Review: Lighten7 Elite S1A compact powerhouse (XM-L U2 | 1 x 18650)

Lighten7 is still a relatively obscure company in the flashlight industry but they are working on changing that with some new products with the latest being their compact powerhouse, the Elite S1A:

With 700 decently regulated lumens on tap and a pretty compact form, this should be a consideration for those looking to EDC 18650-sized lights. Let's see how it fares in that regard...


MFG SPECS
MSRP (USD): $79 (non-kit version in this review)
• Premium CREE XM-L U2 LED emitter
• Maximum output at 700 lumens with max. runtime over 28 hours
• Powered by 1x18650 Li-ion battery (Kit set bundles battery and charger)
• Easy access side switch for output modes change and strobe, momentary-on at tail switch
• Advanced driver provides constant current discharge, reverse polarity protection, low voltage warning
• All-in-one circuit room structure enhances heat conduction and dissipation
• Aerospace class aluminum alloy with military class type III hard anodized body
• Stainless steel strike bezel adds protection capabilities
• Textured reflector to balance the beam spread and distance with armored lens
• Compact design for everyday carry and all kind of outdoor activities


PACKAGING / CONTENTS
The S1A arrived in their Eco Packaging (kit versions get a presentation case):


Accessories included are:
- 2 x o-ring's
- lanyard
- holster
- tailclip
- spare lens (& corresponding o-ring)
- user manual



CONDENSED VIDEO SUMMARY
Here is a quick high-level video summary of the S1A while while I work on fleshing out this review:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/mReaSXkNvdY


DESIGN / FEATURES
The S1A features a removable SS bezel that allows one to easily note if the S1A is on when stood bezel down:

While it's easily removable and allows access to the lens and o-ring behind it, the reflector seems to be glued down and not removable.

The lens doesn't feature any AR coating:

The XM-L U2 emitter sits perfectly centered in the reflector, albet, given it's textured, it's not as critical as with a smooth reflector.

These heat-sinking fins do a pretty good job of shedding heat from the light:

The electronic side-switch is situated just past it; it's only operable when the rear main switch is on.

The battery tube features two flat-sides with the company's name engraved on one and the model on the other:

The texture is pretty smooth (as is the anodizing) and doesn't contribute at all to the grip.

Here's the S1A diassembled into its three main parts:


There is a raised point under the head allowing the use of flat-top cells; the tailcap features two raised "guards" as well as an oblong attachment point for the included lanyard:


The rubber tailcap cover however protrudes past the guards rendering it unable to tail stand; one could possibly replace it using needle-nose pliers to dissasemble the tail switch.

Given its compact size, the S1A can take cells up to 68.5mm max which sits flush w/the end of the tube. XTAR 18700's will NOT work as they are too long so as to prevent the tailcap from being screwed all the way in:

From L to R: AW IMR 1600 @ 65.2mm | RediLast 3400 @ 68.5mm | XTAR 18700 2600 @ 69.2mm



SIZE / HANDLING

L to R: RediLast 3100 | XENO S3A | Lighten7 Elite S1A | Sunwayman T20C | XENO G10v2 | XTAR TZ20 | FoxFury Rook CheckMate | Niwalker 550N3 | ThruNite TN11S | Crelant V9-T6 | Lighten7 Elite M1A | Lighten7 Elite M1B

As can be seen in the pic above, the S1A ranks as one of the most compact 1x18650 sized lights in my collection with only XENO's ultra-compact S3A being smaller.

When gripped w/my left-hand and with my thumb positioned between the two raised tailcap guards, my pinky conveniently falls on the side-switch allowing me one-handed access to both switches (not the case with my right-hand though):

Regardless if held overhand or underhand, the S1A feels great in my medium-sized hand but could likely be on the smaller side for those w/large hands.


FIT & FINISH
Lighten7 looks to have stepped up the QC since their initial launch in which the three lights I reviewed from their first production run all had minor issues. I'm delighted to report that none cropped up with the S1A during my time testing it thus far.

The SS bezel is properly deburred with no sharp edges (this was a common problem with the other three):

The side-switch could stand to be just a bit more crisp but that's really more a personal preference than QC issue. Also, I found it a little too easy to engage strobe when cycling through mode changes, I would like to see the double-click timing shortened up a little.

The HA-III finish is interesting in that it's a glossy and while I personally prefer matte, regardless, it was flawless and evenly matched across all parts:

Note: Flash was intentionally used in this shot to highlight any mismatching but none was found.

There were none missing in the grooves of the texture, around sharp edges or within the heat fin areas (these are common issues found on poor anodizing process):


All engravings are also nice and sharp with no blotchiness (although the concrete finish may give it that apperance):


The rear forward-clicky switch provides a nice tactile feedback.

As mentioned, overall I have yet to find any significant issues. However if there was one nitpick to be had, it's that the side-siwtch isn't centered perfectly within the flat surface it sits on:

In this pic, it's just slightly off to the left.


BEAMSHOTS
Indoors (5m)

High




Med


Low

For details of the above indoor shots and comparo vs. many other lights, please check Epic Indoor Shots Trilogy


RUNTIME
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 RL3100 on High, read this as 1.4hrs or 83min)
- NEW (as of May 2012): Lumens measured on my PVC LMD @ 30 seconds
- Also for High, captured the temperature: ambient, the head/fins at start and the max it reached (fan was used for all bats)

NOTE: The strange temp line is due to incorrect setting on DMM at start so I only caught the latter portion of the run. Will update chart w/other runs and correct temp graphs but ultimately, the important bit is the max temp reached.

While not table-top flat, the S1A runs pretty well regulated for such a compact light and given the output, there is a bit of heat involved with max temp reached of nearly 112F. I was able to match the runtime of 1.4hrs using a RL3100.

[NEW 10/23: Wrapped up runtime w/AW2600 and IMR and took tailcap current measurements. At 2.2A+ draw, this is the hardest driven light in their lineup that I've tested and the 700+ lumens is wholly realistic. I unfortunately didn' log the IMR temp reading but it was pretty much inline w/the other two cells.]


INITIAL CONCLUSION
The S1A has been a pleasant surprise; the compact size coupled with nicely regulated output, excellent build quality and included accessories should make it a strong contender for those conisdering an 18650-sized light for EDC. I'll need some additional time to get a feel for how it carries as an EDC so for now, here are my impressions:

turboBB-licious
- excellent build quality
- decently regulated output that averages > 680lms over the first hour (with RL3100 or AW2600)
- pretty compact for an 18650-sized light

turboBB-cautious
- not compatible with 18700 cells (or any cell longer than 68.5mm)
- side-switch a little trigger happy to invoke strobe when cycling through output levels
- might be slippery to hold given the smooth finish and lack of agressive texturing

turboBB-wishes
- tightening of timing for the double-click to invoke strobe
- flat anodized finish
- swappable reflector; a smooth one would make this a nice compact thrower



S1A GALLERY



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Disclosure: Elite S1A provided by Lighten7 for review.

Nice review man. You sure do get a bunch of nice ones to review!

Thx and agreed, it's a true privilege.

All, following sections now added/updated: Design & Features | Size & Handling | Fit & Finish | Runtime

Thanks for the review. That light has a striking resemblance to the new Shadow JM07. Would compliment it well, perhaps another future project….

Hey, it has moon mode without any cell :open_mouth: Nice :bigsmile:

As for the light… well, quite pricey, IMO. Good amount of extras, but when I see different knurling size and shiny coating in expensive lights… meh :~
Is that me or MED mode has lower PWM than LOW mode? :open_mouth: I thought less brightness - more PWM :expressionless:
Excellent review as always, Turbo. Thanks :wink: :beer:

Thanks very much! Frontpage’d and Sticky’d.