D-Mini Brighter than L2D-CE?

[Gordov2]

Is it me or does my D-Mini seem brighter than my brand new L2D-CE? Also, the L2D does not have "CE" labeled on the light body. Is this correct? It only shows "L2D."

 

[Gordov2]

Anyone?

The Fenix L2D-CE stats say 135 Lumens. The LumaPower D-Mini stats say 120 Lumens. But the D-Mini definitely seems brighter and is definitely tighter. Do you have the same experience?

Opinions?

 

[selfbuilt]

According to my home-made light box, my L2DCE has ~10-25% more overall output than my D-mini (smooth reflector), depending on battery types used.

However, the D-mini out throws the L2DCE by ~25-30%, again depending on battery type.

And yes, the L2D does not have CE on the body tube.

 

[Gordov2]

OK. I am using a smooth reflector in the D-Mini, with brand new Surefire CR123 batteries. In the L2D-CE, I'm using brand new Duracell AA's with the reflector that comes with the light.

Still, it seems that the D-Mini is noticabley brighter. I'm sure the tighter beam of the D-Mini helps to make it SEEM brighter, but overall, regardless of the tightness of the beams, the D-Mini definitely appears brighter. I'm wondering what the cause of this might be?

Any ideas?

 

[StefanFS]

The most obvious difference between them would be reflector size. The D-Mini reflector is huge and much deeper when compared to the L2D reflector. A bigger reflector collects light better, in the D-Mini to get the most throw possible.
Stefan

 

[selfbuilt]

Ok, here are some shots with the same batteries you are using. D-mini on left, L2D on the right

Exposure 1: Shutter 1/100, f2.8

Exposure 2: Shutter 1/50, f2.8

Exposure 3: Shutter 1/25, f2.8

Depending on how your monitor/graphics card is set, one of these should be fairly clear.

As you will see, the D-mini definitely has a much brighter and tighter hotspot. However, the L2D has a wider and brighter sidespill. Together, this accounts for the slightly increased overall output of the L2D.

 

[HarveyRich]

Makes sense to me. Also, don't forget that the l2d-ce uses widely available AA Alkaline, NiMH or Lithium batteries. If you want brighter, you might try Lithium with their slightly higher voltage. I now have a Cree modded Elly in direct drive which appears to outthrow the l2d-ce with a tighter hotspot. However, it requires a 14500 Li-ion battery and only has the setting on high. Still love my l2d-ce.

 

[pilou]

Still, it seems that the D-Mini is noticabley brighter.

As always, one has to ask brighter where? Right in the middle of the hot spot? Slightly outside of it? Way off of it?

 

[pilou]

Thanks for the beamshots, selfbuilt. I must confess I wouldn't want either of these lights with those beam patterns.

 

[gilles44]

I now have a Cree modded Elly in direct drive which appears to outthrow the l2d-ce with a tighter hotspot. .

HarveyRich,
How did you do your mod ? where did you buy cree led and how did you mod Elly for direct drive ?
That would be my FIRST mod !
I am VERY interested.

Thanks.

Gilles

 

[selfbuilt]

I now have a Cree modded Elly in direct drive which appears to outthrow the l2d-ce with a tighter hotspot. However, it requires a 14500 Li-ion battery and only has the setting on high. Still love my l2d-ce.

For those interested, the large thread on the Elly mod in this forum has a discussion on bypassing the converter on the Elly. Of course, a few people have done it the old-fashioned way - popping in a 14500 and waiting for the magic smoke to appear. End result of that approach is that you fry the circuit board and it will now only run direct drive off a 14500 now.

My personally modded cree-Elly (on regular alkaline or NiMH) throws about the same as the L1D/L2D on High with the same batteries, although with slightly less overall output (~10-15% less). Pretty impressive ... however, on turbo the L2D easily out-throws the cree-Elly by a comfortable margin.

As for the rings, to each his own. May not look pretty on a white wall, but during a recent 2-way excursion to a tropical rainforest I have to say I never noticed them.

 

[Gordov2]

Thanks for the beamshots Selfbuilt. And thanks also to StefanFS, Pilou and HarveyRich. They way you guys laid it out, it now makes sense to me.