Is Q5 the Ultimate?

[popcornpicker]

Being new to the flashlight world, I've noticed many Q5s offered in a wide variety of forms. Apparently they are bulletproof and can be had in the price range between $15 and $100.

From my observations, they seem to run cool and also take almost any battery configuration.

Is something else right around the corner or will they be good for at least a year?

 

[underconstruction]

R2's have come out which are one step up the bin ladder. The difference in brightness is minimal. There are also quad die emitters out: p7 and MC-E which are basically 4 single emitters crammed under one dome.

 

[StarHalo]

Visit the CPF Welcome Mat, and all will be answered: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=172991

:welcome:

 

[Tinaled]

I don't think so,maybe it will stay at its position for a little long time (just like the P4 before Q5),but it is not the ultimate led from Cree.As the time flies, cree will research more powerful led.

 

[surfinsmiley]

Is something else right around the corner or will they be good for at least a year?

I doubt we`ll be seeing any new big leap forward in the next twelve months. It`s seems to be incremental increases at this point in time. Unless you go multi die, but I don`t see that as any kind of advancement on current technology.

 

[Zenster]

For brightness of single emitters, the R2 is the next step above Q5, but has been mentioned, it's hardly noticeable.
Since the Q5 is plentiful and cheap, it's the one you'll still see more often for a while until the R2's become plentiful and cheap.

The next scheduled upgrade will be the R5, and that's probably a year away. Just as the R2 isn't much brighter than the Q5, the R5 won't be much brighter than the R2. However, stepping up from the Q5 to the R5 will likely cause some excitement, at least here on the CPF forums.