Is there more light for the money?

[I came to the light...]

I'm looking to buy something with significantly more output than my FM85 (which is more than I need, but, well, less than I need :)). I saw "The Torch" for sale at wicked lasers (.com) which, despite the false claim to be the world's brightest, seems like a good deal to me at $300 for 4,000 lumens. I'm wondering if you know of a flashlight with more lumens for the price? min. lumens being around 3,000. Thanks for reading :)

 

[Youfoundnemo]

How bout the torch from....Mac customs lol

 

[I came to the light...]

How bout the torch from....Mac customs lol

looks like I could get more light, but not for the price...

 

[Youfoundnemo]

You could get a torch from mac at about $250 IIRC also POB is more light for WAY less, but I think you were looking for something more handheld

 

[pete7226]

Search for Modamag and get in line for his 16000 lumen Colossus build that uses an Osram 64657 bulb. Price $550.00. Runtime 5-6 minutes

 

[I came to the light...]

You could get a torch from mac at about $250 IIRC also POB is more light for WAY less, but I think you were looking for something more handheld

Your right, I am looking for something handheld, I just forgot to specify that.

Is $250 for something brighter than 4K lumens? I've never read about Mac before, so I'd appreciate a bit of explanation. Thanks.

 

[I came to the light...]

Search for Modamag and get in line for his 16000 lumen Colossus build that uses an Osram 64657 bulb. Price $550.00. Runtime 5-6 minutes

Wow, now that's the kind of lumens I'd love! But unfortunately the price just doesn't work with me - $300 is kind of a stretch already.

 

[RyanA]

Your right, I am looking for something handheld, I just forgot to specify that.

Is $250 for something brighter than 4K lumens? I've never read about Mac before, so I'd appreciate a bit of explanation. Thanks.

Both Mac's torch and the Wicked Lasers Torch are basically the same light. In fact I believe Mac collaborated with Wicked Lasers on it. I'm not sure Mac has done any "torch runs" lately so Wicked Lasers might be the best price. But check customs b/s/t they're on there once and so often.
Mac also has his own section on here under custom builders.

 

[I came to the light...]

Both Mac's torch and the Wicked Lasers Torch are basically the same light. In fact I believe Mac collaborated with Wicked Lasers on it. I'm not sure Mac has done any "torch runs" lately so Wicked Lasers might be the best price. But check customs b/s/t they're on there once and so often.
Mac also has his own section on here under custom builders.

ok, thanks. I looked at his section, but honestly couldn't make heads or tails of it. Is he a request-only builder, with some runs of a popular light?

I've be sure to keep an eye on b/s/t :)

 

[RyanA]

The boat's been missed on that one. But you can always build your own torch (aka mag 64623). More info here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=194041

Also if you're interested in a 4d build ask me, I can probably give you a few recommendations. A 4d generally wont have as much power (lack of the 13th cell) but is a bit simpler.

 

[M.S]

If I remember right Fivemega has some 623 hosts for sale on BST...

edit: here

 

[RyanA]

not a bad deal, most of the parts are available in that thread, you'd still need a pack and switch.

 

[I came to the light...]

The boat's been missed on that one. But you can always build your own torch (aka mag 64623). More info here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=194041

Also if you're interested in a 4d build ask me, I can probably give you a few recommendations. A 4d generally wont have as much power (lack of the 13th cell) but is a bit simpler.

4-6K lumens, 2D body, decent price?!?! Yes! You've just answered my question :).

But I have to ask - does the runtime look like the cross-section of a meniscus (not both ends :)) ? (I'm still used to my regulated LEDs :ohgeez:) Thanks.

 

[I came to the light...]

If I remember right Fivemega has some 623 hosts for sale on BST...

edit: here

thanks for the link. Looking through the links on that thread, I'm seeing some very nice parts. I'm probably going to build my light for $250, then double the price with FM's fancy head... :sick:

 

[RyanA]

Runtime is extremely short with a 623, in terms of minutes, in the single digit range.

 

[I came to the light...]

Runtime is extremely short with a 623, in terms of minutes, in the single digit range.

But how long does it stay within, say, 90% of its max output?

 

[RyanA]

Depends, a few minutes really, the 623 is more of an OH $734 light. you might eek out another minute or two with a regulated driver.

 

[I came to the light...]

Depends, a few minutes really, the 623 is more of an OH $734 light. you might eek out another minute or two with a regulated driver.

do you know where I could buy a single mode regulated driver? Also, I don't know what "OH $734" means. Thanks.

Also, I seemed to have missed your 4D comment earlier. Why can't there be a 13th cell? Also, how much of a hit does the brightness take with only 12? I'm wondering if I could get some more runtime out of a larger build. It seems like LuxLuthor's 3D packs have the same capacity as his 2D packs... could I turn higher voltage with the same capacity into more runtime? Sorry, I really don't know much about this :crazy:

 

[RyanA]

do you know where I could buy a single mode regulated driver? Also, I don't know what "OH $734" means. Thanks.

Also, I seemed to have missed your 4D comment earlier. Why can't there be a 13th cell? Also, how much of a hit does the brightness take with only 12? I'm wondering if I could get some more runtime out of a larger build. It seems like LuxLuthor's 3D packs have the same capacity as his 2D packs... could I turn higher voltage with the same capacity into more runtime? Sorry, I really don't know much about this :crazy:

Its more of a showoff light. Not for practical use. There's a difference of about 400 lm between 12 and 13. But because of the sheer amount of light it puts out I doubt the difference will be noticeable to the naked eye. If you use a 4 d you'd need a 4 d-12aa or a 3d- 12aa (requires quad bore) battery converter. They do not have room for the 13th cell in the tailcap. The advantage it that is is cheaper (no custom packs) and if there is a problem with one of the cells it can be individually monitored and replaced without needing a whole new pack. And AA cells will likely always be available. Custom packs are more at the builders discretion. As far as higher voltage I belive 15.6 is about the limit for that bulb. As far as lux's packs go there is a 200mah difference beween the 2/3a packs (for tribore 2d mags) and the AA packs (for quadbore 3d mags) But you're looking at a bulb that draws nearly 10 amps! The packs are all wired in series to achive the apropriate volatage, I cant say that 200 mah will make a huge difference. Go with whatever form factor is more convienient.
And as far as I know AWs regulator is the only one commonly avalable.
This might be a solution one goes up to 15 volts, ten amps.
http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~willie/lvr.html#anchor0005
A lot of the headlamp guys use these for incan regulation.