1185 Beam Shots

[william lafferty]

I decided to find out how much difference there is between three lights, all powered by 3 x 18650 and all fitted with 1185 bulbs, but all having different reflectors. The lights are a Colossus with a 4 in Collossus head, an Elephant I with a 3 in FM head, and and Elephant I with a Mirage Man HAIII Mag head.

Here are the beamshots, taken in the rain at 150 yards. First the Mag head, then the three inch head, then the Collossus head.

The Collossus and the Mag head lights were powered by 3 x IMR18650's. The 3 in FM head light was powered by 3 x 18650's (AW).

Although the photos indicate that the Colossus head produces the brightest light, my subjective response is that the Colossus is much brighter.



MAG HEAD

FM 3 IN HEAD

COLOSSUS 4 IN HEAD

 

[BSBG]

Cool.

All else being just about equal, the bigger the reflector the more light downrange. I did a similar experiment a few nights ago with 1185s, comparing a standard FM 2" VLOP reflector, a 2" deep and a 2.5" Throwmaster, with essentially the same conclusion.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

The 4" may be brighter down range, but the FM 3" has more visable spill.

Bill

 

[LuxLuthor]

How did you get your 1185 forward enough into the reflector to get an optimal focus?

I'm gonna be doing a reflector shootout that will be very helpful and controlling for as many factors as possible.

 

[william lafferty]

How did you get your 1185 forward enough into the reflector to get an optimal focus?

I'm gonna be doing a reflector shootout that will be very helpful and controlling for as many factors as possible.

Hi Lux,

The Colossus and the light with the 3 inch FM head both have AW soft start switches. These switches have adjustable length pedestals on which the bi-pin holder sits, so I just used the longer pedestals, moving the bi-pin holder farther forward into the reflectors. The Mag head light just had an ordinary switch and focus was adjustable on its own.

bill

 

[william lafferty]

The 4" may be brighter down range, but the FM 3" has more visable spill.

Bill

Good observation, Bill. I think I was too busy trying to keep the camera dry to pay proper attention to the spill, but you're right, it's there.

I need to adjust my camera technique a bit. If I had used a slower shutter speed, the spill would have been more evident in the photos.

bill

 

[ANDREAS FERRARI]

Your beamshots have convinced me that the FM head is the one I need.Now only if my girlfriend will let me spend that kind of money.

BTW,you should be proud of the collection you have there,it's every CPFer's dream!

 

[william lafferty]

BTW,you should be proud of the collection you have there,it's every CPFer's dream!

Hello Andreas,

These are some of my favorite lights. And notice that they are all made by CPF members. You cant go to a store and buy these. Modamag makes the Colossus; FM makes the Ele I and the 3 inch head, and Mirage Man does his magic on the Mag heads . . . Oh, and AW makes the soft start switches. We are all lucky that we have such talented friends and that CPF gives us a way to buy stuff like this.

bill

 

[abarth_1200]

nice beamshots and good comparison, but one thign doesnt seem right,

Why does the colour of the beam in the FM head look more yellow, almost like your batteries are going dead, or could it just be your camera settings?

 

[william lafferty]

nice beamshots and good comparison, but one thign doesnt seem right,

Why does the colour of the beam in the FM head look more yellow, almost like your batteries are going dead, or could it just be your camera settings?

Good question, abarth. I need to repeat this test and make sure the batteries are all 100%. At this point, I dont remember whether I checked the batts before the test.

bill