Review: Crelant 7G9 (XM-L U2 | 3 x 18650)

Thx, I appreciate the candid feedback. I do notice speech patterns is very addicting and not sure where I picked it up from but with that said ;) I'll do my best not to utter that phrase again. lol! :)

Short of whitewall/outdoor shots, this review is now wrapped up.

I bought the Crelant and it was delivered recently. I agree with everything you said. The pros are self-evident - it’s definitely a quality light

Its lack of memory is odd - even much cheaper Chinese lights have that function. And, as illustrated in your photos, the output level between the high and medium modes is barely discernible.

The fit and finish of my light is superior to your sample. I have none of the anodization problems or sharp edges depicted in your photos. And I hear no whining in the lower modes. But I agree the knurling could be more aggressive.

That said, taking in account I got it for 15% off retail, I’d say it was a great value.

With such a price I am surprised to see lamps light this being reviewed on *budget*lightforum. I thought CPF was the place to go for everything from expensive to luxuriously decadent :slight_smile:

Welcome & I hope you have a good time, XGK-Saturn-5!

$142 bucks for a light that always turns on in the next mode?? Did I read that right?

Unthinkable. In that case, I’d have no desire for such a thing (needs a button switch up front on a light this size, anyways).

But as always, superb review, Turbo.

Much to my chagrin, most places are selling this light now for 99.00 - and some offer additional free batteries or a blf discount! Uggh. I still like the light, however.

Outstanding quality light. Mine came in like "indenial", no noticeable marks, no whining. Here's the summary of the mode switching:

It's exactly, I mean it exactly works like the popular Romisen RC-29, 3 mode. I have the RC-29 and can probably get used to it, though I would definitely prefer it with mode memory. The switch takes force to even depress half-way, let alone a full click, so it makes the mode switching that more cumbersome (advantage to the easy switching RC-29). But overall, you are getting a high quality, great throwing light, with a long battery life. Also makes a substantial weapon - this thing has weight. I'm using EagleTac 3100's to keep it purring .

Update 09/08/12:

The stiff switch really bothered me - added 3 of these: http://dx.com/p/super-strong-rare-earth-re-magnets-8mm-20-pack-4248 by gluing to the bottom of the rubber boot -- now there is little/no gap between the boot and the switch mechanism -- works as easy as my RC-29 now!

I recently purchased the Crelant 7G9 through BLF member EDCPlus.

I highly recommend this seller, flawless purchase with unbelievable pricing.

Will not hesitate to purchase my future flashlight needs from them.

im enjoying this light… i bought it second hand from vinh @ cpf for $100 who modded it to 4.32a with memory

the no memory would have been a deal breaker at that price imo

very tight hot spot and handles heat very well due to the large mass of the light

long runtimes with 3x panasonic 3400s

jmpaul320 - I assume he replaced the driver? 4.32a - wow. Is the button a reverse clicky after the mod?

I ran this light (stock) for 12 mins on EagleTac 3100's, sitting it down, and it was difficult to tell it was any warmer then room temperature.

i believe the switch is still stock

yes he replaced the driver… medium is close to 3a… light gets mildly warm on medium after 20 minutes (30C) on high it gets warmer but not excessively so… this light has a good amount of mass to it so it manages the heat well

modded, this beam intensity is close to my sbt90 o light, although the hotspot is smaller as well

Wow! I want that mod! Wonder if vinh would be willing or maybe ask E1320 here... 4.3a on a U2 could be at a high risk, but you are right about the heat mgt on this beast.

4.2-4.3a on an xml is ok if the heat is managed properly or copper pcb is used…

he makes xmls direct drive on copper pcb that will take 5.6amps with no problem

obviously you have to turn them off after a few mins to cool down though

EDIT: i am actually curious now that were talking more about this light - maybe ill charge everything up this weekend and take some measurements to compare to some of my other lights… i have difficulty doing conversions to 1m since i dont have a tripod, but i can set up each light on the edge of my dresser and keep my lightmeter in the same spot to at least compare ‘relative’ measurements

Very interested in your results. Wish their was a way to hookup with guys here that have the instruments and procedures for accurately measuring these things. It's great though they are starting to build one common list of test results with details of models, batteries, lumens, lux, etc.

Got a quote from vinh to do the mod. The cost is not a problem, but he says it will only run on 1 battery - that's a big limitation for such a big, heavy light. Sounds like yours runs on all 3, so I don't quite understand... He looks very busy so maybe he doesn't remember your light, but it's a pretty new model, or maybe your mod was very costly in time or parts.

It does run on one battery. Just tried it on mine.

But he is saying it will run on only 1 battery, not 3. He said he can't get that special driver to handle 3 batteries in parallel.

Ok - he cleared up the issue of the batteries - looks like 3 will be ok afterall. I'm going ahead with the Vinh mod - sounds like 4.3 amps, or in that ballpark. He recommended no mode memory, always comes on in high which I prefer, with the mode sequence of:

High, Medium, Moonlight, High, Medium, Moonlight, 10Hz Strobe, 2HZ Blink, SOS, Beacon

This will be ideal for me - got the fancy blinky modes but never have to see them if I don't care to, but, I can get to them if I want. 99% of the time I want it to come on high, so this will always default to high without mode memory. Sounds like he will retain the forward clicky, which is also fine with me. Shipping it out tomorrow - can't wait to see this thing...

Mark is selling this light now for 80.99….biggest drop I’ve ever seen in such a short time on a light. Uggh!