HDS 325 Lumen longer throw offering...

[tech25]

Hi INFRNL! Nice to see you back around here!

The xpg3 has been on my belt since I got it. I never had the 250 or a golden dragon but in my mind this change up from the other (especially high cri) offerings is probably similar to what those were competing with, when they initially came out.

I find the tint tint with the boost in output and the 3 tiers of the beam to work beautifully for me. When I need floodier, I pop on a surefire diffuser cap and it blends this perfectly. For a hi cri light, I have been carrying a Sofirn C01s or a lumintop tool aaa with the IYP365 head.

 

[RCS1300]

I wonder what will happen to the 170 GD that is being removed from this light...

Hogo, can I send in one of my light to get it upgraded with this emitter?!?!

Henry and I exchanged emails on whether the Golden Dragon could be reused during the Titanium Clicky upgrade. His opinion was that theoretically it is possible to reuse the Golden Dragon but if they ran into problems they would have to use another emitter. I chose to not take the risk and went with a new emitter.

 

[RCS1300]

Post #166 on 3/2/19:

For the last few weeks, this new 325 has actually supplanted my High Noon. I put one of the old white diffuse reflectors on the High Noon for the leather shop and photography and have been carrying the 325.

Yes, this has happened to me also. The XPG3 has an outstanding relaxing to the eyes beam for the outdoors. The slightly more focused beam compared to my High Noon and 325 lumens make the XPG3 my preferred outdoor HDS light. I have used it exclusively outdoors for 10 days and do not see going back to the High Noon for outdoor dog walks which are 90% of my HDS light usage. May have to sell my High Noon lights in WTS before April 29th to purchase a Titanium Rotary with a G3. Decisions, decisions.

 

[PoliceScannerMan]

Post #166 on 3/2/19:



Yes, this has happened to me also. The XPG3 has an outstanding relaxing to the eyes beam for the outdoors. The slightly more focused beam compared to my High Noon and 325 lumens make the XPG3 my preferred outdoor HDS light. I have used it exclusively outdoors for 10 days and do not see going back to the High Noon for outdoor dog walks which are 90% of my HDS light usage. May have to sell my High Noon lights in WTS before April 29th to purchase a Titanium Rotary with a G3. Decisions, decisions.

Your Aluminum G3 will last as long as the Ti. Just food for thought. I love Ti...

I went to the beach for a week, took nothing but my sundrop and this 325 XPG3. Loving it.

 

[Sos24]

I was initially hesitant to purchase this because I already had a 325 XP-L. I am very glad I did decide to try this one, because I like it much better and it has become my edc.

 

[Modernflame]

I was initially hesitant to purchase this because I already had a 325 XP-L. I am very glad I did decide to try this one, because I like it much better and it has become my edc.

Would you be willing to say a few more words about this? What makes the XPG3 better than the XPL? Is it just that you prefer the beam profile? Or is it the tint? Thanks.

 

[Sos24]

Would you be willing to say a few more words about this? What makes the XPG3 better than the XPL? Is it just that you prefer the beam profile? Or is it the tint? Thanks.

It is a combination of tint and beam profile.

I have come to find out that I prefer the more neutral tints (4000-5000k). I really like the XPG3 tint whereas I find the XPL a little cooler than what I like.

As far as beam profile, I find the standard beam a nice balance. With the XPL having the wider beam, although brighter with more spill, I didn't feel the throw was much different than the 200 lumen 3 o'clock high. Whereas the XPG3, as advertised, has noticeably longer throw than the 3 o'clock high and XPL, which for my uses is more advantageous.

 

[Commodorefirst]

Would you be willing to say a few more words about this? What makes the XPG3 better than the XPL? Is it just that you prefer the beam profile? Or is it the tint? Thanks.

For me, out on a farm, and recently using it a lot early am and late pm, I find the extra 30 yards of throw useful, (about the difference from my high noon) yet the spill is still very nice, especially at lower light levels. The 5000k color, while a lower CRI, is actually very easy on the eyes, easier at night than even my high noon.

 

[Modernflame]

It is a combination of tint and beam profile.

For me, out on a farm... The 5000k color, while a lower CRI, is actually very easy on the eyes, easier at night than even my high noon.

Thanks, fellas. Can you talk to me about the beam tint? What color is the light? Thanks.

 

[INFRNL]

wonder if it is similar to the 3 o'clock but with a yellow hue. possibly similar to the 5000k malkoffs?

 

[Sos24]

Thanks, fellas. Can you talk to me about the beam tint? What color is the light? Thanks.

Despite being 5000k, like the 3 o'clock high, it actually feels warmer. It does not have any of the blue-green of the 3 o', rather hints of yellow moving towards almost a yellow-orange as you go to the lower levels.

 

[RCS1300]

The information below is accurate. The XPG3 is not an emitter I would use indoors as it is not high CRI and does have a bit of a yellow hue. It is great outdoors though. The High Noon is excellent compromise for indoors and outdoors. The Nichia 219b 4000K R9050 is outstanding for indoors and not so good for outdoors.

Just got my 5k XP-G3 rotary, and totally agree.. Great light, exceeds expectations.
Had a chance to walk around and compare it with my 5k 3 o'clock..

The hotspot on the XP-G3 is slightly bigger and more diffused, and is a little brighter on max as others have noted.

Color rendition is better than expected but a little more pastel than the HiCRI lights. I actually prefer it over the 3 o'clock 5k.

Here is a pic of three lights in hand on the ceiling @ low level 10 which I use them at 80% of the time.. My lights are shrouded so only the hotspot shows, no corona. (Camera shows a yellowish tint on the XP-G3 that my eyes don't pick up, just white).

Conclusion: If you are looking for a nice neutral tint light with a little extra punch you will not be disappointed with the NLT XP-G3.

..My  crazy interpretation of my favorite HDS emitters:

 

[Sos24]

I know the beam tint on a white wall makes the XP-G3 appear very yellow compared to the 3 o'clock, but I don't think that really comes through in distorting colors.

Here is a comparison of the 3 o'clock high and XP-G3 with a natural image as well.

I know for some accurate color rendering is a necessity/very important. Although, for many people's use I think the color rendering of the XP-G3 in the NLT 325 will be good.

 

[usdiver]

I know for some accurate color rendering is a necessity/very important. Although, for many people's use I think the color rendering of the XP-G3 in the NLT 325 will be good.

It performs very well considering it's not a hi cri and does better than the 250 xpg-2 as far as colors

 

[PoliceScannerMan]

The 325 while it isn't a nichia, it is fine enough for me rendering colors, love it.

 

[nmiller]

Mine arrived yesterday. I haven't had much time to use it yet, but so far I'm ok with it. My eyes greatly prefer warm leds. Cooler tints give me headaches. The xpg3 is definitely cooler than I typically go for, but its much better than my old peak leds and any surefire I've had. I needed some extra throw over my xpg hicri so this was my only option in an HDS light.

I can understand people's complaints if you are hunting white walls. The beam is not as clean as the xpg2 or xpg. I don't see any green, maybe some yellow. Pictures I've seen don't do it justice. I see mostly white. I'll put it to work over the next week or so and touch base. The additional throw and output is definitely better. Spill is much better at lower levels. I've never had a stock 250, but the 325 nlt sounds like its an improvement at lower levels.

Bottom line, it won't displace my xpg hicri as my favorite light. However, it could see more carry time and use.

 

[Modernflame]

...The beam is not as clean as the xpg2 or xpg...

Are you referring to tint shift? Or other artifacts like rings? Or both? I recognize that this emitter was not intended for tint snobs or white wall hunters. I've been back and forth on this one. Sometimes I'm content with my 200 lumen models, other times I want a 325. Still trying to get a concept of what the beam is like.

 

[nmiller]

Tint shift. I don't see artifacts. It reminds me of my neutral 18650 hound dog, but just a cooler form of it. So far in use you don't notice the tint shift at all. The beam pattern seems to be the best yet from HDS. Spill and throw seem very good. I'll know more in the next week. I don't want to rush my judgement.

Comparing my 120 to the 325 the 325 is a great upgrade in output. Color rendering is not close. The xpg hicri is much better. The 325 is fine for general use though. I didn't buy it for color rendering. I bought it for output and throw. It will be a work light.

 

[nmiller]

I think I'm going to stand by my comments. I'm getting used to the tint shift. It is only noticeable on solid surfaces. In real use I don't really see it anymore. It doesn't bother me at all. I like the extra spill. It's still not a real thrower, but for typical edc use it's more than adequate and the extra spill makes the light even more usable than the 120 lumen I have.

Overall though I still prefer the 120 because of the tint and color rendering. I'd like to see a warmer xpg3. I'd dump the 5000k in a second for a 3500 to 4000k version. If the extra spill is maintained in a warmer version and the tint shift doesn't get worse a 3500k to 4000k xpg3 would be a great offering.

Bottom line. If you don't mind 5000k and want a user this is great. White wall hunters will be disappointed. I'd say initially I wasn't overly impressed with the tint shift but a few days later I barely notice it. You have to be looking for it. I have been carrying the light daily for work and don't plan on changing it out. The 120 will be my dog walking light. Again, give me an xpg hicri 3700k 325 lumen executive things will change and I'll be in heaven .

 

[RCS1300]

I am surprised that these limited LED emitters are still available. As a HDS outdoor light it is spectacular.