1W Shootout !!!

[Kiessling]

Hi.

As the 1W LS seems still to be the King, I am presenting beamshots of the 12 1W lights I own to show how they might compare.

Reference is my Arc LS1rev2 and is always on the right. Note that my digicam is not up to date, the hotspots will be overexposed, so a little explanation is included when necessary. This technical marvel does not let me set the parameters by hand, it is always using auto-correction, this is why I included the Arc as a reference in every shot.
All lights are with fresh batteries that had not been used for more than very few minutes.
Distance was about 50cm to a somewhat dirty white wall.

This is the comlpete setup, beam shots will follow the order from left to right ...

let it begin:

Nano Mate: less bright in every aspect with less throw, has a wider spill and a perfect color though

Arc LSH R2H (modded): hotspot is brighter than reference

Baby Pin: hotspot is very much brighter than reference, no side spill

KL1 on 1x123: almost the same except tint, KL1 a tad brighter

McLux TK Q3J McFlood: hotspot is less bright than reference

LedLenser V6: about the same brightness with better spill an a rather good beam; Fraen 20mm optix; 3xAAA
more details

Schulzendorf Gamma 1: brighter in every aspect, yellow tint
more details

LedLenser V2 Power Chip: about as bright with more spill, **** green, Fraen 27mm optix, 3xN-Cells
more details

McModule DB750 R2H in PM6: the killer, brightest light in competition in every aspect, meaning hotspot and throw

KL3 on Brass UBH on 3x123: a tad brighter with bluer tint, same as KL1

LGI-LE: much brighter and more throw with better tint, 3xAAA direct drive by MrBulk


And two interesting shots:

DB750 R2H in PM6 against L4: McModule has a tighter and brighter hotspot and more throw, the wall of light of the L4 is of course crunching the McModule ... but it still holds it's own very well.

DB750 R2H in PM6 against Baby Pin: the McModule is a little bit brighter in the (smaller) hotspot and has more throw.


bernhard

 

[B@rt]

Very nice Bernhard, thanks! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[TOB9595]

Very nice reference base, Bernhard
Thank you
Tom

 

[kinzli]

Hey Bernard, excellent tests! Thanks for doing so!

Have you considered a throw test as well? It would be interesting to see the throw comparisons on some of them, specifically the PM6 versus the more traditional 1W's, understanding that some of them are floods rather than tight beams.

I for one would like to see how the PM6/LED throws.

Congrats on a nice test! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif

 

[Kiessling]

kinzli, that would not be possible since there is no other light in this group that even comes near it! The Baby Pin is closest but looses handsdown.
bernhard

 

[kinzli]

Aha, true I suppose. I wonder if anyone's done any throw tests of the PM6/LED against some of the incandescents? I'll search, just looking for a relative comparison of throw for the PM6/LED versus other "standard" lights (like PM6 incandescent, for example, although I would imagine the incandescent PM6 would outthrow the LED version by a long shot?)... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Roy]

This needs to be moved over to the Reviews Forum! Good work!

 

[Kiessling]

the incan PM6 will kill the McModule 1W in a second, no need to do a comparison either. Think of the DB750 R2H PM6 as an "intermediate throw" light with a very good side spill and color.
It is my favourite 1W light so far and will be the killer in a more acceptable host like the McLux body ....
Just a note: remember that this shootout is not "fair" since it compares apples and oranges, e.g. a 1xN-Cell light with the Godzilla-like PM6 ... you always have to keep that in mind while looking at the beam shots.
In the 1-Cell category the Baby Pin is the winner in the brightest hotspot and throw category.
bernhard

 

[toneloe]

Nice review Bernhard, thanks.
I think 50cm is too close when the hot spot is wash out. I think at least 3 meters would be nice.

 

[Kiessling]

my appartment is not large enough for this distance /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif !
either way, in 3 months I'll be moving into a new and bigger location and/or will buy a new digicam, so the shots will improve in the future I hope.
bernhard

 

[jtice]

Bernhard,

This is one of the best compairisons I have seen in a while.

I am glad to see this PM6 doing so well, for I plan on making a PR Mclux my small throwing light. It will have a DB750 and R2H.

Is there any way you could take a few pics outside. To show the throw of the PM6 compaired to a couple other lights?

P.S. How does a E2e compair to a incan PM6?

 

[McGizmo]

Nice work Bernhard! Thanks for going to the effort!

- Don

 

[roguesw]

Argh..., this is so awesome, i really cant wait for the mclux pr to arrive,
cheers for the great beamshots kiessling
Des

 

[jdriller]

Head to head, no explanation needed.

Thanks!

 

[onelight]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gifThanks very helpful

 

[catch228]

Very nice /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I find it very helpful to have these types of comparisons. My girlfriend won't let me buy every light that I want so seeing the beam shots side by side really helps me pick out the lights that I just can't do without. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks again!

 

[hotbeam]

Bernie Bernie Bernie.... where is your 5w head to head /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[yclo]

Hats off, appreciate the hard work! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[Kiessling]

Thanx all!

jtice, I do not own an E2e [shame], but I can try taking photos outside in a few days as I am rather busy tight now ...

hotbeam /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif, won't be happening until I get my MR-X back from some guy overseas ...
... and even then, as I have only 3 or 4 white 5-watters, this would not be too interesting ...

bernhard

 

[StoneDog]

Bernhard, that's a sweet little modded LS you've got there... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mecry.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jon