Lumapower M1-R (Rebel 100) review (with pics)

[boosterboy]

My friend and I did a joint effort to review his new M1-R (Rebel 100)

Pros:

A little bit brighter than the M1-T (Cree XRE P4)
Very clean beam, no artifacts with OP reflector
Nice white tint
Threads are very well cut
Type III (HA) Anodizing is almost perfect

Cons:
Smooth Reflector shows very very nasty rings
momentary switch needs to be revised
reflector has a few burrs from machining process
knurling is useless, no grip

From the looks of it, you can probably desolder the Rebel and replace it quite easily.

Lights I used as reference in this review are

M1 Tactical with Cree XRE P4 (140 lumens) (OP reflector) (on primaries)
Novatac 120T (120 lumens) (AW 3.7v RCR123)
Surefire 6PL with P60L module (80 lumens) (on primaries)

Camera used is a Canon 20D with 24-70mm 2.8 L lense

All photos copyrighted.

BEAM SHOTS!!!

 

[x2x3x2]

WoW! You make an awesome product photographer dude!

 

[boosterboy]

WoW! You make an awesome product photographer dude!

Maybe Ricky can send me some lights to photograph

 

[Brozneo]

Problem with some of the photos dude!

 

[lexina]

No prob with the photos here. All of them are great!

 

[MarNav1]

Looks like the Surefire has the best beam. Nice pictures!

 

[lexina]

Looks like the Surefire has the best beam. Nice pictures!

To each, his own - I personally prefer the way the hotspot of the Novatac blends so gradually into the corona without any hard edges.

 

[skalomax]

Same Here, I prefer the Novatac beam pattern.

So, Does This throw as much or more than the XR-E verison?

thanks, and great overview.

 

[boosterboy]

Same Here, I prefer the Novatac beam pattern.

So, Does This throw as much or more than the XR-E verison?

thanks, and great overview.

Since they have pretty much the same reflector depth, the beam cross section is the same and the throw is very similar.
Since output is slightly higher, so the throw is SLIGHTLY farther.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Added to the Rebel Alliance:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=172850

 

[woodrow]

boosterboy,
Nice shots and review. I would like to say I am jealous of your light, but really, I am jealous of your camera setup! Thanks again for the review.

 

[boosterboy]

boosterboy,
Nice shots and review. I would like to say I am jealous of your light, but really, I am jealous of your camera setup! Thanks again for the review.

FYI, I took these pictures with a fluorescent light source in my friend's garage. Nothing fancy.

A good tripod helps.

 

[woodrow]

FYI, I took these pictures with a fluorescent light source in my friend's garage. Nothing fancy.

A good tripod helps.

I can't think that a Canon L series lens hurts too much either! Incredible product pics... You should do very well in the b/s/t section if you ever decide to get rid of your light

Ok, had to buy one. Just sent Batteryjunction an order. Your pics just made the light look too good.

 

[woodrow]

I received mine today. I am so glad for your pictures (along with others. I never really looked at the bezel before I tried changing reflectors. You are right, the smooth one kind of produces a UGLY beam. I put the textured one back in, and noticed that the led is well below (1 mm or so) the bezel opening at the bottom. My Fenix fits flush. I thought I just did something wrong in reassembleing it. After several minutes of frustration I looked at your review. Your light looks the same. I guess that is how it is supposed to be. Beam looks nice with the OP reflector. Will post some observations after using tonight.

 

[blacklisted]

The problem with the smooth reflector was poor machining. The beveled edge that surrounds the emitter was very rough. This resulted in a beam projection that resembled the planet Saturn. I was able to fix it with polishing compound, a power drill, and a rounded screw head but I ended up destroying the reflector in the end. When I tried to wipe the inside of the reflector clean, the shiny surface just rubbed off, leaving what looks like a layer of brass.

At least it doesn't have rings any more :shakehead

It appears that the reflector was electroplated and the surface layer was extremely thin. I'll post a beamshot using the unmodified smooth reflector later.

 

[woodrow]

I would also add that the smooth reflector (the one I usually use) really is NOT good. I really started liking my light when I switched to 123 primaries over the 18650. I will use the 18650 if I need the light for a long walk etc, but it is definitely brighter on 123a's.

 

[NA8]

How do you guys like the grip ? Lumapower uses that spiral line pattern instead of checkering.

 

[boosterboy]

How do you guys like the grip ? Lumapower uses that spiral line pattern instead of checkering.

The "knurling" is useless, the lights feels really smooth and you can't really grip it.

 

[THE OFF]

love its

 

[woodrow]

How do you guys like the grip ? Lumapower uses that spiral line pattern instead of checkering.

Its pretty slick. But the light looks like it could survive a couple of falls.