RaymondMillbrae
Newly Enlightened
OK, folks,
Here is my initial observation of my new Dereelight CL1H V4 w/3SD R2 WC bin. But once again, I need to emphasize that these are just MY OPINIONS…so please, be gentle with me!
In the first picture below, you will see how the light was delivered to me. It came in a cool little box that had magnetic contacts to keep it closed. (Cool touch)! It also came with simple instructions (a single sheet folded in half), an extra SMO reflector (a smooth reflector) to take advantage of it's throwing capabilities, and a bunch of different-sized "O" rings. I wanted to have the colder, crispy-blue light that makes for a great thrower…so I ordered the fantabulous WC bin. (Whereas the WH bin has a more neutral white light). As soon as the light arrived, the SMO reflector was the first thing that was installed…even before the battery.
I absolutely loved the build quality of this light, as well as the black finish. (The finish on this light reminds me of the finish on Surefire lights, which I think is exceptional). I would know more about it's metal and finish if I were to engrave my name on it…but more on that later. It also came with an attached metal clip. The clip seemed pretty heavy duty, and it took a lot of effort to lift it off the body of the light. (I liked that). If I were to use the clip, this is the quality I would expect in a clip.
If you look at the above pictures, you would see that the shape of the light is awesome. I loved the size and feel of the light. I especially noticed the "melted features" of the light. (It had no sharp or rough spots). Great attention to detail! The head was also nicely shaped. It was rounded, and had a slight upside-down "V" shape. This was great, as I carry my lights head down in their holsters, and it ensured that it would not get caught in the lip of nylon holsters. (Whereas the "blocked head" of my Fenix TK11 will sometimes snag. But this will be remedied shortly, as I am building a custom leather holster).
Another important aspect of this light was that the button on the tail cap was NOT recessed below the metal surface. This was very important to me, as I use the light in a modified cigar grip when used in conjunction with my pistols. And when in the modified cigar grip is being employed, the knuckle on the back of my firing-hand finger depresses the button on the tail cap. If the button was recessed below the metal tail cap, I would not be able to use it.
Below are two more pictures for you to see the switch button. The light came with a fluorescent switch, and also with a black one. Notice also that the tail cap does NOT have any crenelations. Kudos…as they are not really needed. Also notice that the metal part of the tail cap is a cool "bowl shape". I like that as well. Nice, clean, features.
Now look at the below pictures. This is my light collection – the Olight M20 Warrior, Dereelight CL1H V4, Fenix TK11, and the simple but priceless, Surefire P6. (Not too many lights, but all useful…and purchased with a specific purpose in mind). Take special note of the heads on the Dereelight and the Fenix TK11. Do you see the difference? The Fenix TK11 has a square, blocked, head which sometimes catches on the nylon holster when being removed. Whereas the Dereelight has a very smooth and melted "V-shaped" head, and will NOT catch on anything.
Now look at the tail caps of the "Four Companeros". See how the Dereelight and the Olight M20 Warrior both have a "bowl-shaped" metal tail cap. I like that.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the light beam. It was awesome!!!
I put it side by side with my Fenix TK11 (which is my EDC light, and a monster thrower), and they were very close. The light of the CL1H V4 (with the WC bin and the SMO reflector) was exactly what I was looking for. The Fenix TK11 threw better…but it was close.
OK, now for the negatives…
Tummm, tummm, tummmmmmmmmmmmm. *Drum roll, please*
The biggest MISTAKE (that's right…MISTAKE) that Dereelight made, was making the user interface operable from the switch button on the tail cap.
What the heck were they thinking?!
To cycle through the different modes, you momentarily "half depress" the switch button on the tail cap to make the adjustments. Once you find the mode (brightness) you want, you can either hold the button for one second, or you can fully depress the button until it CLICKS to the permanent "On" position. The last light mode will now be memorized.
But think about it…TACTICAL LIGHTS are almost always used with a momentary ON switch. You "half click it" to the ON position for a second, scan the area, then let it go. (Which turns OFF the light). But if you were to do that with this light, you would be cycling through all it's modes.
Blah!
Horrible!
On top of that, I was initially going to purchase the JetBEAM MIII. But someone mentioned that if I disliked a "hard to press" switch button, that I would hate the JetBEAM MIII. So I didn't buy it. But now the Dereelight came with a brutally hard button to press.
So to end, I was totally turned-off by the funky, hard to press, switch button. And the straw that broke the camels back (the super big one) was the fact that half depressing the switch button would cycle the flashlight through all of it's light modes…instead of staying ON in the last remembered light mode/brightness.
Bummer!
I was really looking forward to this light. Especially since Jay (FlashCrazy) was kind enough to keep in constant communication with me, and ordered me the 3SD R2 WC bin (crispy, white light) that I wanted.
So to end, the light is getting returned. But I will be using the refunded monies to purchase something that I want, with the attributes that I am looking for in a tactical light.
If you wat to see a funny video, click on the following link to see my review on YouTube. (YOU TUBE REVIEW). It was the very first video I have EVER posted on YouTubE, so please...don't laugh.
Thanks for your ears, folks.
In Christ: Raymond
Here is my initial observation of my new Dereelight CL1H V4 w/3SD R2 WC bin. But once again, I need to emphasize that these are just MY OPINIONS…so please, be gentle with me!
In the first picture below, you will see how the light was delivered to me. It came in a cool little box that had magnetic contacts to keep it closed. (Cool touch)! It also came with simple instructions (a single sheet folded in half), an extra SMO reflector (a smooth reflector) to take advantage of it's throwing capabilities, and a bunch of different-sized "O" rings. I wanted to have the colder, crispy-blue light that makes for a great thrower…so I ordered the fantabulous WC bin. (Whereas the WH bin has a more neutral white light). As soon as the light arrived, the SMO reflector was the first thing that was installed…even before the battery.
I absolutely loved the build quality of this light, as well as the black finish. (The finish on this light reminds me of the finish on Surefire lights, which I think is exceptional). I would know more about it's metal and finish if I were to engrave my name on it…but more on that later. It also came with an attached metal clip. The clip seemed pretty heavy duty, and it took a lot of effort to lift it off the body of the light. (I liked that). If I were to use the clip, this is the quality I would expect in a clip.
If you look at the above pictures, you would see that the shape of the light is awesome. I loved the size and feel of the light. I especially noticed the "melted features" of the light. (It had no sharp or rough spots). Great attention to detail! The head was also nicely shaped. It was rounded, and had a slight upside-down "V" shape. This was great, as I carry my lights head down in their holsters, and it ensured that it would not get caught in the lip of nylon holsters. (Whereas the "blocked head" of my Fenix TK11 will sometimes snag. But this will be remedied shortly, as I am building a custom leather holster).
Another important aspect of this light was that the button on the tail cap was NOT recessed below the metal surface. This was very important to me, as I use the light in a modified cigar grip when used in conjunction with my pistols. And when in the modified cigar grip is being employed, the knuckle on the back of my firing-hand finger depresses the button on the tail cap. If the button was recessed below the metal tail cap, I would not be able to use it.
Below are two more pictures for you to see the switch button. The light came with a fluorescent switch, and also with a black one. Notice also that the tail cap does NOT have any crenelations. Kudos…as they are not really needed. Also notice that the metal part of the tail cap is a cool "bowl shape". I like that as well. Nice, clean, features.
Now look at the below pictures. This is my light collection – the Olight M20 Warrior, Dereelight CL1H V4, Fenix TK11, and the simple but priceless, Surefire P6. (Not too many lights, but all useful…and purchased with a specific purpose in mind). Take special note of the heads on the Dereelight and the Fenix TK11. Do you see the difference? The Fenix TK11 has a square, blocked, head which sometimes catches on the nylon holster when being removed. Whereas the Dereelight has a very smooth and melted "V-shaped" head, and will NOT catch on anything.
Now look at the tail caps of the "Four Companeros". See how the Dereelight and the Olight M20 Warrior both have a "bowl-shaped" metal tail cap. I like that.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the light beam. It was awesome!!!
I put it side by side with my Fenix TK11 (which is my EDC light, and a monster thrower), and they were very close. The light of the CL1H V4 (with the WC bin and the SMO reflector) was exactly what I was looking for. The Fenix TK11 threw better…but it was close.
OK, now for the negatives…
Tummm, tummm, tummmmmmmmmmmmm. *Drum roll, please*
The biggest MISTAKE (that's right…MISTAKE) that Dereelight made, was making the user interface operable from the switch button on the tail cap.
What the heck were they thinking?!
To cycle through the different modes, you momentarily "half depress" the switch button on the tail cap to make the adjustments. Once you find the mode (brightness) you want, you can either hold the button for one second, or you can fully depress the button until it CLICKS to the permanent "On" position. The last light mode will now be memorized.
But think about it…TACTICAL LIGHTS are almost always used with a momentary ON switch. You "half click it" to the ON position for a second, scan the area, then let it go. (Which turns OFF the light). But if you were to do that with this light, you would be cycling through all it's modes.
Blah!
Horrible!
On top of that, I was initially going to purchase the JetBEAM MIII. But someone mentioned that if I disliked a "hard to press" switch button, that I would hate the JetBEAM MIII. So I didn't buy it. But now the Dereelight came with a brutally hard button to press.
So to end, I was totally turned-off by the funky, hard to press, switch button. And the straw that broke the camels back (the super big one) was the fact that half depressing the switch button would cycle the flashlight through all of it's light modes…instead of staying ON in the last remembered light mode/brightness.
Bummer!
I was really looking forward to this light. Especially since Jay (FlashCrazy) was kind enough to keep in constant communication with me, and ordered me the 3SD R2 WC bin (crispy, white light) that I wanted.
So to end, the light is getting returned. But I will be using the refunded monies to purchase something that I want, with the attributes that I am looking for in a tactical light.
If you wat to see a funny video, click on the following link to see my review on YouTube. (YOU TUBE REVIEW). It was the very first video I have EVER posted on YouTubE, so please...don't laugh.
Thanks for your ears, folks.
In Christ: Raymond
. Bought the 3SD R2, hated the UI, and was very pleased with Flash Crazy's service in helping me to swap it for a 1S R2. I would have suggested doing what you've already done if I read this earlier 
