Review: Crelant V9-T6

Crelant V9-T6

Say what you will about Int'l-Outdoor but you have to admit; Hank's collection of flashlights are some of the hottest designs available anywhere. Being P60 satiated for quite some time and, not finding the necessary change and variety at my old stand-bys (Solarforce, Manafont, etc.) Foy goes to Nanjing, China. Hank's site is a feast of very desirable torches, from the average to the extreme and beyond. There's a cozy buyer-seller connection at Int'l-Outdoor that simply does not exist at other Chinese sites, no matter how sunny, warm and shallow their shills' posts are. (What types of LED lights you are happy for in camping expidetion? I want to make friends and I love BLF>) I can honestly say that my desire for something different is so far being met, the latest of which is this fine looking Crelant V9-T6 by Tiablo. I ordered the V9 for one reason and one reason only; I simply liked how it looked. But is it a good flashlight? A qualified . . .

Foyapproved

Bottom line: The handsome Crelant V9-T6 is a good flashlight. It has no glaring weaknesses but its performance is merely adequate. It has above average quality, a spectacular exterior finish, a superb beam profile and of course, it is very good looking. Other than an odd driver issue and a less than ideal UI, the Crelant V9-T6 is a good flashlight. I also feel that it is overpriced by about $10. Driven to a little over three amps, with a better tint and with a solid 3-mode UI then, perhaps it would be worth $42.60.

<<update>>

7-26-12

I sent this light to E1320 for a driver swap and more output. He had a hell of a time getting the old driver out and ended up using a dent puller. After all that I thought the light would be all messed up but it arrived yesterday with not a single scratch. The thing I love the most about how E programmed this driver is the super low moonlight. Is absolutely the lowest low I have ever seen. It's also a lot brighter than it was.

tail cap draw with Tenergy 18650 charged to 4.21 volts: (with new driver)

moonlight - .00 (my lame DMM will not read that low)

low - .09

medium -.70

high - 1.61

turbo - 3.45

What I like:

- anodization

- flawless machine/build quality

- design/aesthetics

- 2 side-hole tail cap

- stainless steel bezel

- wide working voltage

- Chinese instruction booklet

What I do not like:

- softly driven

- UI

- insufficient threads

- occasional flickering/step down in current when powering up on high

- tint

- arrived with a (very) slight flaw

Tiablo Crelant V9-T6 Flashlight

$42.60 Int'l Outdoor http://www.intl-outdoor.com/crelant-v9t6-flashlight-p-310.html

ordered: 2-16-12

received: 3-2-12

Cree XM-L/T6 emitter

SMO reflector

designed for 1 x 18650, 2 x 16340 lithium-ion or 2 x CR123 primary batteries

working voltage: 2.75 to 8.4 volts

3-mode user interface: high, low and fast strobe

6061-T6 aluminum

color: gray "HA III" (crelant.com says HA II)

rubber grip/impact rings

tail stands, 2- side lanyard holes (can tail stand with lanyard)

crenulated stainless steel bezel

AR coated glass lens

tactical, forward clicky tail cap switch with 14mm boot

IPX-8 (immersion beyond 1 meter for at least 30 minutes)

selected manufacturer specifications: (from intl-outdoor.com)

"600 lumen OTF"

153mm length; 23mm body; 44.5mm head

155 grams without battery

selected manufacturer specifications: (from crelant.com)

2 x CR123: 650 lumens for 85 minutes

1 x 18650: 650 lumens for 120 minutes

what you get for $42.60:

- Crelant V9-T6 flashlight

- 3 spare o-rings

- Chinese language instruction booklet

tail cap draw with 1 unprotected Panasonic 18650/2350

high: 2.20 amps

low: .43 amp

2 x UltraFire 16340/880

high: 1.14 amps (and rising)

low: .27 amp

2 x Eveready CR123

high: 1.40 amps (and rising)

low: .33 amp

Foyometer (for comparative purpose only)

60 - Foy's dimly lit office

140 - Crelant V9-T6 (Xtar 26700/2600)

160 - Solarforce L2P/UF XM-L (Tenergy 18650/2600)

The V9 feels as good as it looks. No new design frontiers being explored here; just a well balanced flashlight with enough detail interest, but not too much. It's not overwrought but the four thickish fins, six divots around the "collar" and classic-cut, sharp angled head are upscale and I'm a huge fan of the no-knurl body . . .

The rubber grip/impact rings suggest weapon light but I'm not sure the 3-mode/flashy UI will appeal to the gun crowd.

The scalloped edge on the tail cap in this shot may appear damaged. It is not but I do like the two side holes that allow tail standing with a lanyard installed.

The V9 is branded "Crelant" but Int'l Outdoor's site says the manufacturer is Tiablo. Either way, this is a quality piece, inside and out.

Crelant.com says the V9-T6 will run 120 minutes on high with an 18650. I got an hour and a half with a Panasonic 18650 that probably needed a charge so, it might be possible. The light never dropped out of regulation during my "test."

The V9-T6 will calm the centered emitter huffys and the smooth reflector is gorgeous. One thing about the bezel . . .

. . . those lines in the scalloped part of the bezel are not reflections; they're some kind of tool marks. They are also very slight and quite smooth.

As you can see, machine work is flawless, as is the anodization . . .

I think this is one of the prettiest tail caps I have ever seen.

The tail cap threads are square and feel great but a pet peeve of mine is insufficient threads . . .

. . . as in, three up front and two back here is just not enough. I don't like a tail cap or body that falls off with barely two turns. It feels cheap. Foy doesn't like to feel cheap. Especially at $42.50.

I didn't pry the star cover off because I fear an unintentional de-dome event with blood. It's two wires and some solder so, move along, folks.

Handy web address reference and another example of the fine workmanship that defines this torch.

That's an unprotected Panasonic 18650 in there . . .

One thing I do have to mention is this little square of metal wedged between fins 3 and 4. At first I thought it was just some cardboard or something . . .

. . . but it was a piece of aluminum pushed in there real tight, and before the anodization process. When it finally came out, I was left with this adorable little birthmark. With so many errant V9s around, it's a relief to know I can quickly identify mine in a lineup.

More bad news; I hate the tint. On the left is a garden variety 3-mode UltraFire XM-L from Manafont in an L2P. At right is the Green Hornet Crelant V9-T6. Under many conditions this is not an issue but I must say, it makes the dry ground around my house look damp and mossy. At least the beam profile is great.

Which brings us to the beam shots. All pictures were taken with a 1/4 second shutter speed @ f2.8.

Crelant V9-T6 . . .

L2P with an UF XM-L drop-in. You can see that the tint issue is no small matter. Either that or Foy is slowly becoming the tint snob he previously made fun of.

If you look at the center spot, you can see that the C8 size diameter reflector of the V9 puts a more intense beam on the wall above the garbage bags, indicating more throw than the smaller P60 light. (can still see the vertical lines with the L2P)

Funny business 101. Here is the V9 instruction manual, apparently good for the R5 version as well . . .

. . . I found the clearly worded directions most helpful . . .

. . . and this handy trouble-shooting chart that should make diagnosing common issues a snap.

It's a great light that I'm proud to own. I just think $40 should buy some more beans under the hood.

takeshimselftooseriouslyFoy

Beautiful photo's foy and a great review. It's a pity about the tint and output.

Thanks, Foy! Excellent review. I agree, it's a gorgeous light. And I think I can relate - I finally bought a TF ST-50 a month or so back for one reason only: I loved its looks. I had wanted one since I first saw a picture but I simply had no need for a SST-50 light so I held off until I found a deal that was too good to pass up. Now, I like it and in a way, I'm glad I bought it but I don't think I have used it for more than an hour tops. I do play with it from time to time but I won't even pretend it wasn't a waste of money. It's like the male equivalent of buying your 60th pair of shoes. :D

I see terrible green tint, tooling marks on bezel, short threads that over time may fail, sloppy work with the metal piece stuck between the fins. Underdriven but you can take that as a positive or a negative. Nice review for pointing all of those things out. Don’t think this one will make the short list. Good job Foy.

I've got three questions Foy.. how much have you spent on flashlights in the.. last 12 months or so? :D

And have you found a thrower you prefer over the UF980L by now?

Have you ever noticed that you got profile number 404? :D

Heh, that's pretty cool. I wonder who is going to end up with 127001. ;)

would have to be somebody local.

Hahaha. :D Love it!

You have nice pics & reviews always! Thanks!

AnotherawesomereviewandpicsbyFoy!

that you do an excellent review and awesome photos! I am sure I never want to send you one of my lights. I wouldn't want your photographic ability unleashed on one, where everyone could see the faults.EmbarassedWink

Really great close up photos Foy!

What is a profile number? 404? Probably something I should know . . . .

inthedarkFoy

It's computer geek talk.

Your user number is 404:

http://budgetlightforum.com/user/404

404 is "not found" http code that any web server returns if it cannot locate the resource (web page) a browser is trying to get. It's just a "happy" coincidence you are user with id 404, the same as the http code.

127.0.0.1 is the localhost IP address, a means for each and every network device to reference to itself.

Wikipedia and google could help you learn more about that, but I'm guessing even this is more than you want to know. ;)

Viktor

Foy, hover your mouse over your user name (or click on your user name) Flashlight Foy and you will see this link:

http://budgetlightforum.com/user/404

So you are user number 404.

And when it comes to web site servers, when users attempts to follow a broken or dead link, they get one of the most recognizable errors users can find on the web: A 404 error.

EDIT: viktori beat me to it! And I didn't catch the 127001 joke until it was pointed out.

404 = Foy

Foy = dead end

I've seen that 404 message for years . . . Foy is a bit slow on the uptake. I didn't even know we had a unique number . . .

htmlguruFoy

ignoringimportantquestionsFoy :P

And, I forgot to answer NightCrawl's question. My go-to/bump-in-the-night light moved from the 980L to my E/F-15 and although they both have terrific throw, I have other lights that fill that role better.

The 980L spends a lot of time on the shelf, lately.

Foy

Whodowelove?Foy!

Credits to the big bang theory.

I love your reviews and I even like that light.. but I feel I have spent way too much money on flashlights from which most havent even arrived yet..

And sorry for OT-ing this thread and even though I put myself in danger of spending even more money, do you have a link to the E/F-15 and can you name your best thrower/s?

Whodowelove?Foy!

Just awesome what you contribute to this.

Whodowelove?Foy!

I got the F15 from Manafont some time ago and I see today the only one they have now is a P7.

I apologize for calling it an E/F-15 . . . I thought it sounded cool. A few of us sent our TrustFire F15-T6 flashlights to member E1320. I call Erik "E" sometimes and instead of calling it the E1320 modified F-15, it is now dubbed the E/F-15. Similarly; the clumsy E1320 modified MCU-C88 becomes the hip E/C88.

ILF is the thrower man and has way more big hit lights than I ever will. Among my sad lot, the light with the most reach is the Solarforce Masterpiece Pro 1, although it is not the brightest by a long mile. My favorite thrower (that I own) is the Solarforce M8. (XinTD L2 is a close second)

longwindedFoy

And It Rocks .

4B tint XML( .02, .09, .65, 1.5, 3.15 ) amps with memory.

Yowza .

Erik also made me an awesome P60 dropin .

3D tint XPG R4 ( .002, .06, .325, .67, 1.4 ) amps with memory.

That particular dropin lives in a 501a powered by an 18350 .

The firefly low is very cool .

Don't keep buying lights .

Have E1320 make your existing ones better .