What are your thoughts on Sunwayman and Eagletac in terms of quality and reliability? How do they compare to Fenix?
Yes, Surefire is great an all, but I am looking for other battery options and will be looking at these two.
I own flashlights made by both companies. I have 2 lights made by each company that are very similar to each other in size, brightness, battery usage. They are the ET G25C2, and the SWM T20CS. Both lights came out at close to the same time, both have XM-L U2 LED's, both run on 1- 18650 or 2- CR123's. Both have turbo modes of about 650-700 lumens or so. The Eagletac G25C2 is a significantly thicker light. Its reflector is only about 3mm wider, and maybe 3mm deeper, but they both have fairly wide, deep reflectors for this size light. The ET has 5 cooling fins that circle the entire head, and cover about 40% of the head area, whereas the SWM has these 2 little areas on the rear/side of the head with fins that dont wrap all the way around the head.
The ET has a thick mid section where the battery sits inside, and the SWM has a somewhat thin mid section for about 1.5" of its length, then it thickens up again. But the ET has more aluminum altogether. Its about 1/2" longer.
I just started a thread the other day about heat retention among similar lights. I had to drain 2 of my spare 18650's, because I had them stored at full charge, and I read that wasnt good to do. So I drained both batteries in those 2 lights on Turbo modes. So I start the lights at the same time on turbo and let them sit side by side. The ET was slow to heat up, and after 25 minutes, it had only heated up to about 95 degrees or so, and was not heating up any more.
But the SWM began heating up fairly quickly, and after 25 minutes, it was hot. It was probably 130 degrees or so, and it was hot enough that I could hold it for about 7 seconds before it became uncomfortable. It was continuing to get hotter too. But again, that was 25 minutes of non-stop Turbo. I NEVER would do that in everyday life. I have no use for that. But if you did, then the ET would be the better light.
I like both lights. I like the looks and feel of the SWM T20CS. I like its side switch for modes, and its rear clicky for turbo. It would be lighter and easier to carry, and I like its side switch setup because I dont use turbo.
But the ET G25C2 has a simpler setup, and its easier to figure out and to use. I think it is a tougher light, and I think you'd be hard pressed to find ANY Surefire light that is as tough as it. Both lights are very bright, have great throw for their size, and have nice spill, and good color tint. Both well made.
I also have a new Eagletac D25C Ti with the XM-L U2. I sold my D25A and D25C with the XM-L t-6. I like the D25 ti lights. They are short, bright, look nice, fairly light, good low-med-high-turbo modes, great SOS, beacon and strobes. Good price too at $60-$62 after coupon.
I've never owned a Fenix light, so I cant compare them to that.
