L2D CE to the RB100 is it worth the upgrade?

[watchdog2001]

Ok fellow flashaholics, help me spend/save money,
I'm very happy with my L2D CE but can't help but think that the RB100 might be a worth while upgrade. To the owners of both, was it worth it? Did you see much of a difference other than a less ringy beam on the RB100? I don't want to spend the extra bucks and be disappointed by a slight marginal increase in performance.

 

[meuge]

Ok fellow flashaholics, help me spend/save money,
I'm very happy with my L2D CE but can't help but think that the RB100 might be a worth while upgrade. To the owners of both, was it worth it? Did you see much of a difference other than a less ringy beam on the RB100? I don't want to spend the extra bucks and be disappointed by a slight marginal increase in performance.

If you're going to go from L2D CE to L2DR100, I don't think it's a worthwhile upgrade.

However... what I think WOULD be a worthwhile purchase, is to add a P2D-R100, rather than L2D-R100.

Why? Simple - it gives you a ton of Lego options. The P2D head is compatible with the L2D body... so instead of P2D-R100 and L2D-CE, you can now swap heads and have an L2D-R100 and a P2D-CE. Going from L2 to L2 doesn't seem that thrilling... even in the light of (yes, I know it's a pun) extra 40-50 lumens and a much better tint.

However, if you get the P2DR100, now you have a perfect EDC light in addition to the long-running larger L2D.

 

[NA8]

I've read there's RB120's somewhere down the road. I'd wait for those if I were you. By then they'll have the reflector design all worked out properly.

 

[Jadepp]

I have both the L2dce and the L2d rb100 (purchased as a gift), played with both and compared them side by side. This is what I see:

1. The Rebel has a much smoother beam, butter smooth, almost picture perfect, similar to Jetbeam cle but much brighter. Hot spot is larger and the spill is slightly brighter. The intensity in the hotspots is about the same.

2. The throw appears to be the same. I aimed both lights at a fence about 100 feet away, the intensity from both lights appear to be the same. Pretty good considering the rebel has a texture reflector.

3. The mode switching flash is much brighter than my L2dce and the duration is longer. I have a early L2dce and it is barely noticeable when I turn it on, but with the rebel100 it is almost like a camera flash going off. Not sure if this is exclusive to the rebel100 or not.

4. Tint, Rebel100 wins. Colors are brighter and more vibrant. The cree is good but a little flat and dull in comparison. I alway thought color rendition was good on my L2dce til now.

5. The Rebel does not get as hot as the cree in turbo. Not sure if the led just runs cooler or the heatsinking is is not as good.

Just a quick observation, hope it helps.

Jadepp

 

[crislight01]

do batteries still rattle in the L2d R100? are those new Fenix lights protected against reverse polarity?

 

[crislight01]

Why? Simple - it gives you a ton of Lego options. The P2D head is compatible with the L2D body...

can this also apply to the P3D?

 

[glockboy]

Just buy the Cree Q5 emitter and put it in the L2D CE.

 

[Jadepp]

Just buy the Cree Q5 emitter and put it in the L2D CE.

Exactly what I'm thinking of doing!

 

[ingokl]

can this also apply to the P3D?

No, the P3D has its own head for the higher voltages of two CR123 batteries. So on an L2D Body ist would be no brighter than the original head.

 

[Budman231]

Opinion ... I have both also and I have to say the P2D-R100 is a little better than the -CE. Beam is much better due to orange peel reflector. They are very similar so if you use your light outside mostly I would say the upgrade is not worth it. If you use it indoors it is worth it due to smoother beam with no shadow donut. When using the -CE Indoors the shadow donut stinks. Other small change is a rough finish on the rubber boot over the switch (smooth on the P2D-CE)....Not a biggie and can do without it really.

One thing I don't like as much is the momentary "Flash" when you turn the light on in normal modes. If you are set to turn on in Low, a half-second flash on high happens until it settles in on low. Kinda strange but not a big deal.

They are both great lights. Your decision depends on whether or not you can justify another $50-60. I sold a Rexlight to finance the R100 so it wasn't to bad.

 

[crislight01]

Just buy the Cree Q5 emitter and put it in the L2D CE.

how will this affect runtimes? can't find a thread where modding is explained:mecry:

 

[glockboy]

The runtimes is the same, just much brighter.

how will this affect runtimes? can't find a thread where modding is explained:mecry:

 

[watchdog2001]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I've just about convinced myself to hold off on upgrading to the RB100 and see what comes down the pipe in the next few months, although changing the LED to Q5 sounds interesting.
At the rate of new emitter releases, it's beginning to look the same as the PC computer industry over the years, it's just hard to keep up.

 

[D-Dog]

What would replacing to a Q5 involve in modding? The reflector?

 

[Gunner12]

What would replacing to a Q5 involve in modding? The reflector?

If you already have a L2D-CE(Not the rebel version) then all you'll need to do is swap the LED. How this is done, I'm not sure but I do know it requires removing the reflector part of the head.

If you want two lights, buy the Rebel 100 version but according to what I've seen the Q4 has similar performance when compared to the Rebel 100 so the Q5 L2D should be a bit brighter then the Rebel 100 L2D.

 

[D-Dog]

Yup, right now I have the L2D with a Q4. If all thats involved is unscrewing the inside of the head and popping in another emitter, it might be worth the time. However, you would have to reapply heat paste and center the LED too, right? What would the gain in lumens be approx? Around 160 vs 135?

 

[Gunner12]

I you already have the Q4 in your L2D-CE, then the Q5 won't be much of an upgrade. You won't gain many lumens and the gain will be very hard to notice. I'd wait till the R4 comes out if I was you.

 

[D-Dog]

Ok, the light normally ships with the cree Q4, right? Just making sure.

 

[Burgess]

Ok, the light normally ships with the cree Q4, right?


Nope, it normally ships with a P4 bin Cree emitter.


IMHO, just keep the one you've already got, and be content with it.


Later down the road, when you've LOST this one, then
you'll have a good reason to upgrade.


_

 

[D-Dog]

Lol, thanks for the corrections, that what being away from here for the summer can do :sigh: I guess in a few months I will just have to "lose" the CE lol. I remeber when the first crees came out and everyone was like .