Anyone dropped a HID?

[tobjectpascal]

How survivable are HID's that's my biggest concern dropping it and having the glass shatter, anyone dropped one? I'm talking hand held ones not the bigger lights, eg Microfire/Wolfeyes 10w..35w HID's.

 

[seery]

I've dropped my Beast II a few times without any concerns.

The Pyrex lens and protective bumpers go a long way in keeping it protected.

 

[Patriot]

I dropped a Mac's once on the grass but it was fine. I've also dropped my N30 a couple of times once from my kitchen counter top. It hit the tile up side down first and then bounced around. I was using it for fill light for taking pictures when it happened. No bulb breakage though.


BVH, started this poll a while back which includes HID bulb replace due to normal wear and tear. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=196987

 

[Flashanator]

LOL Seery,

your surefire beast 2 could survive a fall from a sky scrapper.

Ive never dropped a HID yet.:huh:

 

[Lightraven]

Dropped my Wolf Eyes Boxer 24W HID a couple of times on pavement/rock. Small dings, but no functional problems.

 

[Patriot]

I know that both CPFer Ken J. Good has put the Polarion lights through much abuse including severe impacts. CPFer Adamlau also dropped his PH50 from a fairly high distance, possibly eight feet or more, onto some concrete stairs or something. Sorry, I can't remember the exact details, and it suffered body damage but no bulb breakage. Another member who I can't remember at the moment, recently dropped his N30 from a great distance also and it was still working fine afterwards.

Without any filament to break it seems that overall HID bulbs are quite tough.

 

[Ken J. Good]

I will donate a Polarion to drop test against anybody who wants to go head-to-head with a SF Beast.
No rubber bumpers, just the lights. (Surefire are you listening? :wave
At the very least it would be fun/expensive entertainment.

Anybody else who wants to throw their hat into the ring, let me know.

On another note, a few months ago, I sent a light for T&E to a Federal Agency. The IR filter was broken, the bezel bashed in.

Light was perfectly functional.

In order to get the type of damage sustained, I would guess it was dropped from at least 10-15' on concrete.

Of course nobody from the agency knew anything about it....

I have accidently dropped our lights from varying distances on concrete (up to 6'). Minor damage to the bezel in the form of chips/scratching.

If a Polarion was dropped on it's tailcap first, it will probably crack. A easily replaceable/low-cost fix for the damage.

I can machine metal tailcaps for clients that have to have metal.

 

[seery]

I will donate a Polarion to drop test against anybody who wants to go head-to-head with a SF Beast.
No rubber bumpers, just the lights. (Surefire are you listening? :wave
At the very least it would be fun/expensive entertainment.

Anybody else who wants to throw their hat into the ring, let me know.

I don't think there's any question that BOTH the Beast II and Polarion lights are tough. The block (in this case) is big enough for "two tough guys"!

An HID triathlon would be fun. Since we know the answer to #1 and #2,
it's #3 that would be the fun tie breaker!!!

Maybe PK will donate a Beast II and then we can hear . . . "Let's get it on!"

Leg #1 - Which light can throw the furthest? (Polarion)

Leg #2 - Which light can run the longest? (Beast II)

Leg #3 - Which light can take the biggest beating? (?????)

On another note, a few months ago, I sent a light for T&E to a Federal Agency. The IR filter was broken, the bezel bashed in.

Light was perfectly functional.

In order to get the type of damage sustained, I would guess it was dropped from at least 10-15' on concrete.

Of course nobody from the agency knew anything about it....

Any pics you could share with us?

 

[seery]

I will pledge $100 towards a Beast II for the HID Triathlon.

Who else is in?

 

[Ken J. Good]

Triathlons include a swim don't they?

 

[dudemar]

Triathlons include a swim don't they?

...sanother leg could be "how deep can they go?":devil: or "how long they can sit in water before faliure?", but the latter would be much like watching grass grow.:laughing:

 

[Taboot]

I know that both CPFer Ken J. Good has put the Polarion lights through much abuse including severe impacts. CPFer Adamlau also dropped his PH50 from a fairly high distance, possibly eight feet or more, onto some concrete stairs or something. Sorry, I can't remember the exact details, and it suffered body damage but no bulb breakage. Another member who I can't remember at the moment, recently dropped his N30 from a great distance also and it was still working fine afterwards.

Without any filament to break it seems that overall HID bulbs are quite tough.

That would be me. My N30 came apart and cracked some pieces, but amazingly, it still works good as new. And I managed to put it all back together, cracked pieces and all.

 

[Team Member]

The PH40 that I borrowed for testing with my unit, had previously been put thru some heavy testing by the Swedish Rescue Service Agency at one of their training facilities.
And the only thing noticable was that the lamp unit was off center when I got it. The beam wasn´t perfect but it still worked.

And those guy´s aren´t known to threat things the kind way....

 

[seery]

Triathlons include a swim don't they?

I never turn down a challenge, so if you insist. :naughty:

Deepest I've had my Beast is just under 50' for just over 5 minutes. But since SF
doesn't claim it to be a dive light, or give it a submersion rating like the Polarions,
we may have to add a 5th leg to even it up going into the final heat we have come
to call "The Beating"!!!

Maybe I'll start a separate thread to raise funds to secure a Beast II for the HID
Triathlon . . . that is if PK doesn't step up first.

 

[Lightraven]

I asked a member of a U.S. federal LEO rescue team what lights they take into the ocean. He said some dive light, but the way he said it didn't sound like much to be impressed with. I'm sure it wasn't a high end light.

Then again, in my experience people in this agency will drop everything they are issued right to the bottom of the ocean eventually. Probably better that they don't get anything too expensive.

 

[Patriot]

I asked a member of a U.S. federal LEO rescue team what lights they take into the ocean. He said some dive light, but the way he said it didn't sound like much to be impressed with. I'm sure it wasn't a high end light.

Then again, in my experience people in this agency will drop everything they are issued right to the bottom of the ocean eventually. Probably better that they don't get anything too expensive.

I wonder why they wouldn't attach a simple device which would allow for neutral or even slightly positive buoyancy? If I every take my PH50 out onto the water you can bet it will have a yellow float attached to it.

seery
Maybe I'll start a separate thread to raise funds to secure a Beast II for the HID
Triathlon . . . that is if PK doesn't step up first.

I doubt that PK would step up and toss a BeastII to us in order just to give it a beat down. I also doubt that we'd come anywhere close to raising the funds needed to purchase one. I'll give the Polarions and BeastII's equal respect regarding durability. We already know that the Polarion produces more lumens and throws further and possibly has an advantage in the depth department too. As far as the maximum impact or G forces they could survive, my guess is that they're close since both are build of high quality components and incased tough bodies. That's all I need to know...

 

[Flipside]

Don't remember where I read it, but while doing research on HID's for Mag mods, the Solarc bulb can take 400G's...

 

[king2penn]

I dropped a Mac's once on the grass but it was fine. I've also dropped my N30 a couple of times once from my kitchen counter top. It hit the tile up side down first and then bounced around. I was using it for fill light for taking pictures when it happened. No bulb breakage though.


BVH, started this poll a while back which includes HID bulb replace due to normal wear and tear. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=196987

i think the N30 as fill light is over kill :laughing:

 

[Patriot]

i think the N30 as fill light is over kill :laughing:

LOL!!!! That's funny! :laughing:

You would think so huh. Actually I was just ceiling bouncing the beam to offset some of the harsh shadows from the fixed lighting. It works pretty well and is easier than unplugging and carrying a halogen lamp to my shooting area.

 

[BlueBeam22]

My Power On Board HID has fallen several times on a carpeted floor, and I have accidentally banged it a lot, but still works perfectly.