Advice before an Investment: GL4R+HO-9L

[zhuntai]

Hi guys,

It's been a while since I frequented the good old CPF. Last time I was here I left with a SF U2 Ultra and still love it. It seems my heart is now yearning for something with a little more kick heh :naughty:.

The set up I have in mind is the Pila GL4 fitted with a LF HO-9L running 2x600P. My reasoning behind going for this sized tube and Li-Ion set up is because my U2 will also take the batteries. The EO-9L is also an option but I'd like to run my flashlight for more than 10 minutes at a time.

I was wondering what you guys thought of my idea, and if anyone had answers to some issues:

-I am worried about insta-flashing my bulbs. Any good ways to minimise this chance? I contemplated running the GL4-550 lamp on the reduced voltage to avoid this risk but the yellow tinge did not sound appealing to me.

-I remember hearing something about the heads of the 300 and 550 lumen GL4s are slightly different - with the 550 head being redesigned for better heat sinking. Is this correct? If it is the case, would it be better to invest in a 550 for this?

-Codex... what do people think? I think it looks funny but if it means I can ease my lamp on it might be useful.

-The specs page for the LA states that is is actually a 7.2V@2A lamp rating. What does this mean when compared to it being a 9V lamp in the table above?

-I am in Australia... what is a good way to get these parts?

Thanks heaps for the help!

 

[Glen C]

Hi Zhuntai, I am the Lumens Factory dealer for Australia so bear that in mind if I sound too enthusiastic, I may be able to tell you about the LF lamps.

The 9V lamps are nominally 9V, in fact as you have stated they are 7.2V to allow for voltage sag. You will have no problem at all running that lamp in a Pila GL4. I run the HO9 (not L) in a Wolf Eyes Raider and it can cope with the heat very well in the smaller head. The Pila and Wolf Eyes are similar units as you are aware, the Raider is similar to a GL3. I actually have no problem running the Lumens Factory EO13 700 lumens in a Wolf Eyes Rattlesnake, the head will get too hot to touch after 15 minutes or so, but the LF lamps are well made and can take such treatment, I believe the warning is for people touching the lens, bezel, etc and burning themselves. I would say there is almost no chance of instaflashing the lamp as this is exactly what it is made for. You wont need a Codex to save your lamp, but you may want it for other reasons. I am not sure of its compatability with incandescent, or if it is compatible if you want to strobe your incan.

Getting these parts in Aus? I would suggest JSBurly for the Pila, I have the HO9L and EO9L in stock, also all the Wolf Eyes range if you went that way. Good luck in your choice, please ask if anything is unclear.

 

[mdocod]

are the LF D36s confirmed to fit in the Pila heads?

I thought at this time only the WE M90 was reliably holding these lamps.

 

[zhuntai]

It's listed as compatible on the LF page. From my reading on here, I was under the impression a number of people had fitted it successfully and I hadn't come across anyone having problems with it. Haven't really read enough to be sure about it though.

Glen C, I tried to open up the link in your profile but apparently the site is to be commissioned. What are your prices for the EO-9L and HO-9L including shipping to Melbourne.

 

[Glen C]

Mdocod, you have a mind like a steel trap!! You had me wondering. This is the post that refers to the non compatability issue, it was a Wolf Eyes M (large head) Raider


.

 

[mdocod]

well... it was found that they don't fit in the WE 6 and 9 series turbo heads.. even thought he LF page at one time implied compatibility with he raider. So I wasn't too sure... if there are reports of it working in the GL4, that's great news. It's a good solid host IMO.

 

[Glen C]

zhuntai, just sent you a PM. The other unit you may want to consider is the Wolf Eyes Rattlesnake 13V. It is 3 x 300 Pila batteries in size, or 1/2 a CR123 longer than what you are looking at but opens up the possibility of the LF EO13 700 lumens as well as the std WE 300 lumens or the LF 400 lumens. It is about 17mm longer than the GL4.