Group Buy - Shiningbeam tactical flashlights

[ExTxN]

In for (2) of the RC-N3 Q5II lights-see my pm from yesterday, Joe. I'll either have to hide these from my sons (or come Christmastime maybe another order will be in the works!)
Take care
Dave

[Joe Smith]

Originally Posted by Shawn.L

found one !

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...sh-A4-X/Detail

Originally Posted by ExTxN

In for (2) of the RC-N3 Q5II lights-see my pm from yesterday, Joe. I'll either have to hide these from my sons (or come Christmastime maybe another order will be in the works!)
Take care
Dave

Both awesome lights. Bryan is sending me a C6 so once I get it I can let you know what I think of it. He said it is smaller than the N3 but stall takes the AA tube. I just want to see how the aspheric lens works.

[Trex]

Mite be in this again, all depends when i can scrape some money together.

[Mtbkski]

This customized version of RC-A4 uses a WC tint Cree XR-E Q5 emitter, which is about 30% brighter than the regular model

Just what is a WC tint Cree XR Q5 emitter and what does it do?

* This customized model comes with tactical momentary-on switch

I do like this

* Compatible with 1 x CR123A and 1x RCR123A

I think this is the same battery that the last bunch we bought ran on isn't it?

[Mtbkski]

What is a Warming Tint?

[Joe Smith]

Originally Posted by Mtbkski

This customized version of RC-A4 uses a WC tint Cree XR-E Q5 emitter, which is about 30% brighter than the regular model

Just what is a WC tint Cree XR Q5 emitter and what does it do?

Okay, an emitter is simply an LED. Unlike those cute little ones from the squeeze flashlights the emitters in EDC tactical lights are very powerful, produce a lot of light, heat, and draw some serious amperage. So you have a few options when picking a flashlight and especially when building/modifying one.

Cree is the manufacturer of high-end emitters. They are one of the more popular producers, have good quality, and good prices. There are some companies that make brighter emitters but looking at value, cree is a good choice.

XR-E is the series of emitter. It lists some general specifications of the range (which I won't get in to because it's confusing as heck). Within the XR-E series you have a number of models and tints. This light uses a Q5 which is brighter than a Q3. However, this also gets confusing because not every company lists emitters in the same way. The Q5 is a very bright, efficient, and popular emitter for good reason. For these small pocket lights it's as close to perfect as we can ask for and Bryan does a great job of putting them together.

Finally the tint. Light bulbs all put out slightly different "tints" of light. An incandescent bulb is more towards the "warm" scale, a fluorescent light puts out a "cooler" tint. Most emitters are on the cooler scale, they put out very bright white but don't throw out too much of the warmer colors. Compare it to a flashlight with a regular bulb and you can see the tint difference



Unless you need to mage out specific colors with this light the standard tint is fine. The WC tint (or bin) is described as being on the blue-ish side of white. Still a white beam, but very cool. The advantage is that it is brighter than other tints of the same Q5 emitter. For a tactical light I will take brightness over color.

The picture above is NOT the emitter we have, the luxeon is more blue than the WC tint Bryan has.

* This customized model comes with tactical momentary-on switch

I do like this

Me too!

* Compatible with 1 x CR123A and 1x RCR123A

I think this is the same battery that the last bunch we bought ran on isn't it?

Correct, it is the most popular battery for these small tactical lights because it puts out the same voltage as 2 AA's at a much smaller size.

Originally Posted by Mtbkski

What is a Warming Tint?

Basically it's an emitter with a tint closer to that of a standard flashlight bulb. I think they are neat

Here is a WC tint vs warm white tint in the Q2 (little brother to our Q5 emitter)




Notice the left is a warmer light, but you lose some brightness. Better for the eyes but for a tactical/blinding situation I'm not sure it's worth the tradeoff. But I don't have one so I can't comment too much.

[ExTxN]

Originally Posted by Mtbkski

What is a Warming Tint?

Keeps yer bacon from getting cold?

LED's have a tendency to have a harsh, bluish-white light, whereas regular bulbs (even Krypton) tend to have a more yellowish tint. This is probably a lens/filter that gives you that old-school glow while still having the LED efficiency and goodness we all want. ?Verdad? Well, it sounded good...

edit: Sorry, Joe, didn't see you there! Guess between answering the phone and getting more coffee, you already answered that.

Take care
Dave

[Joe Smith]

Originally Posted by ExTxN

Keeps yer bacon from getting cold?

LED's have a tendency to have a harsh, bluish-white light, whereas regular bulbs (even Krypton) tend to have a more yellowish tint. This is probably a lens/filter that gives you that old-school glow while still having the LED efficiency and goodness we all want. ?Verdad? Well, it sounded good...

edit: Sorry, Joe, didn't see you there! Guess between answering the phone and getting more coffee, you already answered that.

Take care
Dave

You said it better anyways.

[Shawn.L]

some like the warmer tint as they feel it helps in being able to make out details...... like "is that a gun or cell phone in his hand?" kinda details. But its a matter of personal choice and opinion, others like brighter whiter lights for the very same reason.

[Joe Smith]

Wanted to throw a pre-review review up her for you guys. This is the new Shiningbeam RC-C6 flood to throw. It does not have a reflector but uses a aspheric lens (basically a thick magnifying glass) and an adjustable head to change the beam. When the emitter is close to the lens it throws a very wide flood beam. When it is backed away from the lens it is focused into a very tight pattern with little spill so it throws a beam very far.

So far fit and finish seems just as good as all the romisen lights I have held. The threads were good and I greased the head so it adjusts very smoothly. It takes a little over two turns from end to end.

Here it is in flood mode. With the head cranked down it is very small.


This is "throw" mode, about the same size as the RC-N3




Unlike other Romisen lights this one comes apart a little different due to the adjustable head. The bezel unscrews exposing the lens and an o ring. Under that is a large threaded ring which the lens rests on and also serves to as a stop to keep the emitter from hitting the back of the lens. With the ring out the head can screw down and off the body leaving just the body tube and emitter pill.





The beam is interesting. The full flood is very wide but would be good for lighting up a table or the inside of a bag. Even a narrow hallway. It is very smooth and bright. Seems a little warmer too.




The throw beam review will have to wait until nightfall. It is VERY tight. So focused that it is actually in the shape of the emitter, square. You can even make out the details of the emitter as shaded lines in the beam. From what i understand this is not unusual for aspherical lens lights. I think this will be perfect for lighting up the woodline in search of noises in the night, or for other long range uses.




As is life, the most useful beam is right in the middle. Enough throw to reach out through the hallway with a wide enough beam to cover the sides.



I can add more thoughts after dark.

~Brian


I wanted to take a few beamshots after dark. Usually flashlight reviewers get a shot against a white wall to see how clear, bright, large the beam is. However, I didn't have a white wall big enough for the flood or far away enough for the throw so I had to move to our indoor riding arena. The far wall is about 180 feet away and the rafters are about 15 feet high.

Flood to throw