Looking for input on the shiningbeam S-mini

Hi everyone.

I recently came across the new s-mini on the shiningbeam site. Its very small form factor, very clean design, IPX-8 waterproofing, 18650 compatibility and xpg make this a very very tempting EDC purchase for me. I know the price is a bit on the steep side for budget light but its just tugging at my wallet right now.

I am looking for opinions, suggestions and even other comparable lights. This S-mini is looking like a future purchase to me:)

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-152/***NEW***-ShiningBeam-S-dsh-mini-XP-dsh-G/Detail

Well... i would never spend that much for a light like that. If 18650 you want you might find this one appealing:

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-c303-r5-5mode-memory-stainless-steel-led-flashlight-118650-p-5272

very plain all knurl ..I liked everything except the price ..and the fact someone on another forum said it wasn't as powerful as the z1 yezel which I'm still waiting on.I don't think it's that pricey .. but it's getting up where I want a U.I that impresses me .. sunwayman / nitecore /jetbeam ..etc

as much as i like shiningbeam, in my opinion it is way overpriced.

It is probably a very nice light. As far as I know all of SBs own lights are of very good quality both build and design wise. It has a price tag though.

I'm a big fan of Shining Beam lights. I don't have this exact light, but I have 2 of their MG-branded lights, and the quality is top notch. One of my favorite lights of all time is the MG P-Rocket 1x18650 SST-50 they sold. Build qulity, threads, beam, tint, brightness, body, tailstanding were all great, though it was a bit too big/heavy for an EDC and the coating chips a bit. Good service and fast shipping since they only sell things really "in stock" and ready to ship immediately, unlike some. As others have said, you do pay extra for them (they are US based, with Chinese manufacturing/sourcing). Another note is they are fairly conservative with the drivers, so that they won't have heat/warranty issues, and the stated lumens on the web site are often max emitter specs, not the lower and more realistic OTF/ANSI lumens.

More info on that light is here: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?242587 and "CPFuser" gets you 6% off, if you are a cpf member.

I think I will definitely go with the Yezl z1, I almost had forgotten about that one. I just read great reviews on cpf and someone posted this video about the light which is VERY impressive to see, especially with a light at this price:

Thanks guys! going with the Yezl!

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-c303-r5-5mode-memory-...

This one would be perfect with an OP reflector ...

Perhaps I will wait for reviews on the stainless C303 before purchasing. I am not sure what I think about the finish on it. I am a machinist and if I got that finish on a stainless part, there is something wrong. I dont know if they did it on purpose, or if the photos just exaggerate it but i'd like a smooth brushed finish instead. If the reviews are good, I can always throw the light in the lathe and polish it up:)

I just purchased the yezl z1. I think I may machine the stainless bezel smooth when I get it. The smooth bezel is something I like about the s-mini and the C303.

I have the YEZL Z1 for a few days and smoothing the bezel also got in my mind - would probably give a more "serious" appeal to the flashlight...!!!

If you proceed, please post some photos!

I have the yezl coming as well and was thinking the exact same thing ..I hate a sharp bezel .. I was wondering how well it was gonna like my grinding wheel ?

Where are you buying the Z1?

I think CNQG, at least there is where I would get one. They are available elsewhere also, but I do not know if anyone else sells the three mode, strobeless, version.

Thanks. Pity that they don't have flashing modes.

They have a neutral XP-G R4 version out now. The only thing I don't like about the S-Mini is it is just a cylinder, no clip or anything to keep it from rolling. I like the compact size though. I'm a little worried about it being only 1A, but that can work. And it stays in regulation for 2 hours on High. I'd like it to be a little warmer than the 3D neutral tint, somewhere in the 5's would be good. I like the 3 modes and memory and the Low seems pretty good. I have it in my cart now, but I'm thinking it over.

Will send pictures from the hospital

I'm a huge fan of the S-Mini. I remembered that today. Those P60 hosts have caught me under their evil spell, and in short time I have ordered more than my share of them. This evening when walking the dog I grabbed my S-mini neutral white I hadn't used in many weeks.

It's great little shiny thing. Not perfect, however. It's too expensive and underdriven. And low is not low enough to my taste. But the tint of the NW is spot on. And the flood is incredible. Much wider than P60 running XML. Not as bright, of course. And there's decent throw too. If only the low would be lower and high driven at 1,5 amps... But even as it is it's a great all-around light.

Mine had problem with flickering on high and mysterious cut-offs with fresh battery, but they were sorted by replacing the switch (came along with the light, which to some [not full] extent justify the price)

I absolutely love my Shiningbeam S-Mini, if you can get over the price buy it. It is a very high quality light and Brian will get it out to you in a couple days, no month long wait. My S-Mini worked perfectly from the minute I put the batteries in, no mods necessary. Great threads, excellent knurling, pre lubed plus you get extra o-rings and an extra clicky switch. Now when you turn it on you get three very nicely spaced modes high, medium and low with no crazy strobe. The other great thing about this light is you can put 2 cr123s in it with no loss in brightness. With the ten year shelf life on cr123s you can stick it in your glove box or mount it to a firearm and you can bet your life on it turning on. This is a light you can give to anyone and it will work with no surprises.

Compared to my Yezl Z1X XML and my Trustfire R5-A3(with the high, medium low mod). Very subjective but on high the S-Mini and the R5-A3 are about tied for visible light with the Yezl on medium. The S-Mini has a much lower low than the R5-A3 or the Yezl. The big difference is you can put the S-Mini on high tailstand it on the table until the battery dies with no fear of it melting down, try that with the other two lights and you will surely have a problem on your hands.

To me the extra cost for this light is justified by the excellent workmanship of the light, the exceptional service from Brian and it's a really sweet tiny quality light.

Hmmm... I found that at least mine S-mini didn't have glued head. It could be opened, but I wasn't able to open the pill to get to the driver. Swapped the emitter to XML anyway. Don't know how much sense it made, but I had some spare time and emitter and hot soldering iron, so why not. It was a bit underdriven XPG before, now it's way underdriven XML at 1,1A from tailcap. Of course it's nowhere near 2,5A+ driven XML:s, but it's still brighter then it was before. Large hotspot with huge spill. What's not to like.