Nice review. Looks like a great compact scorcher!
that anno is a damn shame. i wonder if it is just the xml2 ones? this one and the pics on FT look darker than the one pictured on CNQG. i also noticed that this one and FTs have a black cover over the driver and CNQG has white.
good review as always Foy! i still want one, but may go with an xml version from CNQG
This light is very much on my wish list, especially since the driver uses AMC7135's that will make it very easy to increase output.
Looks good .
Shadow lights are great. Excellent review as always Mr Foy.
Very nice review, I didn't know that this light was so small.
I like this light
I added some 7135 chips to crank the driver up to 6.5a
due to the higher VF of the xml2s, it pulls around 6.2 amp on a fresh mnke 4000mah imr 26650
when i screw the battery compartment down the light come on in a moonlight like mode… no idea why… have to “lock the light out” to keep it from running in moonlight mode… my guess it something with the electronic switch.
the only thing i dont like is the crappy rubber switch and lack of a UCL… but a nice light (and yes a little pricey)
I couldn’t agree more Foy, its an awesome little light. you would be very hard pressed to find a brighter light in that small of package. the king may be a tiny bit brighter, but its much larger. the size and output with surprizing throw makes it one of my favorite lights. one could really edc it its so small.
The JM26 would make a great partner to the SL3. I would love to see it compared to a HD2010.
so with the added chips, is the output comparable to a king now? which of the two has more flood/spill? and which one has the bigger hotspot? do you guys think there are any other things to do besides adding more chips to make it brighter?
i would think driven the same, say 2a an emitter (just a random number) the sl3 would be the better thrower with a tighter beam, and the SRK more flood.
i have neither, thats just my speculation looking at the reflectors
Hate to disappoint you Foy, but the emitter alignment didn't require careful assembly, since they're all on a single board they have to go where the solder pads dictate. If they weren't all clocked the same, they wouldn't operate. :(
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So the 3-up MCPCB has the LEDs in parallel? Must be, if it's a 7135/non-boost driver.
That's leakage through the 7135s, now don't ask me why it only started after you added more chips. I've experimented with 7135s a few times as slaves with a momentary switch (where battery power is always applied) and I never was able to get a setup where I didn't get that same constant moonlight when it should be completely off. PilotPTK or texaspyro would be the ones to ask, I haven't seen anything written that explains how to fix it yet.
Great review Foy. That reflector looks great, and it is such a small light.
I had concerns about run time on a single 26650 with that much power. Held me back from picking one up, in fact.
I’ve read that HA-III anodizing can only be done in dark colours, something to do with dye penetration. Any time I see HA-III mentioned on a lighter-toned host, I get skeptical. This one does not appear to be HA-III, it would not rub off that easy. Most of my grey coloured lights have this problem.
Then why are they all turned every whichaway in my Dry and Sky Ray? None of them are the same on both lights. I'm not asking defensively or doubting, just would like to know so I don't appear the fool yet again.
Wonder how often that happens . . . where I say something that sounds authoritative but is in reality bozo-clueless?
savemefrommyselfFoy
The emitter plate in the S-L3 is a single prefabricated MCPCB. The emitter pads are placed exactly where the designer wanted them, so they all line up perfectly.
In a typical light, the stars are independent so the installer can mount them every-which-way. That usually results in an OCD trigger (I fixed this on my SRK when I modded it 
).
I was going to point out the same thing. I bought an SL3 around a month ago. It is a beautiful little light and I don’t regret the purchase. It’s only as bright as a Black Shadow Darth and nowhere as bright as an SRK but it does throw well for it’s size and output. The Darth is all flood but the overall quality is a little better than the SL3 and the ano far more durable as its a true type3. The XinTD in the photo definitely looks brighter, even with the spill as you can see where they overlap the XinTD dominates it. Not one of the brighter small triples but it throws well and just feels a treat in your hand and in use! Like I said, no regrets.
A major plus for the SL3 not touched on by Foy is that it well regulated with zero visible pwm. It's always great to see an AMC7135 driver with no visible pwm.
The SL3 is a solid bugger and while far smaller than an HD2010 it is heavier and feels like it was carved from a solid block of very heavy aluminum. The HD2010 feels like a cheap toy in comparison.
wtf, heavier than a hd2010! lol thats one solid light
i dont think its a bad thing honestly… now i have a moonlight mode!
i was planning on always “locking out” this light as there is some parasitic drain from the switch
for those asking it has much more throw than the king, output is more or less the same by eye
Nice review, thanks!
How do you subscribe to a thread? Can’t find button.
bottom of opening post.
great review btw!