SUNWAYMAN M11R L2
LED: CREE XM- L2 T6 CW
Battery: 1x CR123, 1x RCR123
Modes: 5 (Low, Med, High / / Strobe, SOS)
Switch: Magnetic ring.
Date: July 2014
Links:
Banggood / RdL / ForoLinternas
INTRODUCTION:
If we need to identify two models “flagship” from the brand Sunwayman, the first thing that comes to mind is the well-known V11R, in its various forms, and would undoubtedly following the M11R, an ultra-compact flashlight first commercialized back in 2012 and with today still plenty of life thanks to the different versions that have appeared, with a baseline version XM-L U2 LED and available in three anodizing (Black, Natural and Tan), the Titanium version known as Sirius and SWM just updated with a new edition of Mr. Elfin, this time with the new CREE XM-L2, only available (so far) in black anodized.
The presentation of the product is similar to the one we saw in the first version, now showing the maximum output data from the new specifications obtained by updating the emitter, jumping from 230 to 262LM printed in box.
Inside the box we find the torch accompanied by the usual accessories like a spare o-ring set, a wrist strap with adjustment and small carabiner, high quality fabric cover and user manual and warranty card.
EXTERIOR FINISH:
Externally, the new M11R L2 is virtually identical to the first version so I’ll try not to overdo, being its compact size and magnetic ring the greatest strengths of this Sunwayman.
Aluminum is anodized HA III grade, and has a very nice tone matte black uniform throughout all the components of the flashlight. Different engravings are well defined and easy to read thanks to the high contrast obtained between the black background and white lettering.
The new XM-L2 is behind a small and slightly textured reflector, properly centered. The bezel of the flashlight is identical to that found in the V11R, being smooth and without any battlements. The lens features AR treatment with typical purplish halo, already seen in other Sunwayman.
The magnetic ring is very similar to that found in the V11R, but instead of variable adjustment the M11R has fixed positions, with four detents identified by engravings.
The knurling ring makes it easy and comfortable rotate to select modes with one hand, and the retainers feel strong and easily identifiable by touch.
The M11R threads are extremely short and all with just one and a half rotation. The cut is trapezoidal, and are anodized so it is possible to block the flashlight slightly unscrew the two pieces. Again the threads are compatible with the V11R, so we can use the AP-05 extender for AA / 14500.
The tube has a substantial wall thickness, providing a feeling of stiffness and high hardness. In the background we see a spring to the negative battery contact. The flashlight lacks mechanical switch, so there is no electronics in the tube.
The titanium-plated clip and comes installed with sandblasted finish and inverted L-shaped, screwed into the tail by two allen screws. Unlike in the Sirius or other first generation M11R, screws protrude slightly from the base profile, making the flashlight remains somewhat unstable when tailstanding.
USER INTERFACE:
The M11R magnetic ring, unlike that found in the V11R has 4 fixed positions clearly delimitated by detents and identified by engravings.
- Standby / Off: The first detent we found on the dial ring has the inscription OFF. As the name suggests, the flashlight is virtually off when selecting this position, although it is still consuming a small amount of battery power to keep the system latency.
- Main modes: The following three detents found are identified by Roman numers (I, II, III) and each belongs to a mode in ascending order. The first position “I” is for the low mode flashlight. Next, the medium mode “II” and the third and last place we find the High-Turbo mode.
- Special modes: Even being pocketable EDC flashlight, the M11R not surrendering a pair of strobe modes that can be useful in various situations, such as the SOS mode or “tactical” strobe. To select these modes need to perform a simple combination of selecting the High mode, down to med and quickly return to high (III -> II -> III) to enter strobe mode, and repeat the operation to select the SOS mode, which emits morse sequence relatively quickly, in just 5 seconds.
- Mechanical lock: The flashlight can be blocked by thread to avoid parasitic consumption that is always present in this type of tools that lack a mechanical switch, and any type of accidental ignition. The parasitic power required to maintain the latent system consumes relatively little energy, and depends on the type of battery you use. With CR123a I have around 50uA, and a fully charged 16340 about 27uA, so both batteries will slightly exceed three years subject to this current.
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The modes are well spaced, with a really low low (0.5LM measured against 4 spec’d), med versatile and high relatively powerful for the size of this flashlight. High mode, with RCR, it’s close to 260LM so the agreement between measured and specified, except for low values seems satisfactory.
PERFORMANCE:
The M11R new LED emitter promises improved efficiency and power over the previous version, equipped with an XM-L U2. Unfortunately, I do not have access to this basic model, so the comparison will be done with the M11R Sirius, special titanium version, we reviewed some time ago. This version differs from the base model by equipping an XM-L U3, with supposedly a 7% performance increase.
Both flashlights show a separate line, with this new updated M11R slightly more conservative in what refers to maximum output, and regardless of the stepdown after 3 minutes if we look at the titanium Sirius. In contrast, the new M11R shows longer effective runtime, with a slightly higher performance than that of Sirius after the stepdown has reduced the output.
In the chart below we compare the M11R directly against other similar lights, each Max output mode and fed by a RCR NL166:
The lower demand, and lower power, make the M11R the flashlight with longer runtime of the group, but if we look closely we will see how the new Nitecore, besides being much more powerful in its first phase of regulation, shows an efficiency clearly superior, a fact that almost confirms that, having updated the XM-L for XM-L2, Sunwayman retains the original driver.
BEAM PROFILE:
Nothing changes versus XM -L version or Sirius, since the reflector is the same. Maintains a floody projection, and retains the slight darker area than the rest of light spill ring surrounding the hotspot.
The new XM-L2 has a pretty good tint with a cold tone in the blueish side of the color chart. After contacting the manufacturer, I was told that the updated M11R L2 uses two tints, 1A and 1B depending supplier availability. I also confirm that the LED belongs to bin T6, since the availability of this LED in U2 bin is not stable at this time, and that may once have this bin seamlessly use a M11R XM-L2 U2.
PERSONAL CONCLUSION:
The new update of the M11R, one of the most popular Sunwayman flashlights, gives us the opportunity to acquire a Mr. Elfin more powerful and efficient than its predecessor, while keeping intact the essence of this charming small flashlight. Hopefully in the not too distant future that SWM offers alternatives anodized in Tan and Natrual as they did the previous version.
Negatives: Might as to update the model, Sunwayman could have updated the circuit to scratch more linear performance of the new XM-L2, which continues behaving direct-drive-like mode when using the small flashlight with rechargeable batteries. Although not a major drawback, have used the screws protruding from the flat base of tail, the flashlight is not entirely stable tailstand.
M11R · D25C · EX10 · RRT01 · V11R
Positives: Well built, compact and charming. Excellent user interface for pocketable flashlight with well-spaced modes and an acceptable compromise between power and runtime, something hard to find in this segment.
