Not really a review - more of a comparison between the two lights and some subjective thoughts.
The Sunwayman V11R (NW Emitter) used to be my EDC - but it has been replaced recently by (first) the Nitecore SRT5, and (more recently) the SRT3's head on the SRT5's body. I am often conflicted by this change, and wonder if it was a step backwards in some ways.
Some pros/cons/comparisons:
The Sunwayman V11R is really the only light in its class - a small diameter, compact, magnetic ring light that has no detents in the magring and no "tactical disco" blinky-bling modes. It is also the only unmodded mag-ring light that is still available with a neutral white emitter. The fit and finish is the essence of class and quality, with deep rich anodizing that goes to the moon! I love almost everything about this light, except a few niggling details that simply drive me mad if I think about them too much.
Main problem: The control ring friction is dependent entirely on viscous grease - and changes over time. Many users of this light (including myself) find that the ring becomes looser and "free wheeling" over time, as the grease slowly dissipates. This problem can be fixed, but it is a pain and requires either shipping the light to China for an extended vacation, or disassembling the light. This is an almost unforgivable engineering blunder, one of the biggest boneheaded mistakes by a major light manufacturer that I've ever seen.
My other main complaint about the V11R has to do with the pocket clip - it is a "snap on" type, which also unfortunately snaps OFF when you don't want it to. This can be fixed with a little clip modding by installing an aftermarket pocket clip with screw-on holes - but it's still a pain.
My SWM V11R came with an AA extender that REFUSED to work with the supplied O-Ring, I had to swap O-Rings with the tail section of the light to get it to work. Inexcusable QC and design - and it's a problem I've read about other users experiencing, so I know mine is not an isolated case.
The light output from the NW emitter version of the V11R is nothing short of perfect - it's the most "neutral" of all my neutral lights, and I own a lot of neutral emitter lights! The beam profile is very nice, and slightly "throwier" than the Nitecore SRT3 at the same output level. The tint is gorgeous - very similar to the Nichia 219, with only slightly lower levels of orang-ish-ness. Short of a true Nichia 219, the V11R Neutral White emitter is by far my favorite non-high-CRI emitter in all my collection.
The Nitecore SRT3 on the otherhand - greenish "ghostly" tint by comparison, not pleasant but not as bad as some. Very "cool", and not in a very cool way - if that makes sense. I've learned to live with it and accept it - because of the positive things this light offers.
The Nitecore SRT series lights have BEAUTIFUL gray anodizing, deep and pearly, over really classy machining. They are really, really nice looking lights. The tail and pocket clip of the SRT3 are perfect, the tail and pocket clip of the SRT5 suck rotten eggs. My ideal long-term project is to find a machinist to take a pair of SRT3 AA extenders and the main tail section, bore them to 17mm or 18mm, and say goodbye to the SRT5's 18650 tube for good. Until then, I live with it - the SRT3 head on the SRT5 body gives me everything I want in terms of multi-cell-type, multi-chemistry versatility.
The SRT lights are too big, heavy, and bulky. The V11R puts them to shame!
Why the SRTs then? A few reasons. The previously mentioned cell versatility - the option (with the SRT3/5 Lego) of using pretty much any cell (with tinfoil and paper McGyvering) from AAA to 18650, in all the chemistries. I also like the red emitter of the SRT series - many people have dismissed the red and blue as completely useless, but I find the red emitter to be extremely useful at night with dark adapted eyed - for both reading and non-attention-getting navigation around campsite and house.
The main reason I like the SRT series lights, though, is that they did the ring RIGHT - without the built-in self destruct feature of the V11R grease design. Once again - curse you, SWM, for such a STUPID design decision!
I think about going back to the V11R for my main EDC all the time. If I were to do so, I'd want to make these changes/mods:
Twin AA extender tubes, and tail section, bored to at least 17mm - 18mm if it's possible. I don't know if there is enough wall thickness for an 18mm bore, I'll need to find a good machinist to tell me. I really like running 18650 cells in my SRT3/5 EDC - and would like to do the same (or at least 17650) in the V11R.
A screw-on pocket clip. Looking for input on the various options for this.
A permanent mod/fix for the ring problem. Possibly flat spring or springy plastic insert. Again, need to consult a machinist or get input from other flashaholics.
Thanks for reading - I welcome your comments!
The Sunwayman V11R (NW Emitter) used to be my EDC - but it has been replaced recently by (first) the Nitecore SRT5, and (more recently) the SRT3's head on the SRT5's body. I am often conflicted by this change, and wonder if it was a step backwards in some ways.
Some pros/cons/comparisons:
The Sunwayman V11R is really the only light in its class - a small diameter, compact, magnetic ring light that has no detents in the magring and no "tactical disco" blinky-bling modes. It is also the only unmodded mag-ring light that is still available with a neutral white emitter. The fit and finish is the essence of class and quality, with deep rich anodizing that goes to the moon! I love almost everything about this light, except a few niggling details that simply drive me mad if I think about them too much.
Main problem: The control ring friction is dependent entirely on viscous grease - and changes over time. Many users of this light (including myself) find that the ring becomes looser and "free wheeling" over time, as the grease slowly dissipates. This problem can be fixed, but it is a pain and requires either shipping the light to China for an extended vacation, or disassembling the light. This is an almost unforgivable engineering blunder, one of the biggest boneheaded mistakes by a major light manufacturer that I've ever seen.
My other main complaint about the V11R has to do with the pocket clip - it is a "snap on" type, which also unfortunately snaps OFF when you don't want it to. This can be fixed with a little clip modding by installing an aftermarket pocket clip with screw-on holes - but it's still a pain.
My SWM V11R came with an AA extender that REFUSED to work with the supplied O-Ring, I had to swap O-Rings with the tail section of the light to get it to work. Inexcusable QC and design - and it's a problem I've read about other users experiencing, so I know mine is not an isolated case.
The light output from the NW emitter version of the V11R is nothing short of perfect - it's the most "neutral" of all my neutral lights, and I own a lot of neutral emitter lights! The beam profile is very nice, and slightly "throwier" than the Nitecore SRT3 at the same output level. The tint is gorgeous - very similar to the Nichia 219, with only slightly lower levels of orang-ish-ness. Short of a true Nichia 219, the V11R Neutral White emitter is by far my favorite non-high-CRI emitter in all my collection.
The Nitecore SRT3 on the otherhand - greenish "ghostly" tint by comparison, not pleasant but not as bad as some. Very "cool", and not in a very cool way - if that makes sense. I've learned to live with it and accept it - because of the positive things this light offers.
The Nitecore SRT series lights have BEAUTIFUL gray anodizing, deep and pearly, over really classy machining. They are really, really nice looking lights. The tail and pocket clip of the SRT3 are perfect, the tail and pocket clip of the SRT5 suck rotten eggs. My ideal long-term project is to find a machinist to take a pair of SRT3 AA extenders and the main tail section, bore them to 17mm or 18mm, and say goodbye to the SRT5's 18650 tube for good. Until then, I live with it - the SRT3 head on the SRT5 body gives me everything I want in terms of multi-cell-type, multi-chemistry versatility.
The SRT lights are too big, heavy, and bulky. The V11R puts them to shame!
Why the SRTs then? A few reasons. The previously mentioned cell versatility - the option (with the SRT3/5 Lego) of using pretty much any cell (with tinfoil and paper McGyvering) from AAA to 18650, in all the chemistries. I also like the red emitter of the SRT series - many people have dismissed the red and blue as completely useless, but I find the red emitter to be extremely useful at night with dark adapted eyed - for both reading and non-attention-getting navigation around campsite and house.
The main reason I like the SRT series lights, though, is that they did the ring RIGHT - without the built-in self destruct feature of the V11R grease design. Once again - curse you, SWM, for such a STUPID design decision!
I think about going back to the V11R for my main EDC all the time. If I were to do so, I'd want to make these changes/mods:
Twin AA extender tubes, and tail section, bored to at least 17mm - 18mm if it's possible. I don't know if there is enough wall thickness for an 18mm bore, I'll need to find a good machinist to tell me. I really like running 18650 cells in my SRT3/5 EDC - and would like to do the same (or at least 17650) in the V11R.
A screw-on pocket clip. Looking for input on the various options for this.
A permanent mod/fix for the ring problem. Possibly flat spring or springy plastic insert. Again, need to consult a machinist or get input from other flashaholics.
Thanks for reading - I welcome your comments!
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