Emisar D1 and D1S


I have a hobby of checking out the newest in flashlights. My family loves it because I keep them in "new" flashlights, and I have fun with new toys. In my opinion, there are very likely to be times when you are out and about where you could easily NEED some extra light to assure your safety. Thus most of us carry an Every Day Carry (EDC) flashlight. I'm sure most/all of you know that.

My criteria includes L O N G throw (to me, 250M does not qualify), minimum of 600 lumen, simple User Interface (UI), comparatively small, durable, water "proof" (actually water resistant to at least 3 feet of water) and relatively low cost. There are a plethora of choices if you go outside those options.

The latest one(s) I've found are from Emisar (China), that have "infinitely" adjustable output (from one to 1300 lumen). While it is NOT infinitely adjustable (the steps seem to be about eight lumen per step) the granularity is smaller than any of us need. The BEST part is that you can set the level from one to 1300 easily, and it "remembers" where you last used it (nothing really new there). The ramp speed takes you from a flicker to very bright in about three seconds. The nice part is that the adjustment is a "press and hold" of the power button, and it adjusts things for you. Almost a P.S., you can readjust "on the fly" without having to start from almost zero each time. I'm happy!

OH, least I forget . . . They both sell for $40 each,
but you can often find them "on sale" for $35.

* * * * Nasty part is the lead time from China. * * * *
It takes twenty one to twenty four days, from order to receive.

The person that is/was holding the flashlights in these pictures has . . . small . . . hands. When I hold my D1S, in a position similar to the picture, my index finger almost covers to the top of the bezel (half a finger more and it would not be seen.

Emisar D1

Emisar D1S

One really nice thing is that the D1 is quite small (just over pocket size), yet does the full range of output. The D1S is a larger bezel and has quite a bit longer throw. The D1S also has sufficient heat dissipation to handle the full 1300 lumen without burning your hand.

BOTH have one thing that I consider a negative. They require UNprotected 18650 batteries. That because they require 5+A current, that most protected cells can not deliver. To those about to say BUT think about what is added to the cells to protect them . . . circuit boards that add length. The MAXIMUM length cell that will fit in the D1 and D1S is 67mm, and 65 or 66mm is preferred! Most protected cells (any that I've found, so far) are 68+ to 70mm. That means you must use UNprotected cells, and you need a good quality charger that will not over charge the cells, and you need to make sure you do not draw the battery voltage below 3.0V. The saving grace is that there is low voltage protection in both the D1 and D1S. That, with the afore mentioned good charger, makes them a viable choice.

Reported throw for the two:
D1 - - - 400 to 420M
D1S - - - 720 to 750M - That's over one third mile!

In case you want to go smaller . . .
There is a replacement tube for the D1 that makes it 30 MM shorter and requires a 18350 battery. Only real problem with a 18350 is the capacity being about one third of what a 18650 is.

First Impressions

LIGHT WEIGHT! Without the battery in them they weigh very little. With the battery, they are still anything but heavy. Switch is precise and easily activated and the output level adjustment is very easy and takes very little time.

After playing a while:

The user interface seems fairly simple, until you find out that the difference between a "short" click to maintain the same output level you last used and a "long" click to go into the ramping up from lowest level toward high, is less than a half second. - - - Less than optimal.       If you want to go directly to high output, do a double click.

If you are not concerned with ramping up about half the time, OR you get very proficient at the short click, these are really nice, HIGH output flashlights. All that in mind, and with a lot more use, I'm finding that I can more readily handle the -return to last used- short click. In fact the D1 (which finally came in - - - about three weeks) is proving to be even more of a Gem, than the D1S. Presuming that is even possible I LIKE it!

I got the D1S in gray, and it has a slightly rough texture (see the reviews below). I got the D1 in black, and it is nicely smooth. Almost gets lost in my hand (anyone around would not notice you have it in hand). I'm QUITE pleased!

Accessories

These lights come with virtually NO accessories. As such, I have been looking for a pouch or holster to carry one in. The nicest I have found so far is the Bianchi 7326 Holders which are available from Amazon for $10.50. The size 1 is what you want.

WATCH OUT! AMAZON IS TRYING TO SCREW YOU!!
I went to order a second one and the price went UP almost 20%. Humm.
Looked again (ten minutes later) and it was up ANOTHER 10%!
WATCH OUT! Amazon WILL screw you if you let them.

They now have another one available, a "MinChen Flashlight Holster" for $7.68 (which I just ordered). We will see if this one suddenly takes a major jump in price.

Got the MiniChen and it is another of those one size fits some.
To me it is not really as useful as most would like. Sigh.

Thermal Regulation

Both lights have full thermal regulation. However, it may not activate for over a minute on the D1 because it takes a while to get hot... and it might not activate on the D1S at all, because the host is almost perfectly tuned to handle the heat on turbo without getting too hot.
-- -- -- Quote from the software developer.

I have also checked the heat sink of the D1S. I'M IMPRESSED! After five minutes on the highest setting, the heat sink was comfortably warm. Not hot . . at all. In fact, if it had been outside in a Colorado Winter, it would have been very comfortable to non gloved hands. :-)

Other Reviewers of the D1S

Paid Reviewer While this is a paid review, he includes a lot of good information.

Zeroair Word Press

Budget Light Forum




E-mail at: w0ipl@arrl.net