Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Beam shots

I just ordered the: **NEW** MG L-Mini II 18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, for $41.99 delivered (with 6% discount - CPFuser - code)

After reading the specs, I just had to have it. It has 3 modes and although it is around 4 1/2" in length - I shall use it as my keychain light!

I wished for regulated length of light output and all my flashlights, save for one, are 18650.

I have another flashlight (Spiderfire L2 Cree RED LED Flashlight Torch 6v 6p G2 ) that uses 2x cr123a - is possible to use 18650 instead?

I am sorry - but I am not tech minded. I have read threads and posts and I noticed that you may sometimes do so. I would appreciate any replies to this - or on the L-mini ll - experience with it.

Pics of the Mini:

Low at 5 Yrds. Med at 5 Yrds. High at 5 Yrds.





Low at 10 Yrds. Med at 10 Yrds. High at 10 Yrds.




Med at 15 Yrds. High at 15 Yrds. High at 30 Yrds.



High at approx 50 Yrds. High at approx 80 Yrds.



Low at 20 Yrds. Med at 20 Yrds.



High at 20 Yrds.



Need I remind you.......This is my Keychain light and EDC. It is nothing short of Fantastic.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

You can use an 18650 in a CR123 light that has a wide enough tube, but it probably will not be regulated at all, especially not on a "spiderfire" light.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

Alright - thanks. :(

I just noticed - you have the L-mini ll - how do you like it? Have you tried to keychain it? :grin2:

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

I haven't tried putting it on a keychain, since it is a little too big for that.
I have the Q3-5C version, which apparently has slightly different knurling, as well as a warm tinted LED.
The regulation seems very good, and it automatically switches to low mode when the battery gets low. The tailswitch is very sensitive, so you don't need to press it very hard at all to change modes. However, sometimes a shock (such as dropping the light) can switch the mode. If it is off for about .75 seconds, it saves the mode and will be on the same one when you turn it on again.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

Configurations.:kiss: I've been using L-Mini II for 4 weeks ever since I got it from Mev after he completed the review session. In general I like it better than any other lights. Mostly because it uses 1x18650 cell while maintains small in size. Holding it at night i feel confident walking around the park. It works even better with the turbo head especially if you used it for throw.

Anyway, not every 2XCR123 host would accommodate 1x18650 because the diameter of battery cylinder has to be >18 m/m. Depends on the drop-in you got, Spiderfire L2 equipped with incan, 1x18650 could underdrive it and you get a beam with very low output. The voltage of 1x18650 gets 3.7V~4.2V which is not sufficient to drive incan buld with high output. However, if the drop-in is a Cree LED with 3.7V~6.0V, you can expect optimized result from 1x18650.:laughing:

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

The Spiderfire L2 light is made at the same factory as the SolarForce L2.

The regulation (or lack of) depends on the drop-in it has in it.
If it has a wide voltage range (i.e. 4.2-14v) then it will not be well regulated.

I have an L-Mini II as well. It's a fantastic light, but IMO is too large for a keychain light.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

Thank you for your replies - I shall let you know how I manage the light as a keychain torch. Even if it is a little uncomfortable - I shall get used to it I am sure. Most of my lights shall remain on my duty belt, so I need one that will fill in as many as an easy to carry - edc.

I stay up all night even on my off days - I wanted something I could depend on and always have with me - therefore - keychain light! ;)

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

charlie_hng said:

Configurations.:kiss: I've been using L-Mini II for 4 weeks ever since I got it from Mev after he completed the review session. In general I like it better than any other lights. Mostly because it uses 1x18650 cell while maintains small in size. Holding it at night i feel confident walking around the park. It works even better with the turbo head especially if you used it for throw.

Anyway, not every 2XCR123 host would accommodate 1x18650 because the diameter of battery cylinder has to be >18 m/m. Depends on the drop-in you got, Spiderfire L2 equipped with incan, 1x18650 could underdrive it and you get a beam with very low output. The voltage of 1x18650 gets 3.7V~4.2V which is not sufficient to drive incan buld with high output. However, if the drop-in is a Cree LED with 3.7V~6.0V, you can expect optimized result from 1x18650.:laughing:

Click to expand...

:thumbsup: Great, it is a Red led and even if underpowered, it is ok since it is 200 lumes with 2xCR123a - I hope the 18650 fits. If not - I also got batteries and a charger with it (2xCR123a). Thanks.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

just to make sure this is clear for all readers.. the Lmini2 will fry with cr123 and rcr123s!

oh and i guess you are used to hauling big and long stuff in your keychain.. but for me its on the upper limit of carry in pocket every day. and would not carry it on my keys. just too big and heavy.

(especially as all my keys are in same fob.. that much weight would break my cars ignition lock eventually.. i minimize the keychain weight, like everything else i edc.)

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

Hey can you guys describe the UI and memory for the L-mini 2 again?

How are the modes? How low is low etc...
How does the memory work? Does it work on on time or off time? Would it be really bad with forward clicky?

How long does it have to be on (or off) to maintain memory?

Thanks!

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

low: about 30lumens or so.


hmm the memory.. i always cycled my light back to lowest before turning it off.. hah.. but it works about instantly. click it on, change mode and turn it off at once.. and when you turn it back on its on that mode. -i am able to change mode and just keep pressing the clicky til it clicks off and it remembers the mode i just tapped into.

its simple 3 mode so it wont take long to get thru them.. click on and tap, tap at most. :)

foward cliky.. i kinda wished it had it just because i do like the momentary mode. but i think it might be too fast acting driver as is, to be good with one.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

I find the modes are spaced very well.

Not knowing what lights you have that I might have to compare against...

Low is just slightly brighter than medium on the Fenix L0D Q4.
Medium is a bit brighter than high on the Fenix L0D Q4.
High is bright :D

Memory seems to only need to be off for a second or so to lock.

It will work with a forward clicky, changing modes might be a bit clunky but it would work.
If you have one of those twist + momentary switches, that would probably work better.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

That's really cool. I wanted to pick up some L-mini 2 drivers from Shining beam, but they are like $11!

I wanted to know how they work.

I have a 3 mode AMC7135 board I quite like, but it has to be on for 3 seconds to lock in memory. I'm not a big fan of that.

If the L-mini does it in 1 second or less, I'm happy!
The light itself seems like such a great value choice for 18650 EDC!

Better than the Sgt Burketts it seems...

:hitit:

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

It agree, it is way to big for keychain carry. Its ok for carrying in a coat pocket, I find it even too big for my pants pockets.

Actually I seem to remember shiningbeam saying on the marketplace thread; that it can accept up to 6v and you can actually use 2xcr123a (primaries only). However, if you do use 2xcr123a; there is a lot of heat created and it is not recommended you use it in high mode.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

yeah ..read that too.. but. even the worst of my dx cr123s kick in at 3.07 volts. most beeing in 3.15-3.25v area.. and the better cr123s kick in at +3.25. and i wouldnt take a chance with light this nice getting too much volts thru it.

and who doesnt want to use it on high, or get a light that cant be run on its highest mode if neccessary? (especially a light that isnt programmable)

upgrade to accept 2*rcr123 wouldnt be a bad thing tho. i dont need it but i would like the option of using them too if neccessary.

**did retest.. yeah about a second is enough to memorise it when off.. didnt even think to look for that side of how long it must be off..hah normally i move so slowly so it has never ran into that problem. u know turning it back on too fast. hah. if i had, i probably just have tapped it to get to right amount.

i will get an second one. just in case. i will install that turbo head to it so i have a "thrower" mini and normal mini ready to roll.

currently its in my list of best bangs for bucks. (or fanciest flashlights for frugal fellows)

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

The L-mini II has a fairly short "memorizing time;" I clocked it at approximately 3/4 of a second (it is definitely under a second). I have another light that takes about 4 seconds, which is way too long in my opinion.

Actually, 2 CR123 will not fry the L-mini II, since the max voltage is actually 6V. However, it will give off a lot more heat because the voltage has to be lowered farther than with an 18650. Therefore, it is apparently not advisable to use 2 CR123 unless you are using low or medium modes.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

Oh - sorry for the confusion. The mini takes the 18650. I was asking about another flashlight that takes the 2xCR123a:
Spiderfire L2 Cree RED LED Flashlight Torch 6v 6p G2 - I had wanted to know if I could run it with 1x 18650.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

I was responding to this quote:

NonSenCe said:

just to make sure this is clear for all readers.. the Lmini2 will fry with cr123 and rcr123s!

Click to expand...

He is partially right though; you shouldn't put 2 RCR123's in the L-mini.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

gunga said:

That's really cool. I wanted to pick up some L-mini 2 drivers from Shining beam, but they are like $11!

Click to expand...

Yes, they are expensive but they are also custom drivers/sandwiches.
Best part for me is no PWM controlling the medium and low modes.

I bought 2 of them and modded some P60 R2 drop-ins with them.

Re: Question - MG L-Mini II 1x18650 Cree Q5 LED Flashlight 230 Lumens, Just ordered

Wow, ShinningBeam.com shipped the same day as ordered. It is on its way. I will be able to do a mini review (appropriate since it, too, is a mini). I shall include beam shots - outside close to far - showing beam spread and throw. I have high hopes for it. Anyway - ShinningBeam.com has excellent customer service. :hitit: