Smartfire V-68C Q5 MRV Clone

[ernsanada]

I just got the Smartfire V-68C Q5 MRV Clone from Deal Extreme.

Cost $27.16 + .01 cents shipping.

From ordering to receiving the light took a total of 12 days. Shipping took 7 days to Socal.

Fit is good.

Type II Anodize is good. There are some small spots showing the aluminum.

All o-rings not lubed. The bezel has one o-ring. The rear threads for the rear clickie has two o-rings.

Reverse rear clickie. Has high, low, fast blink and SOS. Does not remember last setting. Half press or hard press the rear clickie to make it change modes. You have to make sure press the center of the rear clickie to make switch work.

The reflector is aluminum and almost the same size as the Lumapower MRV reflector.

Has a glass lens.

Has Aluminum SMO Reflector.

Beam is different from the MRV. The V-68 Q5 has a larger corona and has slight yellow ring around the corona. The ring is off center from the corona. The MRV has a tighter corona with no rings around the beam.

The length is almost the same as the MRV.

The difference is the build quality, that goes to the MRV. The Lumapower MRV comes with Type III Hard Anodize. The MRV feels more solid. The rear clickie feels a lot better on the MRV.

The battery tube has four flats and each flat has different lettering on it.

This light will make a good work light for me. Not expensive and I wouldn't care if it gets banged up.

Rear view of the Cree Q5 Module from the rear of the battery tube.

Note the rust on the spring.

Look at the bare aluminum. It could have been finished nicer.

AW's Protected 18650 fits with ample room.

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Size comparisons.

Left, Smartfire V-68C Q5. Right, Lumapower MRV 1st Gen.

Left, Smartfire V-68C Q5. Right, Lumapower MRV 1st Gen.

Left, Smartfire V-68C Q5. Right, Lumapower MRV 1st Gen.

Smartfire V-68C Q5 Reflector
Height - 31.53mm or 1.24"
Circumference - 41.82 or 1.64"

Lumapower MRV 1st Gen. Reflector
Height - 31.41mm or 1.23"
Circumference - 41.86mm or 1.64"


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These are the lux readings I got. I am using a Meterman LM631 Light Meter measured at 1 meter. I waited 2 minutes before taking the readings. I am using AW's Protected 18650 which were fully charged.

Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 - 8,888 lux @ 1 meter

Lumapower MRV 1st gen. SMO 18650 - 8110 lux @ 1 meter


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Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 @ 92"

Lumapower MRV 1st gen. SMO 18650 @ 92"

Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 @ 92" Stepped down exposure

Lumapower MRV 1st gen. SMO 18650 @ 92" Stepped down exposure

Left, Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650. Right, Lumapower MRV 1st gen. SMO 18650 @ 92"

Left, Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650. Right, Lumapower MRV 1st gen. SMO 18650 @ 92" Stepped down exposure

Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 @ 32' shutter speed = 2", aperture = f7.6, iso = 64. Had wrong aperture selected. Corrected aperture below.

Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 @ 32' shutter speed = 2", aperture = f2.7, iso = 64

Lumapower MRV 1st gen. SMO 18650 @ 32'

 

[ernsanada]

Both rear clickie assemblies are interchangeable. They both screw on and off with no problems.

 

[LukeA]

What does the LED get? Looks like about 500mA compared to the MRV.

 

[nanotech17]

From the light meter reading the DX light is a clear winner.
But from the outdoor beamshots the MRV is a clear winner :thinking:
Was the switch tailcap set on low?

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

From the light meter reading the DX light is a clear winner.
But from the outdoor beamshots the MRV is a clear winner :thinking:
Was the switch tailcap set on low?

I was wondering the same thing?

 

[Jay T]

After looking at the beam shots I had to scroll back up through the review to make sure the pictures of the head didn't show a Luxeon 1.

 

[ernsanada]

From the light meter reading the DX light is a clear winner.
But from the outdoor beamshots the MRV is a clear winner :thinking:
Was the switch tailcap set on low?

Took another photo to be sure.

Ist

Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 @ 32'

2nd

Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 @ 32'

The tailcap was set on high.

 

[selfbuilt]

Hi Ernie - I see you beat me to it, as usual.

Just posted my review, and concur with most of your observations about overall build. Frankly, I am not very impressed.

But clearly I got a different circuit, since my max output is in keeping with a dedicated 18650-only Q4/Q5 light (i.e. much brighter than a 1st gen MRV on 18650). Unfortunately, everything else about my circuit is not so rosy, as detailed in my review. :ironic:

Thanks for outdoor shots ... a little too much snow here in Canada to show much of interest, I'm afraid.

 

[ernsanada]

The MRV Lens Bezel Assembly will screw on to the Smartfire V-68C.

Smartfire V-68C Q5 MRV Lens Bezel Assembly SMO 18650 @ 32'

This is the Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO with it's own Lens Bezel Assembly.

Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 @ 32'

The Lumapower MRV 1st Gen. Reflector gives a tighter beam than the Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO.

When I use the Lumapower MRV 1st Gen. Lens Bezel Assembly on the Smartfire V-68C Q5 Lens Bezel Assembly the ugly ring is gone and the beam looks centered.


The Smartfire V-68C Cree Q5 sits higher than the Lumapower MRV's Cree.

Left, Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO. Right, Lumapower MRV 1st Gen.

 

[ernsanada]

When I shine my Smartfire V-68C Q5 about 25" from a wall I start to get a hole in the beam. It gets more noticeable as I get closer.

If I use the MRV Lens Bezel Assembly on the Smartfire V-68C Q5 I do not get the hole in the beam close up.

 

[Rzr800]

I just wanted to thank both of you guys (ernsanada and selfbuilt) for the time and effort you put into these two reviews. This light (not received) is my first KD or DX purchase and it is almost unbelievable (in my mind) to receive this kind of quality information in regards to such an inexpensive and somewhat obscure item. Kudos out to CPF also for making these kinds of things possible; as I don't know where else this would ever happen in this product category.

 

[blinky]

Great review!

I think I can explain the outdoor shots.

Exif info for Smartfire shot: shutter speed = 2", apperture = f7.6, iso = 64
Exif info for Lumapower shot: shutter speed = 2", apperture = f2.7, iso = 64

Thus the camera is receiving almost 3 stops (or 8 times) more light for the Lumapower shot.

 

[ernsanada]

Great review!

I think I can explain the outdoor shots.

Exif info for Smartfire shot: shutter speed = 2", apperture = f7.6, iso = 64
Exif info for Lumapower shot: shutter speed = 2", apperture = f2.7, iso = 64

Thus the camera is receiving almost 3 stops (or 8 times) more light for the Lumapower shot.

I will retake the outdoor shots. I have to make sure I re-check the aperature.

 

[ernsanada]

Corrected aperture settings on the Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 @ 32'


Lumapower MRV 1st gen. SMO 18650 @ 32'

Smartfire V-68C Q5 SMO 18650 @ 32'

Thanks for catching my error Blinky!

 

[ernsanada]

Great review!

I think I can explain the outdoor shots.

Exif info for Smartfire shot: shutter speed = 2", apperture = f7.6, iso = 64
Exif info for Lumapower shot: shutter speed = 2", apperture = f2.7, iso = 64

Thus the camera is receiving almost 3 stops (or 8 times) more light for the Lumapower shot.

blinky,

Thanks for catching my error on the wrong aperture I set on my camera. I remember at the time I was fumbling around with my camera trying to take a picture in the dark. I did mess with the aperature but forgot to check what it was set to.

I should have checked the obvious because the Smartfire V-68C Q5 had higher lux readings.

 

[blinky]

The real thanks goes to you, ernsanada, for doing the review. I've enjoyed every one of your reviews. All of your photos are excellent. Keep up the good work.

Happy New Year!
Blinky.

 

[taschenlampe]

Thank you for the review ernsanada!

So the Smartfire V-68C Q5 is much brighter than the Lumapower MRV 1st gen..

Could you replace the picture with the wrong f-number in your first post with the
right one – it is misleading if one only reads the first post.


tl

 

[ernsanada]

Thank you for the review ernsanada!

So the Smartfire V-68C Q5 is much brighter than the Lumapower MRV 1st gen..

Could you replace the picture with the wrong f-number in your first post with the
right one – it is misleading if one only reads the first post.


tl

Thanks for the suggestion.

Now the first post is fixed as per request.

 

[ernsanada]

My V-68C came with a plastic cover for the emitter. It fits loose not secured. Once the bezel lens is screwed down the pressure from the reflector holds it down.

 

[ernsanada]

Double Post