Review: FandyFire STL-V3 CREE XM-LT6 5-Mode

FandyFire STL-V3 CREE XM-LT6 5-Mode 850-Lumen White LED Flashlight with Clip (1 x 18650)

Price: $40.80 @ time of review . [ Though I got this one when it was on sale @ DX ]

Brand: FandyFire
Model: STL-V3
Color: Black
Emitter Brand/Type: CREE
Emitter BIN: XM-LT6
Color BIN: White
Total Emitters: 1
Battery Configurations: 1 x 18650 (not included)
Voltage Input: 3.2~8.4V
Switch Type: Clicky/Clickie
Switch Location: Tail-cap
Modes: 5
Mode Memory: Yes
Mode Arrangement: High > Mid > Low > Fast strobe > SOS
Circuitry: Digital Regulated 2800mA Current Output
Brightness: 850-Lumen
Runtime: 2 hours
Lens: Glass lens
Reflector: Aluminum Smooth/SMO
Carrying Clip: Built-in



















When I first saw this light , I thought it interesting , when DX put it on sale , it was too much , I had to buy it .

I really wasn't expecting to get this much flashlight for the money . Modes are set out High - Medium - Low - Strobe - SOS and mode memory is about two seconds after turning the light of . The sample I got is extremely well made, surprisingly well so . Build quality and finish is just great , I have nothing negative to say here , so lets move onto performance .


Freshly charged 18650's run the light [ measured at the tail ] from 1.9A to 2.12A on high , 0.83A to 0.87A on medium and 0.15A to 0.18A on low .

Doing a ceiling bounce test , the Fandyfire did some 66Lux , my Trustfire X9 some 62Lux , and my Kegos K5 some 49Lux , using the same battery ...


Lets try some throw figures @ 1 meter ...

The Fandyfire did some 33000Lux @ 1 meter

The Trustfire X9 some 36000Lux @ 1 meter [ 31000Lux with the same battery ]

And the Keygos did some 19000Lux @ 1 Meter


I have to say I am impressed with the Fandyfire , I didn't know how it would perform , and well , it does perform !

I don't have time for outdoor beams right now , but will update shortly with some comparison shots .


Back yard beams :

I will take some comparison shots , and post them in a day or so ...

Fandyfire - VS - X9 - VS - Keygos K5


Update:


Ok , the light is small , and not every 18700 fits well , tightening down the tailcap with some 18700 could be problematic , as long as the battery fits inside the body all should be fine , but if it sticks out , you may end up with a crush fit tightening the tailcap down . Forgot , will not like flat top batteries !


2x16340

Hi- 1.66a

Med- 0.71A

Low- 0.16A

Ceiling bounce 71Lux

throw 33800Lux

Some comparison shots :

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2459/91664092.jpg KE-5

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/79/50051412.jpg X9

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2886/18645454.jpg V3

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9727/pa40.jpg PA-40

Click to view larger image ...

Nice review old4570.

What's the Trustfire and Keygos pulling in relation to the fandyfire?

The Fandyfire is pulling 2.12Amps on high. Is the Trustfire you got pulling 1.7Amps?

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/4133

X9 review

So the Trustfire is pulling 2.3Apms on high.

That means the driver on the Fandyfire is slightly more efficient?

I wanted to get this but I was in two minds because it was a 45mm head.

Now I will get this or the Sky Ray version if I can get it for $30.

Have you tried it with 2 x RCR123?

What's it pulling?

Its late , Ive got school tomorrow ... I will update as time permits ...

Mine pulls 1.57A from 2 x 16340 TF Flames (2.2A from 18650)

How do you like it so far ?

Nice review old4570!

I can confirm the relative lux readings: FF STL-V3 gives ~150%of Keygos KE5, but ~50% of FF STL-V6 (my readings for these three were something like 17kcd, 25kcd and 50kcd measured at 2m and converted back to 1m)

Edit: There might be something wrong, since 17kcd for Keygos sounds a bit too little. Have to check again later.

So far so good. It's small, almost pocketable, has a clip, is bright and throws well. My favorite 1x18650 thrower at the moment.

Ps. I was about to write a review next weekend but you were faster. :)

16340

Hi- 1.66a

Med- 0.71A

Low- 0.16A

Ceiling bounce 71Lux

throw 33800Lux

So there is a nice little boost from 8.4v / would love to see a extension tube ... for 2x18650

It's not too little. My U80 does that but with the under reading meter.

Plus you definitely cannot measure at 2m.

Actually I have the same under reading meter. :)

..and I know that 2m is too little for real throwers, but that was the best I could do yesterday. (I was just curious to see if STL-V3 really outshines KE5 by that much, and considered 2m as "good enough" for relative throw figures)

Updated with some nice outdoor beams !

Have you ever tried 2*IMR 18350's?

Dont own two 18350 IMR [ or one even ]

I just got mine yesterday. Definitely nice finish. Yeah, I was measuring the tailcap amps and it read around 1.8 A on high which I was kinda disappointed with. Was really hoping the driver was actually regulated at 2800 mAh like it says, but alas it is not the case. Still really bright though. I was hoping this would be like the X9 but with a better driver that I wouldn't need to replace to get over 2 amps. So is this driver regulated or not? How to find out?

I would say @ 8.4v or 2x16340 etc , it would be regulated ...

With a single 18650 , probably not so

Test regulation - Buy a light meter , and a Multi Meter .. Test battery voltage and then test output , where output drops , flashlight falls out of regulation ...

Hi there old, sorry I missed this review. Very well done as usual. Frontpage'd and Sticky'd now.

How does this stack up against the Uf980 in straight-up output?