MG PLI MC-E *review + beamshots*

[Rexlion]

Rexlion,
Frankly, I have no idea what it means. I didn't pick this name. L-mini is the name I picked myself. Later you'll see Q-mini and T-mini lights, also picked by me. 😀

Ok, maybe PLI stands for Primo Luminary Instrument. 🙂

Oooh, do tell, what will be the difference with the new Q-mini and T-mini lights? I have to know which one to hold out for! I was already excited to hear you found some more warm ones for the L-mini, I want to know when those come in.

 

[was_jlh]

the new version is on the shiningbeam website. if anyone who has the older version buys the new version, i would love to see a comparison.

 

[Zeruel]

After being informed that the head (1st batch) can be turned to refine the beam (ie, diffuse the donut to become a smooth spot), an idea popped up. I adhered an unused aspheric lens to the bezel after removing the reflector. It seems the distance from the emitter to the bezel is at the right focal point for it to be projected.

Underexposed

 

[TooManyGizmos]

.
Are you saying that is an improvement ?

If so .................... why ?


I like a broad flood beam and lots-O-spill on an MC-E emitter light. A wall fillin flood of light.

What happens if you reverse that lens ?
.

 

[Zeruel]

.
Are you saying that is an improvement ?

If so .................... why ?


I like a broad flood beam and lots-O-spill on an MC-E emitter light. A wall fillin flood of light.

What happens if you reverse that lens ?
.

I didn't say it's an improvement. I'm just having fun with it, not seen a led projection with a MC-E before.
Reversing the lens has a same effect, but with a more diffused and dimmer projection.

Whilst you prefer flood, I prefer throw. 🙂
Seeing the projection is still weaker than my recoil led, I ended the fun and restore it back to it's original condition with a broad flood beam with lots-O-spill. :shrug:

 

[recDNA]

I didn't say it's an improvement. I'm just having fun with it, not seen a led projection with a MC-E before.
Reversing the lens has a same effect, but with a more diffused and dimmer projection.

Whilst you prefer flood, I prefer throw. 🙂
Seeing the projection is still weaker than my recoil led, I ended the fun and restore it back to it's original condition with a broad flood beam with lots-O-spill. :shrug:

Seller claims over 700 lumens. That can't be accurate can it?

 

[Rexlion]

I can't take an accurate measurement but.... if you saw the beam you would believe the figure. My PLI on high leaves everything else I own in the dust. Its medium is pretty close to the high of my Q5 lights. Those quad die emitters really put out.

 

[protein_man]

MY MG PLI did not work out of the box. The body was way too short and the spring of the switches way too long even when using the different switches/shims given in the package. I ended up installing a 3rd party switch that was much smaller. The light is working good now but should have worked out of the box. I also tried 3 different typed of 18650's to make sure it wasn't the battery's.

I find it bright but nowhere near as bright as a P7 at 2.8A. I measured current at the tailcap and got 1.9A on high. My emitter is also a very blue colour. Not a bad light but not great.

 

[Zeruel]

MY MG PLI did not work out of the box. The body was way too short and the spring of the switches way too long even when using the different switches/shims given in the package. I ended up installing a 3rd party switch that was much smaller. The light is working good now but should have worked out of the box. I also tried 3 different typed of 18650's to make sure it wasn't the battery's.

I find it bright but nowhere near as bright as a P7 at 2.8A. I measured current at the tailcap and got 1.9A on high. My emitter is also a very blue colour. Not a bad light but not great.

Sounds like you had some bad luck. Ought to contact the dealer. The emitter also should NOT be in blue. Ern's shot is pretty close, if not warmer.

 

[recDNA]

Sounds like you had some bad luck. Ought to contact the dealer. The emitter also should NOT be in blue. Ern's shot is pretty close, if not warmer.

So he has to send it back to China? What a pain.

 

[Zeruel]

So he has to send it back to China? What a pain.

That is IF he bought it from China, not from Shiningbeam.

 

[recDNA]

That is IF he bought it from China, not from Shiningbeam.

Ahhh, DX is in China but Shiningbeam is in USA?

 

[protein_man]

I'd rather just fix something then have to wait for it to be fixed. Shiningbeam was never told of the problems I had but if a battery was put it the light and turned on it would have been apparent, need better QA.

Shipping was very fast so I was pleased about that. I'm sure they are great lights, I just got the dud of the batch.

 

[Zeruel]

Ahhh, DX is in China but Shiningbeam is in USA?

Yup.

I'd rather just fix something then have to wait for it to be fixed. Shiningbeam was never told of the problems I had but if a battery was put it the light and turned on it would have been apparent, need better QA.

Shipping was very fast so I was pleased about that. I'm sure they are great lights, I just got the dud of the batch.

Yeah, all dealers should check lights before sending out. I'm impressed at the delivery speed too.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

As TMG noted, I think they're sold out again. 🙁

 

[recDNA]

As TMG noted, I think they're sold out again. 🙁

Just as well...I'm only interested in the 3 mode version and the post about the light that didn't work makes me worry about the QC at the plant and the distributer. I HATE to send things back.

I just wish Fenix or Olight or Eagletac made something as bright that can run on only 2 CR123.

 

[TooManyGizmos]

recDNA ,

Have you seen any other PLI problem reports in this thread ?

.

 

[zoe17]

I ordered mine Thursday. Hope it works well. Will report back

 

[recDNA]

I ordered mine Thursday. Hope it works well. Will report back

I'll be curious to read about it. Item not on website now.

 

[zoe17]

I'll be curious to read about it. Item not on website now.

I got my shipping confirmation and order conf, as well as the paypuke. So, I hope it gets here soon. This will be my first high lumen LED.

Should I buy some of the 18650 cells to run this instead of the 123's I already have? And if so can anyone point me to a good deal? And yes, I am a newb with a flashlight addiction.