Olight SR50 vs Olight M31

[recDNA]

Both the Olight SR50 vs Olight M31 look like great flashlights to me. (The SR91 is too rich for my blood and a little too big) The SR50 costs a little more but I like the short, stubby look. On the other hand the M31 would be lighter. Output seems like it would be similar.

What do you think?

 

[Watts Up!]

Check out this video it shows both beams of the M31 vs SR50 plus the SR91 and SR90. The M31 and SR50 look about the same in the video.

Beam Comparison (About halfway through the video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPZ9X5Njc5M

 

[tre]

I am fairly certain they have the exact same head. Unfortunately, the SR50 only runs on primaries. That rules the SR50 out for me. Can you imagine going through 6 Cr123a every hour. No thanks, I'll take the M31 that runs on 18650 batteries - that is if it could actually run for more than 10 minutes on high without overheating and going So, I guess I'll take neither.

 

[Oztorchfreak]

I am fairly certain they have the exact same head. Unfortunately, the SR50 only runs on primaries. That rules the SR50 out for me. Can you imagine going through 6 Cr123a every hour. No thanks, I'll take the M31 that runs on 18650 batteries - that is if it could actually run for more than 10 minutes on high without overheating and going So, I guess I'll take neither.

I agree with you that buying 6 x CR123s for every hour of use of the Olight SR50 seems ridiculous unless you had a company that you worked for supplying you with the batteries.

I have not seen anywhere yet that says it would be alright to use RCR123s in the Olight SR50.

I like the idea that the Olight SR50 will run on high for a full 1.5 hours without the possible heat issues of the M31 after only 10 minutes on Hi.

I am not sure that I would like the stubby feel of the SR50 as compared to the slim sleek feel of the M31 as I am quite liking the slim form of my Olight M30.

If the Olight SR50 had rechargeables as an option I would think about buying this torch because the heat issues with the Olight M31 are putting me off that torch quite a bit.

I am really curious to know just why anyone would buy this torch that guzzles batteries at such a fast and expensive pace.

I guess people that like primary batteries will consider this purchase but aren't most people on average going to prefer Lions these days? :candle:

 

[jsr]

Matt from Batteryjunction posted in a thread that the M31 was brighter, if that helps any.

As for primaries, most professionals use primaries only. Some LEOs use Li-Ion or other rechargeables as they know their shift will end and they will get to recharge. For SAR, you can be out there for a LONG time, and after you've drained your rechargeables, then what? They don't want to throw them away after they're drained (too expensive), and keeping many on you is added weight for some long search missions. Primaries are disposable and easy. We tend to lose sight that some of these lights aren't aimed primarily at CPFers, but actually at professionals who often don't use Li-Ions.
I think it would've been better if Olight designed the circuit and package to offer more flexibility to take both primaries and Li-Ions, but they probably see the need for it considering the intended market for this light.

 

[Oztorchfreak]

Matt from Batteryjunction posted in a thread that the M31 was brighter, if that helps any.

As for primaries, most professionals use primaries only. Some LEOs use Li-Ion or other rechargeables as they know their shift will end and they will get to recharge. For SAR, you can be out there for a LONG time, and after you've drained your rechargeables, then what? They don't want to throw them away after they're drained (too expensive), and keeping many on you is added weight for some long search missions. Primaries are disposable and easy. We tend to lose sight that some of these lights aren't aimed primarily at CPFers, but actually at professionals who often don't use Li-Ions.
I think it would've been better if Olight designed the circuit and package to offer more flexibility to take both primaries and Li-Ions, but they probably see the need for it considering the intended market for this light.

Thanks for that information.

The SR50 with its Search & Rescue model numbering is obviously designed for that task.

I just wonder what the sales figures show in regard to who actually buys these S & R type torches.

The home enthusiast or collector would surely be a big chunk of the percentage of this type of torch sales.

It would be good if Olight made these torches more flexible in the battery configurations.

I have heard that RCR123s can be used in this torch but the runtime is reduced compared to using CR123 primaries.

I cannot find the operating voltage anywhere for the Olight SR50.

I hear that Olight have started putting heat warnings on the Olight M30 triton now to cover themselves.

I have been running my M30 on 2 x 18500 Lions for a year now and have run it right down while on Hi many times without excessive heat building up.

Interestingly I have noticed at the Olightworld website that the SR50 is listed under both Household Rechargeable Flashlights and Search and Rescue Flashlights.

The website for Olightworld is below.

http://www.olightworld.com/product_list.asp?bid=78&sid=64

They are covering all of the bases it seems.

This is why I asked about who really buys this style of torch. :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug:

 

[tab665]

i bought the SR50 due to the body shape and because i only use primaries. knowing that i only use primaries the SR50 was an obvious choice because the light was specificaly deisinged to run in only that configuration. as for only getting an hour and a half of useful light, ive found that i use the low setting a lot, toggling back and forth to high as needed. with the UI i have it to where it comes on in low mode, which is almost identical to the M20 beam, with slightly dimmer spill. so i actually get plenty of hours out of my batteries.

 

[Oztorchfreak]

i bought the SR50 due to the body shape and because i only use primaries. knowing that i only use primaries the SR50 was an obvious choice because the light was specificaly deisinged to run in only that configuration. as for only getting an hour and a half of useful light, ive found that i use the low setting a lot, toggling back and forth to high as needed. with the UI i have it to where it comes on in low mode, which is almost identical to the M20 beam, with slightly dimmer spill. so i actually get plenty of hours out of my batteries.

Why do you only use primaries?

Does your work pay for them?

The everyday Flashaholic seems to mainly use Lions to save money.

I imagine that your SR50 would beat my M30 hands down in output and throw.

I would buy it over the M31 mainly because there is no worries about heat building up.

Even if the SR50 could use RCR123s as I have been told it can, the runtime would be less than an hour when the emitter is putting out 1100 lumens.

The reason would be that RCR123s have less capacity in general than the CR123 primaries, 900mah as against 1400mah for primaries approx.

 

[tab665]

Why do you only use primaries?

Does your work pay for them?

The everyday Flashaholic seems to mainly use Lions to save money.

primaries are more convenient, and while not completly safe, i think they are safer than recargables. id like to go a month without using a light and know that itll still have juice when i do use it. also, it seems that you have to be a reasonably responsible individual to safely manage your l-ions, simply put, i am not that person. titanium innovations primaries are of good quality and can be had for about a dollar a piece. 50 bucks and i have more than enough batteries for the year, the same cost of 2 AW protected 18650's and a charger, but i can have batteries in all my lights at once, with fresh ones ready at a moments notice.

 

[PayBack]

primaries are more convenient, and while not completly safe, i think they are safer than recargables. id like to go a month without using a light and know that itll still have juice when i do use it. also, it seems that you have to be a reasonably responsible individual to safely manage your l-ions, simply put, i am not that person.

Either I've been very lucky (that would be a first) or you over estimate the effort or care needed for 18650's. I'm a lazy MOFO but have yet to have issue one with 18650's.

I'd buy the SR50 in a flash if it supported them

BTW ppl I was wondering what's likely to happen if you did use 18650s? Or is there a rechargable battery to replace 2xCR123s? (as opposed to 2x RCRs)

 

[recDNA]

Either I've been very lucky (that would be a first) or you over estimate the effort or care needed for 18650's. I'm a lazy MOFO but have yet to have issue one with 18650's.

I'd buy the SR50 in a flash if it supported them

BTW ppl I was wondering what's likely to happen if you did use 18650s? Or is there a rechargable battery to replace 2xCR123s? (as opposed to 2x RCRs)

It does support 18650 now. I don't know if you can use rcr123's though

 

[PayBack]

It does support 18650 now. I don't know if you can use rcr123's though

Ya thanks, I've heard this... but they're too late. I've already bought somethign else. You'd think by know companies like Olight would know that the small effort required to add 18650 support would more than pay off in additional sales.

 

[recDNA]

I really like this light and the M31 but I keep waiting for the price to crash due to the XML craze....so far no dice.