FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW! *BEAMSHOT & LUX/OUTPUT*

[adirondackdestroyer]

FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW! *BEAMSHOT & LUX/OUTPUT*

Here it is. I know many of you have been waiting for a good review comparing these two lights, so I thought I'd put one up as soon as I could. I wasn't able to take outdoor beamshots since it is pouring tonight, but I will tomorrow night if possible. Let's get this thing started!

The two lights both use a Cree star which can be easily accessed by only unscrewing the head (no epoxy here!). Both should be very easy to upgrade by just desoldering the current star and resoldering a new one as soon as better bin Cree's are available.
The feel of the lights are similar in quality, and I would say are both above average for a less than $30 light from a retail store. I like the feel of the Taskforce a bit more since the rubber sleeve on it is secure, while the rubber sleeve on the Rayovac rotates 360 degrees which is rather annoying.
Both lights use a reverse clickie. The Rayovac uses a side clickie while the Taskforce has a tail clickie. I personally like the later style more as it is easier to find in the dark.

OUTPUT: *UPDATE*
I received my Lux meter last night and took some lux ratings and ceiling bounce readings for both lights. Here they are:
Rayovac 3C Cree 5,490 Lux 9.8 Overall
Taskforce 2C Cree 6,120 Lux 11.5 Overall
Both lights are very close in total output. I would say the Taskforce is a few lumens brighter if I had to guess. If it matters my Rayovac has the worst tint of any LED light I have seen to date (my fiance calls it the "Purple people eater" for god's sake), while the Taskforce has a very nice white tint. Both lights are easily in the 120+ lumen range which is VERY impressive for a cheap retail store light.

RUNTIME:
I haven't done any runtime tests of my own but they have been done by other members.
Here is a graph of the Rayovac 3C done by our very own Morepower. He got around 3 hours 20 minutes to 50%, but it ran for a solid 20 hours!
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/8854/runtimedata28267image00he6.gif
Here is a graph of the luxeon version of the Taskforce. I believe the circuits are the same on both the old Luxeon version and the new Cree version so runtime should be the same. Done by the legendary Quickbeam.
http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/taskforce_3w2c.htm

PICS:
The 1st pic is a comparison shot to show the size of each light. The lights pictured are Fenix L2T Rebel 80, Taskforce 2C Cree, Maglight 2C, Rayovac 3C Cree.
The 2nd pic is the Taskforce 2C compared directly to the Rayovac 3C.
The 3rd pic is the 3D MagLED light as requested by Blackwaterstout.
The 4th pic is the Rayovac 4W 3C Cree.
The 5th pic is the Taskforce 2C Cree

If anyone has any questions I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge. I would recomend either of these lights to anyone but if I had to suggest one I would say the Taskforce. It offers the same (or better) output at a much smaller size.
Enjoy!

Update:
I cleaned up my basement today and took the pictures again along with one of the 3D MagLED. I tried taking some outdoor long range beamshots, but for whatever reason they didn't turn out very good at all so I won't bother posting them.

 

[NightHiker]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

Thanks for the review! The task force looks really nice. I'm surprised how much smaller it is than the other lights. I'll have to pick one up soon.

 

[robo21]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

Interesting, thanks for the comparo. :twothumbs

I'm really surprised that you had a purple tint, I just received mine today and it is a very nice white beam. Slightly cool but not tinted one way or another. Much whiter than my Terralux drop in for my 3 D Maglite, and brighter too.

 

[umberto]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

did you get to play with the focusing feature of the rayovac?

 

[stephan2148]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

OK, I have answered my own question about the rayovac4w3c.
I wondered what the circuit was inside since I saw someones post about dc-dc converter on the package, and I heard of just resistors in other posts.
Well, false advertising. I got mine and took it apart.
The package says dc-dc converter for best battery life and regulated output.
The circuit is a 1 ohm resistor. I don't see any other circuits inside, but room under the star, and oh, pads for parts called L and D etc... on the switch pcb.

So am I pissed, a bit. Now I know I won't get the rock steady light output, but a drooping curve, might not be too bad, but I am sure it is bright at first..
Here is my original post:
"
I am about to order one direct since nothing in NY that I can find anywhere, but what is the deal with the circuit. Resistor or DC-DC converter.
The thread below was talking about (and picture) of DC-DC, while others have said a quick and dirty resistor.
Thanks!
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...d.php?t=170713
"

Here are my photos:

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

I wondered what the circuit was inside since I saw someones post about dc-dc converter on the package, and I heard of just resistors in other posts.
Well, false advertising. I got mine and took it apart.
The package says dc-dc converter for best battery life and regulated output.
The circuit is a 1 ohm resistor. I don't see any other circuits inside, but room under the star, and oh, pads for parts called L and D etc... on the switch pcb.
So am I pissed, a bit. Now I know I won't get the rock steady light output, but a drooping curve, might not be too bad, but I am sure it is bright at first..

I also was a little disapointed with this light because of the steady decline of the output, which goes against the DC/DC claim on the back of the package. The declining output isn't what bothers me, it is the fact that they advertised DC regulation and don't deliver anything close.

Is claiming DC regulation when you actually have a simple resister even legal? Seems like false advertising. :thumbsdow

Either way I still like the light quite a bit and I think most members will as well (as long as they aren't too spoiled with top notch stuff), and non flashaholics will really be impressed!

 

[stephan2148]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

Well I am probably going to re-add the circuitry inside from DX or Kai, or roll my own maybe.
I am sure it was once there, and probably taken out for some reason.
Batteries that are not really dead yet won't be working well. (0.9V I have always considered dead as do the manufacturers from datasheets)
If a Q5 with what 3.7V or there about is getting say 3.3, or 3V, or whatever from half dead batteries (oh and remember that resistor in there!).
A DC-DC converter should allow those batteries to work until dead, not a resistor.
What about 1.2V rechargeables starting with 3.6V through a resistor?
Driver needed I think, well mine is getting one soon. We'll see.
They could possibly get away with the dc-dc logo on the package, but not stating "regulated circuitry provides maximum light output throughout entire life of battery". :thumbsdow

 

[CM]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

...

 

[green814]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

Thanks for the review! The task force looks really nice. I'm surprised how much smaller it is than the other lights. I'll have to pick one up soon.

+1, IF my Lowe's EVER gets them in!!!!!!

Thank you very much for the beam shots.

Chris

 

[PhantomPhoton]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

Thanks for the review.
And for the clarification about the Ray-O-Vac resistor. :tsk:

Does there appear to be adequate heatsinking on the taskforce to drive a cree above 1A? In other words is it on a nice block of aluminum atatched to the body or stuck on some flake of plastic?

 

[blackwaterstout]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

Well from the beam shots the Task Force definately looks more impressive. Not only does it look truely white it also just flat out looks brighter.

Do you happen to have any beam shots of the Task Force versus the MagLED? What is the general concensus there?

Lastly, does anyone know if any of the battery manufactures are making LSD "C" cells? Those would be kick-*** in a C light.

 

[umberto]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

the 2.5 hour runtimes seem low.....don't most LEDs have a much longer runtime? I thought that was the big advantage of LED's over incandescents (sorry, newbie here)

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

"Well from the beam shots the Task Force definately looks more impressive. Not only does it look truely white it also just flat out looks brighter.

Do you happen to have any beam shots of the Task Force versus the MagLED? What is the general concensus there?

Lastly, does anyone know if any of the battery manufactures are making LSD "C" cells? Those would be kick-*** in a C light."

Yeah I agree. I played around with them a bit more last night and I too think the Taskforce is a definetly brighter. Not by very much but it is noticable.
I have a 3D MagLED, so I'll take some shots of it and post them in here tonight. The MagLED is no where near as bright as either of these lights.


"the 2.5 hour runtimes seem low.....don't most LEDs have a much longer runtime? I thought that was the big advantage of LED's over incandescents (sorry, newbie here)"

When you consider how insanely bright this light is I think 2.5 hours is actually pretty good. Take a look at this.
The Surefire P61 module is 120 lumens and runs for a total of 20 MINUTES on two expensive CR123 cells! This light is over 120 lumens and runs for 150 minutes on two C cells which are cheap and easy to find. Two years ago people would have laughed at the idea of an LED light crushing most (if not all) Incandescants in throw and output/runtime, but the day has come!

 

[ufmace]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

the 2.5 hour runtimes seem low.....don't most LEDs have a much longer runtime? I thought that was the big advantage of LED's over incandescents (sorry, newbie here)

LEDs have greater efficiency then incandescents. This can give you better runtime, better brightness, or a little of both depending on how the light is made.

Where LEDs really have an advantage is in getting light from almost-dead batteries. Incandescent output falls off exponentially with dropping voltage, while LEDs fall off linearly. This is how manufacturers of cheap LED lights claim really long runtimes - when an incandescent light has dropped dead, the LED light will still trickle out dim light for a fairly long time.

Of course, good regulation can make both run better...

 

[applevision]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

Here it is. I know many of you have been waiting for a good review comparing these two lights, so I thought I'd put one up as soon as I could. I wasn't able to take outdoor beamshots since it is pouring tonight, but I will tomorrow night if possible. Let's get this thing started!

adirondackdestroyer, you ROCK!:rock:

Thank you so much for coming through!!

Also, just to remind, there is a head to head between the Pelican 7060 and the Ray-O-Vac 3C Cree here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...1&postcount=52

 

[rhuck60]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

The Lowes Taskforce 2C Cree is next up on my buy it now list. Just as soon as I get to the nearest Lowes with one in stock.

I have read this entire thread as well as another on this neat light, but didnt see what I wanted to know. Can anyone tell me if the Taskforce 2C is regulated or not?

Its kinda confusing what with all the false claims you see. Until I read the latest post in this thread I thopught the ROV was regulated for sure. It doesnt make sense to me that they are offered for sale without regulation.

Anyway if anyone knows Id appreciate the information. Also Im very interested to see a thread on a modded version which has added a regulator. THAT would be too cool IMHO.

 

[SafetyBob]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

I just went to Lowes tonight and all they had was the old one. I purchased one since I have been looking for an LED flashlight for awhile now. I must say even the old Luxeon 3 watt is amazing. I even got wife and kids to looks at the difference between it and my 3 D Cell Maglite.

I have just read the review, do you guys with both versions now think the Cree LED is even better? How about you guys with Fenix P3D-CE's, how do these Taskforce lights match up against them? It looks like most of the Fenix LED flashlights are around double the money over the Taskforce....worth it? Or do I need to get a P3D-CE because I am starting to get the fever?

Bob E.

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

"I have read this entire thread as well as another on this neat light, but didnt see what I wanted to know. Can anyone tell me if the Taskforce 2C is regulated or not?"

---I linked a review done by Flashlightreviews of the old Luxeon model. I would say it has regulation. Not perfectly flat like some lights, but it will be flat enough that no human could tell a difference in the first 2.5 hours.

"Its kinda confusing what with all the false claims you see. Until I read the latest post in this thread I thopught the ROV was regulated for sure. It doesnt make sense to me that they are offered for sale without regulation."

---I too am VERY disapointed by the false claim by Rayovac and a little suprised as well. I wonder what they would say if someone called them on it and asked why they have DC/DC regulation on the back of their package when in reality they only have a simple resister. I guess it just shows you don't believe all the marketing hype from some flashlight manufacturers.


"I just went to Lowes tonight and all they had was the old one. I purchased one since I have been looking for an LED flashlight for awhile now. I must say even the old Luxeon 3 watt is amazing. I even got wife and kids to looks at the difference between it and my 3 D Cell Maglite."

---If you're impressed by the Luxeon version the Cree version will blow you away! The output is more than doubled I would think!

"I have just read the review, do you guys with both versions now think the Cree LED is even better? How about you guys with Fenix P3D-CE's, how do these Taskforce lights match up against them? It looks like most of the Fenix LED flashlights are around double the money over the Taskforce....worth it? Or do I need to get a P3D-CE because I am starting to get the fever?"

---Well I myself never had the Luxeon version but I would have to think the Cree version is far better since it has the same runtime while having WAY more lumens! I had a P3D Rebel 100 (sold it) and it is hard to compare to this light. The Fenix light is better made and smaller while being a little brighter overall. The beam on the Fenix is much much different. It has a decently bright hotspot while having very bright spill. The Taskforce has an insanely bright hotspot with little spill to speak of. Do you need to buy the Fenix, that is up to you. The P3D Q5 is very tempting but I would wait a month or two because I think Fenix has something up their sleeve. They haven't released anything really new in quite a while (only emitter upgrades really) so I think they have got to be due! Dereelight is a newer manufacturer that has been getting very positive reviews from numerous members, including a 10/10 rating from Fastcar (who is very picky! :nana. You might want to look into one of their models.

 

[umberto]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

Comparing these 2 lights, which one would have the longer runtime time for giving usable light in a living room during a power failure? How many hours would each give for usable light in a living room?

Which one gives more of a floodlight effect for lighting up a whole room as opposed to a small but bright spot?

 

[stephan2148]

Re: FINALLY... Taskforce 2C Cree vs. Rayovac 4W 3C Cree REVIEW!!! *BEAMSHOTS*

All I can say as far as the Task Force 2C goes (which I do not have yet lowes-) is that it must have at least a charge pump inside to get the battery voltage from 2C's to 3.6 ish or more volts for the LED Vf to be bright, so no chance there of just a resistor kludge.
The rayovac is traversing the LED voltage as the batteries run down. From say 3xC=4.5V or 4.8V past the 3.6 ish volts of the LED, down to around 3V from nearly dead batteries.
This calls for both a buck and then boost regulator. I suspect that was in there originally and was taken out due to problems or cost. The rayovac needs some intelligent regulation to be able to limit direct drive with fresh batteries, and then boost them when they are lower than the Vf of the LED.

I have the Advance auto 2C, and it does have a boost circuit, but I am not too sure yet how well that is regulated. I heard others say that the TaskForce 2C had the same circuitry though. It may be easier to run the rayo on 2C's with just a boost circuit, and use the extra battery space for something (maybe a huge boost circuit or survival kit -haha)
Just my thoughts.