This time I took pictures.
F/2.7, 1/8 sec., ISO1250
With 5x Zoom
F/5.9, 1/4 sec., ISO4000
Close-up picture of target. Distance 20 meters, UniqueFire UF-2100 on high.
F/2.7, 1/8 sec., ISO3200
Got one today for my friend.
Of course had to test it before delivering it :)
Tested it against UF-980L and I got to say, it had tough company to start with...
On a shorter distance, say 100 meters, it is easy to notice that STL-V2 has tighter spot and more lux.
Then if you compare an absolute throw in meters, there´s really not THAT astonishingly big difference.
STL-V2 throws further but after 980L it does not make my jaw drop that much. Could the difference be something like 50-60 meters? Hard to say, I don´t have a lux meter to leave up there to test.
It is now 0°C and RH is at 93%, I felt like the beam itself in the air was blinding me.
At this kind if weather, I would say I saw it doing maybe 200m+, can´t say very accurately. Measured only by cars speedometer.
You know what's funny? I've had mine for a while now and I use it all the time, yet I never realized it had two groups of modes. :D
I have always liked that feature on my Fenix lights. Anyway, thank you very much for an outstanding review.
Has anybody been able to compare STL-V2 performance with Crelant 7G5 yet?
+1
Well I have a Olight M3X which this light here is pretty much a clone of. I have a Crelant 7G5 coming. I'll let you know who the winner is? I say it is going to be close.
Got mine today here are the tail cap readings:
TF Grey( 4.18v/4.18v)
H - 1.40 Amps M - 0.61 Amps L - 0.14 Amps
H - 1.39 Amps L - 0.15 Amps
TF Flame (4.18v/4.18v)
H - 1.35 Amps M - 0.58 Amps L - 0.14 Amps
H - 1.35 Amps L - 0.14 Amps
No, it won't be brighter, coz it is fully regulated. BTW, can it take such a high voltage? Had the impression that it can only take 2 cells. 1 cell also won't work.
Yes yes, I know, digging up old threads and everyone has this already on the shelf...
I have a mild rant on these.
Battery tube is short. You can barely fit Xtar2600s in and that barely means hard pressing :|
If you want them to be comfortable, you´ll have to leave either the tube or the tailcap slightly loose...
Any real world experience of running STL-V2 on 3x16340/18340 vs. 2x18650? How's the heat generated or runtime - and what about the reliability? What brand/type of cells have you been using?
I wait for mine, but I will try to run it on 4.5A... :)
tried 3x16340s but never looked at runtime. also had 2 18500s without the extender. 2x18650s will give the most runtime due to capacity as it is in series at either 2 or 3 cells.
I've got a STL-V2 ordered from DD in November. Just wondering whether somebody is able to confirm the existence of Low Voltage protection?
I'm asking this because I was running it on unprotected batteries (Trustfire Flames 2400 also from DD) for a while and after checking the remaining voltage of the batteries I had to carry the other one out-of-doors in a hurry because the battery was hot and the voltage was just above 2V. The voltage of the other one was 3,5V at that time. On the other hand I also wonder whether this difference in voltages makes any sense because the batteries are in a series. Could there be e.g. such a huge difference in the internal resistance...
From the numbers up top its 2.99v per cell. you probably had a weak/defective cell there and probably advisable to dispose of it.
^ OK, thanks. So it seems that if the other cell is not good the LV protection did not kick in even the total voltage was less than 2x2,99V at least in this case.
I was actually running STL-V2 for a total of 120 minutes on high (12x10min, 5min break in between) and it was still going quite strong:
vs. on fresh batteries:
A control shot:
(Note: I did not intentionally embed the images)
BTW. What budget (un?)protected 18650 cells would you recommend when taking into account the STL-V2 stock driver i.e. quite low current and the existing low voltage cut-off feature?
What price? 6$ you have protected Hi-Max 2600 (+shipping) which are ok, cheaper you may get 2600 unprotected sanyo (shipped) and that't it I think.
I got my STL today, at home we'll se what current we have there, 4A in led will warm it up a little, hope that new KAI driver fits there :)
For my copy, yes. I was testing some 18500 IMRs this way.
BTW, having LV protection does not mean it is safe. The driver (budget driver to be exact) can still go POOF and give you a dead short. Probably IMRs would just fry something, but regular Li Cos have a high chance of venting. Not all batteries will vent of course. And that is still a persistent risk. I know you din't mean it that way, but just to say it out loud. :)
Quite expensive shipping. Based on latest review Trustfire "3000mAh" are decent cells, real capacity of 2500-2600mAh fot $12 shipped/pair.
We need a GB from Dinodirect!
But seriously the TF Flames 2400 latest ones that came to me and Cheap Thrills from Dinodirect, all got very close to 2400mAh @ 1A. (Benckie's got a few which got close to 2500mAh) The SKU number is different from the batch that some folks had "issues" with ie unprotected, which i wouldn't complain as they were "free/giftcarded". Even the 8 unprotected the one which i randomly picked out to test got 2498mAh.
I would spend 12 bucks on these 3000mAh cells, if they do a real 2800-2900 like the NCR18650 which i tested as well. Else 13 bucks for 4600mAh worth of 18650 juice from the TF Flames 2400mAh is better. Still runs a very long time in most lights in med/low, more than most would ever need, and 2 pairs in the STL-V2 would last you for a week's of blackout. (spread this over multiple flashlights)
TF Flames 14500 and 16340 i've got over 700mAh. So far all my TF Flames branded stuff are the real deal. So i'm really waiting for HKJ's word on the 26650.