5.11 Light for Life - reviews and opinions

[ama230]

I had just wanted to say that i saw this panel that emits light with not a diode junction but using a capacitor to light the phosphor substrate of some kind. I wonder if they will be doing an light emitting ultracapacitor. Thsi would be nuts, no foward volatge and for pwm a ultracap would do alot better than a basic cap, less noise and increasing efficiency.... Nice:twothumbs

Then i agree that if you use a tool for whats its intended it should serve you well. This is a discussion on non battery technologies and a not huge lithium flashlights. I could but a cheap deal extreme flashlight if i wanted a superbright on the cheap and pay 50bucks for cells and light chargers,etc... but again i am into newer technologies.

being self sufficient is kind of a gig for me or wasting as little resources as i can. As you can see that these aren't for the easily jaded, also why are you looking at this subject if you do not find it appealing, now thats the question... You had me fooled for a second...

My maglite with two caps in it is so light now it feels fake, which is crazy now and imagine a netbook with a weight of 1/2 lb instead of 3lbs.

 

[JCD]

My maglite with two caps in it is so light now it feels fake, which is crazy now and imagine a netbook with a weight of 1/2 lb instead of 3lbs.

Too bad it's still much heavier and bulkier than battery powered lights that are brighter and have better tint, with similar runtimes. It's like you're carrying around a 1/2 pound netbook when you could be carrying a three ounce smart phone that does just as much. ;-)

But, if you like your toy, enjoy it.

 

[Zendude]

I had just wanted to say that i saw this panel that emits light with not a diode junction but using a capacitor to light the phosphor substrate of some kind. I wonder if they will be doing an light emitting ultracapacitor. Thsi would be nuts, no foward volatge and for pwm a ultracap would do alot better than a basic cap, less noise and increasing efficiency.... Nice:twothumbs

Then i agree that if you use a tool for whats its intended it should serve you well. This is a discussion on non battery technologies and a not huge lithium flashlights. I could but a cheap deal extreme flashlight if i wanted a superbright on the cheap and pay 50bucks for cells and light chargers,etc... but again i am into newer technologies.

being self sufficient is kind of a gig for me or wasting as little resources as i can. As you can see that these aren't for the easily jaded, also why are you looking at this subject if you do not find it appealing, now thats the question... You had me fooled for a second...

My maglite with two caps in it is so light now it feels fake, which is crazy now and imagine a netbook with a weight of 1/2 lb instead of 3lbs.

You might win some converts if you weren't so arrogant about it.

You do bring up good points but your delivery sucks.

I too imagine a day without disposable batteries and maybe this is a first step but be objective and consider the limitations as well(i.e.without being a fanboy).😗

 

[DM51]

This is a discussion on non battery technologies and not huge lithium flashlights.

No, it is not. It is a discussion about this particular light. Please stay on topic.

-------------------

@ Zendude... you need to edit the 1st sentence of your post...

 

[kaichu dento]

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.

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.

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:

Hey, think there's any chance you could take this stuff out of your post? It's got nothing to do with the light and it really looks like you came in here looking for a fight with words like those.

If you'll do that for us, I'll erase my post so that we can peacefully continue discussion without the incendiary content. Please? 😉

 

[HIDblue]

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?

Any way you can post up some beamshots of your 5.11 light and your Maglite LED??? :candle:

 

[ama230]

I mean no harm but again i am stating logic and am fully factual. Its only offensive if you take it that way.

There are no arguments:thumbsdow, you are just getting mad since you might have to change your ideas on what you thought the light for life is and does.:green:
This isnt bad at all its a good thing as you are actually seeing whats out there. You do not have to accept what i say just acknowledge as i am not making up anything.

I will post some pics of my ultracap maglite with a 1/2w led and a 1w led vs my maglite xl100 and show you some comparison but mind you with the 1w the runtime is only three hours vs 8 plus. Then again this is only a one mode light that cost me a total of 50bucks so there can be improvements.

Then for the long term as i hope as i can get somebody on here to replicate it for themselves and get it to snowball innovation. Then this leading to revamping this idea as its not complicated as all, no custom machining or fabrication, just assemble and go. Also its a good exercise as to anybody can do it and not just and electrical engineer.

Also the claim that an ultracap with the same power density as a li-ion will still take the same power to charge is far from right. As again a battery only takes 40-50% in while charging even using the best smart charger. An ultracap takes 90-100% of the charge because it doesn't store a charge it rather stows until needed. Also i could put a terralux 700lumen bulb in it and have the performance but i am looking for some thing that has a good balance with technology i am working with.😛

xl100(high) vs. ultracap 2d maglite(1w led):

xl100(high) vs ultracap 2d(1/2w led):

as you can see the 1w is very warm and they say its rated at 100lumens but its really at like 60lumens but has a very good throw@50-100m. Then the 1/2w is more cool and has a good throw at 50m. Then just to specify that the xl100 is rated at 69lumens but i think its more of 80 solid lumens. The light for life would have three times the beam as i have with the 1w led, but again it would have 1/3rd the runtime, which is exactly right as 5.11 states with 270+/-lumens. I just wish i had a machine to make composite housings as this would help with weight. Also botach tactical is selling the pc3.300 for $139 shipped with a car and home charger, btw is awesome deal and warranty!!! Hope this helps.

 

[Brigadier]

I use a 5.11 UC3.400 for an around the house light for the family. It is always ready, always charged, no batteries to worry about overcharging. 90 lumens for 1 hr is fine for just about all tasks around the house. And the 270 lumens is great when needed. And when you are done, just slide it back into the cradle and in less than 2 minutes - it is ready to go again.

I think 5.11 missed the boat on the stobe, tho. I'd like to see someone make a multi emitter strobe that randomly strobes between the emitters @ approx 12 Hz. Either that, or have all three strobing simultaneously at different frequencies.

 

[ama230]

you make a good point on the strobe as it would be more effective with each emitter going in sequence rather then all three at the same time but i can not wait to see whats beyound the pc3.300. I can only imagine, its going to be crazy.

 

[DM51]

ama230... you are skating on fairly thin ice here. I warned you before to stay on topic. The topic is the 5.11 light, not your Mag-mod or ultracaps in general.

If you want to start a separate thread about your mod, or ultracapacitor technology, please do so in the appropriate sub-forum.

 

[Swedpat]

I use a 5.11 UC3.400 for an around the house light for the family. It is always ready, always charged, no batteries to worry about overcharging. 90 lumens for 1 hr is fine for just about all tasks around the house. And the 270 lumens is great when needed. And when you are done, just slide it back into the cradle and in less than 2 minutes - it is ready to go again.

Hi Brigadier,

I agree with you about the advantages about this light, and find it very attractive. Have you made any runtime graph?

Regards, Patric

 

[ama230]

i am sorry but this is for reference for the light for life as it uses the same capacitors and technology. we all want to get an idea of how the thing works and as far as the led it would be the (1w)x3. There are no beamshots of the light but this the next best thing.

I will stay on topic from here in out:mecry:

 

[Brigadier]

Hi Brigadier,

I agree with you about the advantages about this light, and find it very attractive. Have you made any runtime graph?

Regards, Patric

Sorry, I haven't. I will have to try and see what I can do.

 

[Swedpat]

Sorry, I haven't. I will have to try and see what I can do.

Thanks!

 

[Chowser]

ok, had a chance the other night to do a real world use with the smaller light for life.

partner had bought the 5.11 for home use but brought it in to work to try and used the standard 70lumen setting, I was using my trusty old O-Light M20 Warrior R2 at maximum setting.

1. my light was smaller, yet much brighter and threw further.

2. after wandering the woods for awhile, his light was dying. I was still going strong. so basically, i am throwing out 200+ lumens for over half an hour and he was throwing 70.
I think the run time on the 200lumen setting is less than 15 minutes.

Later, went back to the cars, he charged his up nice and quick. then we ended up having to search a warehouse.

again, my light was still going strong and threw further. after 2+ hrs of max setting, my light was still strong.

If I needed to change batteries, I actually had two spare 18650s in the holster, so I can conceivably run my light for 9+ hrs away from my car.

Granted, most uses of the light on traffic stops will be less than 30 minutes, so the Light for Life has it's uses, but when something happens that takes us away from the cars for extended periods, the 5.11 light won't last long. Granted, we still have the old rechargeable mag lights in the car.

The short run-times was what turned me off. For home usage, I have my old Strion LED that the family can use in case of power outages.

I think 5.11 is having a sale today that you get the AC charger for free and free shipping, so if anyone wants it, go grab it!

 

[Brigadier]

OK, no graph, but I turned the light on, and timed it until it dimmed. At exactly 60 min 1 sec, it dimmed from 90 lumens to 20 lumens - abruptly. Once it goes into low mode, the high mode is no longer available, but a 20 lumen strobe is, and the PWM becomes visible.

 

[Swedpat]

Thanks for info. My wondering was about regulation and heatsinking and whether the output is stable during the runtime. This is according to your test adequate for 90lm. (You mention 70lm, I understand you meant 90lm).

Regards, Patric

 

[Brigadier]

Thanks for info. My wondering was about regulation and heatsinking and whether the output is stable during the runtime. This is according to your test adequate for 90lm. (You mention 70lm, I understand you meant 90lm).

Regards, Patric

Correct, 90lm. The output was indeed steady until the deliberate step down. It ran at a steady 20 lm[low] for about another hour then shut off.

 

[peterkin101]

I almost fell off my chair when I saw the specs on this torch.

90 Second Recharge time??

But then I noticed the run time...

Oh dear...

And I thought my MagCharger was about to become as much use as the England Football team earlier today.

In fairness, this torch may be very good but IMHO a wacky shaped beam and that 15 min at max power run time count against it heavily.:shakehead

 

[a_bags19]

Im absolutely brand new to this site, and am trying to get my feet wet here .. i have also just recently started my career in law enforcement, and the service issued lights have yet to arrive and aren't that great from what i hear .. i researched a little bit and came across this light for life, and well it seems incredible .. is it as good as it sounds ?