[Review] SUNWAYMAN M11R Ti Dream (XM-L2, 1x (R)CR123a)


SUNWAYMAN M11R Ti DREAM
LED: CREE XM-L2
Battery: 1x ®CR123A (1x AA, 1x 14500 with optional extender)
Modes: 8 (Low-Medium-Turbo/High-Firefly-SOS-Strobe-Beacon)
Switch: Magnetic Ring
Date: November 2014
links:
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INTRODUCTION:
Having one foot already in the Christmas season, brands leverage to tease out their most exclusive and limited models, inviting us, great lovers of their creations to increase our collections with these little works of jewelry that tempt us, and how …

On this occasion, we have on the table the Sunwayman M11R Ti Dream. This is an updated Sirius, one of the best Titanium version, IMHO, SUNWAYMAN been marketed since its creation.

The anodized aluminum M11R is a small EDC flashlight, although not ultra compact or superlight like other competitors, provides an excellent user interface via a magnetic ring of four fixed positions through which we can select the different modes , lacking completely a mechanical switch.
The first titanium version of this flashlight, nicknamed by the brand as M11R Sirius, which we saw several months ago, moved all the natural charm of the base version to a new level of exclusivity, offering an exquisite fully titanium mechanized torch.
Now, SUNWAYMAN has released a new update for this model, now nicknamed Ti Dream that shares the design of Sirius now with six small vials of tritium among its dissipating fins and now incorporates an XM-L2 as LED emitter. In addition, global production of this model is limited to only 300 units.

The packaging also has a new design, now coming presented in the original military type plastic box, where inside, generously surrounded by protective foam found in two separate cuts, flashlight and its sheath containing one game spare o-rings and wrist strap with carabiner.

If we remove the protective foam in the background we found the manual, and warranty card flashlight and a small brochure with all the latest manufacturer news.

EXTERIOR FINISH:
The exterior finish of the Ti Dream, like the Sirius is just great. Fully mechanized TC4 titanium, extremely good polished surfaces, almost a work of goldsmiths.

It has only two levied on the sides of the tube with the logo and brand in a plane and the model in another. Being a limited number run of units, there is not serial number on it, like we saw in the V11R Mirage.

The external machining is quite different from the base version of the M11R anodized aluminum. Knurling areas of the base version have been replaced for different sophisticated machining forms. The magnetic ring is surrounded by slits to facilitate its operation, and the central area of the tube has several tracks surrounding the various planes which compose it.

The tail of the flashlight maintains its original look with a flat base that allows us tailstand smoothly since the clip fasteners profile is below. On the side have a hole for the carabiner or wrist strap.

Light optics comes clean and in perfect condition. A crystal lens with anti-reflective treatment and a textured reflector focuses properly the XM-L2 at the bottom.

The bezel is flat, followed by a small area with several dissipating fins before reaching the magnetic ring. Between fins six holes are drilled longitudinally in which the tritium vials are housed, shown in two sections each through fins free space fins.

The tritium color is typical “radioactive” green, very bright and perfectly reachable under low ambient light.

Inside we see the positive battery contact for brass or copper, surrounded by an insulating black. Two small Phillips screws holding a metal cover that prevents us glimpse the flashlight circuit.

Threads, with just two wires, have a great square cut. Being fully titanium machined flashlight there is the typical gritty feeling to screwing and unscrewing, but not particularly upsetting. Compared with Sirius, the threads have a little more tolerance, whereby the gritty feel is way lower.

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. Flashlight lacks mechanical switch, so that no electronics in the tube.

The clip comes installed, as inverted L-shaped, screw in the tail by two allen screws. The “spike” accessory (not included as standard on this model) can be installed in either threaded screw holes clip.

USER INTERFACE:
As in the Sirius, this Ti Dream differs by having 8 modes compared to the basic version of the M11R which has only six.

Sunwayman has implemented a dual mode, sharing the same detent for the high and turbo modes,separated by a time-controlled stepdown, which we’ll see in more detail in the section reserved for stepdown performance.
Therefore, the sequence of modes is as follows:

The rotating magnetic ring, unlike the variable continuous adjustment used in the V1xR, has 4 fixed positions: Off, Low, Medium mode and Turbo / High mode.

To access the special modes have to make different combinations, all very simple. Extra modes are firefly mode (ultra-low mode under 1LM) and Beacon mode, a location flash which emits a flash approximately each two seconds.

The distribution of the modes is quite good, with outputs well balanced within the desirable range for a flashlight with these characteristics.


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As you can see, the distribution of modes seems to be well provided with balanced outputs for the size and use of a flashlight with these characteristics. The Turbo mode is quite far from brand spec’s, and the High mode seems to be specified for 3V primary batteries.

Finally, we are now checking the parasitic standby current draw. Fully lacking a mechanical switch, the Ti Dream is virtually always on, even with the ring in off detent. SWM speaks of a current 50uA (0.05mA), but I could see that we get different results depending on the type or state of battery that we use.

Unfortunately, there is no feasible lock-out option as the threads are fully conductive, with the removal of the battery being the only sure way to avoid such parasitic draw.

PERFORMANCE:
As it is a collector’s item we will focus this section on how SWM time-controlled stepdown performs for Turbo-to-high mode sequence. To do this I changed the template graphs so that the X axis labels showing time is divided in seconds instead of minutes as I usually do. The Y axis is intact and shows the output of light captured by the integrating sphere, only at a frequency of two samples per second instead of my usual sampling of 4 per minute.

In the graph we represented by three lines of different colors, the first four minutes of continuous use of the three versions of M11R I have. Interestingly, the Ti Dream offers nearly identical to the Sirius line only with a few extra 25LM, resulting in 8.33% of this extra performance XM-L2 (unknown bin) versus XM-L U3 of Sirius.
The XM-L2 base version lacks stepdown, and contrary to what happens with other brands that offer titanium alternatives to existing models aluminum is less powerful (during these first minutes of use).

BEAM PROFILE:
The M11R Ti Dream offers a clearly floodier beam, with a large central hotspot not too defined that progressively degrades very gradually merging with the spill:


Nothing changes compared to previous versions, since they use the same reflector. Maintains a mainly flood profile, and retains the slight darker than the rest of the spill light ring surrounding the hotspot.


The tint, for being a Cree XM-L2 is not bad at all. No colour tone predominates, being a very very good CW, the best I’ve seen so far out of a Cree XM-L2-edge. Looks like Sunwayman has cherrypicked it! Wow :open_mouth:

PERSONAL CONCLUSION:
Little to say here. As a lover of this kind of unique lights SUNWAYMAN know how hounding and unusual versions are almost always become essential to my collection. With a V10R Ti +, M11R Sirius and several V11R Mirage, it was clear that there was a gap for this Ti Dream. One can spend hours examining almost with a magnifying glass enjoying every single detail of your body, and praising the exquisite skill used for machining. The trits, whether an idea already known by many for modders CPF and company, offers something we’ve never seen a factory flashlight. Beyond its visual appeal, are also extremely useful for locating the flashlight when we are in complete darkness.


EagTac D25C Clicky Ti • SWM M11R Sirius • SWM M11R Ti Dream • SWM V10R Ti+ • Jetbeam TCR10

Its user interface with a magnetic ring with fixed positions seems much more practical, because we have something with her sisters V1xR not have, and we know perfectly how we are and therefore we can make estimates about reliable runtime at our disposal. With continuously variable adjustment, we only know for sure when we stay at maximum or minimum end.

Negatives: The only negative point from an objective point of view I can put for the new M11R Ti Dream is the absence of an engraved unique run/serial number, like they made in Sunwayman V11R Mirage, and I do not understand why they don’t reproduced it here in the Ti Dream or previous Sirius. I would have also liked the super-low mode was in the first detent, but that might be something totally subjective.

Positives: One out of 300 to be manufactured is already in itself a good argument for me. Furthermore this flashlight, though not exactly budget price, maintains a reasonable price if we consider tritium vials and update the issuer against the market price of the previous version. A little gem in addition to beautiful and unique is perfectly usable with a cast of excellent modes and mature user interface.

I know, I know… Not exactly a budget light… :stuck_out_tongue:

But Nice to Dream

Thank you!

For making me want something I can't have. :P (I'd already seen it and looked away) Now I've seen a good review of it and find it much more difficult to look away!

Hurry, y'all buy em up before I cave in!

Nice light!!! Love sunwayman!!!!

Hey, thanks for the great review and amazing photos.

Might ask one for a gift when I graduate. :party:

Nice looking light! It’s a bit out of my budget, but still nice to look at. I have a V11R and I love it- it’s my EDC.

Thanks for taking the time for the review.

Like everything else it is about preference!

I got this light and sent it back the next day!! Nothing mechanically wrong. I just found that a light this small is better served for a side switch. I have pretty big hands and found it difficult to switch modes using a control ring, especially when you have to go back and forth a few times for a specific mode. I think it was strobe and the “super low” mode! I needed Two hands to be able to use these modes!

Control rings are better served for mid sized lights or larger lights like the TN31/TN32/K40 Ect.

I have Two lights this small. A PD12vn and an S10. BOTH of these lights have side switches.Much easier to use and more practical.

I thought the Titanium alloy and only 300 made was nice. However, being difficult to use compounded by the Over inflated price,it was a no brainer! I sent it back and bought another modded thrower which is more up my ally! :wink:

When I first received the Dream, I wasn’t happy :frowning: . The selector ring felt too gritty. Taking some dry lubricant (Tuf Glide), I put some in the crack between the ring and the body. It was sucked up immediately by capillary action. Working it in a little produced a silky smooth action to the selector ring. After a day, the carrier solution evaporated leaving the dry lube behind. Tuf Glide is perfect for this application. Turns out that dry lubes such as molybdenum disulfide (moly) and PTFE (Teflon) are the best lubes for titanium alloys. Next I noticed the o-ring was a little small. I ordered some 2mm x 14mm o-rings from the O-ring Store. Now those fit perfectly. After I did these two tweaks to the light, I was very happy with its performance! :). Still, I gave it away to my Dad for his 86th birthday. The light now resides on his nightstand. Happy birthday Pops!!! :party:

Great review and photos, thanks

Does anyone know if the M11r Ti actually has an infinitely variable ring, like the V10r Ti and V11r?

iow, if there are detente holes in the control ring, that could be filled in, to achieve an infinitely adjustable rotary dial, as can be done with the Niteye Eye10, that has 10 detente holes in the ring, but can be modified to be infinitely adjustable.

thanks for any education

I don’t have an M11R or M11R Ti Dream.

However, my recollection from reading reviews of the M11R at the time was that the M11R is not infinitely variable. It has a magnetic ring but with 3 or 4 preset brightness levels only.

Correct. The ring however is fairly loose, and feels less premium than other Sunwayman lights with infinitely variable ring control.

A loose ring isn’t unique to the M11R I think.

My V11R limited edition camouflage has a horrendously loose ring that feels really cheap.

My other two V11Rs (one black and one grey), both have rings with the proper amount of resistance and feel great.

I think I need to open up my camo one and put in some better grease.

Thanks for the review, such a beautiful light.

Interesting. All my V10R Ti^2 lights, as well as my V10A light have no play in the ring and feel super, super nice. Tint lottery, and apparently ring lottery apply hear as well.

correct
let me restate the question

does the M11r have detentes in the ring, like the Eye10
and if those indentations get filled in with JBweld
is the ring actually infinitely variable, like the Eye10

iow, the only difference in the M11r and V10r is that the M11r dial has some indentations that the spring loaded ball bearing drops into, like the Eye10

as another example
I have both a stock Eye10 with the ball and spring and the 10 detentes around the dial

plus I have an Eye10 whose ball and spring were removed, creating a smooth infinitely variable dial

my question is, does the M11r actually have an infinitely variable dial, and it is simply being stopped by a ball bearing dropping into a detente hole, like the stock Eye10?

if so, that info could create an opportunity to modify an M11r to become Infinitely Variable.

.

the discussion about the thickness of the grease is another aspect about these rotary dials that interests me

Ive read that Nyogel 767a is a good choice if the dial is too easy to turn.

Ive also read that the stock grease is roughly equivalent to Nyogel 760a

I have a Titanium Jetbeam TCR-1, whose dial was very stiff and gritty. It has the original 7 year old grease. I was able to improve it to feel smoother and less gritty, by adding a drop of Nano Oil and working the dial, hundreds of times… but I still felt it could be improved.

So I just received some Monky Spunk grease from DarkSucks and I Love the stuff. First I put some on the threads of the body, that were noisy and grabby before the Spunk. After adding that lube, the body threads are buttery smooth and silent. I have never felt such awesome smooth Titanium threads before.

I then worked a bit of Spunk into the side edges of the Titanium control ring (no disassembly), and all traces of grittyness have disappeared. The stuff is Magic!

Then I put some on my Original RRT-01, whose dial felt underlubricated and gritty before the Spunk. Now its another level of smoother. Not perfect yet, and bear in mind this is only adding a tiny amount of grease at the edge of the ring. But in every way better than the results I was getting with just Nano Oil.

So, for those with gritty Ti Threads or control rings… I give an enthusiastic endorsement of the Monky Spunk.

and for those whose dials seem too easy to turn, I suggest Nyogel 767a

From what I recall of reviews of the M11R at the time, it is NOT infinitely variable like an Eye 10.

I think it does have detentes at each setting, but brightness stairsteps at each setting. It doesn’t rise gradually like with an Eye-10. Filling in the detentes would not make an M11R infinitely variable.

That coupled with the really low 200ish lumen output is why I didn’t purchase one of these at the time.

Correct. Output levels are discrete; one indentation is one output.

thanks for letting me ask twice, very helpful
I dont doubt you, but you mentioned you dont own one

so I would also like to ask someone who does own an M11R Ti

thank you
do you have an M11R Ti?, and if so, can you check for me:

is there ramping brightness, in between the indentations?
(unless there is ramping between the detente notches, maybe that would not be a magnetic ring then either?)

does anyone have a link to photos of a disassembled M11R Ti… can we confirm it has 2 magnets in the ring, like the fully variable V11r, V10r Ti, and Eye10 TiC, TCR-1, RRT-01 (and Eye10 with ball removed)?

Yes I own two (Dream variant). The outputs are discrete, and changes in between the indentations. So infinite variable is not an option by removing the small steel ball unfortunately.