LumaPower LumaHunter MRV SK Q5 Review

[ernsanada]

I just received the LumaPower LumaHunter MRV SK Q5 from Battery Junction.

Shipping is the usual fast 3 days to Socal.

The MRV SK uses a Cree XRE-7090 Q5 WD LED driven at ~1.2A/4.25W.

Uses a longer reflector 35.94mm to the 1st Generation MRV's reflector 31.25mm. The longer reflector increases the brightness and throw compared to the 1st Generation MRV's. Also included is a OP reflector.

Can use 2 CR123's, RCR123's or with the M-65 extender 2 18650's.

The MRV SK uses a side switch which controls the 3 brightness levels, high, medium and low. The rear clickie is a forward clickie.

The finish is excellent except for a scratch by my side switch. The Type III Hard Hard Anodize looks uneven in color. The lens bezel is a black color the lens housing is dark brown color. The battery tube is a black color. The Cree module is also a different color which looks to me like a dark bronze color. I gave the grade A- due to the scratch.

The fits is excellent. All threads are smooth. The rear tailcap threads are smooth compared to my 1st Generation MRV which is very rough. I give the grade A. The rear tailcap screws on very easy. I have read that some have some tailcaps hard to screw on.


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Pros

Forward clickie

Very easy UI.

Side clickie controls 3 brightness levels.

Fit all batteries, CR123's, Protected RCR123's and Protected 18650 with ample room.

OP produces a very smooth beam.

Price is excellent. I thought the MRV SK was going to be sold at a higher price.

Very easy to swap out the reflectors.

Came with the OP reflector, extra o-rings and GITD rear switch cover.


Cons

Beam is slightly off-center.

Scratch by the side switch.

Mismatch of the Type III Hard Anodize color.


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Warranty card

User Manual

Comes with o-rings and a GITD rear tailcap cover.

The MRV SK uses a Cree XRE-7090 Q5 WD.

SMO

OP

Rear view of the Cree module.

Top of the battery tube. This section screws onto the Cree module.

The side switch uses a soft rubber cover.

Ouch! Note the scratches.

Uses a forward clickie.

Inside view of the forward clickie.

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Size comparsions

Left, MRV SK Q5. Right, MRV Q5

Left, MRV SK Q5. Right, MRV Q5

Left to right, MRV SK Q5, Dereelight DBS V2 Q5, MRV Q5

Left to right, MRV SK Q5, Dereelight DBS V2 Q5, MRV Q5

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Reflector size comparsions

Left, MRV SK Q5, 35.94mm. Right, MRV Q5, 31.25mm

Left, MRV SK Q5, 41.23mm. Right, MRV Q5, 41.83mm

Left, MRV SK Q5, 35.94mm. Right, DBS V2 Q5, 49.07mm

Left, MRV SK Q5, 41.23mm. Right, DBS V2 Q5, 45.24mm

As you can see the Dereelight DBS V2 has a longer a wider reflector. It's going to be hard to beat the throw and brightness of the DBS reflector.


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Left, MRV SK Q5 OP. Right, MRV SK Q5 SMO

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I also took lux readings of the lights shown above. These are the lux readings I got. I am using a Meterman LM631 Light Meter measured at 1 meter. I waited 2 minutes before taking the readings. I am using AW's Protected Black 18650 for the Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 and AW's Protected (Black) RCR123's for both the MRV SK Q5 and the MRV Q5 which were fully charged.

MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's - 16,440 lux @ 1 meter

MRV SK Q5 OP 2 RCR123's - 7,300 lux @ 1 meter

MRV Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's - 14,840 lux @ 1 meter

Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 1 18650 - 20,767 lux @ 1 meter


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MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 96"

MRV SK Q5 OP 2 RCR123's @ 96"

MRV Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 96"

Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 1 18650 @ 96"

Left, MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's. Right, MRV Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 96"

Left, MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's. Right, MRV Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 96" Stepped down exposure

Left, MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's. Right, Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 1 18650 @ 96"

Left, MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's. Right, Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 1 18650 @ 96" Stepped down exposure

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MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 32'

MRV Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 32'

Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 1 18650 @ 32'

MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 32' Stepped down exposure

MRV Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 32' Stepped down exposure

Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 1 18650 @ 32' Stepped down exposure

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MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 146' or 44.5 meters

MRV Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 146' or 44.5 meters

Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 1 18650 @ 146' or 44.5 meters

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MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 210' or 64 meters

MRV Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 210' or 64 meters

Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 1 18650 @ 210' or 64 meters

 

[I came to the light...]

Thanks for the great review


This was supposed to be the new king... :mecry:

 

[PhantomPhoton]

Thanks, been waiting for the head to head with the DBS. Too bad about the off center LEDs. Both Lumapower LED modules I've had for my M1 have been off center too. :mecry:

 

[Flashlight Aficionado]

By your photos, it looks like the Lumapower MRV SK SMO beat the Dereelight DBS SMO?

Did you get the same impression while comparing them?

BTW, thanks for the great comparison!

 

[ernsanada]

By your photos, it looks like the Lumapower MRV SK SMO beat the Dereelight DBS SMO?

Did you get the same impression while comparing them?

BTW, thanks for the great comparison!

It looks like the Dereelight DBS V2 edges out the MRV SK.

Look at the longer distance shots.

 

[BMF]

Well, DBS V2 is still King.

The deep of MRV SK Q5 reflector is just about the same as Tiablo A9 at 36 mm so it won't outthrow DBS. Not sure it will throw better than A9 or not. ernsanada, do you have an A9 to compare?

 

[ernsanada]

Well, DBS V2 is still King.

The deep of MRV SK Q5 reflector is just about the same as Tiablo A9 at 36 mm so it won't outthrow DBS. Not sure it will throw better than A9 or not. ernsanada, do you have an A9 to compare?

I do have an A9 but it maybe a couple of days to compare.

 

[Axion]

Do you have lux readings for any other lights so we can get a feeling of how your meter's readings compare to others. light-reviews.com for example has the DBS V2 rated at 29,000 lux whereas you have 20,000.

 

[alex_ny]

It clearly doesnt edge out Dereelight DBS ,would be nice to see against A9 . Thank you ...nice review!

 

[WadeF]

I was expecting it to be closer to the DBS with all the hype. Was thinking the reflector would be closer to the DBS reflector, but the DBS reflector dwarfs it. Oh well, scratch the MRV SK off the list for me, not as much throw, and it's bigger too, and only 80% output with 1x18650.

That's the DBS with a Q5, you should see it with the R2 WH.

Thanks for another great and prompt review!

 

[selfbuilt]

Thanks for the detailed review Ernie! :thumbsup:

As usual, you covered a lot a ground and addressed the key questions right up front. A bit disappointing it doesn't throw further, but the SK switch is an interesting upgrade to the MRV. How did you find the action? It appears to be a mechanical switch on my MVP, and has worked well for me in practice.

Thanks again for the speedy review.

 

[ernsanada]

This is a comparison of the MRV SK Q5 vs the Tiablo A9 Q5.

Both lights are very close in brightness and throw.



Left, MRV SK Q5. Right, Tiablo A9 Q5

Left, MRV SK Q5. Right, Tiablo A9 Q5

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Left, MRV SK Q5, 35.94mm. Right, Tiablo A9 Q5, 36.22mm

Left, MRV SK Q5, 41.23mm. Right, Tiablo A9 Q5, 41.71mm

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These are the lux readings I got. Both lights are using freshly charged AW's Protected RCR123's.


MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's - 16,440 lux @ 1 meter

Tiablo A9 Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's - 19,260 lux @ 1 meter


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MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 96"

Tiablo A9 Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 96"

Left, MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's. Right, Tiablo A9 Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 96"

Left, MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's. Right, Tiablo A9 Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 96" Stepped down exposure

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MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 32'

Tiablo A9 Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 32'

MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 32' Stepped down exposure

Tiablo A9 Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 32' Stepped down exposure

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MRV SK Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 146' or 44.5 meters

Tiablo A9 Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 146' or 44.5 meters

MRV Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 210' or 64 meters

Tiablo A9 Q5 SMO 2 RCR123's @ 210' or 64 meters

 

[WadeF]

Just noticed how much wider the spill is with the MRV SK. So a lot of lumens are being lost in the spill, where the DBS has less spill allowing for more lumens in the main beam.

 

[ernsanada]

Thanks for the detailed review Ernie! :thumbsup:

As usual, you covered a lot a ground and addressed the key questions right up front. A bit disappointing it doesn't throw further, but the SK switch is an interesting upgrade to the MRV. How did you find the action? It appears to be a mechanical switch on my MVP, and has worked well for me in practice.

Thanks again for the speedy review.

Both switches, the side and rear switch feel good mechanically and I haven't had any problems yet.

 

[WadeF]

Thanks for the new pics and updates Ernsanada. I guess the Raidfire would beat out the MRV SK too. MattK said his MRK SK beat out a Tiablo A9. I wonder if other MRK SK's are brighter?

If Selfbuilt gets one we'll have to see if he has similar findings to your findings.

 

[Monocrom]

What is the weight of the MRV SK, compared to the A9?

 

[DArklite]

Good review, thanks

 

[woodrow]

Nice review as always.... The DBS is still king.... I might have to pick one up....or find a smooth reflector for my spear at least. Thanks again!

 

[Burgess]

To ernsanada --

Thank you for your time and effort
to give us this fine review.

:twothumbs
_

 

[mechBgon]

Thanks for the excellent review ernsanada!