There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
LED: Massdrop is Cree XP-G3 (110 lumens). Thrunite has 2 options, both of which are slightly brighter: Cree XP-G2 R5 (120 lumens) or Cree XP-L (130 lumens). Size: Thrunite is 4mm shorter and 1mm smaller diameter. Weight: Equal (both ~12 grams). Materials: Equal (both aluminum with anodized finish). Colors: Massdrop has 5 colors. Thrunite has only 1 (silver). Activation: Massdrop is a button. Thrunite is twist on/off. I do like the idea of a button. Modes: Massdrop is 5/32/110 lumens. Thrunite is 0.04/12/120 lumens (Cree XP-G2 R5) or 0.08/10/130 lumens (Cree XP-L). Massdrop's modes seem more useful. Battery life: Equal. Cost: Massdrop is $24.99. Thrunite is $15.95 (Cree XP-G2 R5) or $19.95 (Cree XP-L).
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
The Lumintop Tool is widely available at a lower price point but doesn’t have all of the same features or colors. The MassDrop AL version does have the nicer switch designed for the titanium version unlike the stock AL version.
Lumintop Tool AAA (the base aluminum black model) LED: XP-G2 (R5), sequence M L H, @ 32Lm, 5Lm, and 110Lm respectively Size: 81.5mm (Magnet base 70mm) long, 14.5mm diameter Weight: 15g (magnet base 14g) Materials: aluminum, orange peel “stippled” reflector Colors: black, also special editions like the Christmas editions – red, blue, and purple Activation: twist on/off/modes, magnet base option is in trade of a fatter mechanical tail clicky. Clip: reversible, for hat headlamp or lens facing down into pocket. Cost: on Amazon: $18.99 (comes with both tail-clicky and magnetic base). http://www.lumintop.com/tool-aaa.html
I have a larger 18650 battery ThruNite, it’s a beast that will outshine car headlamps. It’s a NW version, but they have uneven color: white at the hot spot, yellow spill. The Nichia in my first-run MD Brass tool and my brass 2x AAA lumentop actually have a uniform color, which looks much nicer on video or pictures.
This Massdrop has unique colors, newer? LED, Nichia LED option and e-switch usually reserved for the $36 titanium version (or $29 MD Brass or Copper), different mode sequence, and lighter weight (noticable?) than the standard aluminum tool. Based on the above, and my preference for the Nichia, green, and Ti eSwitch, I’d join this drop despite the minor price difference. I’m on the fence though, because the 2x AAA meets my needs and the shorter 1x AAA MD Brass one I had got lost somewhere (which is why I got the longer one). I kind of want one just for pride of ownership, lol.
you did a good job comparing the details
> Anyone have any thoughts on this?
depends if you want a silent clicky or a twisty, and depends if you want a firefly mode or not, and depends if you want a Nichia LED or not.
I have both Thrunite and Tool. I use the Tool much more, because for me, the firefly mode on the Thrunite is too low for my needs, and I dislike having to twist twice to get useful light for the majority of my needs.
Also, I am a huge Nichia LED fan, because I want High CRI and do not like Low CRI Cool white.
Only the Tool offers a Nichia. The Thrunite is not offered in High CRI, that alone is a deal breaker for my personal preferences.
The Tool w Mechanical switch is LOUD, otoh, because the button sticks up, it is easier to operate, and MUCH easier to find by feel in the dark. One of the things I dont like about the eSwitch, is that in the dark, I sometimes press on the glass lens instead of the switch, by mistake. (especially true when I remove the pocket clip, which imo is impractical because it is not deep carry, except when used to clip the light to a hat. The Mechanical switch is much easier to locate by feel in the dark, otoh, it is less practical to carry at the bottom of a pocket, because the rubber gets hung up in the cloth material, and the rubber button makes the light longer also.
I much prefer the keyring connection point on the eSwitch Tools, over the Mechanical switch models, but, I usually do not clip lights to my keys, I prefer to use the light free of keys.
Price differences are a matter of choice, if you appreciate the features of the eSwitch, I dont think the price is a deal breaker. otoh, if you are happy with a non eSwitch light, then buy whatever makes you happy, at whatever price you can find.