kramer5150
Flashaholic
I just received this little torch a couple days ago and I am VERY impressed...
I placed the order on 7/7, shipped out on 7/8, arrived 7/11. Outstanding!! Good email communication and shipping status through out the order process. Smooth paypal transaction via credit card. I don't believe they will accept E-checks from paypal though. I will DEFINITELY be buying from Shiningbeam in the future, and will not hesitate to recommend them to others. It is very reassuring knowing they are located in NY, and ship product from a North American mail address.:twothumbs
I don't usually like to post detailed reviews within the first week of ownership, but I think word needs to really get out about this $25 gem and the outstanding service from shiningbeam.com. Note also that CPF members get a discount too. So, please keep in mind that I have only had this light for a couple days. I will be posting back to this thread as my opinions change and my crude run-time measurements will be added in the next few days.
Video, PART I, Overview & RCR123 Beamshots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia4sUpvnBSk
Video, Part II, Primary / AA Beamshots and GITD Action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpI2fsAy3QE
PROS:
-Cree Q5 emitter (!!!WOOHOO!!)
-Forward momentary clickie (!!WOOHOO!!), a very rare feature for lights in this price range.
-GREAT tint... Believe the HYPE the Q5 is very white-like color.
-Configurable 1CR123 or 2AA.
-Good battery spring contact.
-Pretty good thermal management with 4.2V RCR123 cell. Gets warm but not uncomfortably hot after 7-8 minutes, where temps level off.
-Good Performance with primaries and alkaline AA batteries. Lower lumen output but longer run times.
-Solid feeling tailcap.
-GITD switch boot. Its not super-bright, but bright enough to see across a small room in complete darkness with eyes fully open dilated.
-Conservative strike bezel, serviceable yet not over-kill. Strike bezel does not cast funky flood edges.
-Good balance and ergonomics in 2AA mode.
-Good value at $25. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a bargain-basement deal however because the RC-G2, RC-C3 and Fenix E01 can be had for under $15.
-Solid construction and feel
-Good thread and O-ring quality. Overall machining quality is on par with the Nuwai lights I have owned, but a small notch down from a Surefire product.
-Secure shirt clip thats easily removed and serves as an anti-roll feature.
-Splash-proof seals throughout.
-Glass lens/ and OP AL reflector.
CONS:
-Batteries rattle like crazy in 2AA mode. alfreddajero has an excellent O-ring solution in his post below.
-Switch is a little tight in CR123 configuration combined with the lights small size and lack of knurl texture, makes it a little hard to grip when using thumb click momentary operation.
-If this light had a long running low-mode (without sacrificing its high output) it'd be a giant killer.
NEUTRAL :-May be a pro or a con depending on preference.
-Throwey output with serviceable flood. Beam is similar to a DX 6090 drop in (see my beamshot vids).
-Single mode operation, one mode full power... simplicity to the max.
-Bezel is a bit big for an EDC, but that makes it a better thrower. Its size is just about right. Bezel diameter is a good compromise between throw function and EDC practicality.
BATTERY LIFE
-Using inexpensive Ultrafire RCR123 cells I get a little over 40 minutes before it hits the %50 output mark. The light was pretty warm to the touch after the 7 minute mark.
-Using Eveready industrial AA alkalines it ran about 3.5 hours and abruptly hit the %50 mark. The light was mildly warm after the ~20 minute point, no where near as warm as the RCR123 cell.
-As both cells depleted the light abruptly dimmed and turned yellow, but did not completely turn off. The dimly lit emitter pics below were taken with a completely dead CR123 primary. The light seems to enter a kind of candle-mode with dead cells, which is nice IMHO...:candle:
CURRENT DRAW from cell & thermal performance
-Eveready NIMH AA = .53A, warm to the touch
-Costco Kirkland AA alkalines = .58A, warm to the touch
-Powerizer CR123 Primary = .53A, warm to the touch
-Ultrafire RCR123 = .67A, a little warmer than the first 3 but not as hot as my DX11836 or RC-C3 edc.
Current draw from the RCR123 was a bit of a surprise, I was expecting it to be more than that. Not that I am complaining.
OVERALL:
An outstandng value. I would put this light at or near the top of the heap in the single RCR123 $25 price range. The fact that it runs off primaries and AA cells of any kind is an added bonus. Great lumen output with a tight spot and serviceable flood to the sides.
I really think this is an ideal CPF-noob torch. EVERYONE has AA cells laying around... just load em' up for some ~90-100 Lumen Cree goodness. Later as your preferences refine step up to RCR123 cells and some EDC action. Not ready to invest in a charger and extra RCR cells... pop in a primary cell and fire away. I am finding the 2AA mode surprisingly useful. The added runtime is a big comfort to anyone.
Package from Shiningbeam
Romisen box
Size comparisons
AA Action
Little pocket thrower (YES it throws with an intense hot spot.... stay tuned for my video review)
Tail cap, snug RCR123 fit, no cell rattle
Cree Q5 glorious Cree!
Emits light from BOTH ends
Thats all for now
I placed the order on 7/7, shipped out on 7/8, arrived 7/11. Outstanding!! Good email communication and shipping status through out the order process. Smooth paypal transaction via credit card. I don't believe they will accept E-checks from paypal though. I will DEFINITELY be buying from Shiningbeam in the future, and will not hesitate to recommend them to others. It is very reassuring knowing they are located in NY, and ship product from a North American mail address.:twothumbs
I don't usually like to post detailed reviews within the first week of ownership, but I think word needs to really get out about this $25 gem and the outstanding service from shiningbeam.com. Note also that CPF members get a discount too. So, please keep in mind that I have only had this light for a couple days. I will be posting back to this thread as my opinions change and my crude run-time measurements will be added in the next few days.
Video, PART I, Overview & RCR123 Beamshots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia4sUpvnBSk
Video, Part II, Primary / AA Beamshots and GITD Action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpI2fsAy3QE
PROS:
-Cree Q5 emitter (!!!WOOHOO!!)
-Forward momentary clickie (!!WOOHOO!!), a very rare feature for lights in this price range.
-GREAT tint... Believe the HYPE the Q5 is very white-like color.
-Configurable 1CR123 or 2AA.
-Good battery spring contact.
-Pretty good thermal management with 4.2V RCR123 cell. Gets warm but not uncomfortably hot after 7-8 minutes, where temps level off.
-Good Performance with primaries and alkaline AA batteries. Lower lumen output but longer run times.
-Solid feeling tailcap.
-GITD switch boot. Its not super-bright, but bright enough to see across a small room in complete darkness with eyes fully open dilated.
-Conservative strike bezel, serviceable yet not over-kill. Strike bezel does not cast funky flood edges.
-Good balance and ergonomics in 2AA mode.
-Good value at $25. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a bargain-basement deal however because the RC-G2, RC-C3 and Fenix E01 can be had for under $15.
-Solid construction and feel
-Good thread and O-ring quality. Overall machining quality is on par with the Nuwai lights I have owned, but a small notch down from a Surefire product.
-Secure shirt clip thats easily removed and serves as an anti-roll feature.
-Splash-proof seals throughout.
-Glass lens/ and OP AL reflector.
CONS:
-Batteries rattle like crazy in 2AA mode. alfreddajero has an excellent O-ring solution in his post below.
-Switch is a little tight in CR123 configuration combined with the lights small size and lack of knurl texture, makes it a little hard to grip when using thumb click momentary operation.
-If this light had a long running low-mode (without sacrificing its high output) it'd be a giant killer.
NEUTRAL :-May be a pro or a con depending on preference.
-Throwey output with serviceable flood. Beam is similar to a DX 6090 drop in (see my beamshot vids).
-Single mode operation, one mode full power... simplicity to the max.
-Bezel is a bit big for an EDC, but that makes it a better thrower. Its size is just about right. Bezel diameter is a good compromise between throw function and EDC practicality.
BATTERY LIFE
-Using inexpensive Ultrafire RCR123 cells I get a little over 40 minutes before it hits the %50 output mark. The light was pretty warm to the touch after the 7 minute mark.
-Using Eveready industrial AA alkalines it ran about 3.5 hours and abruptly hit the %50 mark. The light was mildly warm after the ~20 minute point, no where near as warm as the RCR123 cell.
-As both cells depleted the light abruptly dimmed and turned yellow, but did not completely turn off. The dimly lit emitter pics below were taken with a completely dead CR123 primary. The light seems to enter a kind of candle-mode with dead cells, which is nice IMHO...:candle:
CURRENT DRAW from cell & thermal performance
-Eveready NIMH AA = .53A, warm to the touch
-Costco Kirkland AA alkalines = .58A, warm to the touch
-Powerizer CR123 Primary = .53A, warm to the touch
-Ultrafire RCR123 = .67A, a little warmer than the first 3 but not as hot as my DX11836 or RC-C3 edc.
Current draw from the RCR123 was a bit of a surprise, I was expecting it to be more than that. Not that I am complaining
.OVERALL:
An outstandng value. I would put this light at or near the top of the heap in the single RCR123 $25 price range. The fact that it runs off primaries and AA cells of any kind is an added bonus. Great lumen output with a tight spot and serviceable flood to the sides.
I really think this is an ideal CPF-noob torch. EVERYONE has AA cells laying around... just load em' up for some ~90-100 Lumen Cree goodness. Later as your preferences refine step up to RCR123 cells and some EDC action. Not ready to invest in a charger and extra RCR cells... pop in a primary cell and fire away. I am finding the 2AA mode surprisingly useful. The added runtime is a big comfort to anyone.
Package from Shiningbeam
Romisen box
Size comparisons
AA Action
Little pocket thrower (YES it throws with an intense hot spot.... stay tuned for my video review)
Tail cap, snug RCR123 fit, no cell rattle
Cree Q5 glorious Cree!
Emits light from BOTH ends
Thats all for now
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