Flashlight Review - Lumapower D-Mini

[erns]

Comes neatly packaged.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/4789/dsc03764smalljy3.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9904/dsc03766smallzm5.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/333/dsc03767smallhq4.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1175/dsc03886smallyp6.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7609/dsc03888smallwy9.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/56/dsc03802smallaa9.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/5171/dsc03770smallzp7.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/5272/dsc03771smalleo8.jpg

What caught my eye is a deep reflector.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1913/dsc03773smallqh3.jpg

Came with the momentary on twist on off switch installed.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9382/dsc03774smallej7.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/5193/dsc03775smallvv2.jpg

I swapped out the switch to the reverse clickie with GID rear clickie cover.

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1219/dsc03776smallde1.jpg

Top, D- Mini. Bottom, Fenix P1D CE

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2563/dsc03777smalllp9.jpg

Left, D-Mini. Right, Fenix P1D CE

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/8505/dsc03779smallqg5.jpg

D-Mini @ 27"

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5447/dsc03780smallxf5.jpg

Fenix P1D CE @ 27"

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/9528/dsc03782smallah2.jpg

D-Mini @ 27" Stepped Down Exposure.

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/7011/dsc03781smallks9.jpg

Fenix P1D CE @ 27" Stepped Down Exposure.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8340/dsc03783smallwa2.jpg

Left, D-Mini. Right, Fenix P1D CE @ 27"

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6701/dsc03784smallbl1.jpg

Left, D-Mini. Right, Fenix P1D CE @ 27" Stepped Down Exposure.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7115/dsc03785smallbk8.jpg

Left, D-Mini. Right, Fenix P1D CE @ 97"

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/5833/dsc03786smallyf2.jpg

Left, D-Mini. Right, Fenix P1D CE @ 97" Stepped Down Exposure.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6160/dsc03787smallri2.jpg

D-Mini @ 203"

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/5614/dsc03790smallut8.jpg

Fenix P1D CE @ 203"

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7057/dsc03788smallqg7.jpg

D-Mini @ 203" Stepped Down Exposure.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3259/dsc03791smalltg7.jpg

Fenix P1D CE @ 203" Stepped Down Exposure.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3136/dsc03789smallde6.jpg

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Both lights are using Protected RCR123's fully charged.

The D-Mini has ample room for a RCR123.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2596/dsc03816smallrq9.jpg

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3839/dsc03817smalldo7.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7840/dsc03818smallrr8.jpg

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3571/dsc03819smallln1.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2032/dsc03820smallmp0.jpg

This is the OP Reflector ( Orange Peel )

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/8151/dsc03890smallpv8.jpg

Left, Smooth Reflector. Right, "Orange Peel" Reflector

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/7066/dsc03894smalleo2.jpg

Left, Smooth Reflector. Right, "Orange Peel" Reflector

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4268/dsc03895smallho5.jpg

D-Mini with Smooth Reflector @ 67"

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/8251/dsc03896smallxj7.jpg

D-Mini with "Orange Peel" Reflector @ 67"

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/6475/dsc03898smallqm7.jpg

D-Mini with Smooth Reflector @ 67" Stepped down exposure.

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/3181/dsc03897smalljq5.jpg

D-Mini with "Orange Peel" Reflector @ 67" Stepped down exposure.

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/6321/dsc03899smallbm4.jpg

D-Mini with Smooth Reflector @ 104"

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/2116/dsc03900smallma4.jpg

D-Mini with "Orange Peel" Reflector @ 104"

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/5274/dsc03903smalleg1.jpg

D-Mini with Smooth Reflector @ 104" Stepped down exposure.

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/4341/dsc03901smallwv2.jpg

D-Mini with "Orange Peel" Reflector @ 104" Stepped down exposure.

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/4368/dsc03904smallus8.jpg

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I don't have a light meter to measure the brightness.

The "Orange Peel" Reflector really smooths out the beam. It gets rid of those "dreaded rings".

It looks like the "Orange Peel" Reflector cuts down the intensity of the beam, (the corona) slightly. I was very much surprised, I thought there would be a more loss of intensity than shown.

D-Mini Smooth Reflector @ 203"

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/663/dsc03931smallmz2.jpg

D-Mini "Orange Peel" Reflector @ 203"

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9681/dsc03929smallgn9.jpg

D-Mini Smooth Reflector @ 203" Stepped down exposure

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9237/dsc03932smallgg2.jpg

D-Mini "Orange Peel" Reflector @ 203" Stepped down exposure

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1338/dsc03930smallwk3.jpg

This is a beamshot comparison between the D-Mini OP (Orange Peel) and the Fenix P1D CE.

Top, D-Mini. Bottom, Fenix P1D CE

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2563/dsc03777smalllp9.jpg

Fenix P1D CE @ 96"

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3596/dsc04023smallrp9.jpg

D-Mini OP @ 96"

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3627/dsc04025smallad1.jpg

Fenix P1D CE @ 96" Stepped down exposure.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1940/dsc04024smallmt9.jpg

D-Mini OP @ 96" Stepped down exposure.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2128/dsc04026smallwr0.jpg

Left, D-Mini OP. Right, Fenix P1D CE @ 96"

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8569/dsc04027smallmi5.jpg

Left, D-Mini OP. Right, Fenix P1D CE @ 96" Stepped down exposure.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/724/dsc04028smallid7.jpg

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Both lights are using fully charged RCR123's.

[bruner]

Split out and moved, with a bump.
:db: - bruner

[GrantC]

Uhhhhh....why is the title "Flashlight Review - Lumapower M1", the first line in the review is "Get the Lumapower M1. It's a little throw monster!", when the light you've pictured is NOT an M1 but a D-Mini??

-=[ Grant ]=- (Who owns 2 D-Minis and 2 M1s)

[bruner]

Uhhhhh....why is the title "Flashlight Review - Lumapower M1"


GrantC,
Thank you for pointing that out. I was moving some posts (and renaming them) that would be beter placed in the "Gear Review" area.
Not being a big flashlight person, I did not realize that I incorectly titled the post with the wrong model.
All is fixed now.
:db: - bruner

[erns]

I just got the ES (Engineering Sample) from Lumapower courtesy of Ricky Tsang. The final version will change the diameter from 22mm to 24mm

Lumapower's D-Mini link to the 18650 Battery Tube. Lumapower Link (http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=167899)

The battery tube converts the CR123 size to a 18650 size.

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The first step is unscrew the Lens Assembly from the Bezel.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/3911/d65002smallyi5.jpg

I used a pick to unscrew the Cree Module from the Bezel.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/115/d65003smallno5.jpg

Turn counterclockwise.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/4867/d65004smalltb0.jpg

This is what the Cree Module looks like.

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2867/d65006smalleu5.jpg

Once the Cree Module is out you need to take the CR123 Battery Tube off the Lens Bezel Assembly.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/82/d65smallrw4.jpg

I removed the o-rings from the Bezel end the Tailcap.

I had to boil the D-Mini's Bezel Assembly twice, once at 10 minutes and again at 10 minutes to finally break the glue.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2803/d65019smallxv3.jpg

I tried using a plier with a rag on the "teeth" part. I broke the glue a little but not much. I decided to use my Workmate Bench because I put some dings and scratches in my CR123 Battery Tube.

I put the D-Mini's Bezel Assembly in my Workmate Bench

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1681/d65031smallcj8.jpg

I had to use a Strap Wrench

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/6602/d65020smallap4.jpg

It was tough but I finally got the Bezel off the CR123 Battery Tube.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5597/d65032smallzn7.jpg

This spacer needs to be installed first in the new 18650 Battery Tube. The smaller end faces down. The smaller end makes contact with the 18650 Battery. The Larger end on top makes contact with the Cree Module.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/3169/d65010smallql2.jpg

This end should face up. It has 2 holes, Remember the larger end of the spring faces up towards the Cree Module.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8923/d65033smalljy4.jpg

Screw in the Cree Module clockwise.

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/8837/d65013smalldx8.jpg

I found out I had to find the "sweet spot" to make contact to the module. If your Cree Module doesn't light you have to adjust the module to make contact.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7607/d65012smallmh4.jpg

Screw in the Cree Module.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5058/d65014smallye3.jpg

The Cree Module has to be flush with the 18650 Battery Tube end.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8022/d65015smallbu0.jpg

Before screwing the D-Mini's Lens Bezel Assembly on turn on the light to see if it works. If not you have to find the "sweet spot" of the spacer to make contact with the Cree Module.

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5660/d65023smallsc3.jpg

Now it's time to have some fun!

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/433/d65022smallki4.jpg

Size difference between both tubes. Top, 18650 Battery Tube. Bottom CR123 Battery Tube.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7904/d65021smallmc0.jpg

The 18650 Battery Tube has ample room for AW's Protected 18650 Battery.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4453/d65030smallmp8.jpg

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http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/8369/d65024smallao2.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6075/d65026smalloa9.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6962/d65027smallfa9.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1774/d65028smalljw9.jpg

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Beam shots of the CR123 and 18650 Battery Tubes installed.

D-Mini with CR123 Battery Tube @ 79"

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5865/d65034smallks9.jpg

D-Mini with 18650 Battery Tube @ 79"

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/3287/d65036smallug1.jpg

D-Mini with CR123 Battery Tube @ 79" Stepped down exposure.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4162/d65035smallig6.jpg

D-Mini with 18650 Battery Tube @ 79" Stepped down exposure.

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/483/d65037smallbc9.jpg

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I used the D-Mini's SMO Reflector to make sure I had the Cree Module installed correctly.

If installed correctly the beam from the CR123 Battery Tube and the 18650 Battery should be identical.

Both beam shots with the different Battery Tubes used freshly charged Batteries.