Cree R2 or Golden Dragon?

[deusexaethera]

I'm going to get a Nitecore EX10 for my brother. I see the R2 version is rated at 145lm max, whereas the Golden Dragon is rated at 130lm max, but 15lm really isn't that much so mostly I care about which LED is better in other respects -- light quality, beam pattern, etc.

Thoughts?

 

[litetube]

I have had both. Still have the R2 version. The GD is ok but definitley significantly LESS brite than the Cree R2. I know many like the GD beam but I dont really see the advantage. It is similar to a SSC like in the Novatac but not as good as the SSC in my opinion. Though it does have a smoother transition from spot to spill, there is a purplish tinted ring around the hotspot which is more annoying to me than the cree rings. and even though there are no cree type rings, the color tint changes create their own "rings". Also the spill is less brite than the cree even with the cree "rings". The Hotspot on the Cree R2 is noteiceably briter and it throws better also .
I know they say 15lumen difference but it is more than that. But some love the GD and I can understand why, the reasons just dont work for me.

 

[Chrontius]

Yeah, I'm not sure about Novatac, but it sure seems that Ra managed to tame the Dragon. (*snigger*) Try the Twisty (Tn-100 or Tr-85) or the new built-to-order Clicky (170 and 200 lumen models all use Dragons; the 140-CN is also running one) with the tighter focus; their reflector does incredible things with the beam.

Edit: That is, if you're interested in sampling a new technology, try a Ra. If you have yer' heart set on a Nitecore, I'll plead ignorance.

 

[zx7dave]

I prefer the Dragon...

 

[Gunner12]

From what I read, the EX10 with the Cree XR-E R2 bin has more output but the GD version has a smoother beam. The GD version seem to have more tint variations in the beam though.

Smooth beam: GD version
Output: R2 bin version

 

[Zeruel]

I used to have a EX10 GD+, hated the purple tint for low and sold it off. I'm happier with the R2 in my NDI, somewhat brighter and purer in white (if white is your thing).

 

[bigchelis]

I thought a Golder Dragon could be pushed to 2amps and make 400 LUmens at the source. Also, with a tighter spot doesn't it throw more than the R2?

I should have a DD P60 1.5~2amps by Friday Afternoon. It was made by nailbender and I will compare it against my Dereelight R2 smooth reflector and orange peel.

 

[deusexaethera]

R2 it is, then. I'm happy enough with my Q5's and the R2 in my Wee NS, and it doesn't sound like the Golden Dragon is hands-down the better choice.

I'm not so much set on a Nitecore as I am set on getting my brother a flashlight that's as similar to my Arc6 as possible, without costing as much. The Nitecore EX10 is, if anything, better-designed than the Arc6, even if not as pretty.

 

[olrac]

I thought a Golder Dragon could be pushed to 2amps and make 400 LUmens at the source. Also, with a tighter spot doesn't it throw more than the R2?

I should have a DD P60 1.5~2amps by Friday Afternoon. It was made by nailbender and I will compare it against my Dereelight R2 smooth reflector and orange peel.

I believe that is the diamond dragon not the golden dragon plus that has that output

 

[Chrontius]

Fairly sure it's the Diamond Dragon. Brightest Golden Dragon light I've seen is the 200-lumen Clicky, and their high-efficiency diodes are scarce as tritium.

IIRC, the Diamond Dragon is a 3mm^2 emitter die, kind of a compromise between the Cree/SSC quad-core stuff and the ubiquitous single-core power LEDs.