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!
Yes - $81 is what I paid on an eBay bid a while back, but I had vinh mod mine - very pleased, nice UI for a fwd clicky, lots of modes but no mode memory, which is fine. Crelant is launching a bunch of lights with U3's and variable brightness with a side switch - a new 7G9 is due soon I bet.
of course, I understand that when a new line is introduced the previous models get reduced, but this light entered the market last June - less than six months ago and the price has been reduced by over 40%. I paid @120.00 and thought that was a good deal.
Between the loss I suffered on this light and the Thrunite’s (TN30 and TN31) I’m beginning to think I should buy a new light only after waiting six months after it’s introduced!
Then again, most lights don’t seem to go through such massive price reductions, let alone in less than six months.
Oh, well. Live and learn.
Yes - agree, that really bites and it was really fast - Crelant and ThruNite are trying to keep up with the technology and upgrade their offerings. ThruNite is already up there but Crelant is striving to be there and appears to be working aggressively in R&D. I don't know how they can justify such large discounts though.
I'm generally working from the other end - cheap lights I'm upgrading, but by the time you upgrade the LED, driver, button, lens (plus all the tools, $$$ epoxy, grease, etc.), you are up in the range of the expensive lights, but without the body/pill quality. But I do have fun .
Just a suggestion:
Face-up view of a circular SS cap resting on 3x18650s without shorting. The center portion of the SS disc is left to be thicker and of diameter corresponding to the recess of the PCB.
Face-down view with a 15mm disc magnet to confine the 18650 heads.
15mm disc magnet stabling the 18650s.
A side view to show the arrangement.
The above is not for the heart-fainted. Please refer to post#11 of:
Has anyone figured out how to access the emitter and the driver on the 7G9? Mine is needing some tweakin. I know Wayne (vinh) knows how to do it, but didn't want to bother him yet on this. Not sure how to get past the glass on the front end, or how to get access anywhere on the backend (battery + side).
I believe some models have the back and front glued together. If this is the case, some elbow grease, caution and patience will be required. While I have not removed my top cover I did manage to unglue the end part and mod the clicky.