Beamshots: 1S vs. EO-9 vs. MN16 vs. MN21

Canon S70
ISO Setting: 100
Lens Aperture: F2.8
Exposure: 1.3 Seconds
LED White Balance: Day Light
Incan White Balance: Tungsten
Cell Voltages: 4.2V
Moon Illumination: 78 Percent
Rangefinder: TruePulse 200
Distance: 106 Yards

A bit dark, I'll try 1.6 and 2 seconds the next time around...

Control Shot

.
FreePlay Jonta - High

.
EO-9 + 2 x AW Protected 17500

.
1S Q5 + 1 x AW Protected 17670

.
1S R2 + 1 x AW Protected 17670

.
MN16 + 2 x AW Protected 17670

.
MN21 + 2 x Moli IMR18650E

.
Same images with brightness levels increased by 25%...
.
Control Shot + 25%

.
FreePlay Jonta - High + 25%

.
EO-9 + 2 x AW Protected 17500 + 25%

.
1S Q5 + 1 x AW Protected 17670 + 25%

.
1S R2 + 1 x AW Protected 17670 + 25%

.
MN16 + 2 x AW Protected 17670 + 25%

.
MN21 + 2 x Moli IMR18650E + 25%

Thanks for the beamshots! These are very nicely done, and show distinct differences for each light.

A few questions:

1) Who makes the 1S? I'm sure I should be familiar with it, but for some reason, it's not ringing a bell...
2) In the picture of the R2, the tint appears surprisingly warm. Is the R2 really that yellow? I love warmer tints (and thus incans!), and I haven't seen any rebels in person yet. If they're really that much warmer, I think I'm going to convert everything to rebels. =)
3) What kind of host are you using for the MN21 run on 2 18650s? Sounds like a really nice setup...

- FITP

Who makes the 1S?

Click to expand...

Dereelight. As mentioned elsewhere, I have been always a bit wary of multi-mode assemblies. Additional circuitry normally leads to increased resistance, which in turn leads to lower overall output. It is why I have found the 1S pills to be consistently brighter than any of the others (though I have yet to drive the 1SM-2 at 14.8V).

In the picture of the R2, the tint appears surprisingly warm. Is the R2 really that yellow?

Click to expand...

It is compared to the Q5. Here is a shot of a 1S Q5 WC vs. 1S R2 WH vs. EO-9 at close range:
.

.
Offhand, some may find the Q5 WC to be brighter off that particular image. But look at the distance shots above and it becomes clear that the R2 is outputting a greater number of lumens. Take particular note of the spill highlights. This coincides with my thoughts in Dereelight R2 WH Drop-Ins: Initial Impressions.

What kind of host are you using for the MN21 run on 2 18650s?

Click to expand...

An M4 bored for 18mm cell support. Hope to see you March 8th :twothumbs

[Double-post, please remove...]

[Double-post, please remove...]

Re: [Double-post, please remove...]

Thanks, Adamlau.
I also prefer the R2.
I wish you'd included the Mag623 + FM3V-2.
So, the MN21 in the M6 is supposed to be about 500 lumens. Add 35% to get bulb lumens and you get 675. So it must be at least 700 bulb lumens. So the 64623 with an FM3V-2 must blow that away, surely?

Re: [Double-post, please remove...]

Remember that Surefire rates their flashlights conservatively, and measures lumens at the midpoint. On fresh batteries, the M6 is really putting out closer to 700-1000 lumens. It's bright!

That said, the Mag623 should easily outshine the MN21. The Mag623 pumps out about 3,000 lumens; it pretty much goes toe-to-toe with my 35W Polarian HID. As far as the FM3" head, that won't actually add any lumens, it will just help focus those lumens into a tighter spot that can reach farther downfield.

I brought my Mag623+FM3" head to the ShotShowShootout thread (see here). While we didn't have an M6 at this shootout, we did have an M4. Compare the beamshots of the M4 (which Surefire rates at 350 lumens) to those of the Mag623. The Mag623 is many times brighter. It would still be many times brighter than the MN21.

Every good flashaholic should have a Mag623. They're fun to show people and fun to start fires with. That said, they're not terribly practical. With a runtime of about 8-10 minutes, you can't do much besides "wow" a few people before it needs a recharge or shut down to prevent overheating. An MN21 that runs for 20 minutes at a time at least offers the possibility of *some* practical use. ;-)


- FITP

cat said:

Thanks, Adamlau.
I also prefer the R2.
I wish you'd included the Mag623 + FM3V-2.
So, the MN21 in the M6 is supposed to be about 500 lumens. Add 35% to get bulb lumens and you get 675. So it must be at least 700 bulb lumens. So the 64623 with an FM3V-2 must blow that away, surely?

Click to expand...

Re: [Double-post, please remove...]

FlashInThePan said:

Every good flashaholic should have a Mag623.

- FITP

Click to expand...

I concur. I just put mine together (4D 15.6V) last night and am still giggling this morning. It is so bright that it almost seems impossible for that much light to come from that little bulb and tiny little filament.

Re: [Double-post, please remove...]

You need to run that EO-9 on proper cells! You are not getting the best of it on 2x17500s.

Re: [Double-post, please remove...]

FlashInThePan, thanks for the link. I like the Streamlight LiteBox, but $400 is a bit much for me. The 64623 is doing well there. It's more cost-effective than anything else there. You can see that the FM head is needed.

adamlau... what host did you use for the deree 1S for this beamshot review?