Aleph 1 v. World

[Josey]

Last Friday, I ordered Don's Aleph 1 (DB917 with LuxIII) and this morning (Monday) I found it waiting for me at the post office. How did you do that, Don? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif

Overall, it's a spectacular light. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wow.gif Very high quality. The beam is very bright and very tight. This thing throws like Nolan Ryan. The belt clip is a great feature, but the next time I won't order the tritium marker, which is very dim. I guess I was expecting something like the neon Bud sign at the local tavern.

Well here on the Pacific Coast it's not even close to dark, but that small detail will never stop a flashoholic. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I couldn't do a proper beam test outside (and I'm not smart enough to post a beam shot, anyway /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif). But I do have a light meter. That's enough.

Here's what I found in Aleph 1 v. World:

Lux was measured at 39 inches from bulb (not bezel). Battery voltage was taken after the test. Width of beam is a rough measure of the width of the beam's hot spot at 6 feet. OK, not all of the batteries were fresh, but I'm not scientist anyway. This is just a rough first look. Besides, my tooth hurts and I can't see the dentist for two weeks (no insurance so low priority). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sick.gif

Surefire L6
Lux 1,860 (1,880 replicate)
Voltage 2.936
Width (inches) 12

VIP (high)
Lux 2,460 (2,580)
Voltage 2.930
Width 12

Arc 4 (high)
Lux 1,000 (980)
Voltage 2.946
Width 12

Fire-fly 2 (high)
Lux 340 (350)
Voltage 2.959
Width 15

SL TL3-LED
Lux 1,080 (1,080)
Voltage 3.014
Width 16

Surefire L4
Lux 550 (560)
Voltage 2.885
Width 24

Aleph 1 (high)
Lux 3,980 (4,120)
Voltage 2.948
Width 9

The Aleph clearly rocks. I thought the L6 would eat its lunch, but it didn't. The VIP is looking good, too. The Arc 4, which is my favority EDC, didn't do as well as I thought. I changed to a fresh battery (3.269V), but the lux reading remained the same (980). The L4 is a flood, and so this test doesn't show it at its best.

In taking the lux reading, I moved the beam around to find the hot spot.

The bottom line: This is a wonderful light. Thanks Don! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/goodjob.gif

 

[raggie33]

i love my aleph 1 i dont have ligt meter but my eyes and my homemade meter i made from solar cell showed me it rocked.,e persnaly i love the glow thingy i have it hanging near bed and when it is dark it has the perfect glow to spot it quit but no so much it bothers me.and youre right it throw like well amazeing

 

[McGizmo]

Josey,
Well I am glad you like the light! You might want to evaluate the tritium marker when it is dark enough that you can't find the flashlight in ambient light. If you decide you would rather not have it, no problem, I'll swap out caps with you. Just let me know.

From the Icon you chose for this thread, I figured you were upset or something. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

 

[Josey]

Hey Don:

Yeah, I find myself confusing, too. I was just a little manic because the light was so much better than I had expected.

And you're right, the tritium marker is better now that it's dark AND my eyes are adjusted to the darkness. I had tested it in a dark closet, but I didn't give my eyes a chance to get adjusted to the darkness.

Really a nice light. Thanks again. --Josey

 

[Noxiousbt]

Thought I would post here that I also received my custom Aleph 1 yesterday. Though the day was overcast by family tragedy, the light still made me speechless. Thanks Don, for building me such a fine custom light. My first, but not last, from you!!! Really can't go on, gotta go.
Brandon

 

[McGizmo]

Josey and Brandon,

The only way I could get these lights done, even at these relatively "high" prices, was to commit to a rather large number of components. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif However, your comments are very encouraging and mean a lot to me! Thank You! There are currancies other than money that are well worth striving to obtain. Success can be measured in many ways! Now, I just hope that your words are read by others! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif (My wife's view of success and mine are sometimes different! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

 

[Josey]

Hey Brandon:

Really sorry about your family tragedy. Hope things get better.

Your order gave me the critical information I needed to place my own order. Thanks. When things clear up for you, I expect that your light will amaze you even more.

Josey

 

[Noxiousbt]

Josey,
Thank's for the good wishes, and I am glad to help with what I can.
Don, already had three people that live next to me come running over to ask me what the heck kind of flashlight makes that much light! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif
Brandon

 

[Miciobigio]

Josey ,

cool !!!

Post that data also in the Review Forum !!!
The World had to realize which is the coolest torch .

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanks.gif

 

[marcspar]

My Aleph1 was waiting for me when I got back to my office on Monday and I ripped open the package and got the light out and went to into the 'closet' - the junk room which is the only place without windows.

The room is about 40 x 20 and the aleph just plain lit it up!

I could not wait for dark on Monday night when I took 'her' out to see how far down the block I could shine...

As Josey found out, it out throws just about everything else (led) out there.

Thanks a million, Don!

Marc

ps - I did not know about the tritium option; if anyone does not like theirs, I'll swap caps and pay the difference!

 

[tkl]

Pics? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[McGizmo]

Marc,
I have a cople caps left. If you would like to do an exchange, just send me an E-mail and we can work something out. I send you the cap with boot and nut installed, you pop your switch module into it and send me the original cap.

TKL,
You can see whath the series of the Aleph components looks like, HERE .

 

[toyopet]

In your comparison did you use the VIP w/BH? Also, how does your set up compare with a 1X123 w/BB500 in light output and throw? I'm assuming your light is a 2X123? Also, what is the diameter at the bezel? I'm a bit new at this and would like to know what is SWAK and TWAK?

 

[bajaiman]

SWAK is a LuxIII with S bin (51.7 to 67.2 lumens), WA is the tint (WA = white tint), K is the Vf of Luxeon (3.51V to 3.75V)

TWAK is the same thing as SWAK...the difference is that T bin produces more light (at 67.2 to 87.4 lumens)than S Bin.

I hope that helps...

 

[toyopet]

thanks!

 

[Josey]

Hey Toyopet:

The VIP did have the Bulkhead. The Aleph 1 with DB917 did use the 2x123 body. I don't have a BB500 with 1x123, but I presume the DB917 will easily put out more light.

Josey

 

[sithjedi333]

Josey, thanks for posting those comparative numbers. Very helpful for those interested in high-end lights.