L5
- Thread starter FC.
- Start date
geepondy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Brightnorm,
Is this the same McModule in the PM6 body that I have (from Mr. Bulk and others)? I have always wondered how it compares to an L4, now L5. It is my most used household light.
[ QUOTE ]
brightnorm said:
My McModule has about the same output as my L4 but with a tighter, longer throwing beam. Can the L5 really be significantly better?
I'm hoping that thermal problems won't accelerate dimming and shorten life when I run it on a G2.
Brightnorm
[/ QUOTE ]
Is this the same McModule in the PM6 body that I have (from Mr. Bulk and others)? I have always wondered how it compares to an L4, now L5. It is my most used household light.
[ QUOTE ]
brightnorm said:
My McModule has about the same output as my L4 but with a tighter, longer throwing beam. Can the L5 really be significantly better?
I'm hoping that thermal problems won't accelerate dimming and shorten life when I run it on a G2.
Brightnorm
[/ QUOTE ]
brightnorm
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2001
- Messages
- 9,027
[ QUOTE ]
geepondy said:
Brightnorm,
Is this the same McModule in the PM6 body that I have (from Mr. Bulk and others)? I have always wondered how it compares to an L4, now L5. It is my most used household light.
[ QUOTE ]
brightnorm said:
My McModule has about the same output as my L4 but with a tighter, longer throwing beam. Can the L5 really be significantly better?
I'm hoping that thermal problems won't accelerate dimming and shorten life when I run it on a G2.
Brightnorm
[/ QUOTE ]
[/ QUOTE ]
That's the one. I hope someone gets to answer the question
Brightnorm
geepondy said:
Brightnorm,
Is this the same McModule in the PM6 body that I have (from Mr. Bulk and others)? I have always wondered how it compares to an L4, now L5. It is my most used household light.
[ QUOTE ]
brightnorm said:
My McModule has about the same output as my L4 but with a tighter, longer throwing beam. Can the L5 really be significantly better?
I'm hoping that thermal problems won't accelerate dimming and shorten life when I run it on a G2.
Brightnorm
[/ QUOTE ]
[/ QUOTE ]
That's the one. I hope someone gets to answer the question
Brightnorm
FC.
Flashlight Enthusiast
Steve is wrong.
SarcoBlaster
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2002
- Messages
- 110
Would the L6 have a longer run time than the L5? It uses 3 cells, so either it'll be brighter or run longer, but does anybody have a good guess as to which one will hold true? Maybe both?
FC,
Glad to hear that you state otherwise about 9v issue on KL5. However, it'd be great if you could point us to any source that KL5 supports 9v.
If KL5 becomes DD on 9v, then Steve is correct that KL5 is designed for 6v.
TIA.
Alan
Glad to hear that you state otherwise about 9v issue on KL5. However, it'd be great if you could point us to any source that KL5 supports 9v.
If KL5 becomes DD on 9v, then Steve is correct that KL5 is designed for 6v.
TIA.
Alan
Does anyone have a comparision between the L5 and a Space Needle II?
brightnorm
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2001
- Messages
- 9,027
[ QUOTE ]
this_is_nascar said:
Does anyone have a comparision between the L5 and a Space Needle II?
[/ QUOTE ]
Nas,
Even if the L5 is better than my McModule it won't be significantly better and I can tell you that there is NO comparison between my McM and my SN2. It would be like comparing P60 to a SF M6.
Brighytbnorm
this_is_nascar said:
Does anyone have a comparision between the L5 and a Space Needle II?
[/ QUOTE ]
Nas,
Even if the L5 is better than my McModule it won't be significantly better and I can tell you that there is NO comparison between my McM and my SN2. It would be like comparing P60 to a SF M6.
Brighytbnorm
emann
Newly Enlightened
[ QUOTE ]
Herky said:
Combatlight eh?....So is it somewhat "offical" that the L5 qualifies for "tactical" use?
ouuu first tactical LED?
[/ QUOTE ] No, the L4 also qualifies for tactical use.
Herky said:
Combatlight eh?....So is it somewhat "offical" that the L5 qualifies for "tactical" use?
ouuu first tactical LED?
[/ QUOTE ] No, the L4 also qualifies for tactical use.
At least the SF 2003 catalog states the KL5 to be for the 3 cells bodies as well - there has been FUD about that and Steve seems to confirm that FUD as well so who knows /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Klaus
Klaus
Size15's
Flashaholic
The KL5 is not designed for three SF123As however it will work and is over-driven [out of regulation] until the battery juice drops through use.
Al
Al
Klaus,
I completed the circuit on a L5 with an amp meter bridging the rear battery - with the battery tube (tail cap removed) and measured 1.2 amps. I then added an A19 and third battery and repeated the measurement and got .980 mA. The batteries I used were not new batteries but I don't know what their actual state of discharge is.
On a bench power supply where there is no voltage drop or battery resistance that comes into play, at 6 volts, the current drawn was 840 mA. At 7.5 volts, the current drawn was 990 mA. At 8 volts, the current drawn was 1.4 amps.
I'll let you draw your own conclusions from this data.
- Don
I completed the circuit on a L5 with an amp meter bridging the rear battery - with the battery tube (tail cap removed) and measured 1.2 amps. I then added an A19 and third battery and repeated the measurement and got .980 mA. The batteries I used were not new batteries but I don't know what their actual state of discharge is.
On a bench power supply where there is no voltage drop or battery resistance that comes into play, at 6 volts, the current drawn was 840 mA. At 7.5 volts, the current drawn was 990 mA. At 8 volts, the current drawn was 1.4 amps.
I'll let you draw your own conclusions from this data.
- Don
[ QUOTE ]
McGizmo said:
I'll let you draw your own conclusions from this data.
- Don
[/ QUOTE ]
Thx Don,
I guess SF should quickly correct their catalog then before getting too many burned-out units back home - and time for you to sit down and finally work on that E2M /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Klaus
McGizmo said:
I'll let you draw your own conclusions from this data.
- Don
[/ QUOTE ]
Thx Don,
I guess SF should quickly correct their catalog then before getting too many burned-out units back home - and time for you to sit down and finally work on that E2M /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Klaus
Klaus,
Although the indications are rather clear that it is strictly a boost circuit, given the voltage drop on the batteries and the overhead of the circuit, the LED is overdriven at levels probably less than others are doing all the time here. Can you say Charlie mode? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As to what this does to the LED circuit and LED over time, Your guess is as good as mine if not better!
Certainly the KL5 head has the mass and surface area to handle bursts of current at this level but should it be recommended? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
- Don
Although the indications are rather clear that it is strictly a boost circuit, given the voltage drop on the batteries and the overhead of the circuit, the LED is overdriven at levels probably less than others are doing all the time here. Can you say Charlie mode? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As to what this does to the LED circuit and LED over time, Your guess is as good as mine if not better!
Certainly the KL5 head has the mass and surface area to handle bursts of current at this level but should it be recommended? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
- Don
kj
Enlightened
[ QUOTE ]
McGizmo said:
On a bench power supply where there is no voltage drop or battery resistance that comes into play, at 6 volts, the current drawn was 840 mA.
[/ QUOTE ]
It seems L5 is still under-driving Luxeon V. I think this number is close (maybe same) to L4.
McGizmo said:
On a bench power supply where there is no voltage drop or battery resistance that comes into play, at 6 volts, the current drawn was 840 mA.
[/ QUOTE ]
It seems L5 is still under-driving Luxeon V. I think this number is close (maybe same) to L4.
kj,
I believe the current to the LED is right around spec (700 mA). We will no doubt get confirmation when someone decides to stick a luxeon III in one of these and host it on a E1e or with a single Li-Ion cell. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I believe the current to the LED is right around spec (700 mA). We will no doubt get confirmation when someone decides to stick a luxeon III in one of these and host it on a E1e or with a single Li-Ion cell. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
mporter
Newly Enlightened
[ QUOTE ]
kj said:
[ QUOTE ]
McGizmo said:
On a bench power supply where there is no voltage drop or battery resistance that comes into play, at 6 volts, the current drawn was 840 mA.
[/ QUOTE ]
It seems L5 is still under-driving Luxeon V. I think this number is close (maybe same) to L4.
[/ QUOTE ]
Does this mean that the L6 is likely to be not underdriven and significantly brighter than the L5?
kj said:
[ QUOTE ]
McGizmo said:
On a bench power supply where there is no voltage drop or battery resistance that comes into play, at 6 volts, the current drawn was 840 mA.
[/ QUOTE ]
It seems L5 is still under-driving Luxeon V. I think this number is close (maybe same) to L4.
[/ QUOTE ]
Does this mean that the L6 is likely to be not underdriven and significantly brighter than the L5?
kj
Enlightened
Don,
I believe it's you, right? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Anyway, the reason why I thought it was underdriven is the input power is 5.04W and the converter efficiency must not be 100%... Let's assume the best case. Assuming the Vf is 6.49V (the lowest T's Vf) and the converter efficiency is 90% (very efficient), the current to the LED is 5.04W x 90% / 6.49V = 699mA. Yeah, this is very near to the spec but I guess it's not likely. Don, that would be great if you can give me your thoughts on this.
mporter,
I don't know... underdriven or overdriven... it's just a SF's decision. SF may distribute the power of additional one cell to brightness or to runtime.
I believe it's you, right? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Anyway, the reason why I thought it was underdriven is the input power is 5.04W and the converter efficiency must not be 100%... Let's assume the best case. Assuming the Vf is 6.49V (the lowest T's Vf) and the converter efficiency is 90% (very efficient), the current to the LED is 5.04W x 90% / 6.49V = 699mA. Yeah, this is very near to the spec but I guess it's not likely. Don, that would be great if you can give me your thoughts on this.
mporter,
I don't know... underdriven or overdriven... it's just a SF's decision. SF may distribute the power of additional one cell to brightness or to runtime.
mporter
Newly Enlightened
I'd like to update my earlier review now that I have had some time to use it.
It no longer seems so big and heavy. Now it seems more rock solid than rock heavy. It feels unbreakable in the hand. I like that. Also the front-heavy balance issue is no longer noticable.
In real life usage, I find it fits in all my coat pockets just fine. And it will fit in a pants side pocket as well, when necessary.
I continue to be impressed with the pure-white light color, intensity, and beam quality. It has a good hotspot and throw but also broad side spill. Excellent for outside work at night. If anything, it's too bright for some EDC needs. I would love a LED light like this with adjustable intensity.
I like it. If I lost it, I would order another.
[ QUOTE ]
mporter said:
Fed Ex just delivered my L5. Here are some first impressions.
Weight and size - my subjective experience:
I was a bit shocked by the size and weight compared to my A2. From pictures I had seen I didn't expect it to be so big and heavy. The A2 is somewhat pocketable. The L5 is not. The L5 is more large coat pocket pocketable. Surefire calls the L5 a "Combatlight."
Ergonomics:
My first impression is that the attached clip is very uncomfortable in the hand. Perhaps I would get used to it in time, but my first act was to to remove it. Also, the balance seems very front heavy due to the large bezel. However, this "out of balance" first impression begins to fade as I continue to play with it.
Light:
Very bright, very white hotspot with good side coverage. Excellent beam quality. Very impressive. It's only 11:30 AM here and I will have to wait till dark and take it for a real walk.
I am glad I bought it but note that I am a recently addicted flashaholic and bought it to see what Surefire's latest product using a 5 watt LED would do. Note again that these are just quick first impressions. I need to live with a product for some time before I would trust my opinion.
I wonder how hot will this thing get? There is a special insert in the packaging warning about leaving your L5 on when under anything that would prevent air-cooling. It says, "If the material is combustible, this could raise the possibility of fire."
[/ QUOTE ]
It no longer seems so big and heavy. Now it seems more rock solid than rock heavy. It feels unbreakable in the hand. I like that. Also the front-heavy balance issue is no longer noticable.
In real life usage, I find it fits in all my coat pockets just fine. And it will fit in a pants side pocket as well, when necessary.
I continue to be impressed with the pure-white light color, intensity, and beam quality. It has a good hotspot and throw but also broad side spill. Excellent for outside work at night. If anything, it's too bright for some EDC needs. I would love a LED light like this with adjustable intensity.
I like it. If I lost it, I would order another.
[ QUOTE ]
mporter said:
Fed Ex just delivered my L5. Here are some first impressions.
Weight and size - my subjective experience:
I was a bit shocked by the size and weight compared to my A2. From pictures I had seen I didn't expect it to be so big and heavy. The A2 is somewhat pocketable. The L5 is not. The L5 is more large coat pocket pocketable. Surefire calls the L5 a "Combatlight."
Ergonomics:
My first impression is that the attached clip is very uncomfortable in the hand. Perhaps I would get used to it in time, but my first act was to to remove it. Also, the balance seems very front heavy due to the large bezel. However, this "out of balance" first impression begins to fade as I continue to play with it.
Light:
Very bright, very white hotspot with good side coverage. Excellent beam quality. Very impressive. It's only 11:30 AM here and I will have to wait till dark and take it for a real walk.
I am glad I bought it but note that I am a recently addicted flashaholic and bought it to see what Surefire's latest product using a 5 watt LED would do. Note again that these are just quick first impressions. I need to live with a product for some time before I would trust my opinion.
I wonder how hot will this thing get? There is a special insert in the packaging warning about leaving your L5 on when under anything that would prevent air-cooling. It says, "If the material is combustible, this could raise the possibility of fire."
[/ QUOTE ]
