Battery run time

[Manny 1968]

Please help.. I have the surefire G2X And streamlight polytac, both flashlights are 600 lumin and
Both take CR123A batteries, so why does streamlight say run time is 3.5 hours, and surefire says 1.5 hours? Why different run times when they're both 600 lumin and using the same batteries?

 

[Toulouse42]

Have you tested them side by side?

It would be useful to know if either quote is correct. Plus the specs might show if there's any ramping down involved.

 

[CharlesPierce]

The Surefire G2X and Streamlight Polytac both pump out 600 lumens and run on CR123A batteries, but the Polytac lasts 3.5 hours while the G2X only goes for 1.5 hours. It's all about the tech inside—things like LED efficiency, power regulation, and heat management make the difference. Basically, the Polytac's just got better gear under the hood.

 

[Toulouse42]

The Surefire G2X and Streamlight Polytac both pump out 600 lumens and run on CR123A batteries, but the Polytac lasts 3.5 hours while the G2X only goes for 1.5 hours. It's all about the tech inside—things like LED efficiency, power regulation, and heat management make the difference. Basically, the Polytac's just got better gear under the hood.

All that you say is valid. I don't own either flashlight so I can only generalise. However, I'm surprised that a company such as Surefire would allow itself to be so comprehensively outclassed. Other users might have views on this.

I still say test them. I have flashlights that produce the headline figure of x lumens but ramp down after a couple of minutes to 1/2 x lumens or 2/3 x. The quoted time on turbo is often the cumulative time after adjusting for the ramping down. The specs from the manufacturer will mention this.

In my particular case, I only use turbo for a short time so it doesn't bother me. Other users have far more demanding requirements.

 

[hsa]

Here is the runtime graph for the Polytac.

https://www.streamlight.com/docs/default-source/fact-sheet/313.pdf?sfvrsn=92a9a3f0_75

 

[Toulouse42]

Hsa thank you for that.

Manny ,you can see that the Polytac starts at 600 lumens but after maybe 5 or 10 minutes it drops to about 400, thereafter dropping gradually to 300 at about 2 hrs 30 minutes. After that it dies pretty fast.

 

[aznsx]

Hsa thank you for that.

Manny ,you can see that the Polytac starts at 600 lumens but after maybe 5 or 10 minutes it drops to about 400, thereafter dropping gradually to 300 at about 2 hrs 30 minutes. After that it dies pretty fast.

Here is the runtime graph for the Polytac.

Now compare that with the output/time graph published by SF for the G2X. Let me know how that goes

cc @Manny 1968

 

[fivemega]

Please help.. I have the surefire G2X And streamlight polytac, both flashlights are 600 lumin and
Both take CR123A batteries, so why does streamlight say run time is 3.5 hours, and surefire says 1.5 hours? Why different run times when they're both 600 lumin and using the same batteries?

If you measure tail current of both flashlight, you will notice first one quickly drops to lower amps so battery last longer and second light stay longer with high tail current so battery last shorter.

 

[desert.snake]

Some manufacturers use a trick, it may say 600-1000 lumens and a working time of 100 hours, but nowhere is it written on the packaging that these 100 hours apply only to the weakest mode, unless in very small print on the last page, lol. Thank God that there is the Internet and wonderful forums

 

[letschat7]

Led Lenser used to be good about crazy runtimes and mirrors and lense sorcery. Of course that was all of 17 lumens which some lights could maintain for quite some time.

 

[Monocrom]

Some manufacturers use a trick, it may say 600-1000 lumens and a working time of 100 hours, but nowhere is it written on the packaging that these 100 hours apply only to the weakest mode, unless in very small print on the last page, lol. Thank God that there is the Internet and wonderful forums

We put up with WAY too much bull$#&% from those manufacturers.