Solarforce L900M: first impressions

[gingerscot]

Hey everyone, new to the forums so be nice

Been browsing for a while though and as a result I can blame you all for spending money on a:

Zebralight H30....Fenix P3D (which promptly got nicked!)...Fenix PD30.....Fenix TK11....Fenix P1D....and finally a Solarpower L900M

After buying the TK11 and comparing to the PD30 I realised there was really little overall difference in the output and so ventured into the P7 territory. I was going to go for the cheapy ebay P7 or MC-E light but in the end went for the L900M for the quality build. I'm from the UK by the way choice is always slightly limited.

First impressions are the massive reflector! It's odd, its not massive really but the single Cree lights are so small that relative it dwarfs the fenix lot and its reflector is about the same width as the length of the P1D

Output: Not too bad You really do take a step back when you turn this baby on indoors. Its beam is wider than my H30 and the spill is orders of magnitude brighter and the whole beam is soooo smooth. Its a pleasure turning it on honestly. Its so smooth that I cant really compare the throw beam size to the Tk11 as theres no clear cutoff but its certainly bigger.

Unfortunately I live in the city in a flat so outdoor shots are tricky but here are some indoor shots! I freely admit that this isn't the best comparison but it should give you some idea. When I get a chance I'll find somewhere quiet (centre of Edinburgh..unlikely!) and take a few shots.

2x 11W (energy saving so 60W eqv ish) Incandescents I believe

A cheapy 12x 5mm LED headtorch

ZebraLight H30 full

P1D Turbo

PD30 Turbo

TK11 Turbo

Solarforce L900M low

Solarforce L900M high

As you can see it seems the L900M pretty much beats the Tk11 on low for overlight. Throw is more difficult to measure in my meager flat and i'll try and deal with that shortly. But its certainly no worse. Regulation and thermal issues I can't comment on yet but no noticeable heat build up after a few minutes. The batteries do rattle slightly but otherwise quality seems top notch although its abit awkward with the turn off turn on, hold for low hold for high to change between modes.

Thanks! Dave

 

[taiji]

thanks for the write up. I am contemplating one obtaining one. This is the 1*18650, correct?

 

[Firehawk1227]

It uses 2x18650. The L900 uses 3x18650

 

[toby_pra]

Thanks for the nice review...

 

[gingerscot]

Thanks guys!

Yep 2x18650 version as it makes it more managable weight and size wise. I've realised now that i could have overexposed the images abit more as you can barely see anything till the last image I suppose that does show the difference though. I'll try and get some more shots over the weekend at some point and see if there are any thermal issues.

Dave

 

[MrGman]

I have one of these and haven't had time to do it any justice in a good review. It is comparable with a more Throw beam pattern than my Malkoff triple drop in a 4C maglight. When the weather gets better I plan on doing outdoor beamshot video to compare the two in the backyard with all my friendly "targets". G.

Overall its a very handy light. High mode draws 1.9 amps and low mode was drawing 0.67A on freshly charged batteries. 670mA is nothing for 2X18650 batteries but very useful amount of light so it makes a good overall searchlight. Makes a stock maglight look sick as usual.