Question about the Sunwayman V11

[silenthunterstudios]

A coworker asked if I was interested in a Sunwayman V11. It is an LED single CR123A flashlight, with a turbo max lumen of almost 600 lumens. That is with a rechargeable battery. I already have a Fenix PD22UED,max 400 lumens with a CR123A battery, without, 600 lumens max. This Sunwayman has a secondary output of 190lumens. Now, I can always use another 600 lumen light, but I have a single battery Streamlight with 180 lumens. On Sunwayman's site, they state that the turbo mode should not be used for more than 5 seconds. I want to be able to use the 600 lumens, not stuck with the 190 lumens. Is this something I failed to note on all Cree LED flashlights? I already have a Nitecore P12 with 960 lumens, the Fenix and Streamlight mentioned above, a Surefire 6PL, a Surefire G2L (80 lumens) on both, a Fenix TK15 (400 lumens) and a Nitecore 250 lumen pen light that takes AA's. Redundant I know, I also have a Klarus ST11 light, that has about 950 lumens. Not content with my Bushnell headlamp (225 lumens), I just bought a Zebralight headlamp with max 1080 lumens output.

I thought I was bad with knives. Anyway, I always use my lights on the highest setting, until they lose juice. I run rechargeables in the Nitecore P12, Fenix TK15 and Klarus, and bought a rechargeable for the Zebralight. I save the junked batteries that still have some juice for my Surefire G2L. Is it detrimental to the light, or unsafe for me, to use any Cree LED lights primarily on the high setting?

I'm looking for that perfect light to use when walking at night, I walk a mile every night, and while I need to get a high reflector vest, I still need the light.

Thanks for your insight.

 

[Midget]

I have the SWM V11R on my keychain -- been carrying it for 2 years. It's the XM-L version, "rated" at like 500L or something? I never saw the 600 lumen spec before, but I assume we're talking about the same light.

I use the light on the highest mode for reasonably prolonged periods, like maybe 10-20 minutes. It does get warm.

I would guess that they would recommend not using the light on "high" for > 5 seconds as a way to cover their ass and to prolong the full longevity of the light. Again, I've run the V11R for some periods of time on the highest mode and it's fine, albeit warm. Over long periods of time, running these leds for prolonged periods is probably bad for the light and unsafe for you.

If you're really thinking about a light to last for 1+ hour at high, I would consider a larger flashlight with better heat dissipation. Or consider a light that is not as high output -- do you really need the stated "600L?" That whole lumens game tends to be based on marketing rather than measurement.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I'm going blind and appreciate all the light I can get.

 

[The-Stig]

Set your flashlight to low or medium and let your eyes adjust. Looking at bright light at night will just ruin your night vision, it doesn't really help you at all. Also, running your flashlight on high for extended periods of time isn't recommended due to heat and inefficiency.