Crelant V9CS
This is my first review, so please be gentle. And I apologise in advance for it being completely sub-par compared to most of the other reviews.
Anyhow, a while back I ordered a lovely looking Khaki green V9 T6 via eBay. HKEquippment (the seller) contacted me saying they couldn’t supply it and offered me a new V9CS instead. At the time I was disappointed in not getting the cool coloured T6, but I think I can live with it.
Order was dispatched on the 12th and today (24th) this was waiting on my return from work.
Some bold lux and beam distance claims from Crelant for the V9CS:
The flashlight, it’s a lovely grey anodising, currently the only flashlight I own this colour and I really like it.
In the box:
A note on the holster, while it appears well made having the combat grip ring on the flashlight makes it bloody hard work to get the flashlight in or out of the holster.
Very nice stainless steel bezel at both ends and a GITD O-ring behind the glass lens (nice touch )
It’s happy tailstanding with no wobble at all. And stable headstanding, although you can’t tell if it’s on or not.
Some size comparison shots:
From the left
SIPIK SK68 | EagleTac D25LC2 Mini | Klarus NT20 | Solarforce L2M (2012 Edition) | Crelant V9CS | Small Sun ZY-T13 |
(And Lucky cat in the background )
From the bottom:
Small Sun ZY-T13 | Crelant V9CS | Solarforce L2M | Solarforce 2600 18650 V3 |
A nicely centred XM-L U2 and SMO reflector:
UI
I have a couple of dual button lights now and I have to say this is my much preferred user interface. The V9CS is slightly different but seems to work well.
The forward tail cap clicky offers up momentary on as well as on/off. Nice positive feel with a firm click.
The side switch is electronic and feels rather different, not bad, just different:
The instructions are pretty lightweight, so I’m trying to figure out all of the modes. If you double click the side switch it gives you instant strobe. I really like this and is exactly how strobe should be; completely hidden, but instantly accessible should you need it.
Another double click offers up SOS.
A single click seems to turn the light off. (more on this in a mo)
Variable control - if you click and hold the side switch for about 3-4 secs the flahslight will start to dim. It will dim all they way to its lowest setting and back up to brightest again. It takes a little getting used to, but works well. And this really isn’t the kind of torch you need/want a moonlight mode on anyhow.
Memory - it does have a memory, if you dim the flashlight and then single click the side button it’ll turn off. Single click again and it’ll turn back on at the previous brightness. Use the tail switch and it’ll reset to MAX. This I like as it’ll be max every time you use it, then if you know you need less light you can tailor it to the situation.
Beam
I’ll add some beamshot later. For now all I can say is it has a very very tight hot spot, quite a narrow spill and is significantly brighter hot spot and spill than my Solarforce L2M with Solorforce XM-L U2 drop in.
The beam is completely artefact free, very bright concentrated hot spot, with a brighter corona then moving out to a nice even spill.
Conclusion
Very high quality feeling and looking machining and anodizing. It’s quite chunky and you’d certainly notice it in your pocket.
Very bright and lovely beam.
Brilliant UI - this alone is worth the money.