OneBigDay
Enlightened
I did a series of beamshots here, with 12 different lights, mainly comparing similar lights in the P60 vs. D36 platform. I thought the results turned out pretty good. This is my latest attempt at comparing some new lights that I picked up over the winter, along with some reference lights (for me anyway) to compare them against.
I changed the exposure a little bit trying to get "slightly" more brightness in the photos than I did with the previous set. They are brighter and I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing. The other photographic difference is I used a daylight white balance for these so you can see some of the XML/XPG tints are visibly greener than the SST-50s. I forgot to take a "control" shot this time, but it is safe to say the park has lots of ambient light around, but the trail is pitch black.
All cells are freshly charged 18650's (non IMR AW) or IMR 26650's (battery space).
My motivation for doing this round was to compare my 3 XML dropins with each other and with some other powerful lights, and do the same with the Kerberos triple and VanIsleDSM quad. I also wanted to compare the XML with some SST-50s since they are now competitors (in the <=3Amp range).
The lineup...
There are 2 full sets of shots, 1 in the Park, 1 on the Trail, followed by some comparison animated gifs. For those in a hurry, I suggest looking at the second set (the Trail) first, as it really shows the beam characteristics very clearly.
Enough with introductions. Beamshots please.
The PARK
Daylight with distances
Fenix TA-21 XR-E Q5 | KD generic XM-L T6 P60 | Thrunite XM-L T6 P60
Nailbender XM-L T6 | Kerberos Triple XP-G | VanIsleDSM Quad XP-G
Nailbender SST-50 P60 | Nailbender SST-50 D36 | Download Pocket Rocket SST-50
Animated GIF Comparisons
All lights in a single slideshow
Comparison of 3 XM-L T6 dropins
Comparison of Triple XP-G vs. Quad XP-G
Comparison of Nailbender XM-L vs. Nailbender P60 SST-50 (direct drive)
Comparison of Nailbender XM-L (3.1A regulated) vs. Nailbender D36 SST-50 (2.8A regulated)
3 biggest hitters side by side (XM-L vs. Triple XP-G vs. SST-50)
Conclusions, lessons learned, and general musings
I changed the exposure a little bit trying to get "slightly" more brightness in the photos than I did with the previous set. They are brighter and I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing. The other photographic difference is I used a daylight white balance for these so you can see some of the XML/XPG tints are visibly greener than the SST-50s. I forgot to take a "control" shot this time, but it is safe to say the park has lots of ambient light around, but the trail is pitch black.
All cells are freshly charged 18650's (non IMR AW) or IMR 26650's (battery space).
My motivation for doing this round was to compare my 3 XML dropins with each other and with some other powerful lights, and do the same with the Kerberos triple and VanIsleDSM quad. I also wanted to compare the XML with some SST-50s since they are now competitors (in the <=3Amp range).
The lineup...
- Fenix TA-21 XR-E Q5
- Kai Domain 4-18v 1Mode XM-L T6 P60 dropin
- Thrunight XM-L T6 1.5Amp P60 dropin
- Nailbender XM-L T6 3.1Amp P60 dropin
- Triple XP-G R5 (Kerberos Triple)
- Quad XP-G R5 (VanIsleDSM Quad)
- Nailbender SST-50 P60 (direct drive)
- Nailbender SST-50 D36 (2.8A regulated)
- Download Pocket Rocket SST-50
There are 2 full sets of shots, 1 in the Park, 1 on the Trail, followed by some comparison animated gifs. For those in a hurry, I suggest looking at the second set (the Trail) first, as it really shows the beam characteristics very clearly.
Enough with introductions. Beamshots please.
The PARK
Daylight with distances
Fenix TA-21 XR-E Q5 | KD generic XM-L T6 P60 | Thrunite XM-L T6 P60
Nailbender XM-L T6 | Kerberos Triple XP-G | VanIsleDSM Quad XP-G
Nailbender SST-50 P60 | Nailbender SST-50 D36 | Download Pocket Rocket SST-50
Animated GIF Comparisons
All lights in a single slideshow
Comparison of 3 XM-L T6 dropins
Comparison of Triple XP-G vs. Quad XP-G
Comparison of Nailbender XM-L vs. Nailbender P60 SST-50 (direct drive)
Comparison of Nailbender XM-L (3.1A regulated) vs. Nailbender D36 SST-50 (2.8A regulated)
3 biggest hitters side by side (XM-L vs. Triple XP-G vs. SST-50)
Conclusions, lessons learned, and general musings
- My weakest light here (Fenix TA-21) still rocks!
- The thrunite XML speced at 1/2 the amps of my Nailbender 3.1 Amp XML holds it's own in a serious way. The Thrunite XML is still brighter than my SST-50 direct drive on an IMR cell. I don't have the patience for run time tests, but I imagine the gain in brightness is not worth the run time difference between the XML 1.5 Amp and the XML 3.1 Amp. This was the biggest surprise in these comparisons to me. The Thrunite XM-L wins hands down as the price to performance sweet spot in this bunch (i.e. best value).
- In the <= 3Amp range, the XML does overtake the SST-50 in brightness, and has a great beam profile as well (arguably better than the SST-50).
- All my SST-50s have much better tints than the XM-L lights (in the cool white zone).
- Kerberos triple beats the Quad for sheer output AND gives more "throw" at the same time. I suspected this but you can really see it in the slideshow comparisons. The Quad still gives nice flood, but the triple takes the crown in this category.