Shadow's GF1 is currently their only 1xCR123-sized light (18350 really but more on that later) in their lineup but can accommodate 18650's with the included extension tube:
This offers it great versatility and regardless of the configuration, it is relatively compact as compared to its respective categorical peers (especially in 18650 form).
MFG SPECS
MSRP: $49.99USD
Note: Both 1x18650 and 1xR/CR123 battery tubes are included
- Cree XM-L T6 LED with lifespan of 50,000 hours,maximum output of 450 lumens.
- Digitally regulated output, maintains constant brightness.
- Low voltage warning flash.
- Reverse polarity protection.
- Side switch on body of flashlight for on/off operation (Hold button for more than 1 second). Hold switch further to enable mode switching between 3 light modes (High, Medium, Low) and 1 strobe mode accessed via quick double click (Strobe can be accessed regardless if the flashlight is on or off)
- Textured Aluminum reflector.
- Beam throws over 100 meters.
- Made of durable 6061 aluminum alloy.
- CNC manufactured.
- Stainless steel bezel.
- Toughened ultra-clear glass lens.
- Premium Hard Anodized Type III champagne finish. Scratch resistant and anti-abrasive.
- IPX-8 waterproof.
- 78/111mm(Length)x25mm(Body)x25.4mm(Head).
- 61/74g weight (battery not included).
- Powered by Li-ion battery: 1x18650. 1x16340 with optional battery tube.
- Test run(Powered by 1x18650,capacity of 3.7V/2600mAh,Sanyo):
High Mode:1.7 hrs,450lm
Low Mode: over 35 hrs.
- Included accessories: lanyard/spare rubber switch cover/O rings/glass lens/switch.
- Versatility of EDC,especially for ladies..
Note: The above-mentioned parameters are approximate and may vary between flashlights, batteries and environments.
PACKAGING / CONTENTS
The GF1 arrived in a generic cardboard box with a sticker that had the model and version handwritten on it:
Accessories included are: 1x18650 tube, lanyard, spare lens and O-ring's:
CONDENSED VIDEO SUMMARY
Here is a complete video summary of the GF1 while while I work on fleshing out this review:
[video=youtube;yiSMciZhY24]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiSMciZhY24[/video]
DESIGN & FEATURES
The GF1 features a removable SS bezel that holds down the lens & textured reflector (tip, unscrew the body to release the vacuum which will aid w/removal of the lens):
There is no AR coating on the lens that I can discern:
The reflector measures 19.9mm (.78in) by 11.7mm (.46in) It would've been nice had a smooth version been available so one could swap it out based on flood/throw, usage/preference.
With the reflector out of the way, one can access the emitter should a swap be desired:
There isn't a whole lot of room given the smallish diameter of the head but at least it's feasible if one is really determined.
There are grooves machined around the throat of the light that should aid with heat dissipation:
The side-switch is mounted on a "pedestal" and in direct contrast with all their other side-switch lights. This may impact carrying decisions since the edges are kind of sharp.
The SS ring around the side-switch adds a nice aesthetic element and contrasts well with the tan body:
As on the JM26 and SL3, there are dual sets of machined holes for the included wrist strap on the 18650 tube (but just a single set on the shorty tube):
Each tube is milled as a single piece save for a non-anodized "plug" at the end which was done for aesthetic reasons.
The 18650 tube is for all intents and purposes identical (save for the aforementioned lanyard holes) to the shorty tube just longer:
There were no issues with fitting my shortest cell (AW IMR 1600 @ 65.2mm) or longest (XTAR 18700 @ 69.2mm).
Peering underneath the head, there is a brass nodule that acts as the positive battery contact point. It sits just slightly recessed of the white plastic base but shouldn't be an issue since I'm not aware of any flat-top R/CR123's (a magnet can be used at one's discretion on flat-top 18650's). Within the base of either tube is a spring for the negative contact point. :
Just past each spring, you can see glue for the aforementioned plug. The threads are triangular-cut and came decently greased.
As previously mentioned, in addition to R/CR123's it’s large enough to accommodate 18350 cells (AW IMR is exactly 35mm (1.37"):
Although I do have UltraFire's that are actually 37mm (1.46") in length which are too long and don't fit.
SIZE / HANDLING
L to R (both pics): XTAR 16340 | ITP EOS A1 SS | NITECORE Mini CR | Zebralight SC30 | XTAR WK21 | Sunwayman M11R | Shadow GF1 | Jetbeam TCR1 | Sunwayman V11R | Sunwayman V10R Ti | Surefire E1E
It runs roughly mid-pack compared to other R/CR123-sized lights but not too much more especially in consideration that it can also fit a 18350 cell, in which case it's comparable to the TC-R1 size-wise.
L to R: RediLast 3400 | XENO S3A | Shadow GF1 (w/18650 tube) | Sunwayman T20C | Shadow TC350 | XTAR TZ20 | ThruNite TN11S | Crelant V9-T6 | Niwalker 600N1 | NITECORE P25
In 1x18650 form factor, the GF1 is one of the most compact and as a matter of fact, only the ultra compact S3A is slightly smaller (slimmer) overall in my collection.
The GF1 felt good in my medium-sized hands in either an under or over-hand grip with the shorty tube (although those with larger hands might feel differently):
...as well as with the 18650 tube:
The side-switch should be accessible in the over-hand grip with either tube.
FIT & FINISH
The GF1 is roughly on par with the rest of their newer releases; that is to say that while it's not bad and improved from the very early JM07 I have, it could still make do with some additional refinement. Starting with the anodized finishing, both tubes are a different hue vs. the head (albeit more pronounced with the 18650 one):
NOTE: Flash intentionally used to highlight shading differences.
Overall, the anodizing has been applied well with none missing in the crevices, texturing or around edges:
The SS bezel threads on flush and the laser engravings on the head are also nice and sharp with no blotchiness:
Likewise for the engravings on the short tube (given its length, it only has the web addy on the base of the tube) and the 18650 tube:
As previously mentioned, while the threads came decently greased and proved to be trouble-free during use, they could stand to be a little more refined:
Overall, the GF1 is a solidly constructed light that should stand up to a fair amount of abuse especially in consideration of its two piece build. There are some minor nitpicks; first, the SS ring around the side-switch doesn't sit flush with the body, this is likely due to the glue expanding during drying thus it's visible as well:
There are also some minor marks around the fins on the head that look to be incurred before anodizing was applied and a nick near the base of the 18650 tube that removed the anodization:
In the greater scheme of things these are very minor, however, it just goes to show what separates companies that are merely good vs. the great ones are the attention to details.
UI
The UI on the GF1 is very straightforward. To turn it on, depress and hold on the side-switch for at least two seconds. Once on, each depress of the side-switch will cycle through the three output levels: H > M > L. Strobe can be activated at any time with the light on or off by depressing the switch twice; this can also be used as a work-around to the two second-delay by activating the strobe first and then depressing the switch one more time to exit out of it and activating H. To shut off the light, hold the side-switch again for two seconds or just quickly lock-out the light and twist the tube back on.
As with the rest of their lights with a side-switch, it is fairly easy to accidentally activate the strobe while cycling through the output levels since the spacing isn't tight enough. There is no memory so it'll always come on in H, to expound; if you last used the light in L and then either shut-off the light or change the batteries, the light will always come on in H. There is no electronic lock-out but the light can be physically locked-out since the threads are anodized.
BEAMSHOTS
Indoors (5m)
High
Med
Low
For details of the above indoor shots and comparo vs. many other lights, please check Epic Indoor Shots Trilogy
RUNTIME & OUTPUT
The relevant battery stats are provided above each runtime graph along with:
- Voltage of the battery at the start and end of the test
- Current draw
- Actual runtime using ANSI FL1 (first in HR and then in M so for the RL3400, read this as 2.2hrs or 131min)
- As of May 2012: Lumens measured on my PVC LMD @ 30 seconds
- Temperature: ambient, the head/fins at start and the max it reached (fan was used for all bats)
Max output measured @ 30 seconds was 504lms w/a AW IMR 18350 (note: although I calibrate my PVC LMD before each runtime/lumens testing, the ambient temp will also cause deviations in readings).
After a slight decline in the first few minutes, the GF1 runs nearly perfectly regulated regardless of the cell used. However, one should note that the current draw is ~1.5A and will be pretty hard on regular 16340 cells so use of IMR cells w/the shorty tube is strongly recommended. The current draw will actually increase the longer the GF1 stays on since the circuit will attempt to boost to maintain regulation as the voltage drops so the ~1.5A draw on High should actually be considered a minimum. I didn't capture the temp w/1xAW 16340 LiCo but the temp was about the same as with the other cells.
CONCLUSION
The GF1 is a nice versatile light since it's almost like getting two lights for one. The ability to run multiple fuel-sources (16340, 18350, 18650) allows good flexibility depending on one's needs for a particular situation; a CR123-sized light for EDC or slap on the 18650 tube that is still quite compact and EDC-able. It features a solid build and should stand up to some hard use. The OP reflector produces a very smooth beam but I would've liked the option of a SM beam for a little extra throw (especially when used with the 18650 tube). I feel Shadow is moving in the right direction with their recent releases but while the overall fit and finish is pretty good, I'd like to see them bump it up a notch. They seem to have done that between the first JM07 release and this batch so I'm optimistic they'll do it again with their future models. In particular, I'd like to see them revise the UI but for now though, here are my thoughts:
turboBB-licious
- shorty tube can accommodate 18350 cells
- 18650 tube is very compact thus offering one of the smallest-sized light in this form-factor
- anodized threads allow physical lock-out
- decently regulated on any cell
- two-piece setup feels very solid
turboBB-cautious
- brass nodule in head slightly recessed requiring use of magnet with flat-top cells
- some blotches in the anodization
- quick cycling of output levels can accidentally trigger strobe
turboBB-wishes
- holster
- spring in place of the brass nodule positive contact point
- reduce time required to turn on light from two-seconds down to one
- tighten-up timing required to activate strobe
- electronic lock-out feature
- AR coated lens
- SM reflector
- more output levels implemented via different UI (a la Zebralight)
GF1 GALLERY
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GF1 provided by sbflashlights.com for review.