Solarforce L2 impressions (Cree R2 5-mode)

[king2penn]

Is it possible to use 3x18650 batts or even 4x18650 batts for the L2?

 

[old4570]

Is it possible to use 3x18650 batts or even 4x18650 batts for the L2?

The single mode Pill is rated to 18volts .. But they recommend 12v as max .

So in theory ? a few more 18650 extensions .

 

[Black Rose]

Is gunmetal and silver grey the same color?

I think so.

The grey L2 I ordered looks more like gunmetal/dark titanium than grey.

 

[iWiLL]

UltraFire WF-503B Cree R2-WC 230-Lumen LED Flashlight - Grey (DX 19617)
Solarforce L2D-R2M-18650 (solarforcestore)

I got both lights today and did a quick comparison.

The finish of both lights is nice, the UltraFire WF-503B has some very small scratches, the Solarforce is flaw less.
The head of the UltraFire WF-503B I received has a big dent, must have happed prior shipping, because the package was fine (I hope I will get a new one).

The colour of the WF-503B is olive ore olive-grey, all parts have a slightly different shade.
The switch on the Solarforce is quite hard.
The Surfire compatible threads on the Solarforce are great, the threads on the UltraFire, on the other hand, are very small and flat.
The Solarforce came with a blue, unprotected 18650 battery (not from Solarforce) and a Solarforce holster.

The single mode dropin that came with the UltraFire is labelled "Super Bright R2" and seems to be a bit brighter than the 5-mode Solarforce dropin (red label, with memory mode).

The damaged head:

 

[DHart]

UltraFire WF-503B Cree R2-WC 230-Lumen LED Flashlight - Grey (DX 19617)
Solarforce L2D-R2M-18650 (solarforcestore)

I got both lights today and did a quick comparison.

The Ultrafire also has what looks to be the same or similar cheesy black plastic lens retaining ring that Surefire uses on the 6P. The Solarforce L2 with flush bezel lens retaining ring, on the other hand, uses a beautiful stainless steel retaining ring - very nice for accessing the lens without marring a soft plastic ring..

You might want to compare the finishing on the edges of the lens... on my Ultrafire, the lens edge is sharp, rough and raw, whereas on the Solarforce, the lens edge is smooth and nicely finished. I think the Solarforce lights are in a whole league well-above Ultrafire, for just a few more dollars.

 

[iWiLL]

You might want to compare the finishing on the edges of the lens... on my Ultrafire, the lens edge is sharp, rough and raw, whereas on the Solarforce, the lens edge is smooth and nicely finished. I think the Solarforce lights are in a whole league well-above Ultrafire, for just a few more dollars.

Yes indeed, the lens and the sealing is very nice on the Solarforce. I am pretty sure the Ultrafire has just an o-ring or not even that, but there is no way to open my smashed Ultrafire head.
No doubt, the Solarforce L2 is the better light and the better deal, but I have to admit I like the Ultrafires olive colour.

 

[jake25]

I Will Solarforce makes a gunmetal color which is pretty simliar to OD

 

[rmteo]

As jake25 mentioned, the gunmetal color L2 is very similar to WF-503B.

 

[s.c.]

just got my 5-mode R2. It really is unbeatable for the price. I do have a question though. Is it normal to have a delay when switching modes? My other multi-mode lights change instantly, this one seems to take its time, probably only several tenths of a second.

 

[DHart]

just got my 5-mode R2. It really is unbeatable for the price. I do have a question though. Is it normal to have a delay when switching modes? My other multi-mode lights change instantly, this one seems to take its time, probably only several tenths of a second.

I have two Solarforce R2-M 5-mode 4.2v-8.4v red/orange label lamp assemblies. One is sluggy like yours... and the strobe speed is sluggy. The other is sprightly in mode changes and strobe speed. Interestingly, the sprightly changing one has 25% less output on high than the sluggy one. Overall, the consistency of the red/orange label R2 modules is very disconcerting.

In addition to that, the sluggy one has same high output whether single cell or two cells, whereas the sprightly one has good out put with two cells but much less output with a single cell. Perhaps the one lamp has a boost circuit in it and the other does not? In any event, these two samples are NOT built the same, even though the labeling and appearance is identical.

On the other hand, I have three Solarforce R2-M 5-mode 3.7v purple label lamp modules which are virtually instantaneous in mode changes, sprightly in strobe speed, and much hotter output. I ordered the 3.7v lamps to replace the multi-voltage lamps as I prefer to power my 3P's and 6P's with single cells (16340 in the 3P's and 18650 in the 6P's). I've been very happy with the Solarforce purple label 3.7v 5-mode R2-M lamps.

 

[s.c.]

Thanks for replying. I figured as no one else has mentioned it, mine is the minority. The delay is rather annoying. Also, does the PWM on med and low bother anyone else? It is rather evident on low on mine.

 

[Norm]

I am pretty sure the Ultrafire has just an o-ring or not even that, but there is no way to open my smashed Ultrafire head.

The Ultrafire does have an O ring under the lens.
The WF-503B I have (also from DX) arrived in pristine condition, fingers crossed that they replace at least the head for you if not the whole light.
Norm

 

[Black Rose]

just got my 5-mode R2. It really is unbeatable for the price. I do have a question though. Is it normal to have a delay when switching modes? My other multi-mode lights change instantly, this one seems to take its time, probably only several tenths of a second.

The Solarforce LC-1 5-mode with memory that came in my Grey L2 is a little bit sluggish between mode changes.

The Super Bright R2 that came in my black Solarforce L2 changes modes quickly.

 

[Black Rose]

Both of mine have what I perceive to be a light oil smell.

I wiped the black one with a kleenex last night and some black residue came off it.
I think I'll try some 99% isopropyl alcohol that I normally use to degunk threads and see if that gets rid of it.

FYI, I wiped both of my L2s down with 99% isopropyl alcohol and the oily smell is now almost completely gone.

 

[Black Rose]

You may recall that I noted in one of the Solarforce L2 threads that the black L2 R2M that I had received had a Super Bright R2 5-mode drop-in that did not have memory.

I also received a grey L2 R2M that came with a Solarforce branded LC-1 R2 5-mode with memory.

Today I received a drop-in.

It looks and functions exactly like the Solarforce LC-1 (red label) with one exception....it has a Super Bright R2 sticker :candle:



Sooooo....simply based on the three 5-mode drop-in samples I have here in front of me:

• if you have a Solarforce R2M with a Super Bright R2 5-mode drop-in that has an all brass base, you probably have a 5-mode with memory.
• if you have a Solarforce R2M with a Super Bright R2 5-mode drop-in that has an aluminum/brass combination base, you probably have a 5-mode without memory.

 

[NonSenCe]

..sigh..

now im without my solarforce..:scowl:

friend of mine stole it.

he saw it.
eyes glazed over.
and yanked it out of my hand.
muttered something like "its mine, preciousssss.."
and kept looking at it "looks like titanium but aint.. sweet"
i said "you want one too..?"
he said "no, i keep this one.."

so i said "umm..fine, i order myself another one then"

and while he went to dark room to play with it..
i went to his wallet
and took 30 out of it. 🙂:wave:

-ordered new one just now.

maybe will later get one of those sets with cr123 body too.. and possibly need to get few more next week if my friends coworkers like it too (much)

 

[old4570]

..sigh..

now im without my solarforce..:scowl:

friend of mine stole it.

he saw it.
eyes glazed over.
and yanked it out of my hand.
muttered something like "its mine, preciousssss.."
and kept looking at it "looks like titanium but aint.. sweet"
i said "you want one too..?"
he said "no, i keep this one.."

so i said "umm..fine, i order myself another one then"

and while he went to dark room to play with it..
i went to his wallet
and took 30 out of it. 🙂:wave:

-ordered new one just now.

maybe will later get one of those sets with cr123 body too.. and possibly need to get few more next week if my friends coworkers like it too (much)

Yeah !! That'l happen .. 😀

 

[phantom23]

After long waiting, Solarforce L2 sand is in my hands:twothumbs

Finish is somewhere between glossy and matt. A littke bit more copper than gold hue. I got it with noname 2800mAh unprotected cell, 3,7-4,2V module has only R2 sticker on it:

First impressions - nice finish, good threads, bright on high, too bright on med and low, ugly beam.

 

[adder]

guys i am looking for a flashlight around 30$ and in bessiebenny part 4 review there is a review of the solarforce SF6-R2 http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=199062
is that different from the light mentioned in this thread in terms of light output,since in the bessiebenny review the SF6-R2 has a light output of 4300lux and there are other flashlights like the ultrafire WF-400 with cree Q2 that has higher ouput of 5400lux,not to mention the test shots also confirm the same.

also i came across this light http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2878285&postcount=286 and this one has a cree Q5 output of 10500 lux and if u follow the KD link in that review it has now been replaced by the cree R2 version SKU: S004798 which according the KD own test has a 15000 lux at high.so i am confused is the solarforce mentioned in this thread the same as the one mentioned in bessibenny review if not how does it compare to the other lights that i mentioned.

 

[old4570]

Throw / Measured by finding the hottest part of the beam on a light meter about one meter from the flashlight .

Light box readings are more about total output .

Throw can be good if you need to see stuff a real long way away , but total output might be better around the house where lighting up dark corners is better with more spill / flood so you can see more .. Like lighting up the entire back yard rather than part of it ...

If you want something for around the house , DX has plenty of SSC P7 flashlights to chose from , from $30 and up .