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Infiltration Forums > Archived UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > Product adivisory; do not buy (Viewed 1587 times)
blackhawk 


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 20 on 9/24/2006 8:27 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Agent Skelly


Watts is used because it measures the true optical power. What you seem to want to know what is the lumens rating, which is a whole another science.




Watts show total power consumption, but not how much light is lost, or how much is even generated. Is that 3 watts for 5 minutes until the battery voltage drops, than it's 2 watts? What color temp? Optics are a bitch, but that's the knowledge that's needed. I like this site because it provides a way to compare the light output in a way easier to understand. http://www.flashli...ws.com/index1.html

I have two LED lights and it seems to give a reasonable comparison as the one that should be slightly brighter is in real life.


edit- wrong url address, spelling
[last edit 9/24/2006 8:54 AM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]

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Deuterium 


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 21 on 9/24/2006 8:39 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by blackhawk


Watts show total power consumption, but not how much light is lost, or how much is even generated. Is that 3 watts for 5 minutes until the battery voltage drops, than it's 2 watts? What color temp? Optics are a bitch, but that's the knowledge that's needed. I like this site because it provides a way to compare the light output in a way easier to understand. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/


I have two LED lights and it seems to give a reasonable comparison as the one that should be slightly bighter is in real life.


and what lights are they?

blackhawk 


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 22 on 9/24/2006 8:51 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Deuterium


and what lights are they?


One's a Dorcy Super 3 Watt, and the other is a Streamlight (not sure which model). I'm going to be getting another soon, but these have served me well. I used MH bats in both.

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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 23 on 9/24/2006 6:08 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Deuterium


Actually in lighting devices, watts has nothing to do with optical power. It's used to measure the electrical power going in, like "40W lightbulb" means it uses 40W of electricity.


Err not optical power, I meant electrical power...I should stop posting at 1 AM

blackhawk 


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 24 on 9/24/2006 7:45 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Agent Skelly


Err not optical power, I meant electrical power...I should stop posting at 1 AM


In all fairness the wattage gives a rough idea of the possible light output, and is useful to some extent. Some manufactures deliberately try to hoodwink their customers by using high wattage ratings for power hungry, low optical output lights. The design of the LED itself, it's heatsinking, the enclosure, focusing system, type of the voltage regulator and batteries will determine how well a unit will proform. The differences can be considerable. Fresh batteries are a big factor in most, and a set of fresh charged MH batteries are good choice to use if possible.

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Deuterium 


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 25 on 9/24/2006 8:29 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by blackhawk


In all fairness the wattage gives a rough idea of the possible light output, and is useful to some extent. Some manufactures deliberately try to hoodwink their customers by using high wattage ratings for power hungry, low optical output lights. The design of the LED itself, it's heatsinking, the enclosure, focusing system, type of the voltage regulator and batteries will determine how well a unit will proform. The differences can be considerable. Fresh batteries are a big factor in most, and a set of fresh charged MH batteries are good choice to use if possible.


I don't really use rechargeables these days. Too much maintenance to charge before my often unplanned missions.

blackhawk 


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 26 on 9/24/2006 9:53 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Deuterium


I don't really use rechargeables these days. Too much maintenance to charge before my often unplanned missions.

I have 4 chargers, and just keep cycling them through. Only thing that's a problem is if you let one discharge completely either in use, or worse by neglect.


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 27 on 9/25/2006 8:29 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by ExKa|iBuR
If you're paying less than 20 bucks for a flashlight, it's going to be a piece of shit. There are exceptions, but unless it's from a reputable name like Mag or Sure Fire, stay away!


Mag in the same sentence as Surefire. Interesting.

The only thing Maglites have going for them is marketing, brand recognition and low cost. Other than that, they're overweight, oversized and underperforming crap. In Surefire's corner are marketing, brand recognition, and high prices.

The thing to do is buy something between the two extremes.

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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 28 on 9/26/2006 2:50 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
My original issue was the Nite Eyz marketing as a Mag replacement. No package info, regardless of watts vs lumens.

Being impressed with NI accessories, I bought the fucking thing.

Next, I learned what the intended purpose was. Thanks lit cannonball guy.

So I threw the pretty durable LED in the tailcap and bought a set of xenons for 2 bucks and BANG, we have light again!

Until I see a quality assesment of other LED's , and this is need based I can't see how you can go wrong with the xenon bulb, it kicks ass, even in daylight.
Runtime? Who the hell cares? I'll buy the 3aa mag.

I appreciate all the input. Unfortunately I'm the type that wishes the mag would make noise when you hit the switch like a generator.

I got your tour winner right here pussies, at least he'd crash out trying.
Deuterium 


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 29 on 9/27/2006 11:40 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by 'Dukes
My original issue was the Nite Eyz marketing as a Mag replacement. No package info, regardless of watts vs lumens.

Being impressed with NI accessories, I bought the fucking thing.

Next, I learned what the intended purpose was. Thanks lit cannonball guy.

So I threw the pretty durable LED in the tailcap and bought a set of xenons for 2 bucks and BANG, we have light again!

Until I see a quality assesment of other LED's

Genuine Mag 2D LED drop-in module ($20) is incredibly bright compared to the 2D regular bulb and gives a battery life of about 24 hours. It doesn't focus as narrowly as xenon, but it's about as bright as 4D Mag with new batteries.


, and this is need based I can't see how you can go wrong with the xenon bulb, it kicks ass, even in daylight.
Runtime? Who the hell cares? I'll buy the 3aa mag.

I appreciate all the input. Unfortunately I'm the type that wishes the mag would make noise when you hit the switch like a generator.


The problem with xenon is that it dims quickly as battery wears down.

Silent Knight 


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 30 on 10/4/2006 12:50 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by ArmchairExplorer


Mag in the same sentence as Surefire. Interesting.

The only thing Maglites have going for them is marketing, brand recognition and low cost. Other than that, they're overweight, oversized and underperforming crap. In Surefire's corner are marketing, brand recognition, and high prices.

The thing to do is buy something between the two extremes.


I don't find my mag to be overweight, oversized or a poor performer. Its solid, reliable, casts a nice even beam in both wide and focused mode and has the rugged feel of a good baton in the event its needed for hostile vagrants.

A flashlight is only as good as how well it meets your individual needs. After owning quite a variety of flashlights over the years - in my experience, I wouldn't dismiss a mag as "crap".


You can always tell when you're watching Canadian television - the actors in the show are the same ones doing the commercials.
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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 31 on 10/6/2006 4:44 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Silent Knight
A flashlight is only as good as how well it meets your individual needs. After owning quite a variety of flashlights over the years - in my experience, I wouldn't dismiss a mag as "crap".



70284.jpg (13 kb, 600x249)
click to view


70285.jpg (11 kb, 600x299)
click to view


70286.jpg (20 kb, 600x614)
click to view



For my needs, the light output from a mag is just plain crap.



Deuterium 


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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 32 on 10/6/2006 10:09 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by ArmchairExplorer


70284.jpg (13 kb, 600x249)
click to view


The tiny bulb in incandescent Minimag obviously isn't very powerful.


70285.jpg (11 kb, 600x299)
click to view


The 2D Mag doesn't put out very much light at all.


70286.jpg (20 kb, 600x614)
click to view


but... the 2D Mag collimates VERY well considering how little light it puts out compared to the T3. Also, the T3 relies on expensive lithium batteries to reach its performance. alkaline batteries are just not very good at driving high power bulbs.

the T3 won't stand a chance when you compare it to a reasonable sized SL Stinger or a large Mag Charger.


For my needs, the light output from a mag is just plain crap.

I would say the same about the 2D or 2AA incandescent Mag..





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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 33 on 10/7/2006 4:15 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Deuterium
but... the 2D Mag collimates VERY well considering how little light it puts out compared to the T3.


Collamination is for spotting objects at range. There's not too much of a call for that in most UE. Spotting unsafe flooring, holes in the floor, tripping hazards and head-impact hazards are far more important. For this, high output and limited collamination is the name of the game. Mags can't compete here because their sustained light output is just too low.

Also, the T3 relies on expensive lithium batteries to reach its performance.


Actually, it'll work quite well with two types of li-ion rechargables. Cost per hour of operation becomes trivial over the lifetime of the batteries and charger.

the T3 won't stand a chance when you compare it to a reasonable sized SL Stinger or a large Mag Charger.


And a PL24/S6 will make a Mag Charger look like a joke.

Mag Chargers are so esoteric and awkward to use (2 hour runtime, 12 hour charge time--sheesh) that they really don't count compared to the other Mag models.

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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 34 on 10/16/2006 2:26 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by ArmchairExplorer
http://www.flashli...ond_magbulbs3w.htm


I've been thinking about getting this bulb for my maglite as now my upgraded 2aa flashlight is brighter.



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Re: Product adivisory; do not buy
<Reply # 35 on 10/16/2006 2:31 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Deuterium
the T3 won't stand a chance when you compare it to a reasonable sized SL Stinger or a large Mag Charger.
I would say the same about the 2D or 2AA incandescent Mag..


My friend uses a stinger and its not as bright as you might expect. Much brighter then a mag lite, but about as bright as my headlamp (black diamond, 3 led $28) job...



"The extraordinary beauty of things that fail." - Heinrich von Kleist
Infiltration Forums > Archived UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > Product adivisory; do not buy (Viewed 1587 times)
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