SMALLSUN ZY-T27 XM-L T6 5-MODE - ZOOMING FLASHLIGHT - Review
By old4570
This review was kindly made possible by Lights Castle
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Weight: 235.00 g
Dimensions: 6.50 in x 1.57 in x 1.57 in (16.5 cm x 4.0 cm x 4.0 cm)
Price @ time of review $22.22
Brand: SmallSun
Model: ZY-T27
Emitter Brand: Cree
LED Type: XM-L
BIN: T6
Color: Cool White
Number of Emitters: 1
Voltage Input: 3.7V
Battery Configuration: 1 x 18650 (not included)
Circuitry: 2000mA
Brightness: 685lm
Runtime: 2 hours
Number of Modes: 5
Mode Arrangement: Hi > Mid > Lo > Fast stobe > SOS
Mode Memory: No
Switch Type: Reverse clicky
Switch Location: Tailcap
Lens: Coated glass lens
Reflector: Smooth Aluminum / SMO
Clip Included: Yes
Beam Range: 400 meters
Other Features: Water resistant; HA-III; Zoom-to-throw
Other Accessories: 1 x Remote pressure switch (70cm)
This review is kindly brought to you by Crystal from LightsCastle.com …
The ZY-T27 is certainly an interesting light , now Im not the greatest fan of flood to throw [ later ] , and one of my pet dislikes has been the push pull head , where the Smallsun differs from the mainstream , is the focus ring . Turn it anti clock wise for flood and clock wise for a tightly focused beam . The focus ring works a treat , and has some sort of spring loading to maintain location , and I have no complaints here , it works as it should , and after several days of playing [ err Testing ] with the light , there has been no issue with the focus mechanism .
Due to the design , working out actual lumens out , can be a little tricky . My light box said 750Lumen , but the ceiling bounce test says 500 Lumen , and due to the beam profile [ full flood ] I would guess the truth is somewhere in between . The light is 5 mode , starts on high [ no mode mem ] and goes to med - low - Strobe - SOS , the switch is a forward clicky , and is very responsive [ Just right for a clicky ] . Now the reader may have noticed the plug in the tailcap , thats for a remote switch .
Now I got really excited about the remote switch , I thought it might fit one or more of my other lights , but such was not the case , from my entire light collection , there was not a single match for this tailcap . Otherwise , once again , it functions as it should [ remote switch ] , so if you like weapon lights [ possibly a bow mounted light ? ] then the Smallsun may interest you .
Some performance figures
High - 2A - 500L Ceiling bounce - 750L Light box - 21000Lux @ 1M throw
Med - 1A
Low - 0.25A
Now I did like the current draw figures , there about where I like them for a XM-L . Now what was some what average , was the throw [ 21000Lux ] . Any half decent XM-L light with a reasonably sized head is going to give you similar output [ throw ] , XM-L does not look to benefit from focusing nearly as much as a XR-E . The other issue is the design , the LED [ emitter ] sits in a rather ? how to put it politely ? flimsy pill , its lacking mass . Now this does unfortunately result in a fair amount of heat related sag , throw went from 21000 to 16000 inside one minute , and was on a some what downward spiral , though slowing down . The pill really wants more mass to handle the heat generated by the XM-L emitter .
Using the light
Now to be fair , the ZY-T27 is just fantastic in full flood , it lights up the back yard or the inside of the house without a hotspot . This means you are actually able to take in far more of whats going on around you , than with a normal flashlight , as the hotspot does tend to draw ones attention . The provided clip looks to be decent quality and be up the the task asked of it . In fact the Smallsun ZY-T27 is functionally excellent , and the only real negative is the heat related sag . And relating to that [ sag ] I can see where the push pull design would be superior , as rather than the emitter moving , the lens is moved back and forth , allowing the emitter to be stationary , and there for better thermally managed .
Flood ” It really does flood , even in low , the output is just - so nice and usable , medium is almost as good as high , and with the sag in high , I would recommend medium as the mode of choice for any use that would run over 30 seconds or so .
Throw ” Really ? - The spot is so small at close range , its almost useless . And even a focused XM-L emitter , its not much chop when compared to a large head fixed reflector equipped thrower , in fact , unless your a serious fan of Flood [ I like flood ] , the flood to throw lights are more of a trick pony than a show pony [ show me the light ] .
Last Word
A very interesting design , just needs better thermal management , and this host may be of intense (?) interest to modders , either swap in a XR-E emitter for a really hot thrower , or possibly swap out the driver for one supplying less AMP’s or beef up the pill to add some mass so it can handle the heat the emitter produces better . @ $22.22 its not an expensive light , nor is it a bargain light , but it does offer opportunities . As it sits , I would recommend running the light in medium mode , as the output [ flood ] is substantial , even in medium . Ive gotten used to having this light around , the flood mode is sweet , and really great for locating small screws dropped on the floor , and even better around the house .
Clicky - Just right
Focus Mechanism - Works , no issues
Tailstands - no
Remote switch - Yes , and it works
Anodizing - Good , even color .
Belt Clip - Small but sturdy - and decent quality .
PWM - Yes - Medium and Low modes, thankfully on the faster side .
I would like to thank Crystal from LightsCastle.com for giving me the opportunity to test the Smallsun ZY-T27 - Thank you !
