The more $$$ sellers sell it as a kit with 2x cells and a charger. ~$25 for the cells and another $15 for a charger doesn't seem too far out of line, although I would never buy 26650 cells from an unproven seller, without bench testing them first for capacity and LSD characteristics. One of the linked sites says this light draws 7A, thats almost a 2C application. You're NOT going to want to run under-performing or used/tired cells in this light... thats a formula for an explosion.
If this light does draw an honest 7A from the tailcap, that makes 7A x 7.2V = 50.4W... thats a LOT of power, (~55W HID territory)
Factoring in a ~75% efficient driver (ballpark estimate) that makes... .75 x 50.4W = 37.5W to the LEDs
With 3x MXL that gives 12.5W to each LED
At higher currents the XML is ~3.5Vf... so 12.5W / 3.5Vf = 3.57A to each LED (!!!)
In smaller reflector designs at 3A... the XML does... what around 15K lux? so 15K x 3 = 45K Lux
With ~45K lux that near-matches some of the throwier 1-XML lights we have seen... STL-V2, V6 and HD2010.
Thats why this light has my attention, its based on 2x26650, a power configuration that physically CAN deliver the necessary wattage to drive 3-XML with relatively little sag. BUT with larger reflector dish(s) it should out-throw the other multi-XML designs.
Thats kind of why I am looking for impressions.... I can plunk down $45 for an STL-V2 (or V6). For $10 more, in the SR-856 I get ~3x the Lumens, and not sacrifice throw that much.
I am generally not a fan of bucking 8.4V down to ~3.5Vf, when the XML has a perfect Vf range to accommodate single cell (or parallel cell) designs. The other member brought up the Fry-ray... that also is a bit concerning if these lights use the same DC-DC driver.
I really liked the look of this light. I also have been waiting for reviews due to the tailcap and driver base not having any springs. I wasn't sure which 26650 batteries would work and fit correctly in it. Maybe those 4stevens button tops would be fine assuming the battery tube is long enough to fit the extra length of them.
Thats also an area of concern for those of you running protected cells. Theres no +B spring, so the -B tailcap plug-spring is left by itself to try and adjust for cell length variation.
My thoughts exactly. I was also looking into those 3 lights you mentioned, and I, like you, also think that for an extra $10 SR-856 sounds more promising and a better deal, especially because although I like the STL-V2 for example I would prefer to go for a 26650 light and not a 18650 one.... in terms of throws, how does the STL-V2 compare to the HD2010 with is a 26650?
True you need good batteries and not cheap ones, this "rule" applies everywhere where power is needed (being a computer guy I really hate to hear someone getting cheap when buying a PSU for his PC for example ).
Just an observation, I noticed on a clearer photo the manufacturer placed a blob of solder on the positive contact. I suppose initially during their testing it wasn't making good contact with certain flat top batteries?
The T6 flux BIN makes ~750 Lumens at this current, so thats still ~2250 (cool & longer running) bulb Lumens. In a host this small thats not necessarily a bad thing.
2.2-2.8A per LED is perfect for a light this size. Have you ever bought form this seller before? They have some really good prices. I am assuming they charge extra for shipping?... I created an account, filled out an order and the shipping cost is not visible until the very last "Confirm Order" stage.
IIRC, it may have been the Shadow JM05 that had the issue with the battery tube being to short to handle certain 26650's or button tops, or protected cells or something. I don't want to run into the same possible issue with this Skyray 856.
I emailed Ric and Merry over at CNQ to ask if they can try all their different types of 26650's they sell and see what actually works and what doesn't. The Trustfire TR-J12 or the newer versions with more XM-L's are nice and can make use of 2 or 3 batteries, but I think for now I'm looking for something like the 856 that is designed to use 2 exclusively.
If Ric comes back with the correct answers for me, I'll place an order for the 856.
Anyone know what the color tint of an XM-L T6 1-C is?
Hi folks, Ric got back to me very quickly. Below is a quote from him regarding what works with the Skyray 856 and also allow the tail cap to screw on correctly. He provided two battery links from his website.
"Skyray 856 2x26650 fit the Knot Top 26650 and Trustfire 26650 well. Kingkong has no button tops, so it's not recommended."