AardvarkSagus
Flashlight Enthusiast
SunwayLED L10R
90° flashlights are nothing new but seeing how uncommon they are I had relegated them to the status of "gimmick" in my mind before I had a chance to try one. The L10R has done wonders to correct my thinking and show me that they have genuine value in their own right.
SunwayLED L10R
Meat and Potatoes
The L10R is a dramatic departure from the other introduction lights by new manufacturer SunwayLED. Thus far the majority of what we have seen are control ring based lights with attractive styling. This model however has kept the stylized overtones nearly completely out of the picture opting instead for simplistic efficiency of design. The body tube of this torch is the most un-decorated flashlight component I have yet seen. The unique head has just enough decorative machining to give a place to put the unusual SunwayLED logo. Thankfully, this unpretentious appearance is covered head to tail with the flawless anodizing that is rapidly becoming trademark for this brand.
SunwayLED has crammed the 4 modes found in the M10R into a completely different user interface with its own benefits and downfalls. Gone is the ability to preselect your output mode before activating the light, but in its place comes a unique feel that is still quite easy to use. The switch for the L10R is an electronic push button similar to the much larger Olight SR90. SunwayLED however has given you the option for either constant on by pressing and immediately releasing, or momentary by just pressing and holding as long as you want light (a feature undocumented in my manual). The L10R activates in High mode every single time and cycles to Low and then to Medium with each double-click. This is somewhat of a unique order, but it works for what it is. Tucked quietly away into the background is a seemingly very hyperactive strobe mode accessed by pressing and holding the button when the light is on in any mode. Even cooler is that it will return to the same mode that it started in when released giving you momentary full power strobe even if you are using Low. Another undocumented feature is the ability to lock it in the strobe mode with a double click and hold (a move that many of you are quite familiar with if you owned any of the Nitecore SmartPD designs).
SunwayLED L10R
Taking a traditional flashlight profile and rotating the head 90° creates an uniquely altered set of ergonomics. With the switch located on the head of the light as it is, it can be located just as easily in the dark as with any tactical tailcap switch. You hold your hand naturally in front of you to point the light forward, instead of having to hold the light over your shoulder. Tailstanding (which this light is very capable of doing) also directs the light forward onto a specific target rather than blindly into the air. You can also lay the light down for ceiling bounce room lighting if you desire. This light is a little larger than some of the tiniest CR123A powered lights, but it is still not overly large by any stretch.
Single Cell CR123A
Though I have taken issue with previous SunwayLED pocket clips, the clip included with the L10R is definitely an exception. First off it does away with the insecure tension attachment in favor of a much more reliable full loop that is screwed between the body tube and head of the torch. This eliminates any wiggle, free rotation, or chance of accidental removal. Secondly it offers you the option of three positions to secure the clip (back, left or right side) allowing you to attach the light to your belt or pocket and still illuminate your way.
Pocket clip
Constructive Criticism
Utilizing an R2 bin Cree XR-E LED, the SunwayLED struggles against the well established and even infamous Cree ring common to these LEDs. Thankfully the textured reflector goes a long way toward smoothing out these imperfections and creating a usable beam. I suspect that the reflector is actually identical to the M10R since the beams are so similar between the two. Where I don't see this to be a large problem on the more traditional lights, I believe that a light in this format would greatly benefit from the change to the newer XP-G LED. This diode inherently walks hand in hand with a smoother, floodier beam that would compliment the usage of the L10R very nicely.
Cree XR-E
One interesting note discovered during my testing was some peculiarity of the behavior of the switch. With this style of electronic switch, the operation is a whole lot different than your usual forward or reverse clicky switch. I have found this switch to occasionally not appear to register my presses. I am not entirely certain that this is not just an issue of needing to get used to the light more on my part or if there is some ever so slight hiccup in the light. Usually if I just slow down a little and be more deliberate with my press, it will register correctly and the problem will go away.
Conclusions
The SunwayLED L10R is a unique twist on your classic flashlight and offers a useful new angle on illumination. Tired of the puns? How about this. Spectacular fit and finish pair up with a well thought out light with plenty of excellent features. I am impressed.
SunwayLED L10R
Provided for review by the kind folks at SunwayLED via Battery Junction.
90° flashlights are nothing new but seeing how uncommon they are I had relegated them to the status of "gimmick" in my mind before I had a chance to try one. The L10R has done wonders to correct my thinking and show me that they have genuine value in their own right.
SunwayLED L10R
Meat and Potatoes
The L10R is a dramatic departure from the other introduction lights by new manufacturer SunwayLED. Thus far the majority of what we have seen are control ring based lights with attractive styling. This model however has kept the stylized overtones nearly completely out of the picture opting instead for simplistic efficiency of design. The body tube of this torch is the most un-decorated flashlight component I have yet seen. The unique head has just enough decorative machining to give a place to put the unusual SunwayLED logo. Thankfully, this unpretentious appearance is covered head to tail with the flawless anodizing that is rapidly becoming trademark for this brand.
SunwayLED has crammed the 4 modes found in the M10R into a completely different user interface with its own benefits and downfalls. Gone is the ability to preselect your output mode before activating the light, but in its place comes a unique feel that is still quite easy to use. The switch for the L10R is an electronic push button similar to the much larger Olight SR90. SunwayLED however has given you the option for either constant on by pressing and immediately releasing, or momentary by just pressing and holding as long as you want light (a feature undocumented in my manual). The L10R activates in High mode every single time and cycles to Low and then to Medium with each double-click. This is somewhat of a unique order, but it works for what it is. Tucked quietly away into the background is a seemingly very hyperactive strobe mode accessed by pressing and holding the button when the light is on in any mode. Even cooler is that it will return to the same mode that it started in when released giving you momentary full power strobe even if you are using Low. Another undocumented feature is the ability to lock it in the strobe mode with a double click and hold (a move that many of you are quite familiar with if you owned any of the Nitecore SmartPD designs).
SunwayLED L10R
Taking a traditional flashlight profile and rotating the head 90° creates an uniquely altered set of ergonomics. With the switch located on the head of the light as it is, it can be located just as easily in the dark as with any tactical tailcap switch. You hold your hand naturally in front of you to point the light forward, instead of having to hold the light over your shoulder. Tailstanding (which this light is very capable of doing) also directs the light forward onto a specific target rather than blindly into the air. You can also lay the light down for ceiling bounce room lighting if you desire. This light is a little larger than some of the tiniest CR123A powered lights, but it is still not overly large by any stretch.
Single Cell CR123A
Though I have taken issue with previous SunwayLED pocket clips, the clip included with the L10R is definitely an exception. First off it does away with the insecure tension attachment in favor of a much more reliable full loop that is screwed between the body tube and head of the torch. This eliminates any wiggle, free rotation, or chance of accidental removal. Secondly it offers you the option of three positions to secure the clip (back, left or right side) allowing you to attach the light to your belt or pocket and still illuminate your way.
Pocket clip
Constructive Criticism
Utilizing an R2 bin Cree XR-E LED, the SunwayLED struggles against the well established and even infamous Cree ring common to these LEDs. Thankfully the textured reflector goes a long way toward smoothing out these imperfections and creating a usable beam. I suspect that the reflector is actually identical to the M10R since the beams are so similar between the two. Where I don't see this to be a large problem on the more traditional lights, I believe that a light in this format would greatly benefit from the change to the newer XP-G LED. This diode inherently walks hand in hand with a smoother, floodier beam that would compliment the usage of the L10R very nicely.
Cree XR-E
One interesting note discovered during my testing was some peculiarity of the behavior of the switch. With this style of electronic switch, the operation is a whole lot different than your usual forward or reverse clicky switch. I have found this switch to occasionally not appear to register my presses. I am not entirely certain that this is not just an issue of needing to get used to the light more on my part or if there is some ever so slight hiccup in the light. Usually if I just slow down a little and be more deliberate with my press, it will register correctly and the problem will go away.
Conclusions
The SunwayLED L10R is a unique twist on your classic flashlight and offers a useful new angle on illumination. Tired of the puns? How about this. Spectacular fit and finish pair up with a well thought out light with plenty of excellent features. I am impressed.
SunwayLED L10R
Provided for review by the kind folks at SunwayLED via Battery Junction.
Last edited:
