S1100 - Solarforce's Thrower-in-Chief
This adventure marks the first time Foy spends in excess of $100 for a single flashlight and (unless I'm mistaken) at $119.99, the S1100 is also Solarforce's most expensive offering to date. With this in mind, it's quite possible that some of you might appreciate the high anticipation attending the arrival of such a torch. I'm always excited to get a new flashlight, even duplicates but the S1100 would be the physically largest flashlight in my herd. When the fatter than usual manila envelope finally came, Foy was thrilled, to say the least.
Those of you with larger collections of big-hit lights and/or having more knowledge of throwers will have to pardon my inexperience. And, to be sure, lights such as the Solarforce M8, UltraFire UF-T60 and even Foy's stable of E1320 modified C8s, to varying degrees throw better than lot of dedicated throwers. The S1100 however, is a dedicated thrower. And if there were any doubt, the single XM-L/U2 emitter sits at the bottom of a reflector 70mm deep, that is 72mm in diameter at the top. Are there bigger, better throwers? Of course there is, but I would argue that even though a buck-twenty may be the top of the Foybudget, when it comes to throwers, you'd probably have to spend a lot more to get the kind of performance this knockout flashlight is capable of. It should come as no surprise then, the S1100 is
Foyapproved
Bottom line: Next to the product name, Solarforce puts: "New!! Solarforce S1100 U2 XM-L Cree 1100 Lumens Thrower King 700 Meters Throw Flashlight". Imagining all the flashlights there are, the S1100 likely is not the "King." It is the reacher-in-chief of the Solarforce lineup and its throw rules supreme by a wide margin, among the lights I own. Everything about the S1100; how it looks, how it feels in the hand, the exquisite finish and most importantly its spectacular performance, all point to this being a well thought out, professionally engineered product. All parts assemble with precision, it possesses flawless fit and finish and even if it merely comes close to delivering useful illumination at the advertised seven-and-a-half football fields, we're talking serious throw.
What I like:
- aesthetics
- machine work
- anodization
- ability to ignore unwanted modes
- output
- throw
- battery magazine
- bezel
What I do not like:
- tripod hole fill-screw
- lack of finish protection between tripod hole fill screw and flashlight
- battery magazine rattle
- instruction "manual"
Solarforce S1100 XM-L/U2 Flashlight 3 x 18650
$119.99 Solarforce Flashlight Sales http://www.solarforceflashlight-sales.com/product_detail.php?t=LF&s=26&id=563
ordered: 4-16-13
received: 4-29-13 (13 days)
Cree XM-L/U2 emitter
T6063/T6 aluminum construction
flat, stainless steel bezel
stainless steel tripod adapter
working voltage: 8.5 - 13 volts
designed for lithium-ion 3 x 18650 batteries
aluminum alloy reflector: 72mm diameter, 70mm deep, approximately 23mm diameter at base
tail standing forward clicky tail cap switch with 22mm boot (black with Solarforce brand name)
3-flush drilled/horizontal lanyard holes
LED mode select side switch with low battery indication (green = good, red = low battery)
descending 5-mode user interface:
high = 100%/1,100 lumens/125 minutes
medium = 50%/550 lumens/4.5 hours
low = 10%/110 lumens/30 hours
strobe
SOS
anti-roll head
large square pattern design knurling
current regulated driver/reverse polarity protection
waterproof rated IPX-8 (immersion beyond 1 meter)
selected manufacturer specifications/comments:
"first flashlight of 2013"
Mil-Spec type III hard anodized finish
1,100 lumens
700 meter throw
micro integrated circuit
strengthened ultra-clear glass lens with 2-surface coating
exterior dimensions:
224.9 length
80mm head diameter
49mm tube
705g.
what you get for $119.99:
- S1100 flashlight
- stainless steel tripod adapter
- extra 53mm O-ring
- extra 40mm O-rings (2-each)
- extra 14mm clear side switch LED boot
- extra 22mm black tail cap boot
- lanyard
- gift box
tail cap current in high mode: (3-batteries)
1.20 amps unprotected Panasonic CRG 18650 (3.60 to emitter)
1.20 amps protected Xtar 18700
Flashlight arrived in flawless condition . . . except for the spelling error. Nice catch, sp5it. Foy completely missed it.
Order arrived in 13 days and thankfully, Solarforce seems to have abandoned registered mail that requires a signature. Otherwise it was headacheFoy - a 45 mile round trip to the post office on my lunch hour. Package was ripped but contents (S1100, X2 and X3) undamaged.
I know I always say this and I will yet again acknowledge the uselessness of a gift box but Foy likes getting a flashlight like this. Is damaging the environment acceptable to accommodate 18 seconds of Foypleasure?
Yes.
The light itself was wrapped in 2 plastic bags . . .
Ensconced in loving foam (2 thin bottom layers) are the flashlight, tripod adapter, instructions and little bag-o-O-rings, lanyard, boot (tail cap) and boot. (side switch)
The English alphabet must seem rather dull to the Chinese. Looks like it might take a minute or two just to write one character . . .
I think it's a stretch to call this business card a "manual." Nothing important seems to be missing but they could have, for example, better explained the low battery function of the side switch LED. At what voltage does that happen? They assume everybody knows that IPX-8 means it is waterproof below 1 meter. What Solarforce (and every other Chinese seller) should have long ago done is sub out a Yank that enjoys language/gets a chubby over flashlights and allow them to write ad copy/descriptions and clean up instruction "manual" diction for an American audience. Jus' sayin'.
Hey baby, you're my type III; let's get totally Creeled. Me love you long runtime.
The S1100 exudes quality and engineering right from the start. Its size and heft is its boldness and it therefore, needs no superfluous design gee-gaws. This is obviously a flagship sku in the Solarforce lineup and they are rightfully proud. Too often, manufacturers with high aims and a misguided market interpretation try too hard to impress and you end up with unnecessary cooling fins, too many scallops and "strike" bezels . . .
Might as well get my biggest gripe out of the way; the tripod screw. As I mentioned, this torch clearly isn't something drawn on the back of a napkin and spun on a home lathe in a garage. A product oozing this much engineering polish, with a big-ass screw sticking out the side. It's like they were finished, everybody's admiring the prototype when someone suggest maybe we should cover the hole somehow. A rubber plug? Naw, just put a screw in there. A screw?, one engineer asks incredulously. Make it stainless, rednecks love stainless . . .
The screw thing is actually not that big a deal and I'm not sure it looks any better sans screw so, I'm leaving mine in . . .
For purposes of Foyvanity, I will place a small O-ring between screw and surface, thereby protecting the virtue of unsullied ano.
These large knurling blocks really do help keep a grip - and they work aesthetically too. Tail cap has six pretty scallops around the edge with three horizontally drilled lanyard holes just beneath. Six sided collar has four cuts each on four of the sides, the LED mode selection side switch is on side five and the tripod hole makes six. Inside are the emitter, driver, board and pill . . .
It's a big hunk of a light and everything screws together with confidence inspiring precision. Thread on any piece; tail cap, tube, collar, head and even the 23mm wide ring (with brand logo and misspelled "voltuge") the bezel screws into, all glide silky smooth with a satisfying resistance increase upon O-ring encounter . . .
I'll repeat this again too; Solarforce type III anodization is the BOMB. I need to do a video of me rolling this light all over the blocks, followed by a quick wipe on my pants leg and voila! No scratches. Yes, I do set it down gently and don't purposely drag/grind it across the rocks. But I've rolled it over the top of this wall for an hour or two during the photo shoot and just like the many, many L2Ps before it - to no ill effect. Seriously, can't say enough about Solarforce finishes . . .
Another small complaint; battery rattle. Actually in this case I think it's battery magazine rattle. I'll probably solve it with a some electrical tape but I do wish something involving rubber or whatever could be employed to silence the noise from within . . .
It is a handsome devil, pretty much from any angle. I'll take this opportunity to congratulate Solarforce powers that be on their choice of no "defense" bezel, or even mild crenulations. The wizards at Foybezel™ skunkworks couldn't resist smoothing sharp edges and putting an extra polish on an otherwise gorgeous stainless steel bezel . . .
Pretty dang awesome flashlight and it performs as well as it looks. It may take a few days but I'm going to drive out in the desert and see how far this bad boy out reaches Foy's best throwers. For now, of necessity I'll keep my comments to the light itself . . .
Here's a few shots showing the usual Solarforce spectacular machine quality . . .
Even when slightly out of focus you can still see the perfection . . .
A little flashing around the inside lanyard holes is about the only thing you're going to find and you won't see that without a magnifying glass . . .
Didn't take the collar or tail cap apart. I also didn't touch the lens because, miracle of miracles, it didn't have a single smudge or fingerprint. That happens, like, never . . .
They could have made it a little thicker, wouldn't have hurt Foy's feelings . . . say, 4 or 6mm instead of 2. Not a gripe, just an observation . . .
I love how the reflector installs; it drops into the head from the top and is held tight by screwing this ring on . . .
I have a few lights where the reflector rattles loose without the pill/emitter assembly installed. Or, like a 980L, the reflector falls out upon bezel removal . . .
The reflector on this light is really a work of art. This shot also gives my viewing audience a very narrow edition Foyface ala blueplaidshirt . . .
Fairly thick aluminum is used . . .
It's just a nice looking reflector . . .
Heeeeeeere's the head . . .
Pill/collar . . .
. . . attaches to head. This boot glows green when all is well. Red means it's time for new batteries/recharge. I haven't yet run down the Xtar 18700s enough to see red . . .
Opaque enough for wire color confirmation . . .
Inside the tube . . .
Square threads and they feel like pure silk . . .
Tail cap with extra large 22mm boot. Dirt on boot is because it was very windy that day.
Forgot to shoot the inside of the tail cap. It looks just like this but with a minus instead of a plus . . .
I absolutely love the battery magazine design . . .
The positive nub clicks into this little gold pan . . .
Other triple 18650 holders (Dry, above) use the flashlight tube for battery securement and have no center post or housing around PCB . . .
Loaded with three Xtar 18700 batteries.
Magazine loaded in tube.
Tripod adapter with interesting thread piloting process . . .
I'm sure I will one day find myself with intense need of this feature . . .
For now it's just . . .meh.
The S1100 joins the brethren for size comparison. (l to r) M8, S1100, Masterpiece Pro-2 and Masterpiece Pro-1. The MPP-1 was long recognized as a damn fine thrower. Its puny XR-E keeps it on the bench these days.
It's late so, I'll finish for tonight by saying how impressed I am with the design, build quality and most of all, performance of this incredible flashlight.
S1100 whitewall. For some reason, this picture shows the center sport larger and the corona thinner than in real life. I think this is a superb beam profile for an SMO.
I'm going to put these sucky throw shots up until I try it again at work under more relaxed conditions. I hate these and I'm concerned they may not accurately show the differences in performance but I do think some conclusions can still be drawn.
The white sign is exactly 90 Foypaces from the camera. I am 6'5" and Mrs. Foy estimates the Foystride at 32 to 34 inches so, call it 80-85 yards? All pictures were taken with 1/4 second shutter speed @2.8 . . .
Solarforce L2N
Egrenade XM-L/U2 module pulling 3.50 amps (E1320 custom drop-in)
unprotected Tenergy 18650/2600
Side by side with S1100 on the right. Erik's Egrenade makes a surprisingly good showing but the S1100 pretty much makes more light everywhere, especially on the sign. The L2N puts up such good fight here, makes me wonder if I did something wrong.
UltraFire UF-980L
XM-L/T6 pulling 3.90+ amps
protected Solarforce 18650/2400 (old blue and white label)
Side by side with the S1100 on the right. This old warhorse still amazes even after two and a half years of abuse. With double the diameter of the 980L's C8 reflector, the S1100 is definitely putting a bigger dollop of light out there. Many might disagree but Foy considers the 980L a budget light legend.
Cyclone C88
XM-L/U2/1B pulling 2.80 amps
unprotected Tenergy 26650/4000 ICR
Side by side with the S1100 on the right. The Cyclone has been a Foyfavorite from day one. Interesting back story on the Cyclone . . . maybe another time.
Solarforce M3 (L2P tube)
XM-L/U2 pulling 2.40 amps
protected Solarforce 18650/2600 (old blue and white label)
Side by side with the S1100 on the right. The M3 is standing pretty tall considering it's 2.40 amp tail cap draw. I speculate that even though it's 1.5 inch diameter reflector is the same as a C8, the M3's reflector is just a touch deeper.
Shadow TC6 (2 x 18650)
XM-L/T6 pulling 1.25 amps (2.50 to emitter)
2 x unprotected Tenergy 18650/2600
Side by side with the S1100 on the right. Another favorite and a form factor Foy absolutely loves. Pretty much what you'd expect from a C8. I've always wondered why the TC6 isn't more popular.
E1320 Modified Shadow JM05 T6 (2 x 26650)
XM-L/T6 pulling 1.55 amp (3.10 to emitter)
2 x unprotected King Kong 26650/4000 INR
Side by side with the S1100 on the right. With a fancy driver from LCK LED, I always thought this big guy threw pretty well. Doesn't look much better than the rest of the C8s here to my eyes.
Solarforce Skyline 1
XR-E/R2 pulling 1.29 amps (2.58 to emitter)
2 x Energizer 123 lithium primaries (3.0 volt)
Side by side with the S1100 on the right. This comes as no surprise and maybe I'm imagining it but it looks to me like the Skyline's pencil beam is hitting the sign pretty good. Still, this light can't run with these dogs.
Solarforce Masterpiece Pro-1 (configured for 2 x 18650)
XR-E/R2 pulling .77 amp (1.54 to emitter)
unprotected Solarforce 18650/2400 (all white label)
Side by side with the S1100 on the right. Despite it's humble XR-E, you can see why the MPP-1 used to be a respected thrower. Like the Skyline, the R2 emitter lights the sign up better than some of the heavy middleweights in this group.
UltraFire UF-T60 (2 x 18650)
XM-L/T6
2 x AW/IMR 18650/1800
Side by side with S1100 on the right. With its larger 2.25 inch (than a C8) reflector, the T60 has the reach but there is still less light on the target.
Solarforce M8 (configured for 2 x 18650)
XM-L/T6 pulling 1.60 amps (3.20 to emitter)
2 x protected Tenergy 18650/2600
Side by side with the S1100 on the right. The T60 probably just barely edges the M8 out by a hair. The M8's 2-inch diameter reflector is a hybrid design; SMO with about a half inch of OP around the emitter. Like the T60, the M8 gets the light out there but there is less of it than the S1100.
Solarforce S1100
XM-L/U2 pulling 1.20 amps (3.60 to emitter)
3 x protected Xtar 18700/2600
These lousy pictures don't do the S1100 justice because it is significantly more powerful to see at night in real life. I'm hoping my efforts on our property at work will turn out better. This location was on a busy road and everybody was slowing down, looking, wondering what I was doing. I felt rushed and it shows.
I'll try again in a few days.
learntothrowFoy
