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Detailed
Information:
Intro Comments
The UK Sunlight eLED brings a significant change to
the Sunlight series from Underwater Kinetics. Although
not quite as bright as the incandescent versions, the
use of a Luxeon V LED as a light source adds an additional
element of reliability to the unit so that 2 bulbs are
no longer necessary. Powering the LED with a regulator
circuit provides the additional benefits of a non-dimming
light source as the batteries diminish and allows you
the ability to select from two different output options
depending on your need for either bright light or extended
battery life. Just like the original Sunlight C4 and
C8, the Sunlight eLED lights are dive rated to 500 feet
and still provide serious illumination for diving, search/rescue,
and a myriad of other applications.
The body of the Sunlight C8 is made of ABS, a high
impact polymer. The body and handle are one piece and
the handle is skeletonized for weight reduction and
ergonomically shaped for improved grip. The plastic
molding process is very well done with no sharp edges
and clean lines.
Behind the plastic lens is the eLED unit. This consists
of a silvered plastic reflector with a Luxeon V LED
(side emitter) perched in the very center. The entire
unit can be removed from the light in one piece to access
the battery compartment. As mentioned earlier, this
module is identical in both the Sunlight C4 eLED and
the C8 eLED. Therefore the module can be used to convert
current C4 or C8 Sunlight incandescent models into eLED
models.
LED module in center of reflector
When comparing output between the 4 cell and 8 cell
body, the low output stayed the same between using 4
cells and 8 cells, but the high output increased dramatically
when using 8 cells. The runtime graph in the instructions
also shows a steady dropoff in output for the C4, but
level output for about 8 hours for the C8. Based on
the increased output and flat output level for about
8 hours listed in the instructions (if that's correct)
the C8 eLED is probably the better unit to get. If weight
is a concern, however, the C8 weighs significantly more
than the C4 as a result of the 4 additional C cells
used for power (36 vs. 21 oz. (with batteries)).
On brand new batteries the C8 Sunlight incandescent
version puts out about 2 1/2 times the overall light
than the C8 Sunlight eLED, but the same throw (the beam
is less focused, more diffuse). So if you want more
overall light spread, you are still better off with the incandescent
model. Of course, however, the incandescent version
dims throughout its useful life since it's not regulated
like the eLED model.
The switch, which has a safety lock-out that must be pulled downward for the switch to move, can be rotated in either direction to select either full output or 50% output. The low output mode results in less light but extended battery life.
The battery compartment is sealed with a large O-ring
that gives the light a 500ft depth rating for diving.
The internal contact plate at the back of the light
will slide out with no additional effort than inverting
the light. This allows easy cleaning of the inside of
the light and the contacts if the light should become
flooded with seawater. For power, either body type can be powered by C cells or by an optional rechargable battery pack which comes with a replacement rear contact plate.
The only downside I see to this light is that it is
necessarily heavy due to the fact that it carries several C cell batteries inside it to run. The C4, althought much lighter than the C8, is still fairly heavy. Too heavy for backpacking
in my opinion, it makes a great light when
working from a vehicular platform such as a car/truck/boat
where you won't have to carry the light on your person
for long distances.
Both lights include batteries and an adjustable wrist lanyard.
What I Liked: Waterproof,
Tough/impact resistant, Regulated,
Bright, Easy battery change, Dual output
What I Didn't Like: Heavy (unavoidable).
Other Things I Noticed: Nothing significant
Conclusions: A great light! Regulated, waterproof, tough, well made, dual output. I'm giving the Sunlight C4 eLED 4 Stars due to its diminishing output on C cells - apparently the regulation circut just can't draw enough power from alkaline cells to keep output constant. However the C8, although heavier, can keep output constant for a long time and therefore gets a full 5 Stars when taking all of the other features into consideration as well.
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