LED Thrower?

[dano101]

I was looking to purchase either a DBS V2 or Spear (the spear because of the looks) but was holding off untill i consulted the wise members on here. My main reason for apprehension is in the fact that i already own a Surefire M3T... and although not designed as a thrower per se, the incredible output and huge reflector do the right job of putting alot of light far down range.

Would i be dissapointed in a light like the DBS V2 if i already have the light i mentioned? Or are they in different enough leagues that id still get some great or different use from the DBS or Spear?

And sorry i didnt want this to be any incan vs led debate... just a general question as to what i could/should expect in the difference...

Dano

 

[Secur1]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

Well the real question is, do you have an actuall use for a more or less pure throw light ?
I too love lights that can throw a lot !
I know that what i just said goes against the code of CPF but this is from personal experience, i used to work as a S.O. and some of my shifts brought me to massive industrial estates and other grounds that called for lots of lumens and throw at the same time, hence my purchase of the WE Boxer 24Watt.
Now that i have moved aways from that line of work i find my Boxer sitting on the shelf collecting dust....
Did i regret the purchase ? Heck no ! Cause i love the fact i can light up the entire neighbourhoud if needed

Anyway my POV is that throwers and massive output lights are a lot of fun, but once the novelty and wow start to fade, what do you do with them besides sell them on ?

 

[notnormal]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

Buy one of the cheap DX throwers to get an idea of the capabilities. If you like it, then buy either a DBS V2 or Spear.

 

[DArklite]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

Rather than type it all over again:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2634471#post2634471

 

[dano101]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

well i have alot of use for distanced illumination... i just dont know if i need a DBS V2 if i have an M3T. I was looking for more of a 'will the DbS be useful compared to the M3T?' kind of responce.

 

[artec540]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

well i have alot of use for distanced illumination... i just dont know if i need a DBS V2 if i have an M3T. I was looking for more of a 'will the DbS be useful compared to the M3T?' kind of responce.

I don't know the SF lights but I have both the Spear and the DBS and the DBS is an order of magnitude better. The Spear is a good light (at least it was until I fried it by putting the wrong batteries in, my fault, not its) but the DBS definitely has a better throw, they're just about the same length, the DBS has a slightly bigger reflector and has a smooth reflector (at least mine does) against the OP one in the Spear. As far as looks are concerned, that's in the eye of the beholder and I don't think anyone can tell you what you like better.
I havered for a long time before buying the DBS having already got the Spear. One thing is for sure, you won't get any better service, help or response from anywhere than you will from Alan at Dereelight. On the other hand I've tried to get help from Raidfire for my fried Spear and haven't got any answer at all.

 

[saabluster]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

what do you do with them besides sell them on ?

Use them. I can appreciate a nice flood light but I will never be without throwers. I EDC the Spear and love it. Not everyone loses that sense of novelty and the wow factor with throwers. Plus he will never know which side of this issue he is on if he never trys one.

 

[Youfoundnemo]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

Id say that if your looking for a thrower you should get a dbs; from what ive read and seen they are great and would whoop your current light (surefire m3 right?)

 

[DUQ]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

dano101: One quick answer for you "Dude you live in Hinton...You need a thrower!"

 

[dano101]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

well M3T, not M3... but in either case i think ill just up and order one (DBS). Even if its on par with my M3T, i think my M3T is lonely and needs some company.

Dano

 

[WadeF]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

well M3T, not M3... but in either case i think ill just up and order one (DBS). Even if its on par with my M3T, i think my M3T is lonely and needs some company.

Dano

The DBS V2 is a fun light. You'll have to let us know how it compares with your M3T. I'm sure each light will have their pros and cons.

 

[dano101]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

I for sure will... ive seen alot on here on how different LED throwers compare to each other, but not much ever on traditional incan throwers compare to their LED cousins... my guess is that the DBS will outthrow my M3T, but the M3T will still put out a higher volume of overall light.

 

[L.E.D.]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

My Streamlight Super Tac outthrows my Dereelight DBS, both easily outthrow the Task Force 2C Cree (though the TF is not bad AT ALL for 35 bucks)..

 

[Wattnot]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

This question is one you should ask yourself!! Do YOU need an LED thrower? If you're like me, and just want a well rounded collection, and don't have a specific need, you might not use it much and may end up disappointed.

I bought the Tiablo A9 because of the blowout pricing ($55 or so, down from $140). The Tiablo A9 competes on par with the DBS and Spear. It is my least used light. It's like having a 300 foot light sabre that can't kill or cut anything. There is almost no spill and the spot is tiny, even at 200 feet. It is difficult for me to imagine what good this light is FOR ME, at this time. Had I paid the usual street price of $120 to $130 for this, I would have been disappointed.

 

[Ty_Bower]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

LED thrower? Remember that throw is a function of the ratio of the emitting area to the reflector area. Incandescent tungsten filaments are really tiny compared to the relatively large emitting area of any LED. You can get a lot more throw out of an incandescent as compared to an LED.

You need at least a 40mm reflector coupled to a >700mA Cree before you get state of the art throw out of an LED. Even then your needs might be better suited by a modestly sized reflector in front of an overdriven hotwire.

 

[LukeA]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

LED thrower? Remember that throw is a function of the ratio of the emitting area to the reflector area. Incandescent tungsten filaments are really tiny compared to the relatively large emitting area of any LED. You can get a lot more throw out of an incandescent as compared to an LED.

You need at least a 40mm reflector coupled to a >700mA Cree before you get state of the art throw out of an LED. Even then your needs might be better suited by a modestly sized reflector in front of an overdriven hotwire.

When you compare the filaments of high-lumen bulbs to LED dies the difference is not that great and not always in the incandescents' favor.

And what if the light gets dropped? Then what good is the overdriven hotwire?

 

[woodrow]

Re: Do I need an LED Thrower?

Having had a SF M3 and M4.... I think you owe it to yourself to buy a thrower. The Spear is the most impressive led or incan light I have owned.

 

[Stephan_L]

Once again: Thrower

Hi everybody,

I want to replace my MagLite (2XD-Cell) as my general outdoors searchlight.
I am looking for a real good thrower about the same size! It does not need to be EDCable, because most of the time, it will rest in my patrolbag!

HIDs are much to expensive, so I am thinking about a LED - Thrower. It would be very nice (if possible) to post an outdoor beamshot of your favourite thrower!

Thanks!

Bye,

Stephan

 

[saabluster]

Re: Once again: Thrower

Hi everybody,

I want to replace my MagLite (2XD-Cell) as my general outdoors searchlight.
I am looking for a real good thrower about the same size! It does not need to be EDCable, because most of the time, it will rest in my patrolbag!

HIDs are much to expensive, so I am thinking about a LED - Thrower. It would be very nice (if possible) to post an outdoor beamshot of your favourite thrower!

Thanks!

Bye,

Stephan

Check out the DEFT. It is the only LED light on par with HIDs.

There is more information here. After I get through the orders here I plan on taking a sample down to our local police and fire stations to see if there is interest. Due to the tightly confined beam I thought it would be perfect for LEOs(searching for perps, not blinding oncoming traffic if searching near a road,etc.).

 

[saabluster]

Re: Once again: Thrower

It would be very nice (if possible) to post an outdoor beamshot of your favourite thrower!

Here is a good thread to look at for beam shots that compares the top 3 responses you will probably get to your question. You would probably want to get either the Spear or DBS as both are a good bit better than the A9.