Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Shiningbeam MG PLI Flashlight Review

This is a review of the MG PLI flashlight from Shiningbeam.com.

These three images not mine:
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4621/plicpf.jpg

I paid 54.28USD for this flashlight, plus 2.95USD for shipping to Toronto, Canada. I used the "CPFuser" coupon to get 6% off the regular price.

Shipping was incredibly fast; however, the first light I received was defective with only one of three modes working. Bryan provided excellent customer service (with very fast communication during after hours) and replaced it without problems. I was told that they test every light they sell. Mine might have been damaged enroute.

The light is well built with good tolerances. The threads are smooth. The LED is centred in the reflector. Heatsinking appears to be good, and the light gets fairly warm during use, though not uncomfortably so. There is no battery vibration when the light is shaken. The black anodizing appears to be quite durable, with no obvious defects. The light comes with two replacement tailcaps, a bunch of spare o-rings, a lanyard, and a spare momentary-on switch.

I have not tested the run times. If the specs below are accurate, it should run for about an hour before dimming (comparable to the P7 lights).



Specs:
** Compact size flashlight specially designed for bikers**
* Features a Cree MC-E emitter, M bin with WC tint
* 700+ lumens on high mode
* Comes with tactical momentary-on switch and regular switch
* Voltage input 2.8-6V
* Compatible with 1x18650, 1x17670, and 2xCR123A
* 3 Modes: Low > Mid > High
* Current output: 140mA on low, 1000 mA on medium and 2500 mA on high
* Regulated circuit for constant current output
* Built in Voltage protection, will cut off at 2.8V
* Reverse-polarity protection prevents wrongly installed batteries from damaging the circuit
* It can tail stand
* The memory feature will memorize the last mode
* Toughened ultra clear glass lens with 98% transmission rate
* Extra thick body for good heat dissipation and excellent durability
* Orange peel reflector for flawless beam pattern
* Comes with accessories: holster, 1 tactical switch, lanyard, O-rings, and G.I.D tailcaps
* Recommend not to run over 20 minutes continuously on high mode when using 2xCR123A
** Do not run it with 2xRCR123A rechargeble Li-ion**

Dimensions: 14 CM x 3.4 CM x 2.7 CM
Weight: 4.1 oz

Shipping info:
All orders will be shipped with USPS first class mail. Domestic orders come with delivery confirmation, and international orders with standard air mail. We charge a flat fee of $2.75 for customers in US, and $2.95 for Canada.

From left to right: AA battery; 18650 LiOn battery; PB Superflash; Ultrafire WF-501B K2 Red LED Flashlight (DealExtreme); MF PL1 (not to be confused with the PLI reviewed) Cree Q5 Flashlight; MG PLI Cree MC-E Flashlight (reviewed here).
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04831.jpg

Disassembled:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04839.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04832.jpg

The textured reflector:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04834.jpg

Inside the barrel:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04836.jpg

Inside the tailcap:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04838.jpg

I have a point+shoot camera, not a SLR. Do not compare brightnesses across photos, as the exposure varies. For the following beamshots, I shall refer to the MG PLI (reviewed here) as the "MC-E light", the MF PL1 as the "Q5 light", the Ultrafire WF-501B as the "K2 Red light", and the Planet Bike Superflash as the "PBSF".

Q5 on left, MC-E on right.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04841.jpg

Same lights, around 10 metres from the fence. Note that although the MC-E is brighter, it's beam is spread over a larger area and provides less spot illumination.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04811.jpg

At around 25m:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04824.jpg

At around 40m:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04826.jpg

The same scene without illumination:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04827.jpg

Compare the lights with a car headlight:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04820.jpg

From the front:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04813.jpg

From 11 o'clock. Note that the wider spill of the MC-E light makes a dramatic difference. For this reason, I run both lights. The MC-E provides general illumination and wide angle visibility. The Q5, helmet mounted, provides controlled illumination on distant objects, around corners, and aimed at drivers.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04814.jpg

Individual beam patterns. Do not compare the brightnesses of the following two shots directly:

Q5:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04823.jpg

MC-E:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04822.jpg

Bonus: DX K2 Red LED flashlight vs PBSF:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04810.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/DSC04825.jpg

I like the PLI that I received from Bryan.. I think it is more like around 500+ lumens out the front.. I get burn times from 75-80 minutes with Gray Trustfire 2400 Battery.. I get 90-90 minutes with Ultrafire 3000 cells.. The burn time puts is very high with me for a single cell light.. I only have 1 P7 that gives me a longer burn time, which is Trustfire P7 light..This lights regulation is very good, but when it runs out it flashes and drops to reserve mode below low mode, basically time to switch the battery..

The light is available again: http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-136/**NEW**-MG-PLI-Cree/Detail

here is another long review of the light: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=230841

EDIT: I should say, review looks good Yan :)

Ok, firstly, I'm not familiar with this torch or the retailer and I am in no way attempting to review this torch.

So, please can someone clarify - is this the torch that was being talked about yesterday ?

Where the first batch of reflectors were known to be faulty or of lower quality, but went out anyway ?

I'm not trying to promote or rubbish ANY product discussed on the forum, I'd like to know as I believe it is relevent to whether or not I should buy one.

TIA...

:)

Email Bryan at SB and he will answer all your questions..

Email Bryan at SB and he will answer all your questions..

I'm not sure if your suggestion is pointed at me or is directed at everyone equally ?

:)

So, please can someone clarify - is this the torch that was being talked about yesterday ?

Where the first batch of reflectors were known to be faulty or of lower quality, but went out anyway ?

Yes, this is the torch discussed previously.

Bryan said on Candlepowerforums that the difference between the two reflectors are minimal. An owner of the first iteration asked him whether it's worth upgrading the reflector, and he replied no.

Yes, this is the torch discussed previously.

Bryan said on Candlepowerforums that the difference between the two reflectors are minimal. An owner of the first iteration asked him whether it's worth upgrading the reflector, and he replied no.

Hi Yan,

Thanks for clearing that up.

So where is this torch made ?

I assume it's not a chinese torch, then ?

:)

I just received my PLI today. It is a nice light. The MTE 5 mode I got from DX is a tick brighter, but the light from Bryan is of much better quality and more compact.

Looks like it's sold out again; I can't find it on the site. These things are selling pretty well!

I'm still confused about this torch, is it available from Deal Extreme ?

Is it a reworked chinese torch or is it a full custom build ?

Who is the manufacturer ?

In the P7 thread Seeker333 says:


from cpfmp:
"Zeruel,
The first batch of the OP reflector for PLI is not very ideal. Many of them have small lumps in them. So, in the next batch we hope to get rid of those lumps and make the output beam even more smooth."

My PLI has a few little lumps - they are few and very small. I do not believe a new "lumpless" reflector will eliminate the donut. I think a larger diameter head, lens and reflector are needed - like the one on my MTE P7s"He says 'PLI" so this comment is about the torch being reviewed here, right ?

Can someone please clarify ?

:)

I just received my PLI today. It is a nice light. The MTE 5 mode I got from DX is a tick brighter, but the light from Bryan is of much better quality and more compact.

did you finally get your 7 flashlights from DX ?

did you finally get your 7 flashlights from DX ?

He ordered 7 flashlights ?

:o

Yes. The order was for myself and 6 friends.