Light Output of Lumapower LM31

[sol-leks]

Can someone tell me approx how many lumens this light puts out on both high and low? Thanks

 

[Kilovolt]

To my knowledge the only available official rating is 80 lumens on high (link). The low can be estimated around 15/20 lumens.

 

[light_emitting_dude]

Here is a decent review. I have noticed more output with a 14500 battery including low output. Nice regulation with a nimh also.

You get a nicer low output with a nimh battery.

 

[sol-leks]

thanks, does it handle 14500's well?
EDIT: read the review, apparently not so much

 

[Kilovolt]

Actually Lumapower (link) says not to use 14500's in this light:

QUOTE

LM301 is also designed for 1.6V E2 Lithium
But not for 14500 protected or unprotected batteries as Low runtime is affected

UNQUOTE

 

[BigBluefish]

I had and used an LM31 for a few months befor donating it my mother-in-law who was flashlightless. I'll definitely get another one.

My guess, by eyeball judgment only, is that it puts out about 60 lumens out the front (torch) (it's rated at 8o, which I think is at the emitter) and maybe 8 or so on low. It's SSC emitter gives it a more diffuse beam than a cree, without the sharply defined hotspot, so it may seem to have less output than it actually does.

A very useful, and nice little light, IMHO.

 

[sol-leks]

yeah Ive been eying it quite a bit, it seems like a nice light. I'm kind of a cheapo though, I just wish it was a teensy bit cheaper.

 

[loanshark]

I would agree with BigBlueFish. It was my favorite light until I got the D10. It still gets used once in a while. Very nice beam, the nicest beam of any in my collection (mostly CREEs).

 

[loanshark]

yeah Ive been eying it quite a bit, it seems like a nice light. I'm kind of a cheapo though, I just wish it was a teensy bit cheaper.

I would be shocked if you were not pleased with the light. For the price I don't think you can beat it. There is a discount code if you buy it at Battery Junction...Can't seem to remember what it is.

 

[Raybo]

I would be shocked if you were not pleased with the light. For the price I don't think you can beat it. There is a discount code if you buy it at Battery Junction...Can't seem to remember what it is.

CPF2006(?)

Ray

 

[light_emitting_dude]

I have 2 LM31's that I use for biking mounted with the new fenix mounts. It works well and run time on high is at least 2 hours with a nimh eneloop.

 

[selfbuilt]

I included the LM31 in my last 1AA multi-level round-up review.

FYI, you can estimate lumens from my relative overall output graphs by applying the simple power relationship I devised from my Novatac 120P here.

So long as you believe the 120P is 120 lumens, then LM31 is about 60/4 lumens on Hi/Lo on regular batteries. On 14500, Hi/Lo is about 90/20 lumens, but it is not recommended you run it on Lo (the resistor causes an excessive power drain).

 

[merlocka]

I really like some aspects of the LM31. Mainly, the simple circuit which gave good performance on Nimh (before many other lights would do so). However, the key attribute is the beam dispersion as a result of a nice reflector and the SSC emitter. The beam was as good as my 85p, and the best AA beam I have personally owned (although some newer lights seem to be very good in this aspect). My primary gripe was the high->off->low->off UI. I just don't like not knowing what level the light will turn on to. Color me picky.

I gave mine away to a friend, wish I wouldn't have.

 

[RebelXTNC]

They are currently on sale at BatteryJunction for $29 before the discount. That would save you a couple of dollars.
I gave mine to my mom but I still have my LM33. I converted it to a single-level forward clicky also from BatteryJunction.
Merlocka yours must have operated differently. Mine was Low-High-Off but it was still a bit of a pain to always have to click twice at either the beginning or end of use. That's why I converted my LM33.
They are great lights for the money with a nice beam and seemingly better odds in the tint lottery (I have 7 different LumaPower lights with a mix of 1 Luxeon, 3 SSC, 2 Cree and 1 Rebel emitters).