Illum
Flashaholic
Cheers to DM51 for moving it to the flashlight reviews subforum Due to recent imageshack server incompetence and complaints regarding popups the pictorial contents of this review is hosted in photobucket and all pictures have been resized to 800x600, well within the forums regulations :wave:
While shopping for gifts for a particular CPF member I came across this light. the name NightFire caught my eye, I'm sure you all know what it is so I'm not going discuss it
Product: River Rock NightFire 2C CREE
Black/Aluminum, probably type II anodized
Body Dimensions: 6-14/16" length, 1-1/16" diameter
Body thickness: 1/32"
Bezel diameter: 1-6/16"
Tailcap Dimensions: [length] 1-1/4" [diameter] 1-3/16"
Initial Impressions:
The nightFire is definitely what I would consider a good quality flashlight. It boasts a estimated 21 hours maximum regulaton and up to 60 hours total (not yet verified), smooth spot with good overall output and throw, well machined and parts fit together nicely. The body feels very sturdy, with the addition of being the only CREE equipped flashling on the shelf, I decided to try my luck with a China made light. The window appears to be lexan. I rapped my finernail on it and the sound was sort of hollow. The reflector is what I would call a heavy orange peel, as the texture is far more agressive than FM's MOP reflectors and the reflector in my L4.
The use of 2 C cells rather than the more cumbersome D's nor the slick but useless AAAs is definitely a plus. I am unsure of what bin the CREE is, though i am aware it is at least a Q4 or higher having counted four bond wires on top of the silver substrate.
A green ring was mated to the body towards the bezel presumedly for decoration purposes. I found it funny to find myself comparing picks of the fenix TK10 with its gold ring towards the tail end:huh:
Ergonomics: The NightFire seems a bit big, I'm asian and our hands are probably not the best tools for comparing lights
. It is easy to use in a "ice pick" manner by holding the light in the palm and engaging the switch with the thumb. Overall the light is of good proportion and balance.enough talk, heres some pics
Package material, i should've took a pic when it was still intact but I guess i got too excited about it.
The light compared to a couple well known lights
Body Shots [for reference, the Ronson lighter is 2.5" long]
The Tailcap is a foward clicky with very sensitive momentary contact, it produces a very definite and tactile *click* when pressed down all the way.
It is recessed approximately 3/16" to allow tailstanding. The Tailcap can be locked out via one half turn.
The reflector, it appears to be crimped in along with the window so i am unable to remove the reflector and give appropriate dimensions.
The "CREE XLamp" turned out to be a 7090 star held down by a threaded ring similar to the dorcy 3D 1 watt. I'm not sure whether there is a viable heatsinking bridge underneath. [see update below]
Pics of the emitter [Note the machining abrasion (not on the CREE)
oo:]
It looks so excited
As for water resistance, I gave it a dunk and it seemed to hold itself together without letting water in. Some bubbles were observed coming off of the rubber boot but no water was found from the switch compartment after drying it off.
[Pros and Cons of the light are based on the preliminary evaluation]
Pros:huh:
- HOP reflector, there is absolutely NO artifacts detected in the center of the beam, only some "hairs" on the outer margin.
- Very wide spill
- No distinctive hotspot beyond six feet that I could tell, smooth transition in between. Could be a cheap alternative to the L4
- Uses C alkalines, widely available if you plan to travel the international waters :thumbsup:
- Recessed foward clicky
- Scalloped bezel
- Removeable bezel with o-ring makes future LED swaps easier.
- Can tailstand with or without lanyard
- Good heatsinking
- Rates average in throw
- Dry threads on arrival
- Battery rattles
- [CREE Lottery] Distinct purple hue in the CREE's tint, but not as terrible as the YA tint luxeons :sick2:
- No antiroll feature unless the lanyard is installed
- May be slippery when wet, the body has no knurling whatsoever
Its a pretty decent light for the money [$30]. I would definitely recommend it as a light to medium duty task light to anyone who prefers a single mode, two Alkaline celled CREE.
So what? wheres the beamshots!?
yeah, thats coming up...as soon as the camera charger burps up a green light
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