N30 First Impressions

[BlueBeam22]

I just bought the AmondoTech Titanium N30 Compact HID Searchlight from Battery Junction on recommendation of Patriot36.

First of all, I am more blown away by it then I have ever been before by ANY light. It is so much smaller and lighter weight than my Power On Board HID, yet its hotspot is almost as bright and it appears to actually be putting out more light than the giant POB! It is definitely putting out more light than my 15mcp Thor and Pro’s Favorite 17mcp, and has just as much if not more throw than my huge 10mcp Thor.
The N30’s build quality is far superior to that of the POB, it is much more rugged and durable.
I love its super bright 4200K beam, it is perfect white with a very bright round hotspot and is brighter than I expected it to be. It is extremely lightweight so it will be wonderful to carry on walks. The LED’s in the handle are very bright and give great area illumination without running down the battery. I also really like the battery status indicator.

Overall, I absolutely love this light! I feel that I finally have my dream light. It far exceeded my expectations in all ways. I look forward to many years of enjoyment out of this awesome light! It is by far the nicest light in my collection and blows away anything I have ever owned.

[BVH]

Hey Blue, welcome to the N30 club. WE all knew you'd love it. Now all you have to do is pick up the L35 when it's available in the next month or so, hopefully.

[BlueBeam22]

Thanks BVH!

The N30 will be perfect to take on walks because instead of carrying a separate small flashlight like I usually do, I can use the bright LED's of the N30.

I know it is going to be the perfect EDC light for me because it is so small and lightweight and serves as both a standard LED flashlight and a super powerful spotlight.

Its beam quality and light output are astonishing and it completely blows away the POB.

[Illum]

whats the startup time on that 4200K?

[BlueBeam22]

whats the startup time on that 4200K?

It is a lot slower to start up than the 6000K POB, it warms up slowly for 30 seconds to 95% brightness and then after 45-60 seconds it is at full brightness.

The POB gets to 95% brightness in about 15 seconds and then to full brighntess in about 30-40 seconds.

[Illum]

I'll keep that in mind when I receive mine

[BlueBeam22]

I'll keep that in mind when I receive mine

Congrats on getting one! You are going to absolutely love its beam quality and light output!

Another thing to keep in mind is that when I first received it and turned it on, it only stayed on for about 5 seconds and then flickered and went out, but after being charged it is working just fine.

The N30 is just SO bright it is unbelievable.

[Illum]

its my first HID...I figured I would step one more step higher from the 1185 mods

well, mines not store bought...its from CPFM
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...d.php?t=183278

[BlueBeam22]

I just compared the N30 to the POB in a ceiling bounce test... The N30 lit the room up noticeably brighter! The 15mcp Thor was not even close.

[Patriot]

The N30 will be perfect to take on walks because instead of carrying a separate small flashlight like I usually do, I can use the bright LED's of the N30.

I know it is going to be the perfect EDC light for me because it is so small and lightweight and serves as both a standard LED flashlight and a super powerful spotlight.

Its beam quality and light output are astonishing and it completely blows away the POB.

Congrats Blue that's great that it finally arrived. I'm not too sure about the N30 as a EDC light, but I think you'll get a ton of use out of it. Do I sense a new avatar in the works?

[BlueBeam22]

Congrats Blue that's great that it finally arrived. I'm not too sure about the N30 as a EDC light, but I think you'll get a ton of use out of it. Do a sense a new avatar in the works?

Hello Patriot36!

Lol, I was thinking that too... The N30 will be great as my next avatar, I will do it right away.

It feels so lightweight compared to my other spotlights and is very liberating to have that kind of power in such a small light.

I will EDC it when I can as I absolutely love it, but when I need a smaller light to fit in my pocket I EDC my 150 lumen Task Force.

I like how when I shine the N30 on a wall from a few feet away it looks quite a bit brighter than the POB.

EDIT: How does the N30 compare to the X990 in brightness/throw?

[Patriot]

its my first HID...I figured I would step one more step higher from the 1185 mods

well, mines not store bought...its from CPFM
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...d.php?t=183278

Sweet deal ITN!

I would consider the N30 to be more like three steps higher than the 1185 mods though. It's a bit like a 64625 that is much whiter and throw a lot further.

[BVH]

Blue, if i'm not mistaken, there was an N30 and an X990 in Shootout 4. Take a look and make a comparison. From memory, I think the X990 will still out-perform the N30 in both brightness and throw. For an "old technology" HID, it still packs a good punch. But it is heavy and awkward for me.

[DArklite]

Congrats Bluebeam on the N30
I want one too but think I'll hold off for the L35 while I'm still being dazzled by the POB.
How would you compare the throw of the N30 vs. the POB?

[BlueBeam22]

BVH
Blue, if i'm not mistaken, there was an N30 and an X990 in Shootout 4. Take a look and make a comparison. From memory, I think the X990 will still out-perform the N30 in both brightness and throw. For an "old technology" HID, it still packs a good punch. But it is heavy and awkward for me.

Thanks for the info BVH! I will take a look at that shootout.

DArklite
Congrats Bluebeam on the N30
I want one too but think I'll hold off for the L35 while I'm still being dazzled by the POB.
How would you compare the throw of the N30 vs. the POB?

The POB has a brighter hotspot than the N30 so the POB will out throw it. I will let you know tonight exactly how they compare after I do my comparison outside.

The N30 blows away the POB in all ways except for the POB's super bright hotspot and laser like beam. I am still amazed by that one aspect of the POB, and I am glad you are enjoying yours!

[BlueBeam22]

My N30 just reached a full charge and I like how the red charging light changes to green rather than the POB which has two separate charging lights.

Everything about the N30 is just wonderful! My favorite thing about it is its large perfect round super bright hotspot. It has the nicest beam color and quality I have ever seen in a light.

[Patriot]

Hello Patriot36!

Lol, I was thinking that too... The N30 will be great as my next avatar, I will do it right away.

It feels so lightweight compared to my other spotlights and is very liberating to have that kind of power in such a small light.


EDIT: How does the N30 compare to the X990 in brightness/throw?

Pretty much exactly what BVH said but it's to be expected since the X990 is a 35W light. My batteries only run about 30 minutes now because they're tired. I only use it as a vehicle spotlight these days, while plugged into the 12V lighter socket. That 12V adapter is also much lighter than a battery pack so it's easy to hold. The color temperature is about the same as the N30.

[BlueBeam22]

Pretty much exactly what BVH said but it's to be expected since the X990 is a 35W light. My batteries only run about 30 minutes now because they're tired. I only use it as a vehicle spotlight these days, while plugged into the 12V lighter socket. That 12V adapter is also much lighter than a battery pack so it's easy to hold. The color temperature is about the same as the N30.

Thanks Patriot!

I just went out and did my comparison between the POB and N30, as it is just getting dark so it is perfect to compare hotspots. I shined them at trees 300 yards away and the POB had a much more laser like beam and put a clearly brighter spot on them, but the N30 put a larger spot on them and still lit them up very well. I would say the N30 has 80% the hotspot brightness and throw of the POB.

Now the part where the N30 really smoked the POB was in light output and color. The N30's beam was much wider and noticeably brighter than that of the POB, and it illuminated my back yard quite a bit brighter than the POB did. The color rendition of the N30 is amazing, the colors of everything in its beam show up perfectly like daytime, the POB's color rendition isn't nearly as good.
It was amazing just shining the N30 around my property as I was in awe of its light output, it was like holding the sun. I have never had a light before that puts out nearly as much light as it does. The N30 really stomped the POB, I love it!

[Patriot]

Now the part where the N30 really smoked the POB was in light output and color. The N30's beam was much wider and noticeably brighter than that of the POB, and it illuminated my back yard quite a bit brighter than the POB did. The color rendition of the N30 is amazing, the colors of everything in its beam show up perfectly like daytime, the POB's color rendition isn't nearly as good.
It was amazing just shining the N30 around my property as I was in awe of its light output, it was like holding the sun. I have never had a light before that puts out nearly as much light as it does. The N30 really stomped the POB, I love it!

Since it was so easy to get you hooked up with a N30, I should have told you that I have a PH-40 with your name on it.

[BlueBeam22]

Since it was so easy to get you hooked up with a N30, I should have told you that I have a PH-40 with your name on it.

Perhaps you should have, lol. Thanks for recommending the N30 to me, I couldn't be happier with it or any other light in the $200 range!

[DArklite]

Thanks for that detailed analysis, Bluebeam
Sounds like the N30 really lights up the area in addition to its throw, and I'm thinking that the diffuser/filter kit soon to be offered for the L35 would fit the N30 as well. I can hear my wallet calling already....
As tempting as it is to order an N30, I'll probably hold off for an L35... and pick up another POB for modding/parts along with a Li-ION battery pack and 4300K bulb
... and yeah, it'll be your fault again

[BlueBeam22]

Thanks for that detailed analysis, Bluebeam
Sounds like the N30 really lights up the area in addition to its throw, and I'm thinking that the diffuser/filter kit soon to be offered for the L35 would fit the N30 as well. I can hear my wallet calling already....
As tempting as it is to order an N30, I'll probably hold off for an L35... and pick up another POB for modding/parts along with a Li-ION battery pack and 4300K bulb
... and yeah, it'll be your fault again

Thank you!

I went out again as soon as it was pitch black out and shined it around the neighborhood. It really does put out more light than the POB, and has amazing throw. I shined it up into the sky and its beam looked really bright and kind of laser like, just not as laser like as the POB.
It was very impressive in the neighborhood, I stood in the street and shined it into our back yard and it completely lit it up and put a very bright spot on the trees.
I shined it at the tops of very tall trees 300 yards away and it put a huge bright spot of light on them. It throws amazingly far and I love its big round hotspot.

[SCEMan]

BlueBeam22:

I share your enthusiasm. About 6 mos. ago I bought an N30 and sold my POB immediately afterward. I couldn't believe how something so small and light could produce so much light.

I've taken it a few times on hikes - something I would never do with the POB.

Enjoy it!

[BlueBeam22]

BlueBeam22:

I share your enthusiasm. About 6 mos. ago I bought an N30 and sold my POB immediately afterward. I couldn't believe how something so small and light could produce so much light.

I've taken it a few times on hikes - something I would never do with the POB.

Enjoy it!

Thanks SCEMan!

I am glad you see why I like it.
One of the huge upgrades it has over the POB is the multi-LED flashlight built into the handle, so it completely eliminates the need to carry a separate small flashlight.
It will for sure be the light I take from now on on my long walks and hikes.

[mtbkndad]

Thank you!

I went out again as soon as it was pitch black out and shined it around the neighborhood. It really does put out more light than the POB, and has amazing throw. I shined it up into the sky and its beam looked really bright and kind of laser like, just not as laser like as the POB.
It was very impressive in the neighborhood, I stood in the street and shined it into our back yard and it completely lit it up and put a very bright spot on the trees.
I shined it at the tops of very tall trees 300 yards away and it put a huge bright spot of light on them. It throws amazingly far and I love its big round hotspot.

I did detailed measurements of the light output of the N30, L35 and numerous other lights in a 2 foot light box that I made for "larger" lights . The N30 does definitely put more lumens out the front end then a POB. Lots of those lumens end up in the very wide and bright spill.

My N30's are my go to lights at night.

Take Care,
mtbkndad

[BlueBeam22]

I did detailed measurements of the light output of the N30, L35 and numerous other lights in a 2 foot light box that I made for "larger" lights . The N30 does definitely put more lumens out the front end then a POB. Lots of those lumens end up in the very wide and bright spill.

My N30's are my go to lights at night.

Take Care,
mtbkndad

Hello mtbkndad!

The N30 noticeably puts out quite a bit more light than the POB, and lights up a room quite a bit brighter in a ceiling bounce (The N30 is the brightest light I have ever seen in a ceiling bounce).

IIRC you designed the N30, right? It has to be the best and most perfectly engineered light I own!

[Flashanator]

Naughty, naughty Bluebeam.

No beamshots?

Nah man congrats, you sound like your over the Moon with this Light.

[BlueBeam22]

Naughty, naughty Bluebeam.

No beamshots?

Nah man congrats, you sound like your over the Moon with this Light.

Lol Flashanator, I am!

Its beam pattern is very impressive when shining it at far away objects, as the huge round hotspot actually does better in some cases than the POB's pinpoint hotspot. The N30's beam shape/quality is so perfect it really blows away the POB.

[M@elstrom]

Congrat's on your new HID EDC BlueBeam22, I'm glad you found your dream light at last!

[BlueBeam22]

Congrat's on your new HID EDC BlueBeam22, I'm glad you found your dream light at last!

Thank you M@elstrom, you are absolutely right that I have found my true dream light! I am using the strap from my Thor on the N30 so I can EDC it, it was very comfortable today as the N30 is lightweight enough that the carry strap doesn't hurt my neck.

Tonight I finally got to test its throw on some trees about 500 yards away, and it put a very small and bright spot on them which lit them up very brightly! I was shining it around at trees at all distances and the round spot it put on them was amazing. With its perfect round super bright spot it almost seems Maxabeam like.
It does have a laser like beam when I shine it up into the sky.

I tested it against my 15mcp Thor tonight, which is my farthest thrower, and it held up very well considering the enormous size diference! I would say the N30 had about 80% the throw and hotspot intensity of the Thor, and appeared to be putting out over 150% as much light!

The N30 continues to amaze me, and I will post again about its performance once I test it out in the big fields across the street.