Review: FandyFire STL-V3 CREE XM-LT6 5-Mode

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

FandyFire STL-V3 CREE XM-LT6 5-Mode 850-Lumen White LED Flashlight with Clip (1 x 18650)

Price: $40.80 @ time of review . [ Though I got this one when it was on sale @ DX ]

Brand: FandyFire
Model: STL-V3
Color: Black
Emitter Brand/Type: CREE
Emitter BIN: XM-LT6
Color BIN: White
Total Emitters: 1
Battery Configurations: 1 x 18650 (not included)
Voltage Input: 3.2~8.4V
Switch Type: Clicky/Clickie
Switch Location: Tail-cap
Modes: 5
Mode Memory: Yes
Mode Arrangement: High > Mid > Low > Fast strobe > SOS
Circuitry: Digital Regulated 2800mA Current Output
Brightness: 850-Lumen
Runtime: 2 hours
Lens: Glass lens
Reflector: Aluminum Smooth/SMO
Carrying Clip: Built-in



















When I first saw this light , I thought it interesting , when DX put it on sale , it was too much , I had to buy it .

I really wasn't expecting to get this much flashlight for the money . Modes are set out High - Medium - Low - Strobe - SOS and mode memory is about two seconds after turning the light of . The sample I got is extremely well made, surprisingly well so . Build quality and finish is just great , I have nothing negative to say here , so lets move onto performance .


Freshly charged 18650's run the light [ measured at the tail ] from 1.9A to 2.12A on high , 0.83A to 0.87A on medium and 0.15A to 0.18A on low .

Doing a ceiling bounce test , the Fandyfire did some 66Lux , my Trustfire X9 some 62Lux , and my Kegos K5 some 49Lux , using the same battery ...


Lets try some throw figures @ 1 meter ...

The Fandyfire did some 33000Lux @ 1 meter

The Trustfire X9 some 36000Lux @ 1 meter [ 31000Lux with the same battery ]

And the Keygos did some 19000Lux @ 1 Meter


I have to say I am impressed with the Fandyfire , I didn't know how it would perform , and well , it does perform !

I don't have time for outdoor beams right now , but will update shortly with some comparison shots .


Back yard beams :

I will take some comparison shots , and post them in a day or so ...

Fandyfire - VS - X9 - VS - Keygos K5


Update:


Ok , the light is small , and not every 18700 fits well , tightening down the tailcap with some 18700 could be problematic , as long as the battery fits inside the body all should be fine , but if it sticks out , you may end up with a crush fit tightening the tailcap down . Forgot , will not like flat top batteries !


2x16340

Hi- 1.66a

Med- 0.71A

Low- 0.16A

Ceiling bounce 71Lux

throw 33800Lux

Some comparison shots :

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2459/91664092.jpg KE-5

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/79/50051412.jpg X9

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2886/18645454.jpg V3

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9727/pa40.jpg PA-40

Click to view larger image ...

2

Nice review old4570.

What's the Trustfire and Keygos pulling in relation to the fandyfire?

The Fandyfire is pulling 2.12Amps on high. Is the Trustfire you got pulling 1.7Amps?

3

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/4133

X9 review

4

So the Trustfire is pulling 2.3Apms on high.

That means the driver on the Fandyfire is slightly more efficient?

I wanted to get this but I was in two minds because it was a 45mm head.

Now I will get this or the Sky Ray version if I can get it for $30.

5

Have you tried it with 2 x RCR123?

What's it pulling?

6

Its late , Ive got school tomorrow ... I will update as time permits ...

7

Mine pulls 1.57A from 2 x 16340 TF Flames (2.2A from 18650)

8

How do you like it so far ?

9

Nice review old4570!

I can confirm the relative lux readings: FF STL-V3 gives ~150%of Keygos KE5, but ~50% of FF STL-V6 (my readings for these three were something like 17kcd, 25kcd and 50kcd measured at 2m and converted back to 1m)

Edit: There might be something wrong, since 17kcd for Keygos sounds a bit too little. Have to check again later.

10

So far so good. It's small, almost pocketable, has a clip, is bright and throws well. My favorite 1x18650 thrower at the moment.

Ps. I was about to write a review next weekend but you were faster. :)

11

16340

Hi- 1.66a

Med- 0.71A

Low- 0.16A

Ceiling bounce 71Lux

throw 33800Lux

So there is a nice little boost from 8.4v / would love to see a extension tube ... for 2x18650

12

It's not too little. My U80 does that but with the under reading meter.

Plus you definitely cannot measure at 2m.

13

Actually I have the same under reading meter. :)

..and I know that 2m is too little for real throwers, but that was the best I could do yesterday. (I was just curious to see if STL-V3 really outshines KE5 by that much, and considered 2m as "good enough" for relative throw figures)

14

Updated with some nice outdoor beams !

15

Have you ever tried 2*IMR 18350's?

16

Dont own two 18350 IMR [ or one even ]

17

I just got mine yesterday. Definitely nice finish. Yeah, I was measuring the tailcap amps and it read around 1.8 A on high which I was kinda disappointed with. Was really hoping the driver was actually regulated at 2800 mAh like it says, but alas it is not the case. Still really bright though. I was hoping this would be like the X9 but with a better driver that I wouldn't need to replace to get over 2 amps. So is this driver regulated or not? How to find out?

18

I would say @ 8.4v or 2x16340 etc , it would be regulated ...

With a single 18650 , probably not so

Test regulation - Buy a light meter , and a Multi Meter .. Test battery voltage and then test output , where output drops , flashlight falls out of regulation ...

19

Hi there old, sorry I missed this review. Very well done as usual. Frontpage'd and Sticky'd now.

20

How does this stack up against the Uf980 in straight-up output?