Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots + Forward Clicky pics.

[woodrow]

Well, I received my M1R-SE today from Batteryjunction. I thought I would post some quick impressions plus a few photos and beamshots. First, let me say that it is a nice-somewhat classy looking light.

I am really happy with this one. I have had 2 of the M1R-Rebel lights, but this Q5 version is easily my favorite. It is a SF C2 size light and has definite heft to it. It is larger than my other daily carry light, the Olight T20 Q5.

The light comes with both OP and Smooth reflectors, a twist on-forward push for momentary switch, and a two level-low-high-off switch. It also comes with a glow in the dark and black rubber switch caps.

As to the light's output, there have been four lights I have bought this year (out of way too many purchases) that have really impressed me. They are the Pelican 7060, Olight T20Q5, Tiablo A8Q5, and now this one. It is brighter than the D-mini SE Q5 (I expect the light to be brighter still when I can switch from primaries to 3.7v RCR123a's, but mine got back ordered) It is also brighter the the Rebel based M1. I really liked the spot and white tint of the D-mini SE Q5, but it did not have the brightest spill, especially next to the T20. This light has the same spot on white tint, but a larger brighter spill than the D-mini SE.

I took some quick outdoor shots at 20 yards with the M1 vs. the T20. I will put the D-mini SE in as well, though its target was at the other side of the yard. With the full moon, only the opposite side of the yard was shaded from light.

Here is the M1 SE...All shots were at f2.8 at 1 sec of exposure...daylight balance.

Here is the T20

Here just to show the difference in spill is the D-mini SE from a week or so ago.

The D-mini's target was a few yards farther away, but the foreground shows the M1's brighter spill. The Olight's spill is still has the brightest, but it is a little smaller than the M1's. While I really liked the T20's beam better than the D-mini's, I like the M1's better than the T20's.

Here are a couple of indoor shots. First is the M1 next to the T20 at around 1 meter (f2.8 at 1/60th of a second)

The T20 is not that blue...balance was at daylight, but cameras are still cameras. The T20's spot does have some blue in it though...compared with the very white spot of the M1. Also, the M1R Rebel version did not have the prettiest beam with the smooth reflector on it. Not so with the Q5 version. It has a very acceptable beam with the smooth reflector.

Next, I thought I better include a picture with the OP reflector. It has a very nice beam with a still tight spot that smoothly goes into the spillbeam. I can't believe it, but though I will loose some throw lux, I think I will leave this reflector in. The beam is just that nice. Here is the shot. (f6.4 at 4/10th of a second)

So overall, I am really happy with the light. It is bright, has a great beam, with good throw and spill. Its two level switch goes to a Olight T20 level 1 (lowest) level of brightness on low, to high in a fraction of a second. The one level tactical switch is nice should it be desired and it is easy to swap out. Basicly the M1 gives you an attractive light with nice heft with a very bright beautiful usable beam. Exactly what I was hoping for. By far, it is the best M1 yet. Hats off to Lumapower for this one, and to MattK at Batteryjunction for letting us know it was available. Thanks!

edit...see below for forward tactical clicky switch pics.

 

[JKL]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

Nice review woodrow :twothumbs.

M1 Q5 is a great improvement respect the M1 Tactical (P4) of course, personally I prefer this Q5 on the Rebel version .

Could you post a beamshot of your Tiablo vs the M1 Tac Q5?

Thanks

 

[woodrow]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

JKL,
Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, I am always buying new lights and fund these purchases with selling old (usually about 3 weeks ) ones. I decided I would rather have a A9 so I sold the A8. I honestly believe that the M1 SE is about 90-95% as bright as the A8Q5. It will not throw quite as far as the A8/89, but the spot is about twice as big.

Hope that helps...

 

[JKL]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

JKL,
Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, I am always buying new lights and fund these purchases with selling old (usually about 3 weeks ) ones.

:naughty::naughty::naughty::naughty::naughty:

I decided I would rather have a A9 so I sold the A8. I honestly believe that the M1 SE is about 90-95% as bright as the A8Q5. It will not throw quite as far as the A8/89, but the spot is about twice as big.

Hope that helps...

:thanks: Woodrow.

Derelight DBS Q5 and the Tiablo A9 Q5,for now are my throwers,
I'm considering to sell my M1 Tactical in order to buy the new M1 Q5...
at any rate thanks again for your reply.

 

[woodrow]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

I'm considering to sell my M1 Tactical in order to buy the new M1 Q5...
at any rate thanks again for your reply.

Sell it!!! The Rebel M1 is brighter than the regular cree, and the SE is a VERY NOTICABLE improvement over the Rebel version. Plus you get the cool Black HAIII. Color is also better than both of the M1 Rebels I had.

Honestly, I think you will be impressed....also, MattK finally put the Forward clicky for the M1 on the site... I just ordered one.

 

[JKL]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

MattK finally put the Forward clicky for the M1 on the site... I just ordered one.

Very well !

(as done for the

Forward Tactical Click Switch -Tiablo A9)

 

[woodrow]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

Congrats,
Now please let MattK know he owes me some comission for your new light...Or if he does not want to pay me cash... something from AE might be nice

Now you can post a comparison beamshot between the M1 SE and the Tiablo!

I hope you like the light

 

[MattK]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

LOL - noted.

BTW - the M1-T Q5, actually all of the Q5/Special edition LumaPower lights, are my babies, LumaPower built them but only cause I harassed them into it and sent a big fat order.


I'm not sure M1 SE vs A9 is entirely fair (the A9 runs at like a 40% higher current level) but A9 vs MRV SE is definitely a good match.

 

[JKL]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

Thanks for the support.

Italian custom procedure anyway is very slow and embarrasing,
now we are checking the temporal rapport between shipment and the delivery , at any rate this is another story...

 

[woodrow]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

LOL - noted.

BTW - the M1-T Q5, actually all of the Q5/Special edition LumaPower lights, are my babies, LumaPower built them but only cause I harassed them into it and sent a big fat order.

Thanks for being a wise man and knowing your audience

 

[woodrow]

Re: Lumapower M1R-SE Q5 Quick Review - Indoor/Outdoor Beamshots

I received the positive "tactical" clicky switch from Batteryjunction today.

It is super easy to swap out, just unscrew the cap and then unscrew the reverse 2 stage switch, push out the old shallow rubber switch, put in the new deep rubber switch and screw in the new positive switch. Less than a minute is needed to make the change.

With the new switch, the light gives you full output momentary with a slight push, and constant on if you push until you feel it click. I like this way much better, and it makes a better tactical light, if that is one of your criteria for buying the light.

With the new switch, the light will no longer tail stand, but is usable in all shooting positions since the switch protrudes slightly farther than the 2 metal cap fins.

The fins should protect against constant activation in your pocket or bag, but you can also lock out the tailcap by unscrewing it 1/4th of a turn.

I really like the new switch. It has turned a very good light into a even better one. I almost forgot how nice forward switches are (except for my 7060) with all the cree lights. I am happy to be using one again. Seriously, this light merits checking out if you want a SF style led light with a little more output. Thanks again Lumapower and Batteryjunction!

 

[mitchell300]

I have got one of these on order due to arrive next week (Fingers crossed)

Was wondering what this is like compared to the MRV P4 (210lm rated) I know they are considered to be in different leagues but, was wondering what the comparison would be like.

 

[woodrow]

I have never had a MRV, but in overall brightness it compares well to my old Tiablo A8Q5. Thicker spot...plus I leave the textured reflector in. Just a great beam, wide bright spill and still good throw abilities.

One thing though, stock up on primaries or RCR123a's. This light is pretty dim on a 18650 I mean, MMag3AA dim. Tried 2 new (1 AW, 1 LG) 18650's and emailed MattK about it...apparently Q5 needs more juice according to LP

That being said, on primaries, it is Very bright with a great spot while still being a room lighter. Let us know what you think when you get yours.

 

[MattK]

Was wondering what this is like compared to the MRV P4 (210lm rated) I know they are considered to be in different leagues but, was wondering what the comparison would be like.

Brighter than original P4 MRV, basically the same as the MRV Q2 that was current until the MRV DIGITAL landed today - not as bright as the MRV DIGITAL which is a Q2 AND running at 1.1A - nearly 50% more current than the M1 SE.

 

[woodrow]

It is the brightest "mid-sized" light I have ever had. Brighter than the Olight T20Q5 by a good margin.

edit: I just about put my M1 in the b/s/t today to partially fund a MRV digital SE, but decided I liked this light too much to do that. I might buy the MRV when the extra 18650 tube becomes availible, but the M1's 40+ minute runtime on RCR123a's (verses 25 for the MRV) and longer primary runtime... all in a smaller size are making me keep this light. Not to mention its near perfect beam (medium spot, white tint, and wide bright spill) with the smooth and textured reflectors. To get good runtimes in the MRV (at full output) you need the extra tube. That will make it a great light, but one that is too big for a pocket.

 

[mitchell300]

I came yesterday afternoon, I must say it does have a certain heft to it especially for its size.

It has a great beam and really decent throw for its size, one thing though I can run this on an 18650 battery and brightness doesn't seem to be an issue, I will try to back that up with some pictures later on, but it compares to the original MRV.

Overall this light is definatly a nicely crafted torch and has great throw and overall output.

Will post some beamshots for comparison later.

 

[hughjay]

according to woodrow who was the thread starter, he experienced a very dim light when using a 18650 cell, so my question to mitchell300 is, can you back you claim up of the 18650 cell having similar lux compared to running normal cr123 cells using a lux meter?

 

[mitchell300]

according to woodrow who was the thread starter, he experienced a very dim light when using a 18650 cell, so my question to mitchell300 is, can you back you claim up of the 18650 cell having similar lux compared to running normal cr123 cells using a lux meter?

I do not have a lux metre hughjay, I was mearly stating that to me my light does not have an issue of it being as dim as a mini mag on an 18650 cell it is quite bright on an ultrafire 2400mah 3.7V 18650.

I will post some beamshots at the same settings as woodrows to see if it does compare.

And to be clear I was not having a go at woodrow's review in any way, I was relplying to his request to post back what my experience with the light was like.

When I have time over the weekend I will get some beamshots.

Mitchell

 

[hughjay]

I do not have a lux metre hughjay, I was mearly stating that to me my light does not have an issue of it being as dim as a mini mag on an 18650 cell it is quite bright on an ultrafire 2400mah 3.7V 18650.

I will post some beamshots at the same settings as woodrows to see if it does compare.

And to be clear I was not having a go at woodrow's review in any way, I was relplying to his request to post back what my experience with the light was like.

When I have time over the weekend I will get some beamshots.

Mitchell

I was not trying to imply that you were attacking his review in any way, just wondering if you had a lux meter to measure the differences. I guess a beamshot of a fresh 18650 vs a fresh 123a cell would work as well.

 

[woodrow]

according to woodrow who was the thread starter, he experienced a very dim light when using a 18650 cell, so my question to mitchell300 is, can you back you claim up of the 18650 cell having similar lux compared to running normal cr123 cells using a lux meter?

I think I may have gotten a slightly bad pill. My light flickers with 2xRCR123a's and when I put the 18650 back in...it was much brighter for a short while than previously. I contacted Batteryjunction and they immediately said they would make it right.

Thats why I will continue to buy from American vendors. I have had at least 5 Lumapower lights with 0 problems. This one works GREAT with primaries...it is just a little fussy with rechargeables. If I had to send the light back to Asia for repairs, I might just keep it. Since I bought it from Batteryjunction, the problem will be quickly solved.

Anyway, I still highly recommend the light, and it would not suprise me at all if others 18650 output is higher than mine was.