Fandyfire G36 mini-review

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

I just got one from Lightscastle. Here are some observations about it. (Sorry no pictures)

–3 separate metal reflectors
-leds glued on with something like Fujik heat-conducting glue
-should probably take 16mm leds as a replace, 14mm might be a safer solution. Originally there is a single carrier for 3 leds
–5-mode driver with memory (H/M/L/blink/sos)
-driver diameter 26mm, heigt of driver compartment 13mm, leds driven serially
-driver is held by a screwed on part where the battery tube connect to (below the screwed part, not soldered)
–10 minute run at room temperature (output side down) heats the fins to 50C and the front of battery tube to 40-45C or so ie. handles the heat ok, should be cooler outside or horizontally
-Not a thrower, not a flooder (as you’d expect from the small reflectors). Bright and generous spill with an average width hotspot
-Battery configuration 2x18650
-Condition and anodizing perfect except a small nick on the bezel
-No lanyard included, reverse clicky switch
-Size is supprizingly compact considering the double battery configuration
-Cool white tint
-Unlubed threads with o-rings

Now the most important question: how heavily is it driven? Unfortunately not heavily at all. I measured H/M/L = 1.68/0.83/0.18A (heavy leads on my meter, with good batterys capable of much more current).

So, that leads to one question: any suggestions about a replacement driver? 3-led light is not supposed to have 1-led brightness. (With added runtime because of double battery though)? With a proper driver this could make a great light!

Edit: 3.4-3.5A draw with 3 18650 cells (that will not fit in the light, only a 2 cell light!) Perhaps a buck driver going into a direct drive? Either way, not good for 12V rated use with primary lithiums at that current level.

2

i got one just for it looks and very much pocketable size :slight_smile: lights is enough but nothing suprising. even mines draws more then yours 1.89 on H

3

Hi there, hoffig. I got my G36 in the mail yesterday. Except for a small nick on the bezel (just like yours) mine is pretty good. I don’t know the current draw or anything, but mine is pretty darn bright :slight_smile: and floody . What really surprised me is how small the G36 is. When I first opened the package I thought to myself, “does this thing really take 2 x 18650 batteries?” I will post a picture of it this weekend, next to my SKYRAY STL-V2 to show the difference in size. Overall, at below $30, I’m very happy with my purchase

4

here’s a pic showing the difference in sizes. The G36 is really small for a 2 x 18650 light.

5

Put this in it: http://www.kaidomain.com/product/details.S020121
and you’ll have a monster (in 2 cell config, make sure to use good cells like Sanyo, Panasonic, Samsung, etc - not CrapOnFire!)
:slight_smile:

6

Gee Shadowww…. I wish I could. I’m hopeless when it comes to the technical stuff - and my soldering is laughable.
Reallly, I wouldn’t know where to begin. I kind of envy you guys who have the technical know-how :stuck_out_tongue:

7

It might not fit. I measured the height of driver compartment 13mm and that one is reported as 17mm high. Assuming measures are correct and 1.5-2mm for pcb height you’d probably need a small spacer. The driver is held by a screwed on part that could perhaps be shortened a bit though (without modifying leaving it a couple mills “open” would not allow the o-rings to seal the light properly).

If it wasn’t $15 driver I’d give it a try. Too expensive for a $25 light I think.