Discovering the world of HID

[Cigarman]

Hello all!

I have been a lurker here and have discovered the world of high power flashlights pretty much solely because of this site. I used to see the fancy flashlights used in movies and television shows and always wondered how they got them so intense. After digging around the 'net looking for answers I ran across a strange acronym: H I D. Odd I thought...sounds like a sodium lamp or something. Well lo and behold, 2 years later I find myself in posession of an Acro 990 HID lamp with a big smile on my face! Such awesome power (but used carefully!) is turning into a geeky, yet irresistable hobby. I find myself, like others, dreaming of one day owning a Helios or Xeray just for the kick of using it, but we all have to come to grips with economics some times. I hope this can be a really great forum to hang with and learn from. Thanks to all the owners and makers of these really cool lights. My collection is small for now but I sure want to make it bigger!

 

[frogs3]

Welcome Cigarman,

I too was inducted into the "black hole", or perhaps it should be called "bright white hole" of flashaholism by an X990. After that I studied everything on these Forums, and ended up with lights from 5.5 lumens to over 8000. You can read the stories of addiction by others who are far more "involved" than I -- just accept that now it is too late to escape. You are among friends.

All Hope Abandon,
Ye Who Enter Here
Dante, Canto I

-HAK

 

[Cigarman]

Hey thanks for the welcome. I already have new targets in mind for my next purchase but the prices vary quite a bit. For example, I saw an interesting portable on this site :

http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?itemID=4603&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=4603&path=1,2,162,113,116

it seems reasonable for the price but there is a penalty with regards to weight.

On the other hand, an AE powerlight seems more practical with less of the "man-purse" battery factor to deal with. I am a bit leary of the many chinese companies that are trying to get into US markets since not many on these forums seems to mention many in their collections (I could be wrong here) but if the quality was there I'd be all over it.

The search goes on I guess

 

[frogs3]

Cigarman,

You already have a terrific 35 w light that has stood up to the competition very well. Check out the sticky threads in this Forum to see the beamshots and commentary of people who own "several" of these HID's. I really enjoy my 75 W Barn Burner from XeVision, but in real-world terms, the difference between that HID with 8000 lumens and the X990 at 3000 L is usually not critical.

My personal philosophy about lights: don't buy the same thing twice. Diversify either in output, throw, form, application, run-time, etc.

Others will get the same Fenix (or Draco, SureFire, etc.) in every color combo, and they love doing it. It's just the way each of us approaches the hobby. Not right or wrong, just different.

About those Chinese lights, many of the current crop of Cree LED lights are Chinese in origin, having beaten the "old-timers" to the marketplace. Don't take my word for it, but read the comments of the experienced collectors concerning the new models. Some good and some not so, but you make up your own mind and don't listen to just one viewpoint.

Be careful when a light is "bargain priced" at almost one-third of its MSRP: "was $350 now $119"; you should wonder what it really cost to make and how well was it done.

Caveat emptor!!

Enjoy,

HAK

 

[LuxLuthor]

Listen to HAK here. That Frontgate does not give you any details on what parts are used, and the devil is in the details. It might look cool, but the quality of the bulb, reflector, and battery/wire all make a big difference.

 

[Cigarman]

Valid points guys, it does make sense to keep an eye on the details like that. Without the spare parts easily available I bet it would be kind of a bugger to fix if it broke. I suppose with that price range it wouldnt be any better than the Sams model for the same price. (Not having had one)

 

[Cigarman]

Just found a new model out there from Magnalight.com, where I acquired my Acro and it looks interesting!

http://www.magnalight.com/pc-316-30-rechargeable-hid-handheld-light.aspx

They list the parts and where they come from as well (nice to see) and it actually looks like a good outdoors light as I was considering one. Seems like better quality parts are used in it than the "who knows" of the frontgate. Anyone else seen this model before? This dealer seems pretty reputable so far and ships nice and fast.

Any and all speculation is nice to hear.

 

[Lips]

Just found a new model out there from Magnalight.com, where I acquired my Acro and it looks interesting!

http://www.magnalight.com/pc-316-30-rechargeable-hid-handheld-light.aspx

They list the parts and where they come from as well (nice to see) and it actually looks like a good outdoors light as I was considering one. Seems like better quality parts are used in it than the "who knows" of the frontgate. Anyone else seen this model before? This dealer seems pretty reputable so far and ships nice and fast.

Any and all speculation is nice to hear.

That thing looks pretty good, nice specks

Nice Find Cigarman!

 

[LuxLuthor]

It's a little puzzling why you are looking for a 35W light, when your X990 is likely gonna be nearly the same performance. Certainly this one is likely better quality than the first one you mentioned, but there are Philips bulbs, and there are Philips bulbs.

You need to know the exact model of all components to know what the setup will do. Same with the quality of the ballast & reflector. Otherwise it would might be a nice starting light for someone's first HID. Note this final description...again the devil is in the details, and you still don't have any idea what you are getting....why take chances like this?

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]This light is made overseas. The bulb is made by Phillips, the ballast and ignitor are high quality Taiwanese fully potted design and the wiring and external Deutsch connector are added in the USA.[/font][/font]
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[Cigarman]

True, guess I'll have a beer and relax. :sleepy: Sorry to get carried away with all the lights.

 

[frogs3]

"Carried away" -- this is "normal" around here.

It's my turn to say, "Listen to Lux on this one". Trust me when I say he is a serious player here. He owns many potent lights, and researches them carefully -- his questions on various threads are detailed and reveal how much he wants to know before spending $$. That is a very good policy.

The old carpenter's rule: measure twice & cut once. Here, it is read, ask, study, then repeat the above, before committing hard-earned cash.

You have your whole life to reach the ultimate light -- which we all know does not exist. Take your time.

-HAK

 

[ddaadd]

"Carried away" -- this is "normal" around here.


You have your whole life to reach the ultimate light -- which we all know does not exist. Take your time.

-HAK

Yes, Hak speaks with prudence and wisdom here.....:rock:

No doubt he had similar good advice when he first found CPF....

Now, ask him if he listened and abided by that method??.........lol, j/k

Hehe, my sig line gives me away, and prevents me from offering any such sound advice......

My advice? ...........

Your inner peace will come from having the best, and the quicker the better!.......:naughty:

 

[mtbkndad]

Hi Cigarman,

You have already gotten some good advice. I have a couple of ideas to help you decide if you want another HID and how to decide what you want if the answer becomes yes at some point.

1. Don't feel compelled to get another HID just to get one just because some people around here, myself included, have HID's and other spotlights coming out of our ears . I currently have around 14 spotlights I believe 8 of which are HID's. I loose count sometimes .


2. If you do decide to get another HID, take the time to really define what the X990 does not do that you want to improve.

Do you want more throw?
Do you want a lighter and smaller light?
Do you want a more weather proof light?
Do you want a little less power sometimes, but still want HID?



Take Care,
mtbkndad :wave:

 

[frogs3]

I see everyone is suggesting slightly different flavors of the same ice cream. My Mea Culpa is that this is not my first hobby, so I already made the beginner's mistakes in other areas, and discovered that knowledge is a powerful thing -- it reduced buyer's remorse and enhanced the pleasure of acquisition. This is why I was delighted when I found CPF -- people who were open about their experience and information. At last a place to read about lights, batteries, etc., and not to have to re-invent the wheel myself, at my expense.

My interest in lights has metastasized to my family: my wife carries a TIROS T5 Inova in her bag -- realtor who has to go with clients into dark basements and crawlspaces; daughter -- carries her T5 at college, then saw my AAA-P and has one on her keychain. Still, each light has a specific use, without duplication.

What next? Would I go for a practical 14 or 18K lumen light (I said practical, remember)? Absolutely yes. Maybe fill in the "vacancy" around 1000 lumens as HID or Mag Mod. It just doesn't seem to ever end.

This approach has worked for me. YMMV.

-HAK

 

[Cigarman]

I always hope to get others into the hobby but right now all my friends are just kind of blown away by the X990 and pale when they see the price. Most would never pay more than $30 for a big maglite. At one point, I was invited over to someone's house so all could gather for a "private viewing" of the Acro in action to see what the fuss was all about. Needless to say, jaws were agape and eyes were squinted. Most of the commentary was "Holy s***" and "WOW" followed by "Jeeesh!" and "whoa that thing's gets hot!". Aside from the wow factor and great area lighting potential (good for basements with the power out) I want to next get a light with more throw and a tighter beam. Size totally doesnt matter to me since as far as Im concerned, the bigger the better . If I found an AE powerlight (24w) with the right price or even one of those Jillites when they get going, it would be a good acquisition. I do like to collect these like I used to mags but its definitely got to be common sense on my part with regards to parting with money in great gobs. I've been reading a lot of the posts here from the "big guns" and Im feeling more vigilant now with regards to getting one of these things. The craziness always feels one credit card click away tho! oo: