Balder SE-1 XM-L

Different chemistry.

The lithium manganese (Usually called IMR) chemistry has a lower internal resistance so is capable of producing higher currents. The downside is they have lower capacity usually.

While they can be made to go kaboom (and have done so in one well publicised case in the Other Place - the Sony cells concerned were IMR cells) it is far less likely than with the usual lithium-cobalt cells. This (wikipedia) article goes over some of the basics. There isn't a specific article on lithium-manganese cells but there's a bunch of (wikipedia) stuff here. And it isn't all that likely with any single cell lithium cobalt cell device.

If you want completely non-kabooming lithium cells you need to go for the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells but they have a lower nominal voltage, a lower capacity and usually a higher cost. And need different chargers and I don't think they will provide as much current anyway.

In single AA lights you are not likely to have anything nasty happen, regardless of the lithium chemistry involved but such heavy loads mean the cells won't last as long as they otherwise might. I have some unprotected 14500s that are now down to 90mAh capacity which is hardly useful. This is largely as a result of repeated high discharge rates. Or that they were never all that good in the first place. Or both.

So, is this about the cheapest, yet decent quality XM-L pocket-rocket yet?

Xeno is cheap and bright but I never liked the looks or form that much...

This, only 4$ more than regular Balder :)

edit: I also recommend those BIO IMR´s. Got good results with them.

I must say those who like a really low low have got the perfect light.

Low on both Ni-MH and 14500 batteries is very low.

Lighthound has the same light in XML($24.99) and XPG($20.99).

I see Lighthound chose to go the route of branding it as their own as opposed to selling the Balder brand. I actually don't like this because I think Balder is creating a unique product on their own. However, Balder is the one offering this option so whatever.

Maybe out next BLF light could be a Balder?

Anyone can give a lumens estimation on NiMh in the highest mode please?

As soon as it arrives, I'll do this. It left HK three days ago but hasn't made it here yet.

Thanks Don!.

Seems to be a good light, at least if you see the desing and light output... but I dont beleive that this light is fully regulated (I mean, current increases as battery voltage decreases)

I also vote BLF edition of this light ;) with special BLF price hehehe.

See New beam shots.

Thanks for the beamshots. That beamshots are with 14500 or nimh?

14500

Got my xp-e in Sweden the 25:th, shipped from CQG the 21:th, thats crazy fast!

Ordered it as a gift for my dad and liked the design much better than my Xeno 03 T6 NW so I ordered a T6 CW for myself yesterday! :-)

If I had known that there would be an XM-L NW version, I would have waited for that.

I probably would have, too, but now I'm kind of glad I can compare the two. My problem was buying the XM-L from Tactical HID instead of CNQG because that was the only vendor carrying it at the time. He took the order but the drop shipment wasn't nearly ready and it took two weeks just to process. I had no idea Ric would be carrying it so fast, since it was ME who informed him it was actually available just a few days earlier. haha

I actually discharged one till i believe 2.1V open circuit and another time 1.7V open circuit.....so that's VERY low. But i recharged them immediately when i saw that the light was so dim. Still able to dump nearly 2.3A into the Xeno E03 when fresh, and nearly slightly over 3A in the Ultrafire XM-L drop-in so there's no damage i guess. These cells are good.

I have this torch. It's a winner. Mine draws 2 amps from a 4.1V 14500 trustfire. Pure flood power on a extremely nice built flashlight.

To all you talking about the IMR: Be advised this flashlight has a "reverse polarity protection", a nylon ring protecting the positive contact on the driver. That means flat top cells (such those BIO IMR's) won't make contact with the driver. It also has gived me some trouble with some of my trustfire flame 14500, but It can be solved using a magnet spacer. Anyway there's enough room for the protected 14500 + the 1mm spacer. ( I didn't have this small size magnets so I broke one and used the pieces)

I still don't know how to dissasembly the pill for removing this annoying "protection".

EDIT: you can check my wn review for forolinternas.com here: http://www.forolinternas.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2756

Its a nice torch, but I would like a more even design better. The head and tail "fatter" than the middle. Hopefully Balder makes one soon! they are really good priced!

More Tail cap readings

Orignal

Tail Cap readings

Ni-MH Trustfire Flame 14500(4.14v)

High 2.23Amps 2.45Amps

Medium 0.78Amps 0.74Amps

Low 0.06Amps 0.02Amps

New readings using 8 batteries

4.02v 2.06Amps 0.61Amps

4.05v 2.22Amps 0.68Amps

4.06v 2.18Amps 0.63Amps

4.08v 2.20Apms 0.67Amps

4.13v 2.40Amps 0.73Amps

4.14v 2.54Amps 0.75Amps

4.16v 2.53Amps 0.73Amps

4.18v 2.56Amps 0.77Amps