Identifying the output of a Princeton Tec EOS i.e.70 or 50 lumen

[Snike]

Purchasing a Princeton Tec EOS headlamp here in the UK is not an easy matter, however, I have found a supplier who has the last stock of 10 from the distributor. Unfortunately these arrived in plain cardboard boxes with no reference to the light output. The distributor is e-mailing an instruction manual as proof that it is the latest 70 Lumen version but that isn't actually proof at all. Are there any model number codes on the housing or any other ways to determine which version it is. I am slightly suspicious because of the very small number of EOS available in the UK, they have all so far been the 50 Lumen version.

Paul

 

[robostudent5000]

there should be a date code sticker in the battery compartment. like this. if it says XX11 it should be a 70 lumens model. if it says XX10 it will depend on the first two numbers. anything older probably won't be a 70 lumens model.

 

[Snike]

there should be a date code sticker in the battery compartment. like this. if it says XX11 it should be a 70 lumens model. if it says XX10 it will depend on the first two numbers. anything older probably won't be a 70 lumens model.

Thanks for that, the number is 4310. I have e-mailed Princeton Tec and now just waiting for an answer.

Paul

 

[jinya1004]

frosted lens = 70 lm
non frosted = 50 lm or less

 

[robostudent5000]

frosted lens = 70 lm
non frosted = 50 lm or less

actually, the 70 lm model has the same optic as the 50. it's the 25 that has the clear optic. the 70 and the 50 also look identical on the inside too as the circuits look identical and the Rebel on Opulent boards do not have bin info printed on the back. the 25 has a slightly different circuit board and of course a Lux 1 with full bin info printed on the back of the board.

one way to tell a 70 and a 50 apart is to see whether the unit has 3 ratchet strip on the tilting mechanism or just 1. i think all 50's had just 1 strip and some 70's have 3. so if yours has three strip, it's most likely a 70. if it has just 1, it could be either a 70 or a 50. but then i could be wrong about that.

anyway, as far as i know, that's the only way other than the date code to tell a 70 from a 50 without the original packaging and without measuring brightness side by side.

 

[jinya1004]

out of the seven 70lm Eos i have 4 of them have the triple ratchets.

i have a 50 lm without a frosted lens.

isnt the 50 lm version a seoul emitter and the 70 lm a rebel?

 

[speedsix]

out of the seven 70lm Eos i have 4 of them have the triple ratchets.

i have a 50 lm without a frosted lens.

isnt the 50 lm version a seoul emitter and the 70 lm a rebel?

I have a 50 lm with Rebel and I just bought my wife a 70 lm for Xmas. I will compare them side by side and see if I can tell any difference.

I just retired my EOS as my work headlight in favor of one with more flood for up close. My old EOS is going to survive as my backpacking and travel lamp until I upgrade to a 70 lm version or find a light I like more. I have never had a problem with it even in the steamy jungle of Coasta Rica which defeated my military grade Stiener binoculars. It has proven to be reliable and well made so I might just stick with it even though I would love something with more output but that would decrease battery life.

 

[robostudent5000]

out of the seven 70lm Eos i have 4 of them have the triple ratchets.

i have a 50 lm without a frosted lens.

isnt the 50 lm version a seoul emitter and the 70 lm a rebel?

i don't work for PT or anything and am not an Eos historian, so i guess for all i know there could be 50 models with clear optics out there, but i think it's unlikely. based on everything that i've seen, no factory Eos ever had a Seoul in it - only Lux I's or Rebels. the 25 had a Lux I, the 50 had a Rebel, and the 70 has a Rebel. the reason i would be surprised if a 50 had a clear optic is because, again from everything i've seen, PT only made two optics for the Eos, and the Lux I optic (the clear one) doesn't work with the Rebel. the optic holder and the optic for the Lux I Eos and Rebel Eos are different and not interchangeable. so unless PT actually had a batch of Rebel optics that were clear there shouldn't be any 50 lm Eos that have a clear optic.

if you have an Eos with a clear optic that has 50 lm output, it's probably a 25 lm Eos that has a S bin Lux I or one with a Seoul mod.

if anyone knows otherwise for sure, please correct me.

 

[Snike]

actually, the 70 lm model has the same optic as the 50. it's the 25 that has the clear optic. the 70 and the 50 also look identical on the inside too as the circuits look identical and the Rebel on Opulent boards do not have bin info printed on the back. the 25 has a slightly different circuit board and of course a Lux 1 with full bin info printed on the back of the board.

one way to tell a 70 and a 50 apart is to see whether the unit has 3 ratchet strip on the tilting mechanism or just 1. i think all 50's had just 1 strip and some 70's have 3. so if yours has three strip, it's most likely a 70. if it has just 1, it could be either a 70 or a 50. but then i could be wrong about that.

anyway, as far as i know, that's the only way other than the date code to tell a 70 from a 50 without the original packaging and without measuring brightness side by side.

This particular one arrived in a cardboard box with "industrial" marked on the box. It is a 4 mode light and has a three ratchet design, the lens is partly frosted but the center looks clear. I have given the details to Princeton Tec but they are not very quick with their answers so I am still waiting! I guess the 4310 markings refer to week 43 of 2010.

Paul

 

[jinya1004]

I think Robo is right. I may have been thinking about my 50lm Eos tactical. I'm pretty sure the tactical had different optics than the regulars.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[duro]

On the package it will state if it's 70 lumens.

 

[Snike]

On the package it will state if it's 70 lumens.

This arrived in a white cardboard box with nothing other than Princeton Tec and industrial written on it!

 

[Joshatdot]

From what I've read here .. I must have an old old 25 lumen EOS

FYI there is no date code inside my battery compartment.

 

[jinya1004]

You are right, looks like the lumiled 25 lumen model.