Preface Official Specs Versions Price Short Review Long Review What's Included Manual and Packaging Build Quality and Durability Size Retention Power User Interface and Operation Modes LED and beam Tint vs... Beamshots, Runtime, etc table. Comparisons Conclusion What I like What I don't like Parting Shot Up Next Notes
Preface
Emisar has been killing it lately. Just released is this D1S, their throwiest offering yet. I am pleased to have one, as I don’t like the typical entry into throwy 18650 lights (that is, the C8). Let’s see how it stacks up!
Official Specs and Features
Versions
There are two anodization colors; black and grey. Here is seen grey. And there are 3 emitter options, all Cree XP-L. 1A, 3A, and 5D (coolest to warmest). I have the 5d.
Price
The can’t-be-beat price of $40!
Short Review
Since I got this light I sold every C8 I owned. This throws better, has a better UI (unless you just really really love fw tail clickies), and is just more fun. I really love this one.
Long Review
What’s Included
- Emisar D1S flashlight
- Spare o-rings (2)
Package and Manual
As with other Emisar lights, this one ships in a cardboard box, which has a generic branded label. It’s a fine package.
There is no manual included. The UI etc may be seen on the product page.
Build Quality and Disassembly
This is a nice light with build quality commensurate with price. The anodizing seems thin (and is quite grippy, which may or may not be good depending on your taste).
The threads are ok. They look very nice, but they’re a touch grainy (like titanium threads, if you’ve ever experienced those.) The threads are very nicely square cut, and also anodized. My guess is that with some use, the threads will smooth out, namely when the ano begins to wear.
The tailcap also has some pronounced reeding, which makes unscrewing very easy.
The bezel unscrews easily, and the mcpcb can be seen and accessed. I am not sure how the driver is installed, to be sure.
Size
Officially: Length: 127mm, Head Diameter: 50mm, Tube Diameter: 24mm, Tailcap Diameter: 25.6mm. The head is quite large, on such a small body, but that’s not unheard of. (I think of the Nitecore P30, which has very similar dimensions. And I really liked that light, too.)
It’s not pocketable by any means. I didn’t even consider the D1 pocketable, and this light is much bigger than the D1. Below, it’s seen with the D4, which is quite pocketable.
Retention
Nothing is provided. As the body tube is reused from other Emisar offerings, there are pocket clips slots. But it’s unlikely that a pocket clip would be very useful on this big-head-light.
No pouch is provided, either.
Power
The Emisar D1S is powered by a single 18650 cell. It’s slightly picky, not preferring longer cells, or button top cells.
I’ve been asked about other Emisar lights so to be sure: The positive end of the cell goes toward the head of the light. Some Emisar lights did have an issue with reverse polarity, but I believe that’s been addressed. I’d still be sure to put the cell in the correct way. Mtn actually addresses this specifically:
Do not insert the battery backwards. There is short-term driver protection, but damage will occur to the battery and flashlight if the battery is left inserted backwards for an extended period of time. If the battery is inserted correctly, the light will give two quick blinks when the battery is connected.
The D1S has a dynamic temperature-based output on Max output. It also has low voltage protection, as can be seen in the graph.
User Interface and Operation
There’s a single switch on this light, a side e-switch. It’s big, responsive, easy to find, and positively clicky. I really like the switch!
The UI is very rich. I can’t describe it all, but the flow chart by u/ToyKeeper is quite descriptive. Yes, it’s labeled as the D4 UI. Yes, the UIs are the same. (Yes, that’s a good thing.)
Modes
As a ramping light, “modes” is not as applicable. But note in the flow chart above, all the accessory modes available. Lockout, beacon, Thermal configuration, battery check, tactical momentary. Really, quite a lot of options.
LED and Beam
There are three choices of tint for this D1S, and I opted for the warmest. This is a Cree XP-L HI 5D. It’s quite warm, no doubt. I like warm, so that’s good. And warm in a thrower is… maybe not “unusual” but it’s something to behold, when one’s accustomed to much cooler throwy lights.
The beam is very much throw. The emitter sits under a very smooth, big reflector. The beam is – unlike the D1 – very concentrated on the focus point. (Just to contrast, the D1 has a defined hotspot, but it’s perfectly even all the way across the hotspot.)
Tint vs BLF-348
Beamshots, Runtime, and Lux Measurements
| Emisar D1S | |
|---|---|
| Emitter | XP-L HI |
| Emitter Notes | V2 5D – Neutral/Warm White |
| Cell | 18650 |
| Glamour Shots | Beamshots [0.3″, f/8, ISO 100, 5000k] |
| Runtime | 18650 |
| Chargetime | – |
| LVP? | Warning |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1300 |
| Lux (Measured) | 3320 lux @ 6.306 m |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd | 132021.9 |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 726.7 |
| Throw (Claimed) (m) | 721 |
Random Comparisons and Competitive Options….
There’s not a lot that actually compares to the Emisar D1S The UI is special, the throw for form-factor, the price…. It’s ridiculous. If you think something else compares, … at $40, just buy both!!
Conclusion
What I like
- UI
- Throw
- Tint options
- Side switch
What I don’t like
- Anodizing is too gritty. Not grippy, but actually too much.
Up Next
Got a few reviews sitting on “go,” just have a bunch of writing to do! The most ready currently are the Nitecore HC70 and the JETBeam TH20. Hope to finish those this week, too!
Notes
- This light was provided by me! for review. I was not paid to write this review.
- This content originally appeared at zeroair.wordpress.com. Please visit there for the best experience!
- Whether or not I have a coupon for this light, I do have a bunch of coupons!! Have a look at my spreadsheet for those coupons. Note I’ve upgraded that sheet so that now, you may subscribe and get notifications when the sheet is edited!!
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