**Outdoor beamshots updated 1/20/2014** Review: RMM's "S3" EDC Flashlight - Triple XP-G2

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
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Today I finally got the fabulous triple XPG2 convoy S3 special build by RMM. ("link":http://www.mtnelectronics.com/opencart/index.php?route=product/product&path=80&product_id=162 )
Since I haven't got time to play for a long time, I will just post some of my initial observations here. Am I the first one to get this excellent light? :D
I requested this build from RMM a couple of weeks ago. RMM was so nice to accommodate all my wishes and offered me a very nice price too.
This is a S3 host, with carclo 10507, 3 XPG2 3C on noctigon, and 4 mode QLite with 16 7135 in total. So the total current is 6A to three XPG2 (respectable isn't it? :)).
The light appears flawless from outside. The business end looks very sexy (this is my first triple optics light BTW). I use a samsung 20R for it. On all modes it seems brighter than what I see in XinTD C8 V4, which is expected for the extra 8 7135 chips.







The 3C tint is beautiful without green or yellow color compared to my nitecore EC25W. It appears a little rosy instead (sort of like Nichia 219A but not that much). The hotspot is very large but not perfectly round. It is very bright on full power, the hotspot is almost as bright as the hotspot of EC25W, but a little more than four times the size. According to Match's test result, the 3 emitters are giving 1800 LED lumen. I would guess the OTF is around 1500 lumen. This result is based on the scientific experiment of how quickly (about 5seconds) my thigh feel unbearable heat through my pants when the head of light is 1.00 cm away. :D So hey Richard, you are too conservative in your advertising figures (more than 1200? Come on Richard ). The tube gets hot very quickly on high, in about 3-4 minutes. Even on medium it gets warm over time.

There are a few tiny cons on this light too. Nothing is perfect right?
First, a small portion of the optics is blocked by the SS bezel.
Second, the tube is a little wide and long for samsung 20R, but about right for pana 3400 protected.
Third, the hotspot is not perfectly round but more like 3 squares in different orientations superimposed together. When I look closely on a white wall test, I can even see the projection of the dies, which is amusing. :) But anyway, it does not bother me at all.



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Overall, this is a must have if you are looking for a WOW pocket rocket! At $55, this is a steal!


Thanks Richard!
And thanks for reading!

Sesgum

1/20/2014 Update: Here are some beamshots.
First lights line up. Since super S3 is a total flooder, I picked a few lights that are considered flooders for comparison.
From left to right: Dry (3 XML CW dedomed), Super S3 NW, Nitecore EC25W, Zebralight SC600 CW, and BLF Trustfire mini NW


Now the beamshots. They are all taken with a Nikon DSLR, with 2" shutter, F3.5 and manual white balance set to sun light.
First is Dry CW dedomed (it is a little on the neutral white side after dedoming), ~2400lumen


2. Super S3 (convoy S3 with 3 XPG2 3C? driven to 2A each and 10570 optics)


3. Nitecore EC25W (one of my favorite, good flooder and thrower, sleek look, good UI, only con is low of 60lumen)


4. Zebralight SC600 CW (acquired it in May 2012, still one of my favorite)


5. BLF edition Trustfire mini V1 NW


Now some mouse overs.
First is DRY (out) VS Super S3 (in)

Second, ZL SC600 (out) VS Super S3 (in)

Third, Nitecore EC25W (out) VS Super S3 (in)

Clearly, Super S3 is not a match for DRY, but is noticeably brighter than EC25W and SC600 considering its huge hotspot. The huge hotspot/beam is rather uniform. The hotspot and the spill is not that distinctive as the reflector lights.

I am very happy about the output of this small tube light. With the QLite driver, you can have a very good EDC for practical use no matter indoor or ourdoor, blazing brightness or decent long runtime.

Thanks!

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I also have a DQG 26650 triple XPG2 coming in. Will compare these two side by side.
Apologies for the quality of cell photos.

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this is going on my want list for sure :slight_smile:

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Wow, that's amazing. That's now on my wish list.

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Look forward to your results :slight_smile:

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To tell the truth, I am not even that excited about DQG any more. It will for sure has lower output, it is wider. The only advantage is that it takes 26650.
But anyway it is coming…

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subscribed

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is the lens coated?

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I ordered one last week.Like yours but at 4.5 amps….not as brave I guess!I am very excited about this light….until Richard gets the BTU shockers in!His shop really is turning into THE flashoholic shop for the US!

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Lens isn't needed - the stock bezel o-ring seals to the TIR, and putting a glass lens in front screws with the beam pattern.

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I think that the reason for the way the beam is is that the Carclo 10507 optic is slightly mismatched with XP-G2. I found a thread over on CPF awhile ago discussing that.

I know you said that you have 16 7135s and are using 20R battery, but have you measured current at either the tailcap or going to the emitters? Just curious about that.

Thanks,
Jim

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Outside of the flashlight it pulled just shy of 6 amps on a fresh 20R... I don't recall the in flashlight test (don't have my notes by me) but it wasn't too far behind.

RAW74: It isn't too late to crank it up a notch! I built your driver last night but haven't installed it yet...

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I am tempted but I’m sure 4.4 amps will be amazing enough?I will also end up using this for several min. on high at camp, probably not in the best frame of mind to know when to step it down.What does a melting optic smell like anyways?On another note, when do you think the protected 3400’s will be in?Or the BTU shockers?Or the……
Sorry, I get excited about all the new projects you have for your store.I hope you had a great Holiday Richard, and look out for that Garry Bunk fellow.He will have you spending too much time bothering Homedepot employies! :stuck_out_tongue:

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Comfy, what does the lens do to the beam pattern?
Does it affect just the XPG2 or other LEDs as well?

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I read somewhere that the interface between lens and the optics changes the beam significantly. No first hand experience sorry.

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It seems to act like if you made the front face of the TIR thicker, makes the spot bigger, more spread out (hold a magnifying lens in front of a regular flashlight, same effect). The 10507 has little inverted cups/divot-things in the centers, a lens doesn't affect that one as much as the others with flat faces, like 10508 & 10511. 10511 has a nice small spot and a smooth outer corona, a lens really makes that one look not so nice. Without a lens it's the closest of the 20mm optics to a single LED in a conventional reflector.

edit: A lens does the same thing to single-LED TIRs as well, it's not specific to anything with these triples or any certain LED.

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Thanks for the information. I will for sure check the alignment.

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I think was talking about the emitter type (i.e. XP-G2 vs. XP-E2). The lens is locked into alignment by the alignment tabs on the lens/MCPCB so you really can't change that.

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Appreciate the info comfy.
I have a triple 10507 coming soon and will try and remove lens to see if I like it better.

Btw, I can’t believe the price of these RMM versions only $55 for a custom made triple!!

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That is true I guess Richard. The beam pattern is very different from what I usually see with my other lights. That is very interesting and refreshing!
The listed price is definitely a very good one. Just list all parts you need for this and add them up…