guncollector
Enlightened
Recently, I received a number of bulbs for evaluation from our esteemed CPF Owner, David W. If you haven't been following the previously posted test and beamshot comparisons, here are the links:
Aftermarket Maglite Xenon bulbs: Carley v. Sears
Carley Xenon Stars in a Maglite (Comparison & Pics)
Among the many bulbs included for testing, were two aftermarket Xenon bulbs for Maglite 4-Cell flashlights. Pictured below (from left to right: Maglite OEM Kyrpton, Maglite Mag-Num Star Xenon, Radio Shack XPR113 Xenon).
Note the difference in the bulb-shape of the new Mag-Num Star Xenon (center). It features a slimmer, and elongated "tubular"-style bulb-shape--much like the Carley bulbs.
Anyway, enough of the preliminaries, here are the beamshots (all on "tight" defocus, in identical Maglite 4D-cell units, with brand new Duracell alkaline batteries installed):
First, Maglite OEM Krypton vs. Radio Shack XPR113:
While difficult to tell in the picture, to the naked the XPR113 does appear slightly whiter in color. Overall brightness appears to be roughly equal, which surprised me too.
Next, Maglite OEM Krypton vs. Maglite Mag-Num Xenon Star:
Here the Mag-Num Xenon Star outshines the standard Krypton bulb. Also, the side-spill light in teh form concentric rings also provide a bit more "area" light (even on "tight" defocus). It does appear however that the "batwing"-characteristic beamshape affects even the Mag-Num Xenon Star (again like the Carley bulbs). In reality, the batwing is not really terribly distracting, and can be remedied with the use of appropriate micro-washers to "center" the bulb (you can get these washers from Carley).
I wish I had a Carley 4-cell xenon star to compare to the Mag-Num Xenon Star, perhaps down the road I'll get around to ordering one for testing and comparison.
Summary: If I were to choose a new bulb for my 4-cell flashlight, and had to choose between the Maglite OEM Krypton, Radio Shack XPR113, and Maglite Mag-Num Xenon Star, I think the hands-down winner in the new Maglite Mag-Num Xenon Star.
The Mag-Num Xenon Star is brighter, has good beam-shape, and provides more "spill light" (area light) even on tight focus. The bulb should be available for fellow forumites at your local Home Depot and/or hardware stores.
Aftermarket Maglite Xenon bulbs: Carley v. Sears
Carley Xenon Stars in a Maglite (Comparison & Pics)
Among the many bulbs included for testing, were two aftermarket Xenon bulbs for Maglite 4-Cell flashlights. Pictured below (from left to right: Maglite OEM Kyrpton, Maglite Mag-Num Star Xenon, Radio Shack XPR113 Xenon).
Note the difference in the bulb-shape of the new Mag-Num Star Xenon (center). It features a slimmer, and elongated "tubular"-style bulb-shape--much like the Carley bulbs.
Anyway, enough of the preliminaries, here are the beamshots (all on "tight" defocus, in identical Maglite 4D-cell units, with brand new Duracell alkaline batteries installed):
First, Maglite OEM Krypton vs. Radio Shack XPR113:
While difficult to tell in the picture, to the naked the XPR113 does appear slightly whiter in color. Overall brightness appears to be roughly equal, which surprised me too.
Next, Maglite OEM Krypton vs. Maglite Mag-Num Xenon Star:
Here the Mag-Num Xenon Star outshines the standard Krypton bulb. Also, the side-spill light in teh form concentric rings also provide a bit more "area" light (even on "tight" defocus). It does appear however that the "batwing"-characteristic beamshape affects even the Mag-Num Xenon Star (again like the Carley bulbs). In reality, the batwing is not really terribly distracting, and can be remedied with the use of appropriate micro-washers to "center" the bulb (you can get these washers from Carley).
I wish I had a Carley 4-cell xenon star to compare to the Mag-Num Xenon Star, perhaps down the road I'll get around to ordering one for testing and comparison.
Summary: If I were to choose a new bulb for my 4-cell flashlight, and had to choose between the Maglite OEM Krypton, Radio Shack XPR113, and Maglite Mag-Num Xenon Star, I think the hands-down winner in the new Maglite Mag-Num Xenon Star.
The Mag-Num Xenon Star is brighter, has good beam-shape, and provides more "spill light" (area light) even on tight focus. The bulb should be available for fellow forumites at your local Home Depot and/or hardware stores.
