Solarforce S2200: The Big Beauty - A quick summary. Really just a whole bunch of pictures.

Solarforce S2200

The Big Beauty.

Some facts:

Place of purchase: SolarforceFlashlight-Sales.com
Battery: 3 x 18650 (3S configuration)
Switch: Tail-Cap Forward Clicky
Illuminated Side Mode Switch
Modes:

High (2200lms)
Medium (800lms)
Low (100lms)

  • Hidden Strobe -> SOS
LED Type: 1 x MT-G2 in an OP Reflector
Weight: 705g
Lens:

Glass.
AR-Coated both sides.

Tailstands:

Yep!

Accesories:

Extra O-rings for every part.
Extra rubber boots for each switch.
Cheap Lanyard.
Tripod Mount Adaptor.
"Manual"

Price: USD$135.99 + USD$2 Shipping for the order.
Date Ordered: 16 May 2013.
They returned from their 'two week' holiday on the 5th of June.
Shipment Notification w/tracking number received on the 4th of June.
Tracking number only registers at HKP on the 14th of June.
Package leaves HK on the 15th of June.
Arrives at metro Australian address on the 21st of June.

What I have noticed that I like:

  • She is BIG. Always thought that flashlights should be this size. Inconvenient and perhaps a little old-fashioned given the technology of today, but it seems appropriate.
  • The beam colour is amazing. It's not harsh but so bright and beautifully renders colours.
  • The body has clean, simple lines. Easy to clean, and less chance of crevice corrosion.
  • Heatsinking is not extensive but running for an hour on full doesn't even come close to the heat of an SRK at 10mins. It doesn't even get uncomfortable.
  • The battery carrier is really nice. Weird thing to notice, I know, but the fit with the battery tube is just perfect. Whenever taking it out and putting it in, it makes a light wooshing sound finalised by a satisfying clink or pop.
  • It just throws light everywhere.
  • It's really well balanced with weight distribution. Even though it weighs a tonne, carrying it properly doesn't strain the wrist and you don't have to hold it around the neck in a stranglehold, struggling to point it up all the time.
  • Anodising on body is perfect, no discolorations, etc. It has a really nice satin feel to it.
  • IP-X8 means she likes to shower with me.
  • Threads are anodised too, and, while not square, have still been rounded off nicely. Very smooth.

What I have noticed that bugs me:

  • Mode switch is not quite as defined as I would like. I mean it must be tiny because the clear rubber boot gives a fair amount of resistance and at the last millimetre of travel it finally hits the switch and there's a small change in resistance. It's nothing like the switch on a Roche M170 or even an SRK. Mushy and a little unsatisfying.
  • The illuminated switch also has a dark spot. I'm guessing it's for the electrical connection, but the lighting is not completely spread out over the switch and the orb doesn't quite look magical. Demanding, I am, I know.
  • Reflector rattles when not attached to the emitter base.
  • There's no 'off' mode from the mode switch. So the illuminated switch can't be used as a locator like on a Nitecore P25.
  • Normal 18650 batteries that are actually 65mm long will seem quite loose in the carrier and will cause the flashlight to blink off if bumped. Panasonic NCR18650Bs fit fine. Guess she has expensive taste.
  • Threads came almost dry and with a sticky waxy grease that just went everywhere once you accidentally touch it. Gross.
  • It's really hard to run with. I need to buy another one to even out the weight distribution.

Pictures, lots of them:

Nevermind the dust, the emitter is well centered.

The bezel. I dunno what to say.

The lens and its seating ring.

Yes, it is AR coated.

A horridly useless picture of the top ring that holds with bezel and lens on one side, and keeps the reflector tamed on the other.

The inside of the head.

Reflector Diameter

Reflector Depth

Emitter Head, that beautiful MT-G2.

Switch. Yes, it is a little scratched. Yes, it came like that. No, I'm not going to have a big cry about it. I already had one last night.

It's not even. Give me my green halo of light.

Screw on/off

Bottom of the head, positive contact

Battery Carrier. This looks kinda cheapish, but it's all metal construction and quite a marvel in itself.

The Protected NCR18650Bs fit snugly. Unprotected almost don't compress the spring and seem to fall out if you don't hold them.

Tailcap Interior

Big Black Boot(y)

Slight disjoint between tail-cap and battery tube. (~1mm)

Slightly larger disjoint between head and battery tube. (~2.5mm)

Geez, she is big.

Runtime and Amperage:
(Still Testing)
Tests conducted with 3 x Panasonic NCR18650A protected batteries with less than a fifty cycles.

  • High (2200lms)
    • 0 hrs -
  • Mid (800lms)
    • 0 hrs - 12.57V, 0.712A
    • 1 hrs - 11.61V, 0.657A
    • 2 hrs - 11.02V, 0.617A
    • 3 hrs - 10.69V, 0.585A
    • 4 hrs - 10.22V, 0.525A
    • 4 hrs 46mins - 9.74V, 0.436A
      (Power indicator turns red)
  • Low (100lms)
    • 0 hrs - 12.53V, 96mA
    • 6 hrs - 11.89V, 90mA
    • 12 hrs - 11.44V, 84mA
    • 18 hrs - 10.94V, 80mA
    • 24 hrs - 10.68V, 76mA
    • 30 hrs - 10.37V, 72mA
    • 36 hrs - 9.92V, 67mA
    • 39 hrs 37mins - 9.25V, 60mA (Power indicator turns red)
    • 40 hrs 19mins - Cutoff.

Beamshot Comparisons:

Taken with a Sony HX9V, ISO400 f/4 1/1.6 sec
These are pretty true to the eye, ground to top of the tree is around 250m.

Control

SRK NW from FancyFlashlights

Roche M170 NW from FancyFlashlights

Convoy L2 XM-L U2-1B from FastTech

S2200

Cheers :beer:

Thanks for a great summary of what looks like a really well made light. Shame about the scratches onthe switch surround :(

I can't help but love the tint on the MT-G2 it makes me want to climb that tree and camp out :D

Nice work, good beamshot comparison. The S2200 beam looks the best. :beer:

im loving mine too! it puts a lot of light everywhere!

I can’t wait until mine gets here, should be here this week!

Nice!

I hope to see a side by side review of the Solarforce, Crelant and Niwalker. Whichever one wins I may buy.

Did anyone ever find out if the S2200 really puts out 2200 lumens?

Among the MT-G2 led lights available today, this light’s tint has so far pleased me the most. However, I can’t imagine it still has until now ‘input voltuge’ printed in its head.

Great review! Thanks.

Comparing to my SRKs and M170s, the S2200 is at the very least, on par with both of them.
Both my SRKs are from FancyFlashlights and so is oneof my M170s.

Subjectively, accordingly others' findings, yes, it does (at least effectively) put out 2200lms.

Great !

Thanks for sharing .

Cool