Sunwayman D40A (XM-L2 | 4 x AA) Review

A dual-switch mechanism heralds the new feature on Sunwayman's latest model, the D40A:

It's a compact powerhouse that is endowed with a XM-L2 emitter and is capable of pumping out 980 lumens with decent throw. The aforementioned switches combine to allow easy and quick operation and provides access to 5 different outputs (of which there is a moon mode available) as well as four different blinkie modes. Let's see what else it has on tap...


MFG FEATURES & SPECS
MSRP: $89.95

Features
- CREE XM-L2 LED, with a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours
- Brand-new Dual-button Side Switch System, slightly depress the side switch buttons for output ranging from 30 to 980 lumens
- Constant current circuit, constant output
- High quality reflector with soft beam pattern
- Optimized Deep Reflector, great throw distance as well as perfect beam pattern
- High quality aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, Stainless steel head retaining ring
- Military specification Type III- hard anodized body
- Waterproof, in accordance with IPX-8 standard
- Ultra-clear tempered glass lens resists scratches and impacts
- Tail stand capable- can be used as a candle

Specifications:
LED: CREE XM-L2
Runs on: 4x AA (Batteries not included)
Output/Runtime:
Turbo: 980 lumens / .05h
High: 550 lumens / 1.7h
Mid: 220 lumens / 4h
Low: 30 lumens / 31h
Peak Beam Intensity: 24800 cd
Dimensions:
Length: 4.74" (120.6mm)
Head Diameter: 1.57" (40mm)
Body Diameter: 1.65" (42mm)
Weight (w/o Batteries): 5.83oz (165.4g)


PACKAGING & ACCESSORIES
The D40A arrived in a sturdy cardboard box w/ample foam cushioning:


Accessories included are:
Lanyard, O-ring, Holster



VIDEO SUMMARY
Here's a full vid review while I flesh out this written one:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/Nzi6nB7C9kg

SIZE & HANDLING

L to R: Energizer AA (E91) | Sunwayman V11R w/AP05 AA ext. | Sunwayman D40A | Shadow JM07 | TaoTronics TF01 w/ext. | Nitecore P25

Given I don't have any other lights w/the same form factor, I decided to include various lights for size comparo. The diameter of the JM07's tube (which is a 26650 light) comes closest to the D40A's tube albeit still smaller.



BEAMSHOTS
Here's an outdoor vid comparing the D40A to a few other lights (please see this thread for full details including distances involved and additional pic beamshots):
http://www.youtube.com/embed/fwzjFq4T6No


RUNTIME & OUTPUT
The relevant battery stats are provided above each runtime graph along with:
- Voltage of the battery at the start and end of the test
- Current draw
- Actual runtime using ANSI FL1 (first in HR and then in M so for the Eneloop XX on Turbo, read this as 1.9hrs or 111min)
- As of May 2012: Lumens measured on my PVC LMD @ 30 seconds
- Also captured the temperature: ambient, the head/fins at start and the max it reached (fan was used for all bats)


Max output measured @ 30 seconds was 1120lms w/4 x Eneloop (note: although I calibrate my PVC LMD before each runtime/lumens testing, the ambient temp will also cause deviations in readings).

To prevent overheating, the D40A only maintains Turbo mode for a timed duration of ~3.5 minutes (can be re-invoked) after which it'll step down to High and run in perfect regulation until the batteries can no longer maintain the current draw. The output will then start a gradual decline giving one ample visual indication to replace the batteries. If that isn't enough, there is also a low-voltage warning LED between the two switches that'll light up when the voltage is too low.

Given the relatively high current draw, I'd strongly recommend getting some quality NiMh cells like the Eneloop's or Eneloop XX's. As can be seen in the runtime chart, while step down is also timed at 3.5min, the E91's incur a huge hit and take a steep dive during Turbo and then after step-down occurs, it's only able to maintain regulation on High for ~30 minutes vs. 87min on standard Eneloops and 111 on Eneloop XX. A nice thing about the D40A is that given the 3V bottom range of the operating voltage it can be a battery vampire when used with Alkalines. Once the E91's have been sufficiently drained, it'll enter into a prolonged moonlight mode that presumably can last until that 3V limit is hit. I had to stop the runtime testing at 200 min at which the total volate of the E91's was 3.87V (3 cells were ~1V ea with one cell at .87). I'll report back in the future on just how low it can drain these cells to.

The strange thing is that it doesn't seem to like L91's (Lithium equiv. of alkaline AA). The red low voltage LED kicked-in immediately and the light wouldn't stay in turbo. Although these cells are also 1.5V nominal, perhaps it detects that the resting voltage (1.86V ea so total of 7.44V) is out of bounds (3-6V so 14500 LiIon's are NOT supported). I plan on doing a vid on this (as well as the LVW feature) in the future.

Here in order for each cell are measurements for:
* Step-down time (from Turbo)
* High; average lms in first minute + current draw and calculated runtime
* Medium; average lms in first minute + current draw and calculated runtime
* Low; average lms in first minute + current draw and calculated runtime
* Moon; average lms in first minute + current draw and calculated runtime
* Standby current and time (calculated in days & months)


I haven't checked the draw on lockout yet but when the switch first receives electricity, the current draw will be as high as 1.7mA for about two seconds (almost like an initiation/pre-check stage) before it'll drop down to a steady 9.62µA (measured on Fluke 289) which is absolutely miniscule and one of the best I've ever measured on an electronic switch. This should allow the D40A to be an EXCELLENT emergency use light when paired with LSD NiMH's, however, as mentioned in my vid, it'd really be a shame to relegate the D40A to just emergency use as it's such a nice light with many excellent features for daily use.


MORE TO COME...


D40A GALLERY


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D40A provided by batteryjunction.com for review.

Be a direct comparison to Nitcore Ea4?

Should I buy it, Should I buy it? Just say it :slight_smile:

I have a EA4 already and I love the design of it. It this is even brighter and dimmer, has an even smoother beam and a better button… Should I have it?

Thank you TurboBB for a wonderful review on SWM D40A, does the buttons feel like NiteCore Explorer series ?

I was over the fence for Nitecore EA4w/EA8w for awhile, but soon found out the rubber switch cover kinda turn me off, but still liking the batteries holder/body design.

Thx guys. I unfortunately don't have an EA4 so can't comment on it or how it may compare to the D40A. As for the button feel, if the EA4's button is like that on the P25 or TM11/26 then no. The D40A's button feels like those on small micro remote controls except a little firmer, for example:

That’s sweet! Sunwayman D40A is a worthy collector’s item.

Thanks for the review.

Looking forward to a NW version.

Just FYI that I made a mistake with commentary on the E91's total runtime. It was actually the worst @ 56min. I also added this new commentary:

"A nice thing about the D40A is that given the 3V bottom range of the operating voltage it can be a battery vampire when used with Alkalines. Once the E91's have been sufficiently drained, it'll enter into a prolonged moonlight mode that presumably can last until that 3V limit is hit. I had to stop the runtime testing at 200 min at which the total voltage of the E91's was 3.87V (3 cells were ~1V ea with one cell at .87). I'll report back in the future on just how low it can drain these cells to."

Nice review, like the beamshot video. It is a very nice light. Between the EA4 and D40A, I prefer the D40A.

my d40a arrived in the post :slight_smile: great light in my eyes. i prefere the twin buttons to the ea4 single. im now awaiting the dark…. :slight_smile:

seriously guys ,this is a very nice light imo, and i will use it more than the ea4 thats for sure… oh also the 2x nitecore diffuser i got for the ea4 also fit the d40a :slight_smile:

this one http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10003970/1325112-nitecore-ndf-40-40mm-beam-diffuser-for-flashlights

and this one http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10003970/1325113-nitecore-nfd-40-40mm-beam-diffuser-for-flashlights

Thanks for sharing this information.

Thanks for the review. Can’t wait for mine to get here. I noticed last night that FT has them back in stock and mine has shipped. I’ll be seeing it in about a week. Like I said before, I have a EA4 XM L2 and really like the form factor of the light. I am having problems with the switch on that light and it’s getting pretty deformed. Kinda pisses me off that a quality light like the EA4 is having such a stupid problem.

On mine the spring on the driver board is not mounted straight, it´s leaning quite a bit, no problem function-wise, but shouldn´t have passed QC methinks…

If I´d bought it from FT with the free return policy I might have done something about it, but mine´s from WB.

Otherwise a really great light, nice combo of flood and throw with a really good moonlight mode.

The EA4 flashlightbody feels more solid though, prefer the the way the batteries are held in place vs the separate batteryholder in the D40A.

Great review. You really pay attention to detail!

Nice review on a great light. Seems way better than the EA4. That is the nicest battery carrier I've seen yet and the light is bright as hell! Makes me wish I'd grabbed one from FT before the price jump and non-availability. :(

I have both this and the EA4, well I did until I sold the EA4…

Advantages of this over EA4 (and why I sold EA4)

- Slightly brighter to my eyes (though my EA4 was the XML U2 version)

- Two buttons easier to use than EA4 which was OK but annoying at times

  • 1/8 twist of the barrel locks it out, stopping current draw and as an extra safety

Where is the cheapest place to get one of these, now that the usual suspects have raised their prices?!

I just ordered mine from HKE. It has a $15 discount for forum members.

I decided to try this link:
https://support.fasttech.com/general/VOLM/1374600
The bulk price turned out to be much lower. In my case, the quote was for a bulk quantity that can be described by this mathematical expression: sin(π/6)*[√4] + (3!)^2 - (46656)^(1/3)
:wink: :wink:

SWM really need to release a NW version.