surefire kroma opinions

[tobrien]

I have the non-milspec and love it.

you may find the primary/center emitter is a bit underpowered by today's standards. personally I want to get mine swapped for an XP-G2 or XP-E2 or something.

it's a phenomenal light, but the center LED hasn't made a spectacular impression on me but it works though I guess. I think this Kroma would be absolutely unstoppable with an XP-G2 or something in the center

 

[Machete God]

I, too, have a (newest version) K2MS, and I love it although it is not the brightest light around. But it is bright enough!

... Here you can find a few comparsion shots of an old and new Kroma MILSPEC :
http://www.messerforum.net/showthre...ire-Kroma-MILSPEC-quot-die-helle-Version-quot...

Thank you for the link, great pictures and write-up! Here's a translated page, for us non-German readers http://goo.gl/TTg7V

 

[Tyler A]

I have the non-milspec and love it.

you may find the primary/center emitter is a bit underpowered by today's standards. personally I want to get mine swapped for an XP-G2 or XP-E2 or something.

it's a phenomenal light, but the center LED hasn't made a spectacular impression on me but it works though I guess. I think this Kroma would be absolutely unstoppable with an XP-G2 or something in the center

I agree that the lumen rating doesnt seem too impressive which has me considering the nitecore srt7 that someone mentioned above I am just not familiar with the brand, also I dont have NVGs so the IR feature is no use to me at this point

 

[GreySave]

The Kroma is an excellent low power performer. It as never intended to compete with higher powered lights. In addition to the main beam you have at least two other colored beams to choose from depending upon which version you purchase. I have the white / red / blue civilian version with 50 lumens. The square beam of the main LED is only an issue if used at short distances. At any reasonable distance I rather like the way the TIR shapes the main beam. There are a couple of rings when used at a distance, but they really do not interfere with the practical use of the light. The main beam, even on the 50 lumen rated light, will easily throw over 100 feet. For close work you have the 3 MM LEDs which provide a very nice flood style illumination at up to 20 feet or so. It really comes down to whether a lower powered light suits your needs. If you want a light that will throw over 150 feet or is blindingly bright, then the Kroma is not for you. I will ad that the 1.5 hour run time for the main beam is low by today's standards. The colored LEDs still work when the batteries can no longer drive the main beam, so you are not left in the dark at 1.5 hours.

 

[GreySave]

Follow up thought. You might want to look at the Nitecore SRT7 that is due to be released shortly. High output white main beam with red, green, and blue colors as well. The output and beam pattern of the SRT's colored LEDs will not be as even and pretty as the Kroma as three are only 3 LEDs versus the Kroma's 12-18 LEDs, but it will provide a LOT more power on the main beam and the price is nice.

 

[Eric242]

Since the SRT7´s coloured LEDs are multicolour LEDs each colour lights up with three LEDs. The KROMA´s coloured LEDs are single colour LEDs. So there´s not much difference in that regard with the MILSPEC having red, blue, yellow/green and IR. And it´s coloured beams never were even and pretty. Judging from patriot36 great youtube 1h review of the SRT7 I don´t think there´s a big difference if at all in the beam qualitiy for the coloured LEDs.

Eric

 

[Tyler A]

I started looking into the nitecore srt7 when someone mentioned it earlier in the thread and have made my mind up to go with that . As soon as the mil. Grey version is available I will have one on the way. I had made my mind up to go that way before I saw patriots video yesterday and after that there is no doubt. I will also get the srt3 when available and maybe a srt5 as well. But since I'm waiting on the grey version I ordered a klarus xt30 and some eagletac 3400mah 18650s and a xtar vp1 today so I could have my new flashlight fix...this is terrible

 

[the badger]

I recently sold a brand new but older model Kroma Milspec (50 lumen version) and then bought the newest version Kroma Milspec (130 lumens) to replace it. I hated the older one as it has a SQUARE beam which drove me absolutely nuts, and the beam temp was also a bit cooler when compared to the newer version. My new KM beam is very nice, and is about as bright as my U2 Ultra (Seoul SSC P4 emitter), but has a slightly floodier beam which is perfectly projected. I really like it.

I recently had my U2 Ultra upgraded to a 5000K XP-G2 R5, which is a HUGE improvement, and after receiving it back I didn't like my Kroma Milspec anymore because the tint was way too cool and it wasn't bright enough anymore. So....I had another 5000K XP-G2 installed in it and the reflector replaced with an IMS20, as the XP-G2 projected a square beam after putting it all back together. I don't have it yet but it should be back soon, at which time I can follow up you regarding how it compares to my U2.

And as for your original inquiry, both my older and newer Kroma Milspec came with secondary Blue, Yellow/Green, Red and IR.

 

[ganymede]

I love my Kroma MILSPEC, I'm surprised mine is 145 lumens.

 

[angelofwar]

Save your money and go for the Mil-Spec. Liked mine so much, bought two. The YG on them is probably the best stealth light setting you can get in such a quality light. I use it every night and every morning to navigate the house with out waking my wife and kiddos up. Also great for keeping a low profile when camping/hunting. With the regular Kroma, while the Red and Blue was useful, having two levels of each was useless except for maybe medics and astronomers. Spend a few extra and get the MS version. You can get them used for roughly the same price on the MP or Ebay.

 

[Sean]

So am I right to think that you can tell the older 50 lumen version from the newer, brighter version by the "B" in the serial number for the new version -vs- an "A" for the older version?

 

[tobrien]

So am I right to think that you can tell the older 50 lumen version from the newer, brighter version by the "B" in the serial number for the new version -vs- an "A" for the older version?

i think that's how they usually do it but it may be deeper than that

 

[gehrm]

This is a great thread, thanks for all the info. Has convinced me to buy the newer version.

Badger - any follow up on your Kroma's performance after your mods? Also, who did the work for you?

Appreciate it!

 

[Sean]

I just got the newer version today and really like it so far. Gotta wait till dark to try it out.

Beam (white) is not as tight as I thought it would be. Really like this TIR/led combination with this newer version.

Only odd thing I noticed is that when you are using any color except white a full press does nothing more than a half press. Maybe that's the way they are designed now?

 

[ganymede]

I just got the newer version today and really like it so far. Gotta wait till dark to try it out.

Beam (white) is not as tight as I thought it would be. Really like this TIR/led combination with this newer version.

Only odd thing I noticed is that when you are using any color except white a full press does nothing more than a half press. Maybe that's the way they are designed now?

Hi Sean,

Not sure about the non-Milspec version, on my Milspec version, all the color modes are single output only. My guess is Surefire removed high mode from the color modes because the color modes are for use with night adapted vision, any sudden activation of high mode in the color mode would destroy that night adapted vision.

 

[Sean]

Hi Sean,

Not sure about the non-Milspec version, on my Milspec version, all the color modes are single output only. My guess is Surefire removed high mode from the color modes because the color modes are for use with night adapted vision, any sudden activation of high mode in the color mode would destroy that night adapted vision.

I agree with your reasoning. It makes perfect sense but if I'm reading the surefire.com description correctly it says fully pressing switch at any time goes to max output. But I like the way mine works better

 

[ganymede]

I agree with your reasoning. It makes perfect sense but if I'm reading the surefire.com description correctly it says fully pressing switch at any time goes to max output. But I like the way mine works better

Hi Sean,

My guess is they never update the descriptions on the website, the max output is listed on their website is 130 lumens whereas mine is 145 lumens as per the attached manual.

 

[välineurheilija]

I just got the newer version today and really like it so far. Gotta wait till dark to try it out.

Beam (white) is not as tight as I thought it would be. Really like this TIR/led combination with this newer version.

Only odd thing I noticed is that when you are using any color except white a full press does nothing more than a half press. Maybe that's the way they are designed now?

I wish mine would work that way i have the older nonmilspec and i hate to have to press so "carefully" on the color modes.
Oh well its still a very usefull light

 

[Sean]

Hi Sean,

My guess is they never update the descriptions on the website, the max output is listed on their website is 130 lumens whereas mine is 145 lumens as per the attached manual.

Mine says 130 lumens high 11 low. It's really more (150+) so for the life of me I can't understand why they would print a manual that says 145 and one that says 130? Also mine is more like 17 lumens on low. Wonder why they don't just say 150/15? Unless they are giving minimum numbers, I don't know.

 

[bigfoot]

Not sure about the non-Milspec version, on my Milspec version, all the color modes are single output only. My guess is Surefire removed high mode from the color modes because the color modes are for use with night adapted vision, any sudden activation of high mode in the color mode would destroy that night adapted vision.

My recent MilSpec Kroma (built Dec. 2013) does the same thing. Agree that this is most likely done to avoid big problems in a critical / tactical situation. (I asked SF about this, and also brought up the web page description, but never got a response back.)

Awesome light, and quickly becoming my favorite.