[candle lamp]

ThruNite has recently released Scorpion tactical flashlight with a XM-L T6.

Scorpion comes with lanyard including split ring, extra o-rings, and user manual in a
black cardboard box. I received free two Surefire CR123A cells from the local dealer.
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Update (03/28/2011) : Addition of specifications, typical output and runtimes

Manufacturer's Specifications
- Cree XM-L (T6) LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours
- 164mm (Length) x 25mm (Body Diameter) x 35mm (Head)
- Waterproof to IPX-8 standard, to a depth of 1.5 m in 30 minutes
- Weight 154 g (without batteries)
- Digitally regulated output - maintains constant brightness(1.5A)
- Battery low indication system
- Tail cap twist ring for five different stage application respectively as lock out, Firefly, Infinite
brightness with memory, Momentary on, Momentary strobe
- Made of durable aircraft-grade aluminum
- Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
- Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
- Smooth reflector (30mm diameter; 24mm depth) gives perfect beam and very good throw

- 460 ANSI lumens for XM-L T6 (1.5A LED current)

Typical Output and Runtimes
- Firefly mode : 0.1 lumens, 9 days
- Infinite brightness : variable depending on setting and battery capacity, On high, approx. 1 hour

- Max. : 460ANSI lumens, 1 hour (two CR123A)

- Strobe(10hz, 460 lumens) : 2 hours
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The type III hard anodized finish is excellent overall and black color.
Knurling is generous throughout the surface of the entire body and somewhat
aggressive. Lettering on the head is bright white and clear.
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Head
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Body tube
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Tailcap

The light is made of aluminum except sturdy plastic (control) ring & button of
the tailcap.(I guess these are reinforced plastic.)
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The removable crenellated stainless steel bezel is attached on the head.
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There is a tiny hole for a lanyard on the grip ring.
The light can't tailstand because of an exposed button of tailcap, but it's easy
for you to depress it even when wearing gloves.
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(Picture from https://forum.fonarevka.ru)
The tailcap shape of the Scorpion is very similar to Night-Ops Gladius.
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The light is split into three parts without using tools.
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The XM-L T6 is well mounted on a black insulating cover and the heat sink looks
like brass. When battery voltage drop to 2.9V, the light will flash to mention the
battery low and shut off at 2.7V. It's a very useful battery low indication system
for unprotective li-ion cells.
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Emitter is well centered at the bottom of the deep smooth reflector.
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(Picture from https://forum.fonarevka.ru)
There are two springs on the head and tailcap which make it possible to use
flat-top batteries and give a shock damping of batteries in the light.
The light has a revere polarity protection function to protect from improper
batteries installation.
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The allowable input voltage is 2.7~9V, so you can use one 3.7v-18650, two
3v-CR123A, and two 3.7v-RCR123A respectively. No problem for 18650
unprotective li-ion cells, but it's nearly impossible to tighten the tailcap for
longer protective 18650 completely.
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I wonder what is in there.
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Build quality of scorpion is very high and screw threads are square-cut.
Head & tail threads are all anodized at body tube including head & tailcap region.
An o-ring is on the outer side of the head, but is on the inner side of the tail.

As you can see the above, there is thick plastic insert inside the body tube.
I guess this plastic insert completes the electrical contact and lighten the light's
weight while maintaining its rigidity.
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The light comes with a removable clip with a retaining ring over the attachment
area.
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To join the tailcap, you have to line up the groove in the body tube with the
indentation on the spring plate inside the tailcap at first. Rotate the knurled
metal ring clockwise until the ring begins to thread onto the body tube, but
holding the plastic ring stationary.
Tighten the tailcap by continuing to rotate the metal ring only until the tailcap
seat firmly against the clip retaining ring on the body tube.

When installing batteries and tighten the tailcap, preflash can be seen.
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The five (plastic) ring levels are Firefly Mode, Infinite Brightness, Momentary
Function, Momentary Strobe which are arranged clockwise, and Lock Out,
arranged counter-clockwise.

The total traverse of the plastic ring is around half the circumference of the
light, so you can switch back and forth with ease one-handed. The plastic
ring is smooth over the range and has a good feel.

Twisting the plastic ring & pressing the button on the tailcap gives the
following modes :
1) Firefly mode : This mode has a very low 0.1 lumens.
2) Infinite brightness mode : Customize the brightness you want. Press the button
and hold, the light will start from 10%(46lumens) to 100%(460lumens) and vice versa
in brightness, choose the brightness you want and then release the button, the light
memorizes the setting. It will retain this setting for future use on this mode.
3) Momentary function : This mode is for short bursts of light give the max. brightness
(460lumens). Just hold down the button for on, release it for off.
4) Momentary strobe : This gives the same output(460lumens) as well. Press and hold
for on, release for off.
5) Lock out : This mode prevents accidental activation of the light. To select this mode,
turn the light on in firefly mode. With the button slightly depressed, rotate the plastic ring
counter-clockwise. (If you wanna go back to firefly mode, just hold down the plastic ring
and rotate it clockwise.)

The scorpion has a parasitic standby drain 0.05mA which is negligible. It can be
translated into 5 years before one fully charged 2200mAh li-ion cell would be
drained. However you don't need to worry about it when you keep the light on
the lock out mode.
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From left to right, AW protective 14500, ThruNite 2A, Scorpion, Ultrafire C8,
Solarforce L2X, and Cenpower protective 18650.
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Update (03/28/2011) : Addition of picture below



You can compare the size of each head.
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Here are the main specifications of each light.
- ThruNite 2A : Cree XM-L T6, Cool White, OP, 1x14500 li-ion
- ThruNite Scorpion : Cree XM-L T6, Cool White, SMO, 1x18650 li-ion
- Ultrafire C8 : Cree XM-L T6, Cool White, SMO, 1x18650 li-ion
- Solarforce L2X : Cree XM-L T6 P60 drop-in, Cool White, SMO, 1x18650 li-ion

The conditions of the indoor beamshots are
- Distance : about 7m
- Brightness : all maximum
- ISO200, F2.8, 1/8sec
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ThruNite 2A (1/8sec)
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Solarforce L2X (1/8sec)
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Ultrafire C8 (1/8sec)
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ThruNite Scorpion (1/8sec)
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Same conditions except 1/10sec as above.

ThruNite 2A (1/10sec)
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Solarforce L2X (1/10sec)
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Ultrafire C8 (1/10sec)
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ThruNite Scorpion (1/10sec)
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Update (03/28/2011) : Addition of outer beamshots

The conditions of the outdoor beamshots are
- Distance : about 60~65m
- Brightness : all maximum
- ISO200, F2.8, 1sec.
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Control Shot (1sec)
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ThruNite neutron 2A (1sec)
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Solarforce L2X (1sec)
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Ultrafire C8 (1sec)
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ThruNite Scorpion (1sec)
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C8 is the best thrower but has darker spillbeam. It is followed by Scorpion, L2X, and Neutron 2A
respectively in order of reflector size as expected.
Scorpion is well balanced between throwy (hotspot) and floody (spill) beam.
It has even beam as well.

Update (04/02/2011) : Checking low voltage of battery


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I've checked how the light react when battery voltage drop to 2.9V.

When battery voltage drop to around 2.9~2.96V, the light become dim and flicker four times, and go out.