Some more pics… You guys know the little flashlight man in our heads that just says “BUY it now!! Buy it now!!!” and once you get it he goes… “Oooh screws!! Take them apart… COME ON!!!”.
Tear down time.
The switch board comes apart easily.
I was going to copper braid them, but I dont think I need to.
Remember the $23 Skyray Coin-King Ebay scam? I tried to use that coin to bridge all the -B poles and take a tailcap current measurement. But the dam thing was to big.
Tried a quarter, but Its not flat and I was not getting good contact across all the cells.
So I just put the switch board back in and measured current across the switch directly (solder pad to pad), through the -B springs and all I get:
5.3A - HI
1.95A-MED
.36A - LO
With my 2.3 Ah (tested) CGR18650E cells that equates to:
1.74 Hours - HI
4.71 Hours - Med
25.6 Hours - Lo
5.3A from a single cell would be asking a lot. But with 4P, it gets split 4-ways. So its a REALLY easy 1.33A draw from each cell. So even non-IMR Samsung and Sony cells can easily run with this light. Forget the high output Lithium current blasters. Get cells that optimize CAPACITY for this one!! Should make a KILLER constant-ON, long running, trail flooder. I was going to take the little handle off, but I think it will be easier to hand carry.
Assuming panny CGR 18650 cells dont voltage sag much under this light of a load, and the XML Vf doesn’t increase much over 3.2V.
1.17A per LED is what I calculate, assuming an 85% efficient driver.
Now lets not jump the gun here, just yet… these are just ballpark estimated theoretical calcs. I for one am going to let someone take the plunge and actually measure LED current, before I jump to conclusions.
I will be doing ceiling-bounce comparisons with my TR-J12 tonight, so sit tight for that. I wish I could take beam-shots (AARGH). I only have a P/S camera. I might try my wifes iphone… maybe theres a iphone camera AP that will allow me to fix exposure settings.
Great thanks!!
I let the light tail-stand on HI for 5-6 minutes in my 85-F garage, with no additional cooling and it did get hot to the touch. Not painful/scalding to the touch hot, but definitely hot enough for a light this size. So whatever drive current its set to, I think its optimal for a light this size / weight.
Im getting 1.47amp or 7.35amps at the cap. High mode and two sets of fresh cells, 4x AW 2000mah Red Label
and AW 2200mah Protected or Black Jacket. This is still below spec but i’ll wait for an official review …
Further impressions…
Just got back form a little night walk around the neighborhood and the 5T6 is DEFINITELY a flooder. Its a wider flood beam than the TR-J12, by a slight but definitely noticeable amount. I left the light on for ~30 minutes straight. It got warm but not alarmingly hot, so its well suited as a constant on, hand held flood light, with moderately cool air circulation. Can’t wait to get it out on the trails and camp sites, perfect for that kind of thing.
Snapped some fixed exposure beam shots too EDIT These pics really weren’t that great, so I have deleted them. My original post has now been updated with better shots… ITS REALLY HARD taking good beamshots. Some of you guys have some MAD SKILLS in this department. I was able to lock down the iPhone exposure setting alright, but with a wide beam flooder theres no center hot spot to aim and center the beam with. I tried my best to aim the light at targets, but still… I’m off just a little on a few. So take these shots for what they’re worth. Definitely I think the TR-J12 and 5T6 are in the same lumen ballpark, they’re not far off from each other thats for sure. The J12 has a slightly tighter more focused beam so again its the Lux-versus-lumen thing playing tricks. I’m happy calling them 2000 Lumen flooders, and that’ll be it for me.
One things for dam sure… at $54 shipped the TR-J12 is a STEAL. Its 1/2 the price, of the Apex for almost the same amount of light OTF and a slightly tighter beam. The Apex form factor slaughters the J12 though. Its just an easier light to carry, hold, mode flip…etc.
The handle thing is a nice feature too. I had no problems carrying it.
Beer mug hold
Wow thats 2A more than mine draws… strange. I’m definitely getting a lot of light. On a ceiling bounce it just about the same as my TR-J12. Its a more yellow tint than my J12 too. So th etint difference could be playing tricks on me.
Thanks for posting your initial impressions, photos & especially beamshots!
I've been preparing a full review of this light, so: I hope you don't mind if I publish it. (No beamshots though. I tried to go out last night at 00:30, but it was still too bright for good beamshots. Midnight sun rules, NOT! )
… especially enjoyed the suggested handle-grip options …
Though all the current readings are lower than claimed by CN Quality Goods (I hope they did not over-state their claims … :~ ), it still seems to put out a decent amount of light. I like how the 5T6 uses 4 x 18650s in parallel, meaning much less stress per battery as well as a decent run time. I also like the handle design - it means you don’t have to directly hold the thick body of the flashlight … I suppose you could put some kind of “grip tape” or rubber / silicon sleeve over it to make it easier to hold in wet / raining conditions?
Anyway - great stuff! I’m now patiently waiting for mine to arrive …
Looks like a decent light and 4 18650 batteries is a great power source but I’m not a fan of the handle at all (my only complaint). Looks like a giant pocket clip and being as thin as it is, I can imagine it would become uncomfortable real quick. A better built handle would seal the deal for me. Yeah, I know, I could “mod” it but making it thicker would reduce the available room for your fingers. Looks like a tight fit already. Good luck to those using gloves when it’s cold.
i have some big paws and its snug. The thickness isn’t an issue . If it were thin i would have yanked it and made a new handle or retro-fit a Jetbeam or Niteye handle. I actually bought 1 extra handle to mod with tape switch underneath the handle/trigger finger. Its not thin and will not flex…
The tape switch is a great idea. The handle might not “flex” much but the spare handle you bought can certainly be bent/reshaped. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
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