http://www.dealextreme.com/p/new-515-xp-e-r2-410lm-3-mode-white-flashlig…
The NEW–515 is a fairly new light on Deal Extreme. It bears a strong resemblance to one of the best AA lights around, the Trustfire R5-A3. However, it uses a older XP-E R2 emitter, not an XM-L. So is this new light a step forward or backward? Let’s take a closer look.
|
Model |
NEW–515 |
|
Price |
$11.10 |
|
Color |
Black |
|
Material |
Aluminum alloy |
|
Color BIN |
Cool White |
|
Emitter Type |
XP-E R2 |
|
Voltage Input |
1.5~3.7 V |
|
Battery Configuration |
1 × 14500 or 1 x AA |
|
Brightness |
245 lm |
|
Number of Modes |
3 |
|
Mode Arrangement |
High > Low > Fast strobe |
|
Mode Memory |
No |
|
Switch Type |
Reverse clicky |
|
Switch Location |
Tailcap |
|
Lens |
Glass |
|
Reflector |
Aluminum Orange Peel |
|
Clip Included |
Yes |
There is more than just a passing resemblance between the two lights. From the front and working back – the bezel is the same shape. There is a little more mass to the 515 but it seems like a cheaper metal. The machining marks are clearly visible. The battery tube, and the whole light is about 1mm thicker. The lettering cutouts are exactly the same, but the knurling is less agressive. The two lights share a strange tailcap clip retainer. The reddish, almost pink (not as pink as the R5-A3) ring screws down to hold in the clip, which sticks out through two small holes at the top of the body. I never even knew the R5 A3 had such a clip. I thought it was just directly attached to the body. The tailcap goes on over the ring. The 515 barely tailstands, it is slightly wobbly. The A3 was a flat tailstander.
Here’s the emitter. Nothing fancy here, it is well centered. Unfortunately it doesn’t use the same driver as the A3… it has no mode memory….
Here are all the parts, the orings look pretty good. Everything goes together well, but when I reassembled the light I had contact issues. Tightening back up helped so I don’t know if it was just me or what. There are quite a few parts going together so make sure it’s all good.
There is a retaining ring holding the clip on. It is seperate from the tailcap. The ring sits in a recess at the top of the battery tube.
The clip slides in and the retaining ring holds it in. So the clip is removable, but there will be the two holes still where the clip comes out.
End of tube before putting on cap.
Broad criss-cross pattern. Not much grip but it’s decent.
515 on left, R5-A3 on right. It seems the 515 has a smaller reflector than the A3. Still the XP-E throws much better. I got 6100 lux with the 515 and 3640 lux with the R5-A3. Edit: actually the reflector is probably the same, the bezel is just wider.
THE LIGHT ON IT’S OWN MERITS
Features / Value: ★★★★☆
The light has normal 3 star features. Standard 3
mode driver, clip, glass lens. The removable and nicely functional clip is a big plus. It feels robust while being small and unobtrusive. Add another star for the low price. A star is subtacted for having no mode memory. IMO if you do that it should start in low.
Design / Build Quality: ★★★☆☆
I like the way it’s built, but it has been done before better. Not sure what the reason for making the body as wide as it is. Not bad but 1mm bigger than the A3. Also the boot barely sticking out which makes tailstanding wobbly is a head scratcher.
Light Output: ★★★★☆
I measured the light with 14500 at 245 lm high and 68 lm low. Five stars for lithiums, along with 6100 lux pretty much maxes out what the xp-e can do in such a small light. Ni-mh disappoints with a 86/25 lm output.
Tailcap draw measures:
14500
high 1.45
low. 37
Duraloop
high 1.99
low .58
Summary: ★★★★☆
I really like this light. I love the R5-A3 and this light is the same design, just gains a lot of throw at the expense of some output. Slightly bigger and without mode memory, it feels a little cheaper than the R5-A3. I recommend it as an inexpensive little pocket thrower with a great clip.
Thanks for reading!
