Hi guys,
Recently I need a new EDC light for some close up tasks that require good CRI, over 150 lumen brightness ,fairly long runtime and portable size. After some browsing I found Jaxman E2L and ATROLUX 41S with Nichia 219c which might be a good choice of flashlight for me.
Please give me some suggestions and opinions. I prefer Astrolux 41S but I could not find any information on the brightness and runtime. Which one is better between these two lights? or are there better ones?
Thanks.
Both flashlights are great.
If you want maximum power then the S41 (or even better an S43) is the way to go due to its FET+1 driver. On the other hand, the E2L is able to provide regulated output (stable brightness).
The E2L is more compact and pocket friendly.
My modded E2L with a FET+1 driver is in fact my one of my most carried lights.
The jaxman E2L (triple) and Emisar D4 (quad) are using standard carclo TIR lens.
I don’t see the frosted TIR lens sold separately on the Jaxman’s store but you should ask him if he has one for sell with your Jaxman E2L. For close tasks the frosted one will give a more floody and uniform beam. Maybe he could mount it for you but you can swap, the clear for the frosted TIR, yourself as it is very simple task if the glass lens retaining ring is still unglued.
I only own a E2L, but i like it very much, lightweight and a very good beam with the nichia and carclo optics.
If you need a uniform beam, you might as well get a S2+ with a separate TIR optic. I recently bought some TIR optics for it from Banggood (45 and 60 degrees) combined with a 4c tint, it gives even a more uniform beam then the E2L.
Ideal for close up lighting.
I would not agree to “even better an S43”. I’ve got both, and as an EDC you have to do more steps to inactivate the S43 due to it’s side-clicky. In my view the tailcap-clicky of the S41 is the better choice. When you power OFF the light is OFF. Point. On the S43 for a certain OFF you have to do more steps: unscrew the tailcap or “lock” with some more clicks. That’s not “simple usage” in my view.
Visible brightness of both is nearly the same.
Simple answer: go Jaxman, if you really want a multi-emitter short range floody light, off the shelf.
The Astrolux S41 and others in that series are very heavy, if they have the copper head. If they have the SS body, far worse (and more thermally and electrically compromised, that SS does not conduct heat, or electricity at all well), and that, combined with the aggressive knurling on the SS (even that tail spike, doh) will wear out your pockets PDQ.
Who actually needs a torch made out of SS ? Unless they are a Highlander and want to live forever, or use it as a cudgel (handy spike included) ? Or just covet shiny things, and don’t understand why Al alloy is an altogether far superior material to use, thermally and electrically, never-mind mass. That’s if these manufacturers could use a good alloy and learn how to do a durable hard-anodise, but it seems they can’t, or just don’t care.
Absolutely not suitable for EDC, IMO, even with the short 18350 tube. Even the clip is the usual poor thing that you will want to replace, if you can find anything better. A Convoy deep-carry clip can be fitted, one way, on the longer tube, but the torch then rides head-down, which is not ideal.
Their TIR is unique, and frankly not very good. If you want to try to mod one of these, best throw everything away and fit a Carclo triple TIR on top of a suitable MCPCB. You might also want to consider changing the driver as well. Then you are back to square one.
Or just build a Convoy triple yourself, or buy one ready-made from Jaxman. Together with another few Carclo optics to change around until you find what suits you best.
I like my E2L EDC’s best. I use it as 18350 shorty with the short battery tube.The copper of the S41 looks fantastic but for me it is too chunky and way too heavy for pocket use. Even before the E2L was there I preferred a converted to triple Convoy S2+ over the goodlooking S41.
There is not much to improve about the E2L but I would like to see a bit smaller 16340 version as soon as a new generation 16340 batteries with 1000mAh and 10A capability will be released (my hopes are on Vapcell).
In my ever so humble opinion, the S41 is the best of the Astrolux quads.
The S42 is crap, the S43 is butt ugly.
The S41 is a very good looking light, but especially with the short 18350 battery tube.
But they all have DD drivers, which means the big lumen fun only lasts a short while.
But the big lumen fun is impressive.
The S41 lights are often cheap too, because it’s the oldest model.
Yes, the copper makes it a bit heavy.
The S41S also looks great, but is even more heavy because of the stainless steel bezel, battery tube and tail cap.
The Jaxman has a modest power constant current driver, and with a triple 219C it has a steady maximum output until the battery is empty.
It won’t get too hot either.
Not much big lumen fun though…
I have both but for EDC the E2l with the 18500 tube is more comfortable to carry. Depends on how much you actually use it.
Between these 2 the E2L should get a longer runtime and flatter output.
Another alternative would be the KDLitker E6 + Triple SST-20 High CRI (review) in 3000K or 4000K. The CRI is a bit higher but efficiency is a bit lower and is not available in 5700K (the 5000K and 6500K versions are not high CRI).
Thanks a lots for all you guys’ helpful opinions, I would like to pick up a jaxman e2L first. If there is a headlamp with 219c that would be perfect, but I didn’t find anyone.good corlor rendition is my priority choice. I’m wondering if it is possible to rebuild my old zebra headlight with 219c led emitter if it is available.
I have owned both. The s41 is beautiful but heavy and quad optic beam has artifacts.
The triple optic from e2l emits a much nicer beam, especially with carclo 10511 optic.the host is lighter and more practical for everyday use. The triple emiter will be almost as bright and efficient as a quad so I wouldn’t worry too much about that as a criteria.