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!