Review: XTAR S1 (3 x XM-L U2, magnetic ring selector, 30 - 2800 lumens ANSI)

If you want a a more diffused beam pattern, just get a LDF coat on your UCL. 0.2mm too thick is not an issue, it has double O-rings and i see that it could be a solution. It should be about 4% cut total.

The stock lens is just a bit thick, that's why the 10% cut. Else it is as normal as any other glass on budgetlight. I guess it is not easy to do that size for AR glass, they are not Fenix which can spec 100mm and ask the glass makers to cut 400 pieces in addition to 2000pcs for their Fenix TK41 and 2000pcs for TK21 and..... No contest.

The only issue i have with the S1 is that PWM!!! :P Its not exactly a budget light at USD195 so why put in PWM? thats so annoying. I wonder if they will remove it by the time they officially release it?

do you have picture when you are holding the S1??

Thank you for the review and tests, 2100. I can't afford one but I certainly want one. :)

Yes, i have posted some links above. I think the original photos came from shoudian but i can't find that thread.

Ok, ordered 2 x 72.7mm UCL. Should not rattle and from what i see, water resistance should not be compromised much (I don't dip my lights into a pail or something, anyway just change it back to the original lens if you need that).

Not that i want to waste money, but I have 3 UCLs and a UCLp with LDF for my DRYs and for big reflector lights they are well worth the money. Smaller lenses, not so much. The reflector of this light is absolutely flawless, no smokiness and is just so transparent. My Fenix TK70 has a bit of defects, one of the reflectors have some haziness near the emitter.

They even look good at ZERO lumens, serious. If you look into a normal lens, the contrast of what you see inside the reflector is much lower than that if you'd to peer through a UCL. Some AR lenses are better than others even if you are talking about non budget lights, the aftermarket UCL is one of the best ard.

Best case scenario cut is 2% range, i actually measured 0.9% for my 54.0mm x 1.9mm. Worst case 4%?

I suppose its ok to conclude that judging from your lux values, the S1 has an ANSI OTF lumens of less than 2200 when compared to the TK70?

In which case, 2800 lumens is ANSI emitter lumens then?

2800 / 0.75 = 2100. 10% for glass, 15% for reflector? Maybe.... But reflectors usually are 20-25%. So not sure...

Haven't measured the tail current, with that info i'd be able to make a better informed guess.

Measured 6.1A on a 26650 MKNE IMR at the tail. Kaidomain 32600 5.3AH measured capacity gave me 5.6A. But both are 4.1V, not fully charged.

Not sure what's the output though. Must be careful when doing highest modes and i am trying to do it long enough just to get a reading, i am not sure if the driver is straining.

That’s a couple of drys and beamtech4000’s lol. It’s huge but beautiful

I measured a MKNE IMR 26650, got 6.3A. Closed the tailcap and measured. Yep got the same 210 ceiling bounce values as 3 x 18650s. Interesting, so the U2 LEDs are not driven to the max. That's a lot of output for so little current!

Tailcap current, i used a MKNE IMR 26650 and measured 6.3A. Closed the tailcap and got the same output ceiling bounce values as 3 x 18650. That is a lot of output for so little current. In high, that 1h 35 min runtime is absolutely believable. You use 3100mAh cells, draw is 6.3/3 = 2.1A. That's 1.5hours. It's actually more complicated than that but i am keeping it simple here.

Nice looking light! Price isn't in my budget though.

I linked to one of the images at the top of the post for the teaser, and made this review Frontpage and Sticky. (Moved to 18650 flashlight reviews)

Thanks a lot!

I didn't realize XTAR had a 3*XM-L fatty and this is a beaut. I definitely want, but won't be able to consider at all because of the price tag. Thanks for the review!

Thanks. Yeah it's really a beauty and most important of all this feels like a very serious light when held in the hand. As said elsewhere some of your fav/regular dealers could give a better price if you negotiated. Some folks don't want a TK70 but want to retain similar performance (the form factor of TM11 occupies another niche, budgetlight equivalent would be the DRY) and i figured this hit the right spot.

With batteries, this weighs just over 1kg, all contained in that form factor that is just a wee bit bigger than the RRT-3 XM-L. Crazy. And it shows in the heat-related performance.

Thanks for Pictures and Review

Can you comment of the stiffness of the magnetic ring? Will it wear out anytime soon or become loose? Thanks!

The tactile feel of the magnetic ring is pretty good, enough resistance and also ease of twist. I'd say same "quality" of feel as the SWM V60C. There are indents and i don't think it would wear out.

Thanks 2100. Can always count on you.

I have a TK70 now but Im quite tempted by this S1. Do you reckon its worth selling the TK70 for this? Although I do hate the PWM of S1 (its such a good torch, it shouldnt have PWM! )

The TK70 is a good flashlight, i am using it in 3D config with 2 x unprotected 32600. Hence there there is always a small risk even though i keep that at bay with regligious voltage checking. 4 x NiMH is too unwieldy for normal daily use. It's not the weight but the very high polar inertia, you cannot swing it around easily.

Both put out the same amount of light OTF (you can't notice the diff, trust me). As for throw, it is 60k vs 90k cd or 33.3% diff, so it is just a little visibly cut in throw. I have always maintained that you cannot tell any difference if it's < 20%. As you can see in the pictures, there really is just a wee bit of difference and only noticeable when you directly A-B them side by side.

The Xtar S1 is definitely much easier to use and bring around, even in a small haversack stuffed with many stuff like food/water. It is not a EDC even with a holster though.

I am current talking to Xtar HK to see if they can bump up the PWM. As for efficiency of this vs current controlled, well it is a triple XM-L and 3 x 18650...how much runtime do people want? Triple XM-Ls are already very efficient even at 1000 lumens. LOL!

Thanks! PWM for me is about it annoying me. I can detect it quite easily and its rather distracting. Unless they remove it from their final model, i think this isnt the light for me :( and i did want to like it very much!