Crelant V9-T6
Say what you will about Int'l-Outdoor but you have to admit; Hank's collection of flashlights are some of the hottest designs available anywhere. Being P60 satiated for quite some time and, not finding the necessary change and variety at my old stand-bys (Solarforce, Manafont, etc.) Foy goes to Nanjing, China. Hank's site is a feast of very desirable torches, from the average to the extreme and beyond. There's a cozy buyer-seller connection at Int'l-Outdoor that simply does not exist at other Chinese sites, no matter how sunny, warm and shallow their shills' posts are. (What types of LED lights you are happy for in camping expidetion? I want to make friends and I love BLF>) I can honestly say that my desire for something different is so far being met, the latest of which is this fine looking Crelant V9-T6 by Tiablo. I ordered the V9 for one reason and one reason only; I simply liked how it looked. But is it a good flashlight? A qualified . . .
Foyapproved
Bottom line: The handsome Crelant V9-T6 is a good flashlight. It has no glaring weaknesses but its performance is merely adequate. It has above average quality, a spectacular exterior finish, a superb beam profile and of course, it is very good looking. Other than an odd driver issue and a less than ideal UI, the Crelant V9-T6 is a good flashlight. I also feel that it is overpriced by about $10. Driven to a little over three amps, with a better tint and with a solid 3-mode UI then, perhaps it would be worth $42.60.
<<update>>
7-26-12
I sent this light to E1320 for a driver swap and more output. He had a hell of a time getting the old driver out and ended up using a dent puller. After all that I thought the light would be all messed up but it arrived yesterday with not a single scratch. The thing I love the most about how E programmed this driver is the super low moonlight. Is absolutely the lowest low I have ever seen. It's also a lot brighter than it was.
tail cap draw with Tenergy 18650 charged to 4.21 volts: (with new driver)
moonlight - .00 (my lame DMM will not read that low)
low - .09
medium -.70
high - 1.61
turbo - 3.45
What I like:
- anodization
- flawless machine/build quality
- design/aesthetics
- 2 side-hole tail cap
- stainless steel bezel
- wide working voltage
- Chinese instruction booklet
What I do not like:
- softly driven
- UI
- insufficient threads
- occasional flickering/step down in current when powering up on high
- tint
- arrived with a (very) slight flaw
Tiablo Crelant V9-T6 Flashlight
$42.60 Int'l Outdoor http://www.intl-outdoor.com/crelant-v9t6-flashlight-p-310.html
ordered: 2-16-12
received: 3-2-12
Cree XM-L/T6 emitter
SMO reflector
designed for 1 x 18650, 2 x 16340 lithium-ion or 2 x CR123 primary batteries
working voltage: 2.75 to 8.4 volts
3-mode user interface: high, low and fast strobe
6061-T6 aluminum
color: gray "HA III" (crelant.com says HA II)
rubber grip/impact rings
tail stands, 2- side lanyard holes (can tail stand with lanyard)
crenulated stainless steel bezel
AR coated glass lens
tactical, forward clicky tail cap switch with 14mm boot
IPX-8 (immersion beyond 1 meter for at least 30 minutes)
selected manufacturer specifications: (from intl-outdoor.com)
"600 lumen OTF"
153mm length; 23mm body; 44.5mm head
155 grams without battery
selected manufacturer specifications: (from crelant.com)
2 x CR123: 650 lumens for 85 minutes
1 x 18650: 650 lumens for 120 minutes
what you get for $42.60:
- Crelant V9-T6 flashlight
- 3 spare o-rings
- Chinese language instruction booklet
tail cap draw with 1 unprotected Panasonic 18650/2350
high: 2.20 amps
low: .43 amp
2 x UltraFire 16340/880
high: 1.14 amps (and rising)
low: .27 amp
2 x Eveready CR123
high: 1.40 amps (and rising)
low: .33 amp
Foyometer (for comparative purpose only)
60 - Foy's dimly lit office
140 - Crelant V9-T6 (Xtar 26700/2600)
160 - Solarforce L2P/UF XM-L (Tenergy 18650/2600)
The V9 feels as good as it looks. No new design frontiers being explored here; just a well balanced flashlight with enough detail interest, but not too much. It's not overwrought but the four thickish fins, six divots around the "collar" and classic-cut, sharp angled head are upscale and I'm a huge fan of the no-knurl body . . .
The rubber grip/impact rings suggest weapon light but I'm not sure the 3-mode/flashy UI will appeal to the gun crowd.
The scalloped edge on the tail cap in this shot may appear damaged. It is not but I do like the two side holes that allow tail standing with a lanyard installed.
The V9 is branded "Crelant" but Int'l Outdoor's site says the manufacturer is Tiablo. Either way, this is a quality piece, inside and out.
Crelant.com says the V9-T6 will run 120 minutes on high with an 18650. I got an hour and a half with a Panasonic 18650 that probably needed a charge so, it might be possible. The light never dropped out of regulation during my "test."
The V9-T6 will calm the centered emitter huffys and the smooth reflector is gorgeous. One thing about the bezel . . .
. . . those lines in the scalloped part of the bezel are not reflections; they're some kind of tool marks. They are also very slight and quite smooth.
As you can see, machine work is flawless, as is the anodization . . .
I think this is one of the prettiest tail caps I have ever seen.
The tail cap threads are square and feel great but a pet peeve of mine is insufficient threads . . .
. . . as in, three up front and two back here is just not enough. I don't like a tail cap or body that falls off with barely two turns. It feels cheap. Foy doesn't like to feel cheap. Especially at $42.50.
I didn't pry the star cover off because I fear an unintentional de-dome event with blood. It's two wires and some solder so, move along, folks.
Handy web address reference and another example of the fine workmanship that defines this torch.
That's an unprotected Panasonic 18650 in there . . .
One thing I do have to mention is this little square of metal wedged between fins 3 and 4. At first I thought it was just some cardboard or something . . .
. . . but it was a piece of aluminum pushed in there real tight, and before the anodization process. When it finally came out, I was left with this adorable little birthmark. With so many errant V9s around, it's a relief to know I can quickly identify mine in a lineup.
More bad news; I hate the tint. On the left is a garden variety 3-mode UltraFire XM-L from Manafont in an L2P. At right is the Green Hornet Crelant V9-T6. Under many conditions this is not an issue but I must say, it makes the dry ground around my house look damp and mossy. At least the beam profile is great.
Which brings us to the beam shots. All pictures were taken with a 1/4 second shutter speed @ f2.8.
Crelant V9-T6 . . .
L2P with an UF XM-L drop-in. You can see that the tint issue is no small matter. Either that or Foy is slowly becoming the tint snob he previously made fun of.
If you look at the center spot, you can see that the C8 size diameter reflector of the V9 puts a more intense beam on the wall above the garbage bags, indicating more throw than the smaller P60 light. (can still see the vertical lines with the L2P)
Funny business 101. Here is the V9 instruction manual, apparently good for the R5 version as well . . .
. . . I found the clearly worded directions most helpful . . .
. . . and this handy trouble-shooting chart that should make diagnosing common issues a snap.
It's a great light that I'm proud to own. I just think $40 should buy some more beans under the hood.
takeshimselftooseriouslyFoy