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26.08.2012, 19:14
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Увлеченный
Регистрация: 26.04.2011 Последняя активность: 10.11.2015 10:40 Адрес: Canada
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Nitecore SENS CR, Mini, AA (1xCR123A/CR2/AA) Series Review: VIDEO, RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOT
Warning: pic heavy, as usual.
Welcome to the new "mystery magic lights" from Nitecore, the SENS series. :rolleyes:  Following up on the recent launch of The Explorer Series, Nitecore is quick to release this new accelerometer-equipped series of lights. The SENS lights use the angle/tilt of the light to adjust output. I am sure you all have a lot of questions about how that works in practice, so here we go … :whistle: Manufacturer Specifications: Common Specs:
I will focus on the SENS CR here for the general build discussion, updating with additional pics from the other models when aspects differ.   In keeping with their twisty design, the SENS lights are fairly small for their respective classes. I will be providing detailed size and weight comparisons/pics in the detailed sections on each model – scroll down for details.    The SENS series looks a lot like the earlier EZ series of twisty lights from Nitecore – quite petite, with visible brass heatsinks. The SENS CR, Mini and AA all have the same diameter head, although the battery tube is bit narrower on the SENS AA. This differs slightly from the early EZ series lights, which had smaller heads on the CR2 and AA versions. Scroll down for the detailed comparison pics for their respective classes. My samples have a matte black finish, with no obvious chips or damage on the bodies. There is knurling on the body tube and head, but I don't find it very aggressive – grip is OK, but could be better. Identification labels on the body are clear and bright against the black background. Overall body wall thickness is on the thin-side, but the lights still feel solid (good weight in the hand with batteries installed). Screw threads are rather fine, as is common on twisty lights. I found the action slightly stiff, but can be improved with lube. There isn't that much play in the threads on my samples.   The SENS series lights use an optic to produce their beam (i.e., no reflector). The overall optic size and appearance is similar to the XP-E-equipped Fenix E11, as shown below. This should result in a decent hotspot/corona with minimal spill (i.e., output gradually fading away from the hotspot).   Fenix E11 on the left, SENS AA on the right Scroll down for specific beamshots of each model, relative to its class counterparts. And now, the most distinctive part – the user interface is based on a built-in accelerometer that can adjust output based on tilt angle.  arty:User Interface The SENS series lights are built around a traditional twisty interface – tighten for on, loosen for off. The lights come on in a graded way (i.e., quickly ramp up from dark to the light, rather just jump to specific levels). The lights actually have two distinct mechanisms for controlling output – a "regular brightness control" (i.e., constant output) and an "active dimming technology" (i.e., continuously-variable). The default "brightness control" mechanism is illustrated in this cartoon from Nitecore:  You get constant output at one of three defined levels (Lo, Med and Hi). You set the constant output mode by adjusting the original angle of the light at activation. That is, if a light is angled parallel to the ground (i.e., pointed straight ahead), the light come on in Hi. If you are partially angled down, the lights come on in Med. If you are pointed down to a greater degree (or straight down), the lights come on in Lo. Critical to how this mode functions, the accelerometer sensor shuts off immediately after activation. So you can now wave the light around, and it remains locked in your pre-set output chosen at activation. Basically, what is novel here is the means to select the Lo, Med, Hi – the actual levels remain constant during use, like all other lights. If you want to change the output level, you have to cycle the light off-on at a new initial angle to choose a different level. The other option is the "active dimming technology" mode, where you can dynamically alter output in a continuously-variable way, based on the current angle of the light. In other words, the accelerometer sensor remains active during continuous use, constantly re-adjusting the output based on the current angle. :ooo: To activate this mode, turn the light on pointed straight up. As you lower the light, the output will drop in a continuously-variable way between parallel to the ground (Max) and perpendicular straight-down (Min). Note there is a slight lag as the accelerometer sensor responds, and the change in output is gradual (especially when lowering the output). Just as when you turn the light on in the default "brightness control" mode, there is a graded response as the light changes modes during angling (i.e., no abrupt changes). There are no strobe/SOS modes on the SENS series. The Nitecore documentation is not very specific on what range of tilt angles produce the four possible outcomes upon activation (i.e., the three defined outputs or the continuously-variable option). To help you out, I have actually determined the relative angles using a protractor on my samples. Below is a graph of relative angle and output mode, using the same orientation as the earlier Nitecore cartoon (i.e., top of the image is up, far left or right is parallel to the ground).  The white area at the top of the graph is what produces the continuously-variable mode (i.e., anything higher a ~45 degree up-angle at activation will enter this mode). The constant Hi mode is produced by anything between a ~45 degree up-angle and a ~5 degree down-angle. The constant Med mode is produced by anything between a ~5 degree down-angle to a ~45 degree down-angle. The constant Lo mode is produced by anything greater than ~45 degree down-angle. To make the above clearer in practice, please see my detailed examination of the build and user interface in my video overview:
Video was recorded in 720p, but YouTube typically defaults to 360p. Once the video is running, you can click on the configuration settings icon and select the higher 480p to 720p options. You can also run full-screen. PWM/Strobe There is no sign of PWM that I can see, at any output level – the lights appear to be current-controlled.  Due to twisty interface, there is no standby mode to worry about – the lights are not drawing any power when off. Testing Method: All my output numbers are relative for my home-made light box setup, a la Quickbeam's flashlightreviews.com method. You can directly compare all my relative output values from different reviews - i.e. an output value of "10" in one graph is the same as "10" in another. All runtimes are done under a cooling fan, except for any extended run Lo/Min modes (i.e. >12 hours) which are done without cooling. I have devised a method for converting my lightbox relative output values (ROV) to estimated Lumens. See my How to convert Selfbuilt's Lighbox values to Lumens thread for more info. ----------- SENS CR Review   From left to right: Duracell CR123A; Nitecore SENS CR, EZ 123; Eagletac D25C Clicky; Foursevens Mini 123; Lumintop ED10; Zebralight SC30; , V11R, C10R. All dimensions are given with no batteries installed: Nitecore SENS CR: Weight: 23.4g, Length: 65.5mm, Width (bezel): 19.8mm Nitecore EC1: Weight 43.0g, Length: 68.6mm, Width (bezel): 26.1mm Nitecore EZ123: Weight 26.2g, Length: 68.8mm, Width (bezel): 19.0mm Jetbeam BC10: Weight: 46.6g, Length: 90.3mm, Width (bezel): 23.2mm Lumintop ED10: Weight: 21.5g, Length: 70.4mm, Width (bezel): 20.7mm The SENS CR is clearly tiny for the class. Beamshots: All lights are on Turbo/Max on 1x AW protected RCR in the first set of panels, followed by 1xCR123A in the second. Lights are about ~0.75 meter from a white wall (with the camera ~1.25 meters back from the wall). Automatic white balance on the camera, to minimize tint differences.                 And now on primary 3V 1xCR123A:             As you can see, the optic on SENS CR is different from the more common reflector style. The SENS CR has fairly bright hotspot and corona, but with gradual drop-off of spill as you move away from it (i.e., a less defined spillbeam edge). This is common on lights with this sort of optic. Throw/Output Summary Chart: My summary tables are reported in a manner consistent with the ANSI FL-1 standard for flashlight testing. Please see http://www.flashlightreview... for a discussion, and a description of all the terms used in these tables.   Output/Runtime Comparison:       ----------- SENS Mini   From left to right: Panasonic CR2; Nitecore SENS Mini, EZ-CR2; Foursevens Mini CR2. Nitecore SENS Mini: Weight: 21.6g, Length: 58.8mm, Width (bezel): 19.8mm Nitecore EZCR2: Weight 22.5g, Length: 60.7mm, Width (bezel): 17.5mm Foursevens Mini CR2: Weight 15.7g, Length: 54.0mm, Width (bezel): 19.1mm Beamshots:     Throw/Output Summary Chart: My summary tables are reported in a manner consistent with the ANSI FL-1 standard for flashlight testing. Please see http://www.flashlightreview... for a discussion, and a description of all the terms used in these tables. Output/Runtime Comparison:   --------- SENS AA Review    From left to right: Duracell AA; Nitecore SENS AA, EZAA; Rofis ER12; Nitcore D10; Foursevens Mini AA; Zebralight SC51; Sunwayman V11R+extender. Nitecore SENS AA: Weight: 26.1g, Length: 82.7mm, Width (bezel): 19.8mm Nitecore EZAA: Weight 20.9g, Length: 85.0mm, Width (bezel) 16.6mm Rofis ER12: Wright: 35.5g, Length: 96.2mm, Width (bezel): 18.6mm Tiablo E2A: Weight: 45.7g, Length: 101.2mm, Width (bezel): 19.9mm Xeno E03:: Weight: 48.1g, Length 96.7mm, Width (bezel): 21.5mm Xtar WK25B: Weight 42.9g, Length: 102.3mm, Width (bezel): 22.5mm Beamshots: All lights are on Max output on Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH. Lights are about ~0.75 meter from a white wall (with the camera ~1.25 meters back from the wall). Automatic white balance on the camera, to minimize tint differences.                 Throw/Output Summary Chart: My summary tables are reported in a manner consistent with the ANSI FL-1 standard for flashlight testing. Please see http://www.flashlightreview... for a discussion, and a description of all the terms used in these tables.   Output/Runtime Comparison:        --------- General Output Comments: Please refer back to the individual light reviews above for detailed tables comparing output and throw for each light, relative to its respective class. One general conclusion that I can draw is that the reported peak beam intensity and distance measures seem accurate, for all lights, for the identified battery type. To better allow you to compare output at all levels on all lights, below are detailed tables for each model, on all supported battery types. I have indicated the manufacturer's specs for the identified cell type. Note that Min refers to absolute lowest light level available in continuously-variable mode. The Max output in this mode was always the same as the Hi level in the regular brightness control mode.    Again, in general terms, Nitecore seems to be pretty accurate in their relative output lumen reporting, just as I observed for most of the Explorer series lights. :thumbsup: As you would expect, output levels are higher across the board on 1x 3.7V Li-ion sources. Although relative levels are maintained, there is little difference between Med and Hi. General Runtime Comments: Note that I haven't tried to test the continuously variable levels (as I would have to mount both my lightbox and light at an angle). So my comments below refer the "regular brightness control" Lo/Med/Hi pre-set levels. On the pre-set output levels, the SENS lights are all well-regulated on all primary battery sources, at all levels tested (i.e. very flat stabilization typically). :twothumbs 1x3.7V Li-ion regulation is typically less stable, at least initially. Output/runtime efficiency seems very good relative to the XP-G R5 class – about what you would expect for good current-controlled lights. One stand-out here is the SENS Mini, which seems to be exceptionally efficient for the class (but I have few lights to compare to). My results are also very close to the report ANSI FL-1 reported runtimes for each light (note that the ANSI FL-1 standard is time to 10% initial output). It's nice to see all the output, throw and runtime specs are pretty accurate for these lights. :thumbsup: Potential Issues for the SENS series Thread action can be a bit stiff, and the lights may be hard to use single-handed (depending on the size of your hands). While I like the gradual ramp up or down in brightness, the lights can be a bit slow to respond in ramping down in the continuously-variable mode (while comparatively quick in ramping up). It takes some getting used to the continuously-variable adjustment based on tilt angle, but this happens faster than you might expect. In any case, there is always the regular brightness-control mode (i.e., three defined levels, with accelerometer turned off after activation). I don't know what final packaing will include, but there doesn't seem to be any easy way to secure a pocket clip to these lights. My SENS AA has to be tightened fairly tightly to activate. Twisty lights always have the potential to be battery crushers, so you should periodically check your cells. My SENS CR has battery rattle when not fully tightened and in use. Preliminary Observations The SENS series is definitely unique – I haven't reviewed an accelerometer-based control interface before. :ooo: Build-wise, the series is actually fairly similar to the earlier Nitecore EZ series – except for the more consistent head size, and the use of an optic instead of a reflector. Fans of the familiar twisty interface (and tiny overall size that it allows) will find a lot that looks familiar here. But the user interface is definitely terra nova. Like most here, I was skeptical initially of how this sort of interface could work in practice. The short answer is that is does, but it requires some practice. Nitecore was wise to provide two options to control the light – both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Let's start with the continuously-variable output (i.e., activate the light pointed up, for continual sensor control). I was surprised at how quickly I could get use to using the light this way. If it dimmed or increased in brightness too much upon angling, a slight angle change restored the desired level of output. It is kind of like how you adjust how you point a constant-output light – to control the amount light falling on your target, you can move between the bright hotspot and the dimmer spill. It is much the same here – angle-control quickly becomes part of your innate handling regimen, and you aren't even consciously-aware you are doing it.  The one thing missing in this mode is the ability to "lock" the light at a given level temporarily. This would be especially helpful for when you wanted to look down but maintain a higher brightness (e.g., going down stairs, looking down over an edge, etc.). I am generally a fan of visually-linear control rings for this reason – I can dynamic dial the light up or down, and it stays put once I stop turning the ring. Perhaps some sort of front-mounted clicky control could work well with this technology (e.g., half-press to hold a level, or use a half-press to activate the sensor, etc.). Of course, you have the alternate option – the "regular brightness control" – where you start the light in one of three initial output states and it stays "locked" for the duration of the on-cycle. While this is a useful option, I would still like to have the flexibility of taking advantage of both features simultaneously (i.e., a variable lock, without having to turn off and re-position). I am not sure why there are only three levels available in the regular brightness control mode (i.e., as opposed to a continuously variable range of initial activations). But the relative efficiency of the three levels is excellent, well in keeping with other good current-control lights at these levels. Originally, I thought I would use this regular brightness control mode the most, but I found it a bit inconvenient given the small size of the lights (and my rather long fingers). Except for the 1xAA version, I typically needed to use two hands to activate the lights (i.e., I can't easily grip both the body and twist the head one-handed on the CR or Mini, while still accurately pointing at my target during activation). And having to hold the light two-handed defeats the whole purpose of a tilt-sensor – I need to artificially hold the light at a specific angle to get the output I want. This is just a personal problem I find with small twisties in my hands. :shrug: Another option for Nitecore to consider is bundling the sensor with a clicky interface. A typical single tailcap clicky may be problematic, as that would require an overhand tactical grip during activation (which is probably more likely to produce a down-angle than under-hand carry). So I can see why they went with this twisty option in the SENS series. Maybe a dual switch design, where a tailcap clicky turns the light on, and a front-mounted switch controls whether the accelerometer is active? That could give you the temporary "lock" option I would like to see. I do like the functionality the accelerometer-control interface provides. It is a novel approach, and one that worked consistently in my testing. You quicky adapt to using this novel interface. I think it would be interesting to see it implemented in other physical builds and control mechanisms – especially in a larger set of lights that fit more comfortably in my hands for single-handed use. :wave: ---- SENS Series Mini, CR, AA supplied by NiteCore for review. |
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Leon (27.08.2012)
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