The Lambda Illuminator arrived today after just being shipped Monday (priority mail).
Not being able to wait until dark, I just had to see for myself if it could possibly live up to all the hype. So, in a fairly well lit room, I first took my CPF Arc AAA out of my pocket (its permanent home) and shined it against a blank wall, maybe 2 feet away. You could just make out the beam on the wall. I then unclipped my Arc 2LS (123 battery pack) from my belt loop, and placed its beam beside the CPF's. You can imagine the difference! Finally, I positioned the Lambda next to the LS and, not really knowing what to expect, turned it on! Talk about deja vu!!!
Seriously, Kevin has done a truly professional job. Nowhere is there even the slightest hint that that this light is a mod. If you only owned one custom modified light (can a true flashoholic only own just one), then I would highly recommend this one. I was also very pleased to notice that the tail switch seems much beefier than the ones on either of my two very old Legend AA's.
The Lambda beam appears much bluer and intense than the Arc LS, and really makes the greenish tint of my LS stand out. I was about to say that the Lambda beam seemed to be more tightly focused but, upon just checking it again, the size of the hot spots on both lights are almost equal (both being held the same distance from the wall). The big difference is that the Lambda beam is MUCH more pronounced. OK, let's just say it and get it over with... BRIGHTER!!!
Please, don't take me wrong. I still have the utmost respect for Peter and his Arc's. I already own several, and will likely continue to buy more as time goes on. Peter has provided us with a most useful, reliable, and compact, high quality light. Lambda, on the other hand, has knowingly, and intentionally succumbed to the "race-car" desires for those who want "brighter", and "more". Kevin makes no qualms about how he overdrives the LED, and his warranty clearly reflects it.
Just after dark, I continued some more admittedly unprofessional comparing. Just using some trees in the unlit back yard, the Lambda Illuminator seems to have almost twice the "toss", "throw", or whatever you may choose to call it. All this means is that I can still notice the light of the Lambda on trees that are twice as far away as where the LS fades out. I might also add, FWIW, that the SF E2 will easily trounce both the Luxeon's in its ability to positively light up and identify distant targets, even well beyond the reach of the Lambda.
I've said enough, for now, and I'm sure others will be reporting on their lights as they receive them. As for me, I have found that the LED's provide a much better and smoother light for daily quality inspection work. I will now continue to put both the Lambda and the LS through rigorous everyday use. Let's see... Which one... LS... smaller... Lambda... brighter... Ls... more run time... Lambda... brighter... Hmmm......
Not being able to wait until dark, I just had to see for myself if it could possibly live up to all the hype. So, in a fairly well lit room, I first took my CPF Arc AAA out of my pocket (its permanent home) and shined it against a blank wall, maybe 2 feet away. You could just make out the beam on the wall. I then unclipped my Arc 2LS (123 battery pack) from my belt loop, and placed its beam beside the CPF's. You can imagine the difference! Finally, I positioned the Lambda next to the LS and, not really knowing what to expect, turned it on! Talk about deja vu!!!
Seriously, Kevin has done a truly professional job. Nowhere is there even the slightest hint that that this light is a mod. If you only owned one custom modified light (can a true flashoholic only own just one), then I would highly recommend this one. I was also very pleased to notice that the tail switch seems much beefier than the ones on either of my two very old Legend AA's.
The Lambda beam appears much bluer and intense than the Arc LS, and really makes the greenish tint of my LS stand out. I was about to say that the Lambda beam seemed to be more tightly focused but, upon just checking it again, the size of the hot spots on both lights are almost equal (both being held the same distance from the wall). The big difference is that the Lambda beam is MUCH more pronounced. OK, let's just say it and get it over with... BRIGHTER!!!
Please, don't take me wrong. I still have the utmost respect for Peter and his Arc's. I already own several, and will likely continue to buy more as time goes on. Peter has provided us with a most useful, reliable, and compact, high quality light. Lambda, on the other hand, has knowingly, and intentionally succumbed to the "race-car" desires for those who want "brighter", and "more". Kevin makes no qualms about how he overdrives the LED, and his warranty clearly reflects it.
Just after dark, I continued some more admittedly unprofessional comparing. Just using some trees in the unlit back yard, the Lambda Illuminator seems to have almost twice the "toss", "throw", or whatever you may choose to call it. All this means is that I can still notice the light of the Lambda on trees that are twice as far away as where the LS fades out. I might also add, FWIW, that the SF E2 will easily trounce both the Luxeon's in its ability to positively light up and identify distant targets, even well beyond the reach of the Lambda.
I've said enough, for now, and I'm sure others will be reporting on their lights as they receive them. As for me, I have found that the LED's provide a much better and smoother light for daily quality inspection work. I will now continue to put both the Lambda and the LS through rigorous everyday use. Let's see... Which one... LS... smaller... Lambda... brighter... Ls... more run time... Lambda... brighter... Hmmm......
