Beamshot Comparison: ARC LS TX0K vs. QIII TW0J

[absoLite]

These are beamshots of a modded ARC LS with TX0K and a modded QIII with TW0J.

The lights are 1m from the wall.
ARC LS is left, QIII is right.

The QIII has _slightly_ more spill and a better beamshape.

 

[chevrofreak]

Nice! Cant wait to get this Q3 done..... Just need a good deal on a star now.

 

[HarryN]

Nice work and beam shots. Can you tell us anything about the approx. dia of the hot spot and side spill area ?

 

[absoLite]

OK, here are some diameters, measured with the lights at a distance of 1m from the wall:

modded QIII Hotspot: approx 25-30 cm
modded QIII side spill area: approx 110 cm

modded ARC LS Hotspot: approx 20-25 cm
modded ARC LS side spill area: approx 110 cm

 

[2dim]

What lenses/reflectors do these lights have? Any other notable changes than emitters?

 

[absoLite]

QIII has stock reflector, ARC LS has stock NX05.
No changes to the boards.

The mods are detailed here ARC Mod and here QIII mod

 

[absoLite]

OK, I changed changed the NX05 in the ARC to a SO17 and mineral lens, and added a .33 Ohm resistor to the board.

The result is shown here (picture taken 1m from wall):
ARC with SO17 left, QIII right

Hotspot diameter is about 20-25 cm
Side spill diameter is about 145-150 cm

The modded ARC now easily outperforms the QIII.

Both lights draw about 700 mA from a fresh CR123A,
The ARC gets quite warm, and faster than the QIII.