Sunwayman vs. Jetbeam

[Zerocool120]

Hi all,
I am going to get an EDC torch with at least 500 lumens that is under 4 inches in length. Other than really high end (and awesome) lights, I started looking at other recommended lights (that were a bit more affordable). So, I have gathered a short list of two that I was able to find:

Sunwayman V11R Cree XML
Jetbeam PC10 Cree XML

Any thoughts between them? Any other ideas for small, yet powerful, EDC lights? I would say cost is no object, but then someone would say "get an HDS or a Mac Tri-EDC!', which I have looked at, but are too expensive for now. So lets say keep it under $160.

Thanks!
Mike

 

[peterharvey73]

Tried a Jetbeam RRT-01?
On a fatter 18350 IMR-chemistry battery, it puts out more than 550 lumens, and a practical big hotspot, and a practical wide spill.
Has a super low low for night use.
Has continuously variable lumen output.
Has ergonomic hand shake grip, so you don't have to constantly flip the light 180 degrees between turning it on/off, and adjusting the brightness.
Has proper screwed down pocket clip.
Under 100 dollars...

 

[Lighteous]

I have both the Sunwayman V11R and the JetBeam RRT-01. Both are fabulous lights. I use the RRT-01 all the time and it is my favorite light. The main difference, aside from the ability of the RRT-01 to use an 18350 battery, is that the RRT-01 has no clicky switch while the V11R does. I prefer using the magnetic bezel ring exclusively for on-off and all levels in between which is why I prefer the RRT-01. The V11R uses a clicky switch for on and off and a bezel ring to adjust output. Some people prefer the on-off function being controlled by a separate switch which makes the V11R a more attractive option. I carry and use the RRT-01 much more, but I do have both lights and plan on keeping them. No matter which you prefer and ultimately choose, both are very high quality lights.

 

[martindb]

Hi Mike

I have a sunwayman V11R and I like it very much - but mainly because of how low an amount it can give out as apposed to how high.

I use this for mainly close range lighting needs but like the fact that I can have a big burst of light if it is required.

I'm sure you know this, but I'll point it out anyway - With a regular CR123, the max output is 190 Lumens.

It only gives 500 lumens when using an RCR123 and when set on turbo, it gets very hot very quickly. Sunwayman recommend you only have the light on turbo for a maximum of 5 minutes, but it doesn't automatically step down so you have to keep an eye on the time.

 

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

In my experience of owning Jetbeam and Sunwayman flashlights, Sunwayman makes a better quality and nicer finish flashlight without the mushy tailcap switch that Jetbeam has. I put Sunwayman right there with Fenix when it comes to the best production flashlights on the market.

 

[jpil]

In my experience of owning Jetbeam and Sunwayman flashlights, Sunwayman makes a better quality and nicer finish flashlight without the mushy tailcap switch that Jetbeam has. I put Sunwayman right there with Fenix when it comes to the best production flashlights on the market.

Sunwayman V11R Cree XML :twothumbs

I agree with ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS.

 

[voodoogreg]

I too am torn between these two lights. I am definately a 1 RCR123 light kinda guy. Could someone give me some real world stats, like:
Which throws farther
Better run time
which ring has the most even taper (min to max)
I know both are well made but which do you think is just a bit better fit and finish etc.

Does the Nitecore IFE1 Cree XM-L fit in this status of lights? I still use my well worn and beat up Infinity Extreme, going strong after 5 or so yr's VG

 

[Bwolcott]

In my experience of owning Jetbeam and Sunwayman flashlights, Sunwayman makes a better quality and nicer finish flashlight without the mushy tailcap switch that Jetbeam has. I put Sunwayman right there with Fenix when it comes to the best production flashlights on the market.

+1

 

[rioimmagina]

Take a look to the v10r Ti as well... More or less the same features of the v11r, but nicer clip and Titanium construction...
Ciao

 

[voodoogreg]

Ringrazio il mio amico. VG

 

[NCF8710]

Tried a Jetbeam RRT-01?
On a fatter 18350 IMR-chemistry battery, it puts out more than 550 lumens, and a practical big hotspot, and a practical wide spill.
Has a super low low for night use.
Has continuously variable lumen output.
Has ergonomic hand shake grip, so you don't have to constantly flip the light 180 degrees between turning it on/off, and adjusting the brightness.
Has proper screwed down pocket clip.
Under 100 dollars...

I agree. I also run an IMR 18350 and it's my favorite EDC light. The slight ringiness in the beam doesn't bother me a bit.

 

[cyclesport]

I'll play devil's advocate...I have the V11R and like it a lot...but it has some warts. In fact I've had a few of the current SWM V-Series lights and all chipped easily when dropped (no SS bezel), all had offset emitters and more or less somewhat ringy cool tinted leaning beam, all developed rattles around the reflector/head and/or switch (but was a fairly easy fix), and all developed some haze in the reflector and glass (presumably from outgassing of internal plastic components). What worrys me though is this light stays cooler in the hand running 3.7v li-ions (16340's) on high for a few minutes than any other 1 X CR123 XM-L I own...and I have many. I assume all the heat this emitter is generating is staying in the head...so I'm always wondering how long this light will last, grow dimmer, or fail?

I still love the UI and smoothly damped control ring, but (for me) has had more niggling issues than most...if you buy it, I'd go for the neutral version (Battery Junction only I think?) since this is one of the cooler tinted XM-L U2 lights.

I've stayed away from the PC10 due to the reported squishy switch and loosing all modes but high on 16340's.

The Niteye EYE 10 and it's corporate twin, JetBeam RRT-01 are some of my favorite lights in this category with a nod going to the EYE 10 with it's OP reflector and creamy white beam and it's usually cheaper by $25 to $30 than the RRT-01.

 

[voodoogreg]

Interesting, I looked up the EYE10 on there website and didn't see an RCR123=500 lm quote amywhere though, if it's the same light basically and same circuit I'm sure it works the same as the RRT-01. VG

 

[Zerocool120]

Ok, looks like I have some ideas...and the rcr123 appears the best way to go with the first two lights for max lumens, but which rcr123? I see 3.0v 750mah, 3.0v 900mah, 3.6v 880mah, etc. is there a 'best option'?

as to other brands (except for the several already mentioned) anything else come to mind, for both rcr123 and 18350 with same pocketable edc size and lumen strength?

thanks!
mike

 

[voodoogreg]

Lightious (or anyone with both), could you tell me which light seems to have the better/farther throw? VG

 

[cyclesport]

Interesting, I looked up the EYE10 on there website and didn't see an RCR123=500 lm quote amywhere though, if it's the same light basically and same circuit I'm sure it works the same as the RRT-01. VG

Niteye, like many other current manufacturers, don't "offically" support anything other than 3v CR123's since 3.6/7v Li-ions exceed most of these small light's thermal regulation abilities, but you'll note their driver's do...going up to 4.2v. Just don't run em' too hot too long, or rather use max output for brief periods of 30sec to 3/5min (tops), or just dial em back a little for most lighting needs and you'll likely be okay.

I like to use 3.7v Li-ions because they're rechargable, green, and I'm cheap. This 3.7v power source in these light bumps everything up from the 3v baseline by 20% or 30% anyway, so one should rarely need full output except to show off to non-flasholic friends.

As far as your question of throw, the V11R somewhat out-throws the EYE 10 and RRT-01. Don't knoe about the PC10 but seem to remember reading it throws pretty well being more of a tactical type light?

 

[Zerocool120]

Ok that helps...3.7v it is!

 

[cyclesport]

Ok, looks like I have some ideas...and the rcr123 appears the best way to go with the first two lights for max lumens, but which rcr123? I see 3.0v 750mah, 3.0v 900mah, 3.6v 880mah, etc. is there a 'best option'?

as to other brands (except for the several already mentioned) anything else come to mind, for both rcr123 and 18350 with same pocketable edc size and lumen strength?

thanks!
mike

I'm no battery expert, and many on this forum are more knowledgable than I, but as far as 16340/RCR123 ICR's go I've had good luck w/EagleTac's and they can be had a for $5 or less at many places. AW's are great but sometimes cost twice that and I get no longer run time than the ET's. AW's 18350 IMR's however are fantastic in the RRT-01 and EYE 10 (Subwoofer's review of the EYE 10 using this battery enabled it to output 662 OTF lumens)!

As far as another light suggestion in the 1 X 123 format, I would highly suggest the EagleTac D25C w/the XM-L U2. One of, if not the smallest clickys in this format currently available, and with a very sophistaced UI and capable of true moonlight mode. With 3v CR123 primaries it almost hits 400 lumens and using Li-ions it can hit over 770 lumens for 30sec but gets hot. (It goes into direct drive and you loose medium mode, but all other modes work fine). In comes in different emitter choices as well as neutral tint and can be had in titanium as well as aluminium...*lots of threads on this forum about this light...very popular.

 

[Zerocool120]

Well, now I have about five lights to buy don't I? Seriously, if I buy three or four of these, I have entered into the realm of a McGizmo and Mac's Tri-EDC...or Oveready, etc. Are these lights far and away better than the aforementioned $50-100 lights? Would it be money better spent to invest in a $350 light and just use that exclusively? Will I see a 200+ lumen jump by going with the higher end torches? I realize a lot of this is personal to each person, but opinions would help!
Thanks,
Mike

 

[naiter]

I've noticed the UI has a lot to do with best EDC. Yes I want a 750 lumen pocket rocket to show people, but realistically that light ends up being beaten by the 300 lumen light with better UI that can quickly access more light options that I use on a day to day basis.