Kroma Passaround light evaluation (added outdoor beamshots)...

[wquiles]

I got the Kroma (civilian version, with the Blue, Red LED's) during the pass around, so I am posting here my thoughts and impressions.

It is smaller than I expected, at least on the body, but the head is larger than I expected. I did carry the Kroma one whole day with standard blue jeans and it was not very comfortable at all.

The multi color LED's is "neat", and I can see if I were into hunting or perhaps camping how this light would be useful, but it does nothing for me except that the normal white light Low/High is very nice.

Here is the actual light and packaging:

Here is a size comparison (Kroma, VB-16, G2, M6):

And of course, a review by me would not be complete without some beamshots!. Canon Rebel XT on tripod, manual exposure of 2sec/F5.6, Canon 24-105/F4 "L" lens, set on full wide.

G2 using 3W BOG LED replacement:

Kroma White LED Low

Kroma White LED High

VB-16 on Highest level

G2 with custom 9x 5mm Super MJ LED's driven from FluPIC from 17670 LiIon cell - LOW:

G2 with custom 9x 5mm Super MJ LED's driven from FluPIC from 17670 LiIon cell - HIGH:

And so that these "small" lights don't get to think that they are super "hot", here is my SF M6 with Andrew's regulated LiIon pack prototype driving a new-gen MN20 bulb 😉

EDIT: I added some outdoor beamshots tonight. Same Camera/lens/setting/exposure as above

First against a brick wall, about 20-25 feet away:
G2 using 3W BOG LED replacement:

VB-16 on Highest level:

Kroma White LED High:

A2 on High (Incandescent)

Lastly against a wood fence to show the sidebeam in the concrete floor:
G2 using 3W BOG LED replacement:

VB-16 on Highest level:

Kroma White LED High:

A2 on High (Incandescent)

I have to admit that in terms of throw the optic in the Kroma does not have super throw, but it probably has the most useful beam of the LED lights I tested here 😉 . Of course, only the A2 had the true color representation of the brick and the wood, but that is why I like Incandescent lights outdoors :naughty:

Will

 

[jch79]

Re: Kroma Passaround light evaluation ...

Nice... thanks Will! It looks like everyone's been taking nice care of the Passaround light! :thumbsup:
john

 

[Sixpointone]

Re: Kroma Passaround light evaluation ...

Nice review and I really liked the pictures a lot. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Chronos]

I am amazed at how similar the Kroma's and the A2's beams are. From your shots it does appear the A2 has greater output, but the patterns are so close.

 

[:)>]

I checked the Kroma against the A2 and I found them to be very similar in output. I would say that the A2 has a little better throw but it does not light up the area around the center of the beam the way the Kroma does.

-Goatee

 

[wquiles]

Yes, I like the Kroma beam a lot. Very nice work with the optic. The output of the Kroma (to me) seemed a little bit lower than the A2, but the key/main advantage of the A2 is the perfect color rendition outdoors 😉

Will

 

[Lobo]

Very nice pics! Thanks for sharing.

 

[wquiles]

Very nice pics! Thanks for sharing.

You are welcomed 😱

Will

 

[cobra-ak]

When are the milspecs coming out?

 

[woodrow]

Great photos, Thanks! I am not sure what to be more envious of, your great lights or your 24-105mm L lens!

 

[wquiles]

Great photos, Thanks! I am not sure what to be more envious of, your great lights or your 24-105mm L lens!

Thanks 😱

I just got the "L" lens two weeks ago. My first ever "L" lens. My Rebel XT came with the kit lens (18-55), which is as cheap as a lens can be (approx $100), while my new "L" was ten times that!. The "L" Lens is heavier, but much more solid, smooth, and higher quality/attention to detail. In fact the lens is so nice and effective that it is actually pointing out a deficiency in the focusing mechanism of my Rebel XT - so much that I might have to consider upgrading the camera as well in the near future

In the end - you get what you pay for 😉

Will