-rings, a spare switch (just incase, or if you drop it and potentially smash the switch, you won't have to wait for a replacement), and the anti-roll ring:
Close up of the anti-roll ring:
At least this didn't want to roll away like the reflector did:
Now some shots of the DBS v2 in my front jeans pocket, no problem, for me:
Close up of the clip, clipped to my jeans pocket:
Rear jeans pocket, no problem, as long as I'm standing up:
DBS v2 clipped on the outside of my front jeans pocket, can illuminate the ground this way, but not in a very wide area.
Bit over exposed, but clipped to my not so tactical belt, sorry Mall Ninjas:
Man I took more pictures than I thought, DBS v2 in hand:
More DBS in hand:
Another view:
DBS in the palm of my hand:
Now for some fun scenic views, oops, finger print on the lens:
I need a bigger backyard, the DBS's beam has no where to stretch out around my place:
DBS on the picnic table, yeah, I don't take care of it too well (the table):
It's still daytime, but the DBS doesn't mind making things even brighter:
DBS in hand at sunset:
Another shot:
Yet another:
This light is fun to photograph, what can I say:
DBS waiting for that pesky Sun to go away so it can light up the night:
Sun still going down:
Close up of bezel:
Here's a shot of my lux meter if anyone cares:
I'll add beam shots when I get them.
The Dereelight DBS v2 is available for direct order here:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=173789
My initial impressions was Dereelight really came through with the 2nd version of the DBS. I wasn't a big fan of the twisting body/head since I never used the 2SM pills that worked with it. By removing the twisting action the DBS v2 was able to be made slightly shorter and now there are less parts to worry about, so the light is more solid and reliable. If you want the twisting, order the DBS v1. I also noticed the finish was better than the first DBS, no machine marks, perfect matte black HA, pretty much perfect from what I can see.
Another great improvement is the addition of the pocket clip. This light maybe larger than some people would want to carry, but it clips into my front, or rear, jeans pocket just fine. I wouldn't want to sit down with it in my back pocket. It can also clip to my belt, I'll show pics of all this later in the review. An alternative to the clip is a anti-roll ring that replaces the pocket clip. Another improvement is the tail switch is more exposed, making it easier to operate. Also new is a AR coated lens (front and back) to improve light transmission. I am thrilled to see how this light came together based on recommendations and feedback from DBS v1 owners. Dereelight continues to be quick to respond to the wants and needs of their customers. I don't know what else they could do to improve on this design. They have even sourced more reliably forward clicky switches.
Well, how bright is it? Performance is the same as the DBS v1, assuming you install one of the new AR coated lenses in the DBS v1. It all depends on what pill (emitter and driver circture aka light engine) you are using, and which reflector. Of course if you want throw, the smooth reflector is the way to go. If you want a more general use set up, you can install an textured reflector, but it will cut down on the throw by a good amount.
As far as improvements in output, this only came for those lucky enough to snag a Dereelight pill with a Cree R2 WH emitter. With my Q5 pills the best I ever got on my lux meter was around 26,000LUX on a fresh 18650, which settles down to around 24,500LUX after a couple minutes.
The R2 WH 3SD pill is the best performing of the pills I have now, on start up with a freshly charged 18650 I was seeing a peak lux of around 30,000LUX! After running for a couple minutes it settled down to 28,300LUX. If I would turn the light off, then turn it back on I would see it peak up to around 29,000LUX, but as it warms up it settles down to 28,300LUX.
The R2 WH DI pill gives me 27,000LUX after running for a couple of minutes.
My Raidfire Spear gives me 24,000LUX after a couple of minutes on a freshly charged cell.
The DI R2 with a textured reflector produces about 11,000LUX.
The R2 WH gives a warmer tint than I'm used to with the other Cree's I have, and I really like it. Hopefully Dereelight will be able to get more R2 WH's, and R2 WC's in the near future. Right now Dereelight is out of R2's at the time of this review, but they have Q5 WC's which aren't far behind.
I still need to take more beam shots, especially outdoor beam shots, and I will be adding them to this review. For now I have taken a lot of pictures of the DBS v2 for everyone to enjoy, my reviews are usually more picture based than hard data. Selfbuilt, StefanFS, and Ernsanada have great reviews, and often include run time data.
So let's get to some pictures!
As always, click for a larger version.The DBS v2:
Side view showing clip:
Close up of bezel:
Clip side:
Another angle showing the Cree R2 WH emitter:
Some people always wants me to take shots with the light on, so here:
Side view:
The DBS v1 had machine marks visible in the scallops around the bezel, on the DBS v2 they are nice a smooth:
Another close up of the bezel:
Close up of the clip, my favorite clip on any of my lights, strong and smooth:
Shot of the tail switch:
Flip side:
The Raidfire Spear, DBS v2, DBS v1:
Let's crack it open, here's the inside of the tailcap, the spring here is new for v2:
The body/battery tube and head are all one peice now:
Close up of the threads on the head of the light, and dual o-ring seal:
Close up of the threads on the rear of the body, and dual o-ring seal:
Another shot of the rear of the body, showing where the body tube makes contact with the tail cap:
Here's the body without the bezel or tailcap:
Reflector with pill screwed in, lots of material for heat sinking:
Close up of the R2 WH 3SD pill:
Rear shot of the pill:
Reflector with pill installed:
Another reflector shot:
Look at that monster reflector!
Shot of the bezel, front out of focus, oops:
Rear shot of the bezel:
AR coated lens:
The lens looks invisible, the old lens makes whatever you sit it on look a bit darker, but not the new lens:
Included with the DBS v2 are spare o-rings, a spare switch (just incase, or if you drop it and potentially smash the switch, you won't have to wait for a replacement), and the anti-roll ring:
Close up of the anti-roll ring:
At least this didn't want to roll away like the reflector did:
Now some shots of the DBS v2 in my front jeans pocket, no problem, for me:
Close up of the clip, clipped to my jeans pocket:
Rear jeans pocket, no problem, as long as I'm standing up:
DBS v2 clipped on the outside of my front jeans pocket, can illuminate the ground this way, but not in a very wide area.
Bit over exposed, but clipped to my not so tactical belt, sorry Mall Ninjas:
Man I took more pictures than I thought, DBS v2 in hand:
More DBS in hand:
Another view:
DBS in the palm of my hand:
Now for some fun scenic views, oops, finger print on the lens:
I need a bigger backyard, the DBS's beam has no where to stretch out around my place:
DBS on the picnic table, yeah, I don't take care of it too well (the table):
It's still daytime, but the DBS doesn't mind making things even brighter:
DBS in hand at sunset:
Another shot:
Yet another:
This light is fun to photograph, what can I say:
DBS waiting for that pesky Sun to go away so it can light up the night:
Sun still going down:
Close up of bezel:
Here's a shot of my lux meter if anyone cares:
I'll add beam shots when I get them.
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