Sunwayman M20C and T20C

[ledtorchfinder]

You've been so helpful I'm back for more. I'm flipping between the Sunwayman M20C R5 and the T20C - I'm happy with either either look, and either UI.

What it comes down to is accurate running times and lumens (I'm aware they list T20C with 158 more on high)...

I have googled, read reviews and read retailers information for both torches ( although I couldn't find many running times on the M20C ) and they seem to vary wildly. I'm aware of the ANSI Standards, but I can't find reference to it on Sunwayman.com

For example;

T20C (same battery configuration);
sunwayman.com | 438 Lumens (2.5hrs) → 70 Lumens (35hrs) → 10 Lumen (200hr)
goinggear.com | 438 Lumens (2hrs) → 70 Lumens (15hrs) → 10 Lumens (50hrs)
Candle Power Forums User | 438 Lumens (2.2hrs apprx) → 70 Lumens (16hrs apprx)

And Candle Power Forum User suggests max Lumens for the TC20 is 260 from his tests.

Basically a bunch of retailers have figure that goinggear.com has (I emailed them, and they said this is the stats they were sent by Sunwayman), and a bunch have sunwayman.com figures.

I'm aware I could be reading these table completely incorrectly, and at the end of the day it probably doesn't make that much difference to me ('unenlightened'), but I was hoping there would be 'official' 'accurate' figures to go by somewhere...

Thank you!

 

[peterharvey73]

Should your thread read "Sunwayman V20C and T20C"?
The M20C XP-G R5 now has a cousin called the V20C XM-L T6 438 lumens infinitely variable.
Check out the V20C...

 

[ledtorchfinder]

Should your thread read "Sunwayman V20C and T20C"?
The M20C XP-G R5 now has a cousin called the V20C XM-L T6 438 lumens infinitely variable.
Check out the V20C...

Not a fan of the V20C, after the complaints of the UI.

 

[AaronG]

Interesting.... What were the complaints about the UI? Do you have a link to the thread?

The only thing that seemed iffy to me would be how they acuate strobe. I haven't heard any negative reports though.

 

[ledtorchfinder]

Interesting.... What were the complaints about the UI? Do you have a link to the thread?

Here. It comes down to how much space it takes to turn the control ring to get from min to max brightness.

 

[peterharvey73]

Yes, the V20C has a control ring that rotates roughly only a quarter of a turn - so a slight rotation will cause a dramatic rise in brightness etc!
The V10R single cell CR123 has roughly 180 degree rotation of the ring.
In fact, the more lumen output, the greater the ring travel should be.

So back to the M10C and the T20C.
I don't know precise outputs or run times.

The T20C forces a 4 finger over the body overhand grip to operate the tail end switch.
The M20C has the overhand grip to switch it on/off, then the underhand handshake grip to operate the magnetic ring.

The T20C is an XM-L emitter with lots of total light volume @ 438 lumens, but the big 2mm by 2mm XM-L emitter to 1.333 inch head diameter/reflector size ratio is providing a heavy bias towards flooding sideways, and not much throw longitudinally.
The M20C R5 is a smaller emitter with less total light volume @ 280 lumens, but the smaller emitter at some 1.25mm by 1.25mm to 1.333 inch head diameter/reflector size ratio provides a lesser proportion of flood laterally, and more throw longitudinally.

The T20C will have a brighter flood/spill, and a larger hotspot, however that larger hotspot is less bright.
The M20C will have a flood/spill that is less bright, and a smaller size hotspot, but that smaller hotspot will be brighter!

The differences are great.
Choose what suits you really.

Personally, I think that the XM-L is too floody in flashlights with a small compact head, and not enuff throw.
The R2 has the smallest emitter of the three at 1mm by 1mm, so has the least flood, and best throw.
The R5 is a good balance, esp for flashlights with such compact 1.333 inch size heads...

 

[ledtorchfinder]

The differences are great.
Choose what suits you really.

Thank you for that run down, a good informative read. I was originally going by run time but the flood vs throw is probably a better guide and you've answered all my question. So thank you.

It's come down to flood vs throw, tail switch vs magnetic ring, grip vs smooth. I'm hopeless and making decisions when it comes to money. Sydney, Australia needs a store for me to go play in.

Thanks.

 

[Napalm]

Yes, the V20C has a control ring that rotates roughly only a quarter of a turn - so a slight rotation will cause a dramatic rise in brightness etc!

Yeah, it will give you a hard time for those applications where you need to dial in 149.95 lumens exactly.

Nap. 😉

 

[peterharvey73]

Sydney, Australia needs a store for me to go play in.

Try contacting these guys for a demo:
Newpro-Tech
PO BOX 365 BRIGHTON LE SANDS
SYDNEY NSW 2216
E-mail us: [email protected]

A demo on their RRT-2 R5 or Jet IIIM R5 versus their new Jet IIIM XM-L will give you a rough idea...

 

[roadkill1109]

Yes, the V20C has a control ring that rotates roughly only a quarter of a turn - so a slight rotation will cause a dramatic rise in brightness etc!
The V10R single cell CR123 has roughly 180 degree rotation of the ring.
In fact, the more lumen output, the greater the ring travel should be.

Just wanted to update this thread.

As of August 2011, Sunwayman/Sunwayled have sorted out the control ring issue. It now does what its supposed to. So those fears of having a hard time controlling the light is now gone. Though it being affected by an external magnet may not have been sorted out.

[video]www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dp0ZI2NHdU[/video]

All things considered, this is a good light. IMHO, the lesser the actuations on the mechanical clicky and the lesser the twisting of the head (thus wearing out the o-rings) the lesser chances of the light failing. In the end, the light is more DURABLE.

 

[peterharvey73]

It's excellent to hear that Sunwayman has sorted this issue out.
Sunwayman is really listening to customers.
Sunwayman is a company that has the potential to quickly overtake Jetbeam in foreseeable future...

 

[Lou Minescence]

I read on lightreviews that the control ring issue on the V20C was corrected :

"[Update: 14 August, 2011] The Sunwayman V20C has been updated, and is now has the control ring thoroughly responsive throughout the output range."

I have not found confirmation anywhere else about that. How can you tell you are getting an updated light and not old inventory ?

Maybe after the free mini flashlight offer is over, you can be sure of recieving an updated V20C.

 

[Grizzlyb]

Sunwayman is really listening to customers.

We have the same experience with this Company. We wrote to several Companys like SF, Fenix, Wiseled and Sunwayman for tips and advice about their products.
In the end, Sunwayman was the only company that reacted positively and asked how they could help us making changes to their product to accommodate us.
They really made the changes specially for us. Good customer oriented Company

 

[Lou Maan]

I have to say, I wanted the V20C when it first came out but all the negative reviews deterred me from getting it. I eventually did get it after getting the M20C (both versions) and the T20C and let me tell you that the control ring is perfect. I can easily select any desired brightness quickly and very precisely right down from virtual nothingness (must be 0.00001 lumen) to the max. It is IMPRESSIVE. And now with the crenelated bezel, in my opinion, it is the most versatile light in the world for camping, self defense, walking in the house at night, etc. (the best I've seen anyway and I own quite a few lights).

 

[Le-trmr]

I am sorry to resurrect, but:
I can not confirm on the sunwayman website, if the V20C now in fact has a crenelated bezel.
It rather looks like the flat one it did have from the beginning.
Would someone care to enlighten?

EDIT: Someone did.. it's aftermarket.

 

[peterharvey73]

The V20C has a flat bezel as far as I know.
However, you can ask Selfbuilt about crenelated bezels; he might know because he actually did a thorough review on the V20C here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?323091

 

[cablemedic]

i apologize in advance I'm very new to forums i might be off topic regarding the sunwayman TC 20 does anyone have any experience regarding if the switch should be a true clicky or is it supposed to feel so spongy.

 

[T45]

Just curious, but if anyone has both the V20C and the M20C, and or the T20CS, can you tell me if their tail caps are interchangeable? one can be used on the other? I bought a M20C from Going Gears 2013 Garage Sale and really like the light except for that tail cap. I prefer my tail caps to be like the one found on a Surefire Z41. If the tail caps are interchangeable, I hope to convince SWM to sell me one from the T20CS, which they have refused to do so far, or replace it under warranty and get it exchanged then.

 

[boris22]

Just curious, but if anyone has both the V20C and the M20C, and or the T20CS, can you tell me if their tail caps are interchangeable? one can be used on the other? I bought a M20C from Going Gears 2013 Garage Sale and really like the light except for that tail cap. I prefer my tail caps to be like the one found on a Surefire Z41. If the tail caps are interchangeable, I hope to convince SWM to sell me one from the T20CS, which they have refused to do so far, or replace it under warranty and get it exchanged then.

I have the M20c and T20cs and the tail caps are interchangeable.

 

[T45]

Thank you Boris22! Now all I have to do is get an extra tail cap from Sunwayman :thinking:

I have the M20c and T20cs and the tail caps are interchangeable.