LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/25: Updated LF5 runtime)

[NetKidz]

===
8/25: Updated LF5 runtime
8/21: Updated Lux reading and LF3/4 runtime
8/12: Beamshots added.
===
(Please refer to LF2 for this beacon series flashlight)



Just got the new LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 in Beacon Series (LF2~5).

The dimension summary:

The main difference to the previous LF2 (Cree/SSC P4):
1. LF3/LF4/LF5 will be only in SSC P4 U-bin
2. They use the new Deep Smooth Reflectors
3. The compensation in battery voltage reporting function changed to make the reporting near the open circuit voltage.
4. The manual mode settings now could be memorized. :thumbsup: (Also available in latest LF2)
5. The diffuser is direct insert, no need to un-screw the head cap.
6. Comes with blue, yellow and red color filter to use with the diffuser.

The length of LF3/LF4/LF5 seem longer than other similar flashlights. It's because of the two-stage twisty swicth (6mm) and the new deep SMO reflectors.

The battery type accepted:
LF3: CR123A, RCR123 (3.0v/3.7v), 16340
LF4: CR2, RCR2, 15260
LF5: Any AA type. Alkaline, NiMH, L91 lithium, 14500
If voltage below 2v, LED will be driven at 350mA. If above 2v, LED driven at 700mA.

Here're some photos. Sorry for the poor quality and color. :green: Still busy on works, will take more photos and beamshots in a few days.


=== Family Shot ===
(Left to Right: LF1 v2.0, LF2 Cree XR-E, LF2 SSC P4, LF3, LF4, LF5)

LF1 added with large head and diffuser

The lanyard holes were changed in LF3/4/5 (the same). Now they're two holes, two slot and two notch. It's more useful with split rings or clip.

With diffuer

With color filter (not clear because of bad DC setting...)

Another shot (Over exposed )

Wood box. The top one is old version LF2 without the label. Newer boxes all have the label.

=== LF2 Cree XR-E ===

=== LF2 SSC P4 ===

For more LF2 informations, please refer to my mini-review at: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/154068

=== LF3 SSC P4===

=== LF4 SSC P4===

=== LF5 SSC P4===

==== 8/12 Beamshots added ====
The DC settings seems not good and the results are not good also. Too lazy to take again. May do if have more free time in the future.

Each lights with two shots. The settings are 1/2s F8.0 for first one and 1/8s F8.0 for second. LF2/3/4/5 all use li-ion btteries and use factory P2 (50%). It's about 50cm to the wall.

JETBeam C-LE (NiMH, Medium):

Fenix P3D rebel 100 (2x RCR123 3.0v, Medium?):

LF1 (CR14505 3v, High):

LF2 Cree XR-E:

LF2 SSC P4:

LF3 SSC P4:

LF4 SSC P4:

LF5 SSC P4:

Longer range (3m?) indoor shots:
JETBeam C-LE (NiMH, High):

Fenix P3D rebel 100 (2x RCR123 3.0v, High?):

LF1 (CR14505 3v, High):

LF2 SSC P4 (10440, 100%):

LF3 SSC P4 (RCR123 3.7v, 100%):

LF5 SSC P4 (14500 3.7v, 100%):

LF4/5 should be the same, but I forgot to take LF2 Cree.

 

[NetKidz]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview

==== Lux reading around 1M ====

==== Runtime Data ====
All runtimes were done in my closet, the distance and the angel to the lightmeter sensor may be different for each run, please don't take the reading as absolute comparison.

When running with rechargeable batteries, like Li-ion and NiMH, the over-discharging protection of LFx is enabled and run till the protection shut the light down. When run with non-rechargeable batteries, like Alkaline and Primary Lithium, the over-discharging protection is disabled and stop the run manually.

Battery used as following:
LF3: SANYO CR123A primary lithium and AW protected RCR123 (750mAh)
LF4: Only with AW RCR2 (350mAh) since I only have one CR2 lithium.
LF5: Panasonic LR6TTS/6B Alkaline, SANYO Eneloop NiMH and AW protected 14500



---- LF3 Runtime ----

AW protected RCR123:

SANYO CR123A Primary Lithium: (Due to work, I stoped the run around 12:30 and resume the test after 12 hours when I'm back to home)

As you could see there's a sharp drop for each run. I think it's cause by the circuit. The circuit will drive the LED about 700mA when input is greater than 2v, and will become to 350mA when input is lower than 2v.

Since the P1 (15%) runs too long, here's the P2 (50%) and 100% for better representation:

---- LF4 Runtime ----

AW protected RCR2:

I think the current draw is too high for this small battery and cause the 100% output to run only about 15mins.



---- LF5 Runtime ----
AW Protected 14500:

SANYO Eneloop NiMH:

Panasonic LR6TTS/6B Alkaline

The P1 (15%) runs also longer, here's the P2 (50%) and 100% for better representation:

 

[shakeylegs]

Re: LiteFlux NetKidz Preview

NetKidz,
Thanks for the preview. With the change in reflectors, has the floody beam pattern of the LF2 SSC P4 changed much in the LF3/LF4/LF5?

 

[fatts]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview

Is a 2xAA extension tube available for LF5?

 

[regulator]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview

Wow - NICE. I can't decide between the LF3 and LF5. These look really nice. The LF5 AA version looks considerably smaller than the LF1 with AA - nice and compact. Finally a compact AA light with selectable brightness.

Any idea on price and avalability?

 

[MarNav1]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview

Liteflux may have hit a home run with these. Always did like their lights. Any pricing info?

 

[Phaserburn]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview

Ooh, VERY cool! Can't wait to see prices, availability and more info!!

I was about to pull the trigger on an LF2; there have been changes made in the UI?

No yet...!

 

[TCW 60]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview

Nice lights for me after getting my LF 2

 

[gunga]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview

Wow, thanks for the preview Julian, these new lights look great!

My LF2 is doing quite well, I didn't realize the new version would have the extra memory mode.

:sick2:

Any other changes to the LF2?

IN any case these lights seem like winners!

 

[NetKidz]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

@shakeylegs,

Yes. LF3/4/5 have more throw but also with brighter spill. The hotspot and side spill aren't distinct for human eyes. Interesting beam pattern.


@fatts,

The laser engraving is done after assembiled (The white dot must be aligned with the name). There's no easy way to align for extension tube. LiteFlux doesn't have plan to release 2AA tube for LF5.


@regulator,

Yes, LF5 for easy to get batteries and LF3 with compact size and tighter hotspot. (more throw?)

The retail price may be around US$48~52 but I'm not sure. The machine shop messed up lots tubes and they also disposed some flaw anodized tubes. Maybe available in September.


@MARNAV1,

Please look a little above. :nana:


@Phaserburn,

No. the UI is the same with LF2/3/4/5.


@gunga,

No other change to LF2. The embed flash in MCU of LF2 has only a few words left for progrmming. (4 words?) It's impossible to add new functions.


Thanks. :wave:

 

[jsr]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

I like the LF3, 4, and 5, but really wish they came with tail clickies instead, especially the LF5.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

Very nice. I am quite interested; I love my LF2 SSC.
Now the big decision is LF3 or LF5. :thinking: I'm leaning toward 3 myself with the larger reflector. I'm happy to see smooth reflectors with the SSCs.

The only thing LF is missing would be a pocket clip. Clickie would be nice, but with the current LF UI it would be quite an engineering feat to pull off. Twisties have a place in my pockets too.

 

[Krahl]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

NetKidz,
will Liteflux offer a Cree or SSC drop in module for the LF1?
It is still one of my favorite lights. I love the standard clicky and the 2 AA option.

 

[Phaserburn]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

NetKidz,
will Liteflux offer a Cree or SSC drop in module for the LF1?
It is still one of my favorite lights. I love the standard clicky and the 2 AA option.

+1

 

[83Venture]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

Great. Now I have to decide between the LF5 and the LumaPower M3 for a nice AA general purpose light. :thinking:

 

[datiLED]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

LF4

 

[selfbuilt]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

Looking forward to the LF5. I'm curious as to how it will compare to my LF1 that I modded to SSC some time ago. Should be an interesting addition to my multi-stage AA shootout.

 

[regulator]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

OK, I think I am most interested in the LF3 but now the LF4 seems interesting too! May have to buy LF3, LF4, and LF5!!

Anyways, I hope the circuits are efficient in these lights because they appear to be great lights. It would be nice to turn down power enough to still provide reasonably bright output while considerably extending runtime.

I think some of the less expensive lights run full-out just to impress people with brightness but have poor runtimes due to both overdriving the LED and waisting power as heat in the circuit itself. Even when driven at lower outputs (when they have multiply output capability) they do not have impressive runtimes due to the inefficient circuit. I look forward to some brightness/runtime plots.

 

[gunga]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

I'm really looking forward to these lights. While I'm unsure I like the twisty, it is a realtiveky short throw reverse twisty, so i think it will be much better in use than say, a Jetbeam C-LE. Comparing a Liteflux LF2 to a Jet-u, will illustrate this point.

The main issue I have with the LF2 (and it's bigger brothers), is that it's too slippery.

These bigger lights will benefit from my patented inner tube mod. After that, I exepect them to shine.



In any case, these lights give the programmable levels one can usually only find on light above $100 (like my upcoming Novatac!).

That in itself should be amazing, but the overdischarge protection (a good idea on protected and unprotected Li-on), voltage monitor, and easy basic UI should make for a great utility and EDC light.

It is NOT tactical in any way (try to blind someone with a twisty!) but for those with less aggressive flashlight usage, this could be one of the best out there. It will certainly be the most flexible.

I like many of the lights out there, and own enough to enjoy them, but this could be very cool...

 

[onthebeam]

Re: LiteFlux LF3/LF4/LF5 Preview (8/12 beamshots added)

Nice lights. How 'bout a spot for some tritium?

If I received my LF2 in just the past couple of weeks, does this mean i got the new version? Sure hope so!