^Gurthang
Flashlight Enthusiast
CLONE WARS: R5c vs. SP-6
This is my first review so bare with me…. This review was more work than I anticipated.
BACK STORY
Since the SkyRay was introduced by DX some months ago it has garnered high praise and a dedicated following in the "budget light" forum. I bought the UniqueFire R5 version in March 2010 since the original SkyRay sold out so quickly and have been very pleased with its performance. Recently, KD introduced their version, the RQ with XP-G, P7 and SST 50 emitters. I was impressed enough with the UF light that I ordered a pair of Lumens Factory SP-6 Seraph lights to use at work, both are single mode R2s.
I call this review "Clone Wars" since the DX / KD lights are VERY obvious clones of the Lumens Factory SP-6 Seraph.
So, just how good is the clone?
SPECIFICATIONS: UniqueFire R5 [hereafter referred to as the R5c]
UniqueFire / SkyRay / RQ lights
Emitter: Cree XP-G R4
Drop-in: P60 compatible w/ aluminum MOP reflector [UF / RQ] or aluminum SMO reflector [SkyRay]
Other emitters available: SSC P7 & Luminous SST50 [both KD]
Output: 5 modes; high, med, low, strobe [fast], SOS
Driver: no memory
Tailcap: reverse clicky w/ contact post [not spring]
Dimensions: 135 mm long, 34 mm wide at head
Weight: 116 g w/o battery
Material: aluminum w/ type II anodizing [tail threads NOT anodized]
Lens: glass
O-rings: 1 behind lens, 1 at head, one at tail.
Accessories: lanyard
No instructions, spare parts, clips or other parts are included.
Side by side comparison pics. Note: the large O-rings added to the R5c are not stock, this is my personal light.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:
UF R5c: A very close copy of the SP-6. At first glance the biggest difference is the finish. The R5c has a darker flat charcoal finish compared to the SP-6 steely blue / black satin finish. The R5c body, head and tailcap finish all match. Dimensional differences between the two lights are negligible.
The external O-rings on the UF R5c were added to aid grip, they are NOT stock.
The R5c tailcap is the one part that a difference is apparent. The scalloping in the R5c is shorter and shallower than the SP-6, but only a side-by-side comparison will reveal the difference. Both tails have lanyard cut-outs and can tailstand, but the R5c tail is slightly narrower so it will tail-stand but not securely.
The clicky boot on the R5c is orange like the SP-6 but not as high quality.
The reverse clicky switch operates smoothly at turn-on and a moderate touch will switch modes. Compared to the SP-6 tactical / forward switch, the R5c does take more pressure
Body tube comparison: R5c on left, SP-6 on right
The R5c is shorter overall due to its shorter tail threading.
The two cigar-grip body rings on the R5c are very similar to the SP-6 and provides good grip. The external grooves / cooling slots behind the head are identical.
The R5c has single O-rings at the tail and head, one O-ring under the front glass lens, and no O-ring around the bezel. In comparison the SP-6 has double O-rings at the tail threads and a single O-ring at the head threads with a second O-ring groove next to the head threading, one O-ring behind the lens and one O-ring at the base of the bezel.
The UF has a shallow "V" groove, unsuitable for a second O-ring at the head. Close inspection of both light's O-ring grooves reveals that they both reasonably meet O-ring machining standards.
head threading: R5c on left, SP-6 on right
Note the slight difference in machining between the head O-ring and the threading.
HEAD / TAIL COMPATABILITY:
Tailcap: The R5c tailcap will thread onto the SP-6 body but NOT fully seat due to the difference in tail thread length, the inner O-ring is exposed. The R5c tailcap will work on the SP-6 however. The SP-6 tailcap threads onto the R5c but does not work since it does not fully seat. The SP-6 twisty does not work on the R5c.
Careful examination of the R5c threads compared to the SP-6 reveals the R5c machining quality is just a tic below the SP-6. The threads are well cut to full depth / pitch. What the R5c lacks is the close tolerance, the SP-6 just fits together more smoothly and tightly.
Note: In the review pictures the threads look dirty, this is high temp silicone grease, I took the pictures before wiping off the excess lube.
Tailcap comparison: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
The R5c tail and tailcap threading is not anodized so twisty lock-out is not possible. Also, the tail threads are much shorter than the SP-6.
Tail threading 2: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
Tail thread comparison: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
Tail cap internal: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right [I did clean up the tailcap after looking at this picure, ^G]
Head: Both heads fully interchange. The UF head threads on more easily but also exhibits wider tolerances. The SP-6 head requires more torque to thread on with much tighter tolerance.
Head bezels: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
The R5c drop-in receiver is well machined with no anodization compared to the SP-6. Its internal dimension is about 0.3mm larger than the SP-6.
Body drop-in receiver: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
The crenelated bezel is an almost exact copy of the SP-6 but lacks the O-ring seal.
crenelated bezel: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
THE WEIGHT-IN
The SP-6 w/o battery weights in at 125.3 g, the R5c at 116.3 g or 7% less. The big difference is the SP-6 body is more than 3 grams heavier and the tail cap nearly 4 grams heavier. The R5c drop-in is about 1 gram lighter than the SP-6. A not surprising result since this is a low cost light, saving a few pennies for the raw casting.
HEAT MANAGEMENT
Running the SP-6 vs. the R5c side-by-side on high and measure the head temperatures over time. [calibrated 2 channel digital thermometer w/ K style thermocouples]
Light: SP-6 … R5c[XPG-R4] … R5c [XPG-R4 shimmed]
Ambient…. 23.8 … 23.8 … 23.8
Time
1 min … 25.6 … 24.3 … 26.3
5 min … 28.5 … 25.6 … 32.7
10 min … 31.8 … 27.0 … 39.5
15 min … 34.2 … 28.5 … 45.4
20 min … 35.7 … 30.2 … 49.6
25 min … 36.2 … 31.1 … 52.7
30 min … 38.8 … 33.0 … 54.1
The stock R5c does not have the close tolerance drop-in fit of the SP-6 so it lacks rapid heat transfer needed for a high output emitter. However, adding a shim will greatly improve heat transfer as shown by the XPG-R4 test w/ tightly shimmed drop-in
HANDLING
There is no significant difference between the two lights, both are a good solid handful. Either light drops into a pocket easily. Neither have sharp edges that would snag / tear pockets. The two body bands provide good grip for a cigar-style hold. The lack of knurling means either light could slip if wet. I've added a number of rubber O-rings to the R5c for additional grip and I'd recommend adding them to the SP-6.
DROP-IN
The UF drop-in is the ubiquitous DX marked "SuperBright R5" w/ a OP reflector. The driver [5 modes, no memory] is soldered at two points. The R5c drop-in inner and outer springs are of typical medium quality w/ gold plate over brass. The emitter is out-of-center by less than 1 mm.
The chief difference between the UniqueFire R5 and the SkyRay is the reflector, the SkyRay has a SMO reflector, the R5c is LOP, otherwise there is no significant difference.
Drop-in reflectors: R5c on left, SP-6 R2 on right
Drop-in comparison; contact springs. R5c on left, SP-6 on right
DROP-IN COMPATABILITY:
P60 compatability: Three different drop-ins were tried; the LF R2, the UF R5 [XPG], and a WW XRE Q3. All three worked in both lights w/ no flickering or other contact problems. Shaking/ bouncing or jarring the lights elicited NO flickering or mode changes.
BEAMSHOTS
The first pic is both lights on high f4 @ 1/100 sec using an Olympus C5060 set to 5000K color balance. The lights were placed 6 ft. from a beaded white projector screen.
beamshot 1; R5c on right, SP-6 on left
beamshot exposure –2; R5c on right, SP-6 on left
The R4 has more apparent output but is significantly "floodier", typical of the XPG emitter. The hotspot is misshapen due to the off-center emitter. The slightly irregular beam pattern is not evident in use.
The LF R2 is a neutral white tint [exactly as specified by LF]. The R5c XPG is a cool white tint.
SUMMARY
The SkyRay / UniqueFire / RQ [KD branded] R5c is a decent SP-6 clone for the money. If you like the style of the SP-6 then the R5c is a good economy choice, its P60 compatibility makes it a handy host for many emitter choices [including Lumens Factory drop-ins].
The standard 5 mode XP-G R4 drop-in provides a lot of output. The UF / RQ versions w/ the OP reflector offer a wide hotspot w/ moderate throw, the SkyRay w/ the SMO reflector offers more throw. One caveat, the R5c requires shimming to improve the drop-in to body heat transfer.
The UF R5c / XPG based light beats the LF SP-6 XRE R2 in total output. OTOH, the SP-6 R2 has a much better beam pattern and its neutral tint is preferred. Both the R5c and SP-6 throw a useful beam over 100 yds.
The R5c medium and low modes are useful but as has been said before; "the low ain't low enough". The strobe and SOS modes are useless and annoying.
After using both lights I will give the R5c a "good budget" rating. You can find many other "clone" lights that match it for output and build quality. But you won't find another P-60 host that has its unique good looks. The R5c uses Sure Fire "C" threads so it will "lego" with other "C" thread compatible accessories including SolarForce, Lumens Factory and FiveMega.
Since this is being posted in the Budget Lights forum I will also give the SP-6 a "best budget" rating. At a very reasonable $40 for the single mode R2 [Lighthound] the SP-6 is rugged, durable and has excellent output. It's built to use very high output incandescent bulbs w/ IMR batteries, making it an ideal host for MCE, P7 or even SST50 emitters.
This is my first review so bare with me…. This review was more work than I anticipated.
BACK STORY
Since the SkyRay was introduced by DX some months ago it has garnered high praise and a dedicated following in the "budget light" forum. I bought the UniqueFire R5 version in March 2010 since the original SkyRay sold out so quickly and have been very pleased with its performance. Recently, KD introduced their version, the RQ with XP-G, P7 and SST 50 emitters. I was impressed enough with the UF light that I ordered a pair of Lumens Factory SP-6 Seraph lights to use at work, both are single mode R2s.
I call this review "Clone Wars" since the DX / KD lights are VERY obvious clones of the Lumens Factory SP-6 Seraph.
So, just how good is the clone?
SPECIFICATIONS: UniqueFire R5 [hereafter referred to as the R5c]
UniqueFire / SkyRay / RQ lights
Emitter: Cree XP-G R4
Drop-in: P60 compatible w/ aluminum MOP reflector [UF / RQ] or aluminum SMO reflector [SkyRay]
Other emitters available: SSC P7 & Luminous SST50 [both KD]
Output: 5 modes; high, med, low, strobe [fast], SOS
Driver: no memory
Tailcap: reverse clicky w/ contact post [not spring]
Dimensions: 135 mm long, 34 mm wide at head
Weight: 116 g w/o battery
Material: aluminum w/ type II anodizing [tail threads NOT anodized]
Lens: glass
O-rings: 1 behind lens, 1 at head, one at tail.
Accessories: lanyard
No instructions, spare parts, clips or other parts are included.
Side by side comparison pics. Note: the large O-rings added to the R5c are not stock, this is my personal light.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:
UF R5c: A very close copy of the SP-6. At first glance the biggest difference is the finish. The R5c has a darker flat charcoal finish compared to the SP-6 steely blue / black satin finish. The R5c body, head and tailcap finish all match. Dimensional differences between the two lights are negligible.
The external O-rings on the UF R5c were added to aid grip, they are NOT stock.
The R5c tailcap is the one part that a difference is apparent. The scalloping in the R5c is shorter and shallower than the SP-6, but only a side-by-side comparison will reveal the difference. Both tails have lanyard cut-outs and can tailstand, but the R5c tail is slightly narrower so it will tail-stand but not securely.
The clicky boot on the R5c is orange like the SP-6 but not as high quality.
The reverse clicky switch operates smoothly at turn-on and a moderate touch will switch modes. Compared to the SP-6 tactical / forward switch, the R5c does take more pressure
Body tube comparison: R5c on left, SP-6 on right
The R5c is shorter overall due to its shorter tail threading.
The two cigar-grip body rings on the R5c are very similar to the SP-6 and provides good grip. The external grooves / cooling slots behind the head are identical.
The R5c has single O-rings at the tail and head, one O-ring under the front glass lens, and no O-ring around the bezel. In comparison the SP-6 has double O-rings at the tail threads and a single O-ring at the head threads with a second O-ring groove next to the head threading, one O-ring behind the lens and one O-ring at the base of the bezel.
The UF has a shallow "V" groove, unsuitable for a second O-ring at the head. Close inspection of both light's O-ring grooves reveals that they both reasonably meet O-ring machining standards.
head threading: R5c on left, SP-6 on right
Note the slight difference in machining between the head O-ring and the threading.
HEAD / TAIL COMPATABILITY:
Tailcap: The R5c tailcap will thread onto the SP-6 body but NOT fully seat due to the difference in tail thread length, the inner O-ring is exposed. The R5c tailcap will work on the SP-6 however. The SP-6 tailcap threads onto the R5c but does not work since it does not fully seat. The SP-6 twisty does not work on the R5c.
Careful examination of the R5c threads compared to the SP-6 reveals the R5c machining quality is just a tic below the SP-6. The threads are well cut to full depth / pitch. What the R5c lacks is the close tolerance, the SP-6 just fits together more smoothly and tightly.
Note: In the review pictures the threads look dirty, this is high temp silicone grease, I took the pictures before wiping off the excess lube.
Tailcap comparison: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
The R5c tail and tailcap threading is not anodized so twisty lock-out is not possible. Also, the tail threads are much shorter than the SP-6.
Tail threading 2: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
Tail thread comparison: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
Tail cap internal: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right [I did clean up the tailcap after looking at this picure, ^G]
Head: Both heads fully interchange. The UF head threads on more easily but also exhibits wider tolerances. The SP-6 head requires more torque to thread on with much tighter tolerance.
Head bezels: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
The R5c drop-in receiver is well machined with no anodization compared to the SP-6. Its internal dimension is about 0.3mm larger than the SP-6.
Body drop-in receiver: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
The crenelated bezel is an almost exact copy of the SP-6 but lacks the O-ring seal.
crenelated bezel: UF R5c on left, SP-6 on right
THE WEIGHT-IN
The SP-6 w/o battery weights in at 125.3 g, the R5c at 116.3 g or 7% less. The big difference is the SP-6 body is more than 3 grams heavier and the tail cap nearly 4 grams heavier. The R5c drop-in is about 1 gram lighter than the SP-6. A not surprising result since this is a low cost light, saving a few pennies for the raw casting.
HEAT MANAGEMENT
Running the SP-6 vs. the R5c side-by-side on high and measure the head temperatures over time. [calibrated 2 channel digital thermometer w/ K style thermocouples]
Light: SP-6 … R5c[XPG-R4] … R5c [XPG-R4 shimmed]
Ambient…. 23.8 … 23.8 … 23.8
Time
1 min … 25.6 … 24.3 … 26.3
5 min … 28.5 … 25.6 … 32.7
10 min … 31.8 … 27.0 … 39.5
15 min … 34.2 … 28.5 … 45.4
20 min … 35.7 … 30.2 … 49.6
25 min … 36.2 … 31.1 … 52.7
30 min … 38.8 … 33.0 … 54.1
The stock R5c does not have the close tolerance drop-in fit of the SP-6 so it lacks rapid heat transfer needed for a high output emitter. However, adding a shim will greatly improve heat transfer as shown by the XPG-R4 test w/ tightly shimmed drop-in
HANDLING
There is no significant difference between the two lights, both are a good solid handful. Either light drops into a pocket easily. Neither have sharp edges that would snag / tear pockets. The two body bands provide good grip for a cigar-style hold. The lack of knurling means either light could slip if wet. I've added a number of rubber O-rings to the R5c for additional grip and I'd recommend adding them to the SP-6.
DROP-IN
The UF drop-in is the ubiquitous DX marked "SuperBright R5" w/ a OP reflector. The driver [5 modes, no memory] is soldered at two points. The R5c drop-in inner and outer springs are of typical medium quality w/ gold plate over brass. The emitter is out-of-center by less than 1 mm.
The chief difference between the UniqueFire R5 and the SkyRay is the reflector, the SkyRay has a SMO reflector, the R5c is LOP, otherwise there is no significant difference.
Drop-in reflectors: R5c on left, SP-6 R2 on right
Drop-in comparison; contact springs. R5c on left, SP-6 on right
DROP-IN COMPATABILITY:
P60 compatability: Three different drop-ins were tried; the LF R2, the UF R5 [XPG], and a WW XRE Q3. All three worked in both lights w/ no flickering or other contact problems. Shaking/ bouncing or jarring the lights elicited NO flickering or mode changes.
BEAMSHOTS
The first pic is both lights on high f4 @ 1/100 sec using an Olympus C5060 set to 5000K color balance. The lights were placed 6 ft. from a beaded white projector screen.
beamshot 1; R5c on right, SP-6 on left
beamshot exposure –2; R5c on right, SP-6 on left
The R4 has more apparent output but is significantly "floodier", typical of the XPG emitter. The hotspot is misshapen due to the off-center emitter. The slightly irregular beam pattern is not evident in use.
The LF R2 is a neutral white tint [exactly as specified by LF]. The R5c XPG is a cool white tint.
SUMMARY
The SkyRay / UniqueFire / RQ [KD branded] R5c is a decent SP-6 clone for the money. If you like the style of the SP-6 then the R5c is a good economy choice, its P60 compatibility makes it a handy host for many emitter choices [including Lumens Factory drop-ins].
The standard 5 mode XP-G R4 drop-in provides a lot of output. The UF / RQ versions w/ the OP reflector offer a wide hotspot w/ moderate throw, the SkyRay w/ the SMO reflector offers more throw. One caveat, the R5c requires shimming to improve the drop-in to body heat transfer.
The UF R5c / XPG based light beats the LF SP-6 XRE R2 in total output. OTOH, the SP-6 R2 has a much better beam pattern and its neutral tint is preferred. Both the R5c and SP-6 throw a useful beam over 100 yds.
The R5c medium and low modes are useful but as has been said before; "the low ain't low enough". The strobe and SOS modes are useless and annoying.
After using both lights I will give the R5c a "good budget" rating. You can find many other "clone" lights that match it for output and build quality. But you won't find another P-60 host that has its unique good looks. The R5c uses Sure Fire "C" threads so it will "lego" with other "C" thread compatible accessories including SolarForce, Lumens Factory and FiveMega.
Since this is being posted in the Budget Lights forum I will also give the SP-6 a "best budget" rating. At a very reasonable $40 for the single mode R2 [Lighthound] the SP-6 is rugged, durable and has excellent output. It's built to use very high output incandescent bulbs w/ IMR batteries, making it an ideal host for MCE, P7 or even SST50 emitters.
