Hello gang!
Here is a brief review of the Mini-EDC P7 modded and complete light by Sabrewolf. First off, let me mention that Sabrewolf is a very nice fellow, and funny to boot :laughing:
Here is the light in question:
It is a DX light-based mod, which has several multi-level modes. He supplies a diagram of the UI, which is actually pretty easy to get to know, and the UI handles all the various modes well. Most importantly, the different brightness levels are visually spaced, rather than spaced based on equal drive level deltas. That was always one of my biggest gripes about Chinese multi-mode lights. It is a reverse clicky, btw.
Sabrewolf breathes new life into this DX light with either a Cree MC-E, or an SSC P7. I opted for the warm 5A-binned MC-E:
Btw, Sabrewolf replaces the stock o-rings with nice silicone ones, and even adds a second o-ring at the tailcap, for better waterproofing:
Doesn't that look like much higher-quality light now?
One last word about the host: the lens is glass, the reflector MOP, and the light has nice shallow grooves on the side that aid in grip. Overall, a solid-feeling host.
My favorite operating mode was the High -> Med -> Low one. Here is a shot (all shots with exposure locked and daylight white balance) of the high beam:
Med:
Low:
Notice how they are nicely visually spaced out. The light achieves this with PWM. It is noticeable to my eyes, but then again I am a bit sensitive. It is not worse than other PWM's I've seen, such as FluPIC's.
There is a donut, but these shots were taken from about 10" away from the wall (I know, I should have done it from further away too...I promise I will, after the holidays
). The donut goes away quite a bit at about 3 feet. It's still there - which is to be expected from a multi-die emitter like the MC-E, and from such a small and non-custom reflector. But it's so bright that you quickly forget about the donut =) After these shots were taken, I added a circle of matte Scotch tape to the front - and the donut almost completely disappeared. It became a very punchy, floody light. I like it a lot in this format. Again, I'll post pics later as I get a chance.
On high the light seems to be putting out about 300+ lumens, at least - and that's on a primary. I haven't even had a chance to try it out on a RCR123 yet. And the runtime? Over 30 minutes, by my informal test! I suspect it is even a bit more. I ran an unintended runtime by falling asleep with the light on, in my hand. I woke up around 20 minutes later with the light roasting my hand =) And this was with quite a bit of runtime on it already. Surprisingly, the heat and continuous runtime did not seem to affect the beam at all, as it is at the same brightness as when I first received it.
I plan to do a more scientific runtime after I return from the holidays =)
Btw, the focus can be adjusted, albeit just a little bit due to the tight fit in this tiny host's head, by unscrewing the module that the LED is part of. You can get tighter throw but at the cost of more donut.
Verdict? All in all, a great light! And not only from this, but all the other new lights that Sabrewolf has coming out or in the works, I am excited to see what he will bring. He does good work, and he's fast too. This light is a pocket mini-barn burner =D Great job!
Here is a brief review of the Mini-EDC P7 modded and complete light by Sabrewolf. First off, let me mention that Sabrewolf is a very nice fellow, and funny to boot :laughing:
Here is the light in question:
It is a DX light-based mod, which has several multi-level modes. He supplies a diagram of the UI, which is actually pretty easy to get to know, and the UI handles all the various modes well. Most importantly, the different brightness levels are visually spaced, rather than spaced based on equal drive level deltas. That was always one of my biggest gripes about Chinese multi-mode lights. It is a reverse clicky, btw.
Sabrewolf breathes new life into this DX light with either a Cree MC-E, or an SSC P7. I opted for the warm 5A-binned MC-E:
Btw, Sabrewolf replaces the stock o-rings with nice silicone ones, and even adds a second o-ring at the tailcap, for better waterproofing:
Doesn't that look like much higher-quality light now?
One last word about the host: the lens is glass, the reflector MOP, and the light has nice shallow grooves on the side that aid in grip. Overall, a solid-feeling host.
My favorite operating mode was the High -> Med -> Low one. Here is a shot (all shots with exposure locked and daylight white balance) of the high beam:
Med:
Low:
Notice how they are nicely visually spaced out. The light achieves this with PWM. It is noticeable to my eyes, but then again I am a bit sensitive. It is not worse than other PWM's I've seen, such as FluPIC's.
There is a donut, but these shots were taken from about 10" away from the wall (I know, I should have done it from further away too...I promise I will, after the holidays
). The donut goes away quite a bit at about 3 feet. It's still there - which is to be expected from a multi-die emitter like the MC-E, and from such a small and non-custom reflector. But it's so bright that you quickly forget about the donut =) After these shots were taken, I added a circle of matte Scotch tape to the front - and the donut almost completely disappeared. It became a very punchy, floody light. I like it a lot in this format. Again, I'll post pics later as I get a chance.On high the light seems to be putting out about 300+ lumens, at least - and that's on a primary. I haven't even had a chance to try it out on a RCR123 yet. And the runtime? Over 30 minutes, by my informal test! I suspect it is even a bit more. I ran an unintended runtime by falling asleep with the light on, in my hand. I woke up around 20 minutes later with the light roasting my hand =) And this was with quite a bit of runtime on it already. Surprisingly, the heat and continuous runtime did not seem to affect the beam at all, as it is at the same brightness as when I first received it.
I plan to do a more scientific runtime after I return from the holidays =)
Btw, the focus can be adjusted, albeit just a little bit due to the tight fit in this tiny host's head, by unscrewing the module that the LED is part of. You can get tighter throw but at the cost of more donut.
Verdict? All in all, a great light! And not only from this, but all the other new lights that Sabrewolf has coming out or in the works, I am excited to see what he will bring. He does good work, and he's fast too. This light is a pocket mini-barn burner =D Great job!
