5.11 Light for Life - reviews and opinions

[curtispdx]

I think 5.11 is having a 20% off sale soon; I assume that their lights would be included.

I'm not buying one. It's interesting but the low run time is a deal-breaker.

 

[Swedpat]

I hope they will have curtispdx,

I have tried to seek information at internet about the smaller version PC3.300 but have not found adequate specs. Some sites state the same high 270lm as 5.11 and other 200lm for the smaller model. Also I have not found any information about the runtime at the higher brightness.

Anyone who knows?

Regards, Patric

 

[guiri]

Man are you guys missing the point entirely.

Finally someone that gets the point. I am amazed at how you guys put down such great technology. Sure, it's not as mature but dammit, it's pretty new.

Does ANYONE understand what all the use of batteries and other crap does to nature and what this is going to do for the planet in the future?

I have for many years tried to only use rechargeable batteries. Just like LED's, the technology is sweet and will only improve and man, I can't wait to see what we'll have ten years from now.

For those who are into digital photography and know their stuff, think digital cameras ten years ago and the Nikon D3s today. Holy crap!

The point yall are missing is where this is headed...

 

[travelinman]

I'm not in the market for this light, but where I am it's -11C that's something like 12 deg F, and it's going to get a lot colder in the next few weeks. This light is recommended only to 4 deg (I assume F.). Not much good in the great outdoors in cold snowy weather.

 

[digitalgeek]

Hey guys, I received my light for life full size version last week and must admit I am confused to say the least. upon comparing it to my 2 cell magliyte LED I notice virtually no difference in brightness. I know all about the battery advantages but why is this thing 6X's the price of my maglite and why am I not seeing better lighting than the mag LED?

 

[ncka1234]

Finally someone that gets the point. I am amazed at how you guys put down such great technology. Sure, it's not as mature but dammit, it's pretty new.

Does ANYONE understand what all the use of batteries and other crap does to nature and what this is going to do for the planet in the future?

I have for many years tried to only use rechargeable batteries. Just like LED's, the technology is sweet and will only improve and man, I can't wait to see what we'll have ten years from now.

For those who are into digital photography and know their stuff, think digital cameras ten years ago and the Nikon D3s today. Holy crap!

The point yall are missing is where this is headed...

Actually capacitor technology is very old.....the difference is the creator of this particular capacitor thinks they have it worked out and partnered with 5.11 (he surfed it around for a while)...

The capacitor techology is often given up on because its discharge ability...is funny you mention cameras...you remember bumping a camera and its flash going off? Same thing..

 

[guiri]

That may be but I still think it's a good thing and at some point, they'll get it right.

Anything that takes us away from throwing all these batteries out every year. Hell, I've been trying to avoid buying regular batteries for something like 20 years.

 

[Swedpat]

I am surprised that there is still not any runtime graph made for this light. Or am I wrong? I searched but can't find.
Any owner who can measure the brightness level during the runtime at each brightness mode? This doesn't makes the demand of advanced instrument, just a lightmeter and see the percentual difference.

 

[ama230]

This is a note to all the jaded...

To all of you who spend thousands of dollars on flashlights and still have to wait two to three hours when your cells are charging. Whats the problem here? Taking the pc4.300 for example it had atleat 700farads of capacity and is lighter than any dcell or cell flashlight and has the balls of 200+ lumens and has a downtime of just a half an hour over a 24hr period. There is no flashlight to rival or come close and there are still complaints.
I look at things for what they are and not what they aren't, also by reviewing most of the posts are just cry here and cry there and why not this and why that.
If you want to even consider yourself constructive or educated you first do a non bias review of whatever it may be and then if you own it then you can complain. This particular product will satisfy anybody's needs but when there is something new that they have no idea on how it works, they complain.😕
Just because you read somebody's post that says something sucks are you just going to snowball and keep adding to the hype? Probably, but if you actually take a few minutes of hate and spend it on looking up what the technology is and is doing you just might become enlightened...:candle: We are in an age of change(not just obama) and we are supposed to embrace the ideas and add to them and this will inspire innovation. If you want to jump on the bandwagon with the whitecollars then you can join the republican party and hate away. :devil:
I have a maglite 2dcell that i retrofitted with two maxwell 350F ultracaps and a nite ize led that works with 2-6cells. Let me say that this thing runs for 8 hours no problem and i have added a charging jack at the bottom. It charges in a few minutes and i have eight pluas hours of light at 30-50 lumens of pure white/bluish light!!! Driving three high power leds and having a run time of an hour or so is huge. I can charge my light or the 5.11 light in the same time it takes anybody to take their cells out and replace them. This 5.11 light does not get the kudos it deserves.
Think of of it this way... You have a chevy with a v8 350hp/305ft/lbs tq with a big tank and of course it has power and a range of 400miles give or take. This is what all Americans are accustomed to because they do not think for themselves, it just too much thinking or they just are not bright enough. This typically yeilds and efficiency of 40 percent at the most of converting the energy in gas to the ground. Yeah its got a hemi but this is the same old technology that was invented a 100 plus years ago and the definition of insanity is doing the same procedure over and over again expecting a different outcome each time, this is not going to happen!!!:shakehead

Then you can take a pure electric vehicle and have more torque and power without having to waste gas on getting into a specific rpm range. The brush-less dc motor has a 90 plus percent efficiency. The batteries are the problem since they waste so much power when discharging and charging and are inefficient themselves. They on average with the best battery, li ion polymer, can only take in about 50-60 percent of whats being injected and the rest is wasted in heat, and then can only emit whats being chemically produced. Do not get me wrong i think li poly are great but you still have to replace them after 3-5 years and are the same price as ultracaps. A ultracap has no energy rejection when it comes to charging and as the case with discharging. We need to just refine our regulation circuits to fine tune the output. Also of course a 350F cap has the energy density of half a 2800mah nimh but with over 500k cycles it will serve its purpose. It only composed of a aluminum sheet tightly wound with an electrolyte in it. Its 100% recyclable and is no secret technology.
Of course they have weak energy densities out there but we can easily replace a v8 with a i4 or electric motor and still get the same work done. Our habits are just terrible themselves so you might want to evaluate them and you might just find the light for life feasible with great potential.

My two cents. Also throw some blows as i want to be challanged on a factual basis not what others put on here when they copy and paste google information. JUST BRING IT!!!:nana:

Thanks for reading my first post...😀

 

[DM51]

Thanks for reading my first post...😀

Well, I've read it... and it's pretty much crap, from start to finish.

If you want to behave like a trollish half-wit, you've come to the wrong forum. Any more nonsense like that, and you'll be gone for good.

 

[JCD]

I have a maglite 2dcell that i retrofitted with two maxwell 350F ultracaps and a nite ize led that works with 2-6cells. Let me say that this thing runs for 8 hours no problem and i have added a charging jack at the bottom. It charges in a few minutes and i have eight pluas hours of light at 30-50 lumens of pure white/bluish light!

With rechargeable cells, I can get more light, of a warmer, more desirable tint ("white/bluish light", aka cool white, is generally not very desirable), for just as long or longer, from a smaller light, with the ability to recharge in less time than a discharge takes (i.e., with two sets of cells, my only downtime is the 30-45 seconds required to change the cells 2-3 times a day (assuming light is otherwise on 24/7). Cost is $251.40, shipped to my door, including Surefire 9P, LED emitter, AW protected cells, and Pila charger, and that's without shopping for discounts. Looking for deals could drastically cut the cost.

Of course, since I already have the light, emitter, cells and a charger, my marginal cost to exceed your modified MagLite's performance is only the cost of electricity to recharge the cells.

How many sets of rechargeable cells do I have to wear out before I exceed the environmental impact of building a new Mag and the parts and energy required to modify and operate it?

 

[HIDblue]

Hoppy, or anyone else for that matter...have any beamshots of that 5.11 light??? :candle:

 

[ama230]

Easy MOD MAN!!!,

I mean no harm and am not here to defend or object to anybody. I am here to stimulate the so called educated and if it offends then i am sorry...😗 I will tone it down in the future, but it was quite an entrance.

Adding to the surefire post,

Sure you could buy a 300 dollar flashlight with a package deal and have it all.
It has awesome throw and batterylife with the most advanced battery cells but are you really happy when you have to wait 3 plus hours only to get a 40 percent return in what your putting into it. I am talking about like taking a shower with excess water being put down the drain etc. Then think if you you find a system that could only let out what you actually use for washing efficiently.
That is the appeal to these ultracap systems, using 90-100 percent of the energy coming in and going out all with a piece of aluminum foil and salt water. I am not saying that this is better but the prospects are there.:candle:
Then i can buy any charger(ac wall/dc car) at frys or wherever for 5bucks with a 3.5mm male/female combo and im set with 20 bucks with tax for the both of them. They also can run simulataneously when charging which is a big plus in my book, when on standby or any serviceman can find a good reason.
No advanced charger or circuitry is needed when charging a cap just pure dc juice with 6v@200mA, this is easily achieved with a small amorphous solar panel(even with cloudy conditions), or a peltier device(runs by wasted heat from any source), even a small earth battery with a about (earth battery)six oranges or lemons in parallel and then also wind with your car vent fans spinning by the wind passing through the engine bay. The possibilities are endless with coming up with +/-3w.
Batteries have the power density and thats the only perk as well as memory but as most they should go through proper disposal not the trash and ultracaps can be thrown away but thats when your grandchild needs to upgrade to 4000F in the same form factor and smaller.

Also to disclaim these things as dangerous is just silly let me elaborate a little on this subject.
1)The ultracap can charge/discharge @ 100A each cell.
2)It has a specific characteristic that when trying to short or accidentally close the loop without a load it will burn any wire up or arc any conductive material where it just will not make a connection.
3)Also when a human touches both contacts with a full charge it will not discharge due to the cell having a larger internal resistance than a human.
4)They can handle heat better than any power source when it comes to storage but makes the cell just discharge quickly.
5)Having a cell than can deliver 0-100A and stay at a constant voltage of 2.5V or 2.7V depending on which cell configuration you get.

For everyday you can take the conventional flashlights and stay in the past, nostalgic and vintage are very appealing!!!😀 But just try something different and this is no joke on specs and performance let me tell you. If you want a cool build and use something that 99.99999% of the world knows nothing about or heard of , then this is it my friend.

Also mind you is that you still need a resistor when driving these and if your looking for high amperage, this seems like a viable contender.

Any question or comments welcome:wave:..........................................

 

[ama230]

Hoppy, or anyone else for that matter...have any beamshots of that 5.11 light??? :candle:

There is a post on here with it compared to a few flashlights, just got to search around. then youtube has a few with great shots at nightime. youtube light for life.

Hope this helps... I would say that it is a solid 140lumens even with three p4's and only lasts a mere 45min an hour on std(90 lumens) and 10-15 with high(140-150 lumens). It thows but for a limited time, but in less time it takes you to go to the bathroom it will be ready to go, how cool is that.

Also i do not work for or am payed by the following company, just a 24yr old nerd that has a piece of paper and lots of experience, but what do i know???:duh2:

 

[JCD]

Sure you could buy a 300 dollar flashlight with a package deal and have it all.

Nope. I already have all of the parts, and my setup surpasses yours in every way that matters. Your 90 second charge even takes longer than it takes me to swap cells. Since my cells can charge at a faster rate than I'm discharging them to meet or exceed your output, a second set of cells is all that is necessary, and thay can charge while I'm out using my light. Of course, my setup allows me to carry extra cells, so my area of operation with the light is much bigger, since I don't have to stay so close to the charger.

Even if I were buying the setup from scratch, I can shop around to find much better deals, reducing the cost to around $200. Further, I can pick up some of the parts used (e.g., the body), and save some more money. Further still, I could even use a host from a different manufacturer, and save even more money. I could easily reduce the cost to match or beat the Light for Life.

So, the Light for Life doesn't win on price.

It has awesome throw and batterylife with the most advanced battery cells but are you really happy when you have to wait 3 plus hours only to get a 40 percent return in what your putting into it.

The charging time is part of a parallel process, meaning it requires three hours (for argument's sake) of the charger, but it doesn't require three hours of me or my light. Heck, it doesn't even require 90 seconds of my time or even require 90 seconds of downtime with the light. In other words, the parallel process allows my light to have less downtime than the Light for Life.

As far as increased charging efficiency goes, the concept of diminishing returns applies. Sure, I'd love for my cells to charge more efficiently. I don't like wasting energy. However, even with 100% charging efficiency, the benefit to my wallet and the environment is minuscule compared to switching from primary cells to rechargeable cells.

That is the appeal to these ultracap systems, using 90-100 percent of the energy coming in and going out all with a piece of aluminum foil and salt water. I am not saying that this is better but the prospects are there.

Yes, the potential is there, but, as applied in the Light For Life, it's Saturday Night Live technology. It just isn't yet ready for prime time.

Then i can buy any charger(ac wall/dc car) at frys or wherever for 5bucks with a 3.5mm male/female combo and im set with 20 bucks with tax for the both of them.

So, you're saying that the input voltage doesn't matter? Any charger with the proper plug will work? Interesting. Do various input voltages affect the charging times?

They also can run simulataneously when charging which is a big plus in my book, when on standby or any serviceman can find a good reason.

Why would that be a big plus? Typically, when I need a flashlight, I don't have an AC outlet handy for my charger, and I certainly don't want to be encumbered by a cord connecting my light to a wall or a car.

No advanced charger or circuitry is needed when charging a cap just pure dc juice with 6v@200mA …

At 100% efficiency, that will provide 30 mWh of energy in 90 seconds. By contrast, my 2 rechargeable 17500 cells contain about 3960 mWh of energy. Even at 100% charging efficiency, the Light for Life will require 3.3 hours with a 6v@200 mA charger to store the same amount of energy.

Batteries have the power density and thats the only perk …

Well, clearly it's not the only perk. The ability to quickly and easily replace cells (primary or rechargeable) offers a huge advantage to flashlights that use removable cells over the Light for Life.

… as most they should go through proper disposal not the trash

Yes, that is something I need to worry about every 500-2000 charge/discharge cycles per cell.

… and ultracaps can be thrown away but thats when your grandchild needs to upgrade to 4000F in the same form factor and smaller.

That argument isn't very compelling, given the long life of rechargeable cells.

That is the appeal to these ultracap systems, using 90-100 percent of the energy coming in and going out all with a piece of aluminum foil and salt water. I am not saying that this is better but the prospects are there.

…
For everyday you can take the conventional flashlights and stay in the past, nostalgic and vintage are very appealing!!!

Yes, the potential is there, and one day we might see great lights because of it. But, that day isn't here yet. As currently applied in the Light For Life, it's Saturday Night Live technology. It just isn't yet ready for prime time.

If you want a cool build and use something that 99.99999% of the world knows nothing about or heard of , then this is it my friend.

That's the difference between you and me. You seem to be looking for a toy that no one else has. I use my flashlights as tools, not toys. My lights have to meet my needs. The Light for Life does not.

When my cells are drained, I need to be able to quickly replace them, wherever I might be. It's not unusual for me to use up a dozen cells or more in a night, before I get a chance to access any kind of charger. Further, on such nights, I'm simultaneously running 3 lights on each high for 2-3 hours straight, producing 600-800 OTF lumens. How many Lights for Life for life would I need to reproduce that performance and time away from a charger?

 

[ama230]

All of your points are valid except for the fact that you are wasting twice as much energy as you are storing in the cell itself, this is how a battery is charged these days. Also I am the type of guy that likes to keep using the same container instead of using a new one every time. This is the light for life's concept as with all tactical gear. I really dig a product that only requires me to charge it and nothing more... Its self sufficient. Also just to be off topic, i think of the godsmack song, "crying like a $%^&*", when these discussions go on. Which godsmack ROCKS:twothumbs

Also in Arizona where the temperature delta is 100F, the batteries suck out here they just do not last. If you get a couple of years good luck but in the cold country its just the same, chemicals are limited.
Then to state that you are looking for 700lumens which is just crazy, you might as well start a vw block on fire.😱 I am going on a strong assumption here but the 50-200lumen range is what as known as an effective and necessary lighting. Anything beyond that is just useless unless it is a flood. IMHO.

Also your lithium batteries cost more than my ultracaps and are 10x as heavy.

Then to state that you are looking looking for sheer power without being responsible or ecologically accountable. Some people just like to be self sufficient and some like to over indulge(a.k.a. THE FAT CATS:thumbsdow)

You can have your power stroke diesel with a 50gal tank but is it absolutely necessary to have your house and drive it too.
I prefer a Toyota Tacoma 4cyl or 4runner, but i am not trying to convince you in any way or say that you are wrong and i am just stating facts. Mainly I am just into being as responsible as i can be with 100% accountability. Whether you choose to accept them is your choice. :sick2:
I am in no way using these things(flashlights) for fun or to shine on a wall(which is great to kill time btw). I have stated that I am an engineer that deals with design fabricating one of designs and constantly working with or without sunlight.

I am not going to go on and on as i have valuable knowledge elsewhere to be dispersed to those who chose to embrace. All of the sudden when a guy try's to improve(not meaning to change) the world for the better he gets stoned by the masses because it offends those who can not compute logistics.
Regression wins again!lovecpf
Pros(0) vs. Joes(1)

Also i have a question for all of you. If you happen to acquire a product that lasts longer than you, do you own it or does it own you...

 

[Kremer]

I'd get a supercap powered light if/when they get much cheaper. I bought one of the coleman/demain flashcell screwdrivers nearly 2 years ago and use it all the time, it's a fantastic tool. Sure I couldn't assemble a shed with it on one charge, but for most everyday tasks it has more than enough runtime on one 90 second charge or an even shorter top-up. It's all about knowing the limitations of the tool and working with the way it was designed to be used.

 

[JCD]

This is the light for life's concept as with all tactical gear.

In its present form, the Light for Life is not well suited for tactical purposes.

I am going on a strong assumption here but the 50-200lumen range is what as known as an effective and necessary lighting.

Yes, you're making a huge (and unjustified) assumption. There are times when I need well over 200 lumens. There are other times when 50 lumens is far, far more than I need.

Then to state that you are looking looking for sheer power without being responsible or ecologically accountable.

I stated nothing even remotely resembling that. Using rechargeable cells is not being irresponsible, nor is it being ecologically unaccountable. In fact, it is exactly the opposite of those things. Wasting the resources to make and carry the dozen or so Lights for Life that would be minimally required to meet my current needs would be ecologically irresponsible. I would thank you to read and understand my posts before you paraphrase them.

You can have your power stroke diesel with a 50gal tank but is it absolutely necessary to have your house and drive it too.
I prefer a Toyota Tacoma 4cyl or 4runner, but i am not trying to convince you in any way or say that you are wrong and i am just stating facts. Mainly I am just into being as responsible as i can be with 100% accountability.

When you give up your automobile and begin commuting by bicycle, come back and talk to me about your environmental responsibility and accountability, okay? Your Light to Life doesn't even begin to make up for the resources you're wasting with your pickup and your SUV, so get off your soapbox. You do realize that, next to walking, bicycles are the most energy efficient form of transportation, right? I'm pretty sure you don't really want to compare carbon footprints with me.

(Note: I don't care if you drive a car, ride a bike, or pilot a magic carpet. It's your choice to make. But, you should take care to remove the beam from your own eye before you criticize the splinter in mine.)

 

[Hfili]

I agree with JCD in the light is not well suited for tactical applications in it's current form. I think the intent of the light is for police/fire/medical agencies to replace existing mag chargers and stream lights.

From an admin/budget standpoint, the light is appealing for no downtime, replacement bulbs or batteries. Plus the lightweight plastic design (so I hear) cuts down on liability by reducing the temptation to use the light as an improvised impact tool.

If you evaluate the light based on it's intended primary use I think it is a decent light. For vehicle based operators, you grab the light from the charger when you leave your vehicle and it is fully topped off, it provides a reasonable amount of light and run time to accomplish most common calls for service, and you return it to the charger when you get back in your vehicle and it is ready to go before you can get to the next call. This light is not intended for tactical use, SAR or extended periods away from a vehicle/charger.

It isn't fair to this light to look at it outside of it's intended use. Sure, it is not a great light and not what I would carry, but I am a "light snob" according to my wife (and that was before I discovered CPFlovecpf) Those who don't care what they carry with think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Those who don't like it will have the same options they do now, buy your own gear and carry it (if allowed).

I am intrigued by the capacitor technology of this light and the potential for future use. Talk about guilt free lumens! I personally hope it is successful and the technology advances to something better. That's my two cents.

 

[JCD]

If you evaluate the light based on it's intended primary use I think it is a decent light.
…
It isn't fair to this light to look at it outside of it's intended use.

I agree completely. It is also unfair for some people to criticize other people for not using this light despite it not being suitable for their needs.

I am intrigued by the capacitor technology of this light and the potential for future use. Talk about guilt free lumens! I personally hope it is successful and the technology advances to something better.

I couldn't have said it better myself. 😎