Who here was disapointed with the LP M3 at first, but has come to really like it?

[woodrow]

When I got my LP M3, I really wanted to like it...especially after spending $96 (light and turbohead) plus $20 for 2nd day air from Batteryjunction. I took and posted beamshots, but secretly, I too was kind of dissapointed with its output. It was made even worse because I put off buying a MRV to get it.

Over the last few days however, It has really started to grow on me. I did a runtime test with a AW 3.7v rcr123a. The configuration that makes the light the smallest. It burned over an hour before I shut it off. Thats twice as long as my D-mini, and I would say the M3 is only 20-25% dimmer. Plus I can carry the extra 1 AA tube with a lithium battery and the extra tailcap that came with the light in my jacket pocket and have hours of more light if need be.

I like the fact that I can have the turbo head, and yet take it off and use the standard one when I want a small edc light. I love the D-mini, but I wish it had a smaller head as well as the turbo one.

So overall, the light has grown on me and I am seriously glad I did not sell it. It has the runtime with the rcr123a that I wanted the D-mini to have, and yet it can also fit easily into a slacks pockets with the standard head. Plus you get all the options in one package. I guess sometimes a light does not have to be the brightest thing made to be a great light. Although when I compared it to the X1 at target today it looked pretty bright!

Do any of you feel the same way? Are you still glad you bought the light or wish you would have spent the money on something else.

 

[frank777]

Yep... I felt the same way at first. But after a few camping trips, I found I was using my M3 more than any of the other lights. I change from the CR123 to a single AA before going to bed, because the low mode with the AA isn't blinding in the middle of the night. I love the fact that it fits on my belt as well and is 70% as bright as some of my much larger lights. So, I bought a second M3 (one for my house, one for my car). I'm a sick man.

 

[George M]

Do any of you feel the same way?

Yes, me. I also bought the whole package with the TurboForce head and was initially disappointed, but have come to love it.

I played around with different battery configurations on the M3 when I got it. The 2xAA was way too big, 1xAA was OK but I ended up settling on the CR123A with clicky tailcap. I tried the Turbo head and it's very fun but not really what I want in a regular use light.

My first "quality" light was a Fenix L2D-CE (the search for such a light is what brought me to CPF, but that's another story). Since I'd been using the L2D for a while, it was my baseline for comparison and initially the M3 didn't seem to stack up well. I ran around lighting up random objects with both and the L2D was definitely brighter.

At this point I was slightly regretting my M3 purchase, but since I had it I started making it the default light I reached for. The more I used it the more I started to notice little things I'd overlooked initially. I noticed how well the larger diameter body fit my hand. With either the 123 or 1xAA tube it's very comfortable to hold. The fit and finish are excellent, much nicer than the Fenix. It really feels like a quality instrument.

But in the end what got me was the M3's beam. As I used it I was always struck by how well it lit stuff up. The beam is wonderfully smooth and has a warmer color than the Fenix. I went back and lit up more random objects with both, but this time I paid attention to how well I could actually see stuff. The M3 consistently let me see more detail. I found the M3 was better for everything except pure throw. That was an "Aha!" moment for me, and when I came to really like the M3.

I do have a few nitpicks. I wish you didn't have to give up low to use the twisty/momentary switch, bit I don't mind using the clicky. The defocusing mechanism is a bit hokey, but it's better than not being able to do it at all. I really dislike having to cycle through high to turn the light off from low. If I could change only one thing about the M3 it would be that.

I hope they make extra light modules available. With one more I could put together a 2xAA version with the Turbo head and momentary switch. I wouldn't mind giving up low on that light.

 

[JML]

At first I was disappointed in the output, but then I realized I liked the light so much that I bought a second (for the briefcase, not the car). The light pattern is very good for most uses; if I wanted a pure thrower, I'd get something else (I love my D-Mini, but for indoor use or for walking outside, something like the D-Mini or any light with an intense central hotspot, like an Inova with TIROS, is not very useful and bothers my eyes). Easily pocketable, fits in a simple Inova X1 belt sheath like it was made for it, gets warm but not hot, has three levels, etc. And I use CR123 batteries in all my lights, because I want shelf life and cold-weather reliability.

My first sample is whiter and brighter than the second; the first has a brighter hotspot but a dark ring around it. Luck of the bin, I guess...

The form factor is excellent, like the Inova X1 and X5, the simple cylinder and diameter combine to yield a product that just fits the hand and is balanced well. The workmanship and quality exceed anything from Fenix, and they approach Inova in materials and quality (but they ain't Surefire, yet); but on the other hand you can open a Lumapower and easily clean out any dust under the lens! The Fenix lights with more output don't come close in quality control or materials. And I find most smaller lights with twisties more of a bother to hold and use (but I will probably be tempted by the forthcoming Lumapower F-Mini, with 1xAAA power...).

 

[TheMechanic]

I've been a vocal defender of the M3 since it came out. It is the "thinking person's" flashlight, for the reasons mentioned (plus a few.)

As I've said in other threads, the M3 isn't the very brightest, or the very smallest - but it really doesn't matter. It's bright ENOUGH, and small ENOUGH, plus it has a nice, smooth beam, good runtimes, is built exceptionally well, AND has all of the power/output options you could want!

I find the size is actually better than my much smaller Liteflux LF1; the M3 doesn't get obscured by the edge of my palm or my coat sleeve, and is big enough that it can be grasped easily even with cold hands.

It is reliable; my aforementioned LF1 has proven, time and again, that it isn't a light I can rely on 100%. The M3, on the other hand, hasn't had a problem - so far, completely reliable (even in cold rain while camping!) Build quality is exceptional.

One thing that really impressed me is the thought that Lumapower put into the engineering. They've forgone ultimate output, with the resulting heatsinking problems, in favor of an output level that is actually sustainable over long use. That is a sign of superior design, even if some folks can't see past lumen ratings!

My only nit to pick is with the "tactical" switch, which Quickbeam noted in his review. However, Ricky has confirmed that there is a real forward clicky coming within the next couple of weeks, which will silence that sole criticism. (It's not a big deal, just sort of an incongruity given the build quality of the rest of the light.)

The M3 my most-used light; it inspires confidence, and suffices for at least 85% of my (heavy) light use. Everytime I pull it out and turn it on, I'm happy that I spent the money; that sort of purchase satisfaction doesn't happen with me very often!

As I've said before, this is a light built to satisfy USERS, not collectors. Since I'm a user, I like it - a lot. Lumapower should be proud of their achievement.

-=[ Grant ]=-

 

[woodrow]

I was curious as to how long the light would run with 1 AA lithium cell on high. I read where it ran for 11 hours on medium. I do not have a meter, so my only way of telling a change was after an hour, taking the old batt out and puting a fresh one in for a second to see if a significant difference was noticable. Not scientific, but what do you do?

From start to 1&1/2 hours, no noticible change. At 2 hours, the light was as bright as a fresh cell with the light on medium. At 2&1/2 hours, the light was as bright as a MMagLed 2AA with fresh alkalines. At three hours, the light was slightly brighter than a Mag solitare. I stopped the "test" at that point.

So, with 1 lithium AA, (energizer) the light will provide full to decent light for 2&1/2 hours on high. It then would work in an emergency for another 1/2 hour. With two batteries I would guess you would get 5-6 hours of bright light on high. Not too bad for such a small light.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

I don't mind the light

 

[Ty_Bower]

I liked mine at first, and I still like it now. Does that count?

I particularly appreciate the simple interface with the two stage reverse clicky. First click turns it on low, and second click goes to medium. I don't use the high setting much, except as a battery tester. When the high setting isn't any brighter than medium, it's time to recharge the battery.

I also appreciate the lack of any visible flicker. Flickering PWM lights really bug me. Rexlight and Jetbeam are really bad. Even my HDS has a noticeable flicker on the lower settings. Lumapower claimed the M3 used "VFM/PFM/PWM", but I can't see any flicker on any of the modes (low, medium, or high), regardless of what battery combination is used. This makes me very happy.

I like my M3.

 

[Gointothelight]

I was apprehensive when I first got mine... bigger than I imagined, not as much throw as I thought it would have for a Cree. But it has really grown on me. I don't use it as an EDC BUT when I travel, this is the light I grab. Very flexible, nice floody beam for indoors, decent beam for outdoors and, for a blackout light, you can easily stand it on it's tail to use as a candle. Now, with the turbo head, it is even a very good outdoor light. My absolute favorite travel light... with an additional one for the shelf, of course. I've said it on other threads... I eventually sold off all my Surefire L1s because this beats it in every single category... smaller, more flexible, more compact, easier to carry, can stand on its tail, the high will light up a room, it has a medium setting and the low goes all night and then some.

 

[woodrow]

I forgot about the lack of flicker! Thats partly why I sold my Huntlight XR-E. I do not understand why it does not flicker...It uses the same circuit (I believe) that the Huntlight did...but no flicker. Pretty cool. Also, if you need throw, try the turbohead. It makes a big difference.