Got the first one today, I can see why Tom E is always praising this light, real good throw, nicely built, and compact size compared to other good throwers. The side switch with high, medium, low, and hidden strobe is perfect for the non flashaholic type and I also like it. Was packaged well, 2 bags of popped bubble wrap, wrapped in about 2+ feet of closed cell foam wrap(about 3 or 4 layers around light) and then in a bubble wrap envelope. Perfect except for 4 small anodizing nicks on the tail cap. Don’t know if they all do this but the Yezl logo lines up perfectly with the side switch. Very happy with this light. Thanks Steve and Ric.
In terms of regulation that’s a win. Doesn’t dropout immediately on 1s and maintains about the same drive current on 1s and 2s. Definitely on the “super tame” side for such a large light though…
To each his own I guess. Bare in mind it will fit a 26700 cell like the KK 5000 (actual 5300+ mAh) Richard sells. To me it's an upgrade from a HD2010, but not in cost:
SS bezel, side switch, style, better internal design - pill-less with a very thick emitter shelf, ability to add extenders.
I haven’t tried one of those new ones yet though, the ones I have are not that potent. The 26700 Moli. Yes, for some of the HD2010’s it is an upgrade, but the Tangsfire TS2010 is as good or better in fit and finish, at least the one I have is.
I personally am not that fond of the bigger lights. I did get the extra tube for this Y3 in order to use 2 cells for an MT-G2 mod, but I like a smaller light typically. Might be just me right now, perturbed at the way my Dr.s visit went today and still feeling bad. Oh well, another day looms nigh…
Received mine yesterday. Couple small dings and scratches. Not serious enough to ask for a replacement. One of the extension tubes won't complete the electrical path though. Haven't looked into what I can do to fix that yet. It appears that the flat non-anodized end is not making contact with the tail cap. Otherwise, I like the light.
I would say this is more of a general purpose light. It appears to have a very similar or the same reflector as the single emitter "J18" light. It's beam pattern that is very useful for my purposes. Side by side, I see no difference in the beam pattern, but not certain as the Y3 seems slightly out of focus. Also, the Y3 is harder drive stock than the "J18".
I would guess that it will be floody with an MT-G2. RaceR86 modded his "J18" with a MT-G2 and has a beam shot. If one wants more throw, a dedomed xml or xpg should do well.
Nice light. Good flattish anodizing and grabby knurling, side switch, SS bezel, 26650 capable, and solid innerds, I likey. Thank you MRsDNF and Ric for arranging this.
EDIT: Quick and dirty measurements this morning. 47kcd calculated based on measuring at 10ft. I've switched to a new measuring location and haven't hung a 10ft marker. I could have been 0 to 6 inches further than 10 feet, but no less than 10 feet. Used 2S KK ICR's close to fully charged. Measured 1.34amps at the tail. Tried out some laptop pull 18650's that were close to mostly charged and amps fluctuated from 1.34 to 1.6. The driver does seem to regulate nicely (assuming emitter is getting steady current).
I'd work on the driver ground contacts - first clean with isopropyl alcohol, then treat with NO-OX-ID (from IS) - finding this stuff is pretty amaz'n. I'm using it on all my lights now - it is conductive so you can't be sloppy with it. I like it for driver ground ring contact with the pill, and through-out the tail assembly, on the threads and PCB contact points, even between the springs and the brass cap, if present. The 5 Y3's I've got or worked on haven't had this issue though.
I'm a bit disapponted with the quality issues so far in this GB - it's hit and miss, but still seems like a substantial percentage have some issues, mostly nicks and such, but still... Totally agree they should have been shipped in boxes. The 3 I bought from WB came in boxes and were pretty clean.
From the looks of things it appears that shipping left a lot to be desired.
Currently I don’t have a thrower and to me this seemed like the most inexpensive and effective light to get. But now, based on members reactions, I sort of regret not spending the extra money and buying an SR51 for $50. Which isn’t really much more than $33.
The $38 Courui big head. De-dome it and see a beautiful beam pattern. The Jacob A60 is also a great deal for a small thrower. SUPFire F9 is a well built light, cheap, nice throw without being a major player. It’s like the C8’s but nicer made.
Don't dispair will manners. You should be able to turn this light into a pretty serious thrower. The reflector is decent sized and the host looks like it can take the heat. Dedoming an xml2 alone will get you around 100kcd. Put the emitter on copper and up the current to around 7 (Or more if you really want to push it) and you will be cooking with fire. With 2S or 3S 26650's you'll get decent run time too.
What does that translate to in lumens? I have a app on my phone, can try to calibrate it xd See where the other lights stand- just ballpark you know doing a ceiling bounce. I was kind of scared to go with the mtg2 because of heat issues on a small head like this. I’ll decide later today and order from wights guy. My sisters husband does a lot of hunting and has a hunt setup for October. I might bring this and see what he thinks. He buys all his lights from an ag store, but they’re hid. I want to be able to hit things way out, wondering if the mtg2 is really made for that or should I stick to the stock emitter and dedome/ resistor mod? It would be funny to blind one of my cousins too, he’s such an ass (in a good way lol)
I don't think it can be translated. Throw is a measure of how well the lumens are concentrated into the hot spot. So you can have low lumens and big throw and vice verse.
A good HID will beat most LED lights with ease.
I agree with you that the head is small for an MT-G2. You won't get much throw with it in this light. You might be able to get decent throw if you dedome and really crank up the amps, but I don't think this host will take the heat.
I built a Y3 up for my cousin's son to use for hunting -- BLFDD17, UCL/p lens, fully modded but still with a domed XM-L2 U2 1A - it's impressively awesome . No HD2010 can compete with it - bigger reflector and takes advantage of it with focus tuned. Plus with the e-switch and custom firmware, modes are far more versatile - single click to low, longer hold to high, little longer hold and you get strobe, and always one-click to turn OFF. Tailcap switch eliminates parasitic drain, though it's pretty low. Combined with a 5300 mAh cell, it will last some, and the light can take the 5A-6A+ of heat pretty well.
Now if I don’t ruin it. Lay off the beer
. No HD2010 can compete with it - bigger reflector and takes advantage of it with focus tuned. Plus with the e-switch and custom firmware, modes are far more versatile - single click to low, longer hold to high, little longer hold and you get strobe, and always one-click to turn OFF. Tailcap switch eliminates parasitic drain, though it's pretty low. Combined with a 5300 mAh cell, it will last some, and the light can take the 5A-6A+ of heat pretty well.