AardvarkSagus
Flashlight Enthusiast
Pila Cree Q5 LED Emitter
Approximately a year after the initial release of the Cree LED emitter for the Pila GL2/3 models, they followed it up with updated versions. The P4 edition has upped the ante to 180 lumens and is the direct replacement for the original 120 lumen one. This optional Q5 emitter however is rocking a whopping 250 lumens and takes top billing in Pila's line as far as LED modules go.
Meat and Potatoes
At first glance this module is externally completely identical to the older version, as you can see in the pictures. The only visible difference from the exterior is the Q5 label on the side. I believe that I am completely safe in saying there have been no updates to this module other than improving bin code for the LED used and therefor increasing it's efficiency. The focus remains quite nice, as it was previously, and usability is also unaffected. Just as in the previous version, this module can also be used with the Pila CODEX module allowing full customization of the output, both brightness levels and even signaling and strobing effects.
When I first dropped this module into my Pila GL2 I once again was reminded of the beautiful spread of this beam pattern. The hotspot is fairly well defined but there is such a fantastic spillbeam that keeps the light useful even at close distances. I am able to use this light both up close during daylight hours and at medium distances at night. This light does quite well lighting up objects ~50 yards down the street.
I don't know if it is typical for this unit but it is worth noticing that the color is a lot warmer in tone (translating to an actual cooler color temp when defined in degrees Kelvin) than it's 120 lumen sibling. My original module has a definite purplish hue to it when compared to nearly any of my other lights. This one is much nearer to white when viewed with the naked eye, tending even a little toward the yellow and as such, beginning to compete with the desirable warmth of an incandescent.
Constructive Criticism
While this light is undoubtedly well constructed, and also extremely efficient, the first thing that I noticed about it was the lack of a clearly defined difference as far as brightness goes over the previous version. The Q5 LED module is the brightest light currently in my arsenal, but not by as wide of a margin as I would have expected given the discrepancy in the stated levels.
I generally try to stay away from beamshots with my reviews, but I felt that it was necessary in this case. As the camera verifies, the Q5 LED is definitely the brighter of the two, however in actual use the difference is difficult to decipher. I had to drop the original 120 lumen module into my Brinkmann Maxfire LX in order to view the two of them side by side before I could make a determination that the new version was in fact an improvement.
I believe that the reason behind this is in fact the lack of a redesign between the two versions. Given the massive brightness this reflector offers in the spillbeam , much of the brightness increase seems to be in that region as well. Only a small portion of the jump manifests itself in the central spot of the light giving you only minor gains in overall perceived brightness. This does make the light fabulously useful at middle to close ranges, but I was somewhat expecting more wow factor.
Secondly, I am not convinced personally that the regulation is as good as it could get on this light. I know that according to Pila's specifications this module only has perfectly flat regulation when used with 2x Pila 300P cells. I would like to see a flatter discharge curve also with either 1x Pila 600P or 2x CR123A cells. Even if it doesn't hold 100% constant until the moment of shutoff, I would like to see more consistency up until a "moon mode" at the very end with just enough light to find more power. I think in today's competitive flashlight market this is something that even the average consumer is looking for. Since Pila's focus is on professionals and security minded people, I would imagine that completely predictable output should exist every single time the switch is activated.
Conclusions
My concerns aside, this is still an excellent quality product. The construction is superb and in spite of the relatively little increase, the output is still monstrous. This module definitely lives up to the Pila branding when durability is in question. I carry this light on a daily basis in an industrial setting. There have been a number of occasions where it has met an unfortunate encounter with the concrete and I have yet to be given any occasion to doubt it's reliability.
In all, I would not hesitate to recommend a Pila LED drop-in to even my closest friends, though depending on available pricing, I might suggest the P4 180 lumen module is a better buy given the modest increases available from the top of the line model.
Approximately a year after the initial release of the Cree LED emitter for the Pila GL2/3 models, they followed it up with updated versions. The P4 edition has upped the ante to 180 lumens and is the direct replacement for the original 120 lumen one. This optional Q5 emitter however is rocking a whopping 250 lumens and takes top billing in Pila's line as far as LED modules go.
Meat and Potatoes
At first glance this module is externally completely identical to the older version, as you can see in the pictures. The only visible difference from the exterior is the Q5 label on the side. I believe that I am completely safe in saying there have been no updates to this module other than improving bin code for the LED used and therefor increasing it's efficiency. The focus remains quite nice, as it was previously, and usability is also unaffected. Just as in the previous version, this module can also be used with the Pila CODEX module allowing full customization of the output, both brightness levels and even signaling and strobing effects.
When I first dropped this module into my Pila GL2 I once again was reminded of the beautiful spread of this beam pattern. The hotspot is fairly well defined but there is such a fantastic spillbeam that keeps the light useful even at close distances. I am able to use this light both up close during daylight hours and at medium distances at night. This light does quite well lighting up objects ~50 yards down the street.
I don't know if it is typical for this unit but it is worth noticing that the color is a lot warmer in tone (translating to an actual cooler color temp when defined in degrees Kelvin) than it's 120 lumen sibling. My original module has a definite purplish hue to it when compared to nearly any of my other lights. This one is much nearer to white when viewed with the naked eye, tending even a little toward the yellow and as such, beginning to compete with the desirable warmth of an incandescent.
Constructive Criticism
While this light is undoubtedly well constructed, and also extremely efficient, the first thing that I noticed about it was the lack of a clearly defined difference as far as brightness goes over the previous version. The Q5 LED module is the brightest light currently in my arsenal, but not by as wide of a margin as I would have expected given the discrepancy in the stated levels.
I generally try to stay away from beamshots with my reviews, but I felt that it was necessary in this case. As the camera verifies, the Q5 LED is definitely the brighter of the two, however in actual use the difference is difficult to decipher. I had to drop the original 120 lumen module into my Brinkmann Maxfire LX in order to view the two of them side by side before I could make a determination that the new version was in fact an improvement.
I believe that the reason behind this is in fact the lack of a redesign between the two versions. Given the massive brightness this reflector offers in the spillbeam , much of the brightness increase seems to be in that region as well. Only a small portion of the jump manifests itself in the central spot of the light giving you only minor gains in overall perceived brightness. This does make the light fabulously useful at middle to close ranges, but I was somewhat expecting more wow factor.
Secondly, I am not convinced personally that the regulation is as good as it could get on this light. I know that according to Pila's specifications this module only has perfectly flat regulation when used with 2x Pila 300P cells. I would like to see a flatter discharge curve also with either 1x Pila 600P or 2x CR123A cells. Even if it doesn't hold 100% constant until the moment of shutoff, I would like to see more consistency up until a "moon mode" at the very end with just enough light to find more power. I think in today's competitive flashlight market this is something that even the average consumer is looking for. Since Pila's focus is on professionals and security minded people, I would imagine that completely predictable output should exist every single time the switch is activated.
Conclusions
My concerns aside, this is still an excellent quality product. The construction is superb and in spite of the relatively little increase, the output is still monstrous. This module definitely lives up to the Pila branding when durability is in question. I carry this light on a daily basis in an industrial setting. There have been a number of occasions where it has met an unfortunate encounter with the concrete and I have yet to be given any occasion to doubt it's reliability.
In all, I would not hesitate to recommend a Pila LED drop-in to even my closest friends, though depending on available pricing, I might suggest the P4 180 lumen module is a better buy given the modest increases available from the top of the line model.
Last edited:
