I have what is probably an easy question for most people on this forum. I am considering purchasing an HID light from Tactical HID. I will be using the light for work and will be turning the light off and on more than leaving it on for extended periods of time. I heard that the bulbs life is greatly reduced if you turn it on and off a lot. Is this true? I initially looked for an LED light to avoid this but I can find the output in my price range in LED lights. Can someone please explain to me if the HID bulb and balast are durable enough for intermitten use or should I hold off on the purchase. Thank you for your help.
HID Question
- Thread starter pee10755
- Start date
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gchronis
Newly Enlightened
I don't think you'll find any HID lights which you can turn on and off. The technology is such, that they have to stay on for some time before you turn them off and once you do, you have to wait again before you turn them back on. You could look at some P7 LED's or MC-E. Tactical HID also sells a P7, but they don't have it on their site, yet. All those are around 900 lumens.
SafetyBob
Enlightened
I will add that if one led is not enough (since you didn't tell us what kind of work you will be doing with the flashlight), I can only add to look at some of the multiple led setups offered by some of the guys in the B/S/T forum.
Some of those 3 and 4 cree lights are stunning and my offer what you desire and if you really need runtime, perhaps they can make you a slightly bigger one to hold more battery capacity.
Bob E.
Some of those 3 and 4 cree lights are stunning and my offer what you desire and if you really need runtime, perhaps they can make you a slightly bigger one to hold more battery capacity.
Bob E.
jasonck08
Flashlight Enthusiast
I'd love a ssc 3xp7 setup. But you can only find it custom for $500+
So is it fine for a HID if you turn it on for 5 seconds then turn it off, and then wait another 5 seconds to turn it on again?
Also pee10755 are you like a police officer, or security guard?
So is it fine for a HID if you turn it on for 5 seconds then turn it off, and then wait another 5 seconds to turn it on again?
Also pee10755 are you like a police officer, or security guard?
BVH
Flashaholic
Most HID's are not going to tolerate lots of on/off cycles. Lights such as the Polarion Helios will but they are multi thousands of dollars. For your use and budget, you probably should not consider an HID.
TheGreyEminence
Newly Enlightened
I wouldn´t even do that with both of my Polarion´s (switching on...off....on...off...) or with the Barnburner :tsk:
Regards...
Regards...
with the HIDs I know, even 10 secs ON is the output of a single high power led, they need some ramp up time
* for getting light, it makes no sense to use a HID for 5 secs bursts
* for runtime of the HID it is even worse
* for getting light, it makes no sense to use a HID for 5 secs bursts
* for runtime of the HID it is even worse
I was going to be using the light in law enforcement; tasks such as high risk traffic stops, building searches of warehouses and open field searches at night. I have an Elektrolumens Mag P7 conversion. It has a single P7 LED and it is the brightest light I have. I like it very much, but there are times when I want at least twice the power. I have seen a few three P7 LED models but the price is over $500. I was hoping that I could get the increased power from a Tactical HID light for $199.
I don't think the HID is for me because during use it will be turned off and on very frequently. Thank you everyone for your input. It help me decide to not purchase the HID. I will just keep an eye out closely on CPF and wait for a three P7 light to come into my price range.
I don't think the HID is for me because during use it will be turned off and on very frequently. Thank you everyone for your input. It help me decide to not purchase the HID. I will just keep an eye out closely on CPF and wait for a three P7 light to come into my price range.
SafetyBob
Enlightened
I haven't played with the P7 lights yet, but have you run the numbers if you build one yourself?
You can purchase most of the parts here on CPF and a soldering iron and some time maybe all that would be required.......
Something to look at. If you have unlimited availability of CR123 batteries from work, you might look into one of the high powered Surefire incans.
Bob E.
You can purchase most of the parts here on CPF and a soldering iron and some time maybe all that would be required.......
Something to look at. If you have unlimited availability of CR123 batteries from work, you might look into one of the high powered Surefire incans.
Bob E.
If I needed a light for the applications you've mentioned I'd use a mag85. They're not so extreme that they're not practical but it's also much brighter (about 1200-1400 bulb lumens) and throw further than the best custom P7s. Typically you can build one or purchase a turn key package from between $100-$175.
phoenix246
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2009
- Messages
- 4
Forgive me for a stupid question in poor English. I'm new to this forum and have no experiences about HID, and I know very little about flashlights.
I have recently purchased my first HID flashlight, a G&P Scorpion. According to the manufacturer it delivers 3500 lumen, but I feel that it is actually not more than max. 2600-2800.
After about 60 min usage the burner has given up. (I used the torch for short ca 1 min periods in very frequent cycles. Some type of discharge lamps can be damaged of similar on-off switching. What about HID halid lamps?
I have recently purchased my first HID flashlight, a G&P Scorpion. According to the manufacturer it delivers 3500 lumen, but I feel that it is actually not more than max. 2600-2800.
After about 60 min usage the burner has given up. (I used the torch for short ca 1 min periods in very frequent cycles. Some type of discharge lamps can be damaged of similar on-off switching. What about HID halid lamps?
- Can I use some other type of burnera as the original China made, and where can I buy it.
- Can anybody recommend a real 3500 lumen torchlight with good quality, for affordable price?
Hi again Phoenix246. You've asked this same question in another thread but I answered it here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=221123
