LumaPower D-Mini VX Ultra longevity?

[MikeySydney]

Thanks to you helpful people, I'm thinking of buying a D-Mini VX Ultra, which sounds exactly what I want - v.floody beam, 1x18650, high quality.

I would have ordered one already, but they are out of stock, so I'll just have to keep reading a while longer!

My only reservation is that the ultra is driven pretty hard (2.1amps?), and therefore presumably gets pretty hot also.

Has anyone's died, overheated, discolored, etc?

Thanks,

Mike.

 

[astanapane]

i do have one and running with 18650 for one hour without any problem. I have test it several times. It is just bright.

 

[papajoe]

Please pardon the bump, but I'm very interested in this.

I'm not a flashoholic, but I have read countless hours on this site - love it.

I'm considering the Ultra plunge along with the accessory throw-head. I realize the light is over-driven and that it has some runtime limitations. FWIW, this light won't be a toy, but it will be a work tool. It's a friendly environment (doesn't need to bo rugged), but I will count upon the light for performing inspections with nuisance ambient light (hence the extra lumens).

And, I'd like some hands-on stories.

Thank you. Joe

 

[Henk_Lu]

Just don't screw the reflector housing down too tight...

My first emitter was killed after about 2 hours that way, the dome came off the LED, for the second I needed only about a little hour to perform the same...

Yeah, I have strong arms and the plastic around the LED is soft as it seems, it pushes down the board and loosens the dome. Other lights also sometimes have problems with falling off domes of SST50. The 3rd light engine will hopefully survive, I'll be soft this time!

As for overheating, some say there's no problem, maybe, I say don't run it continously too long on high, most lights don't especially like it.

 

[HIDblue]

Thanks to you helpful people, I'm thinking of buying a D-Mini VX Ultra, which sounds exactly what I want - v.floody beam, 1x18650, high quality.

I would have ordered one already, but they are out of stock, so I'll just have to keep reading a while longer!

My only reservation is that the ultra is driven pretty hard (2.1amps?), and therefore presumably gets pretty hot also.

Has anyone's died, overheated, discolored, etc?

Thanks,

Mike.

I've had my D-Mini VX Ultra for a little over 2 months and it's been fine thus far. I run it with the D65 extension tube on an AW 18650 and have run it continuously on high for about an hour at a time and haven't experienced any problems yet. It does get warm/hot, but it seems that most of my other lights also get hot after running it on high for that long.

No buyer's remorse on the D-Mini VX Ultra for me. I actually find that I reach for the D-Mini VX Ultra the most these days. I like the feel of it, the UI, the versatility of both tubes, and output. I'm keeping my fingers crossed regarding durability...:thumbsup:

 

[recDNA]

I've had my D-Mini VX Ultra for a little over 2 months and it's been fine thus far. I run it with the D65 extension tube on an AW 18650 and have run it continuously on high for about an hour at a time and haven't experienced any problems yet. It does get warm/hot, but it seems that most of my other lights also get hot after running it on high for that long.

No buyer's remorse on the D-Mini VX Ultra for me. I actually find that I reach for the D-Mini VX Ultra the most these days. I like the feel of it, the UI, the versatility of both tubes, and output. I'm keeping my fingers crossed regarding durability...:thumbsup:

I wonder how the beam profile and brightness would compare to a 6P with a Nailbender SST-50 drop in?

 

[kengps]

I wonder how the beam profile and brightness would compare to a 6P with a Nailbender SST-50 drop in?

I have both. You will be dissapointed in the nailbender.

 

[kengps]

Guess I should elaborate....they both have equal flood. But the Nailbender has a really wide hot spot that is very weak. The VX has a much tighter hot-spot that out-throws the Nailbender by a big margin. Simple physics, the Lumapower has a larger diameter reflector. 26mm just isn't enough to get any throw with an SST-50.

 

[HIDblue]

Guess I should elaborate....they both have equal flood. But the Nailbender has a really wide hot spot that is very weak. The VX has a much tighter hot-spot that out-throws the Nailbender by a big margin. Simple physics, the Lumapower has a larger diameter reflector. 26mm just isn't enough to get any throw with an SST-50.

I always wondered about the nailbender SST-50, but you just answered my question. Thanks kengps.

 

[kengps]

I must take back what I said about the two....I just tested them side-by-side and remembered my D-Mini VX Ultra has a 2.8 amp driver also. So in comparing the Nailbender to the VX Ultra (with the stock 2.1 Amp module)...I have to say that the VX just barely out-throws it. But you would have to test them side-by-side carefully to notice. The Nailbender has a hot-spot that is nearly equal in throw but quite a bit larger, and the side-spill is a little narrower, but a fair amount brighter than the VX. In defense of the VX though.....My Z2 host has a UCL glass lens, which adds 8-10 percent in output. I measure 8200 lux VX, and 8000 lux Nailbender. I have asked Lumapower to commision an order as it is too expensive from flashlight lens at under 20 peices. I get about 9000 lux VX with no glass. So it is definately not great glass. I usually get 9-11% gains on my other lights when I install a UCL. The Ultra VX with a UCL and a 2.8 amp driver like the nailbender should get about 10,000-10,500 lux.

Sorry I was mistaken. Here is a quick pic. Stock 2.1A VX on the left. Nailbender on the right. It's hard to tell with this pic, but there is a smaller circle within the VX hotspot that is a little more intense. I would have to step down the exposure to show it. But it is late...

 

[recDNA]

I have both. You will be dissapointed in the nailbender.

WOW, that's bad news. I just ordered the Nailbender this morning! LOL

Thanks for posting the pics. Based on those pictures alone I would have chosen the Nailbender. I know there is a lot more to a flashlight than beam shots. I have no doubt that the VX ultra is a great light.

 

[kengps]

Yep, I love the VX....but as a tactical light the Z2 with the Nailbender is hard to beat. But with a modded 2.8A driver board the same as a Nailbender, and I prefer the beam profile and throw of the VX. I knocked the dome off my 2.8 amp VX unfortuneatly. And for some reason cannot get a replacement white SST-50 to save my life. Every one I get is yellow.

 

[kengps]

WOW, that's bad news. I just ordered the Nailbender this morning! LOL

Thanks for posting the pics. Based on those pictures alone I would have chosen the Nailbender.

You did realize I corrected my evaluation in favor of the Nailbender, correct?

 

[recDNA]

You did realize I corrected my evaluation in favor of the Nailbender, correct?

I knew you changed your description of the beams. Are you now saying you PREFER the nailbender over the mini?

 

[kengps]

I am saying I prefer the Nailbender's light output over a stock (2.1A) mini. But with equal drivers (2.8A) I prefer the mini's beam pattern. I have a modded 2.8A mini But I knocked the dome off it. The pics I took were of my stock 2.1A mini/Nailbender. I did a comparo of a Ultrafire 550 Lumen P60, and the mini was superior. I also like the ability to lock the UI of the mini into single-mode. To surmise.....with equal output the mini is a much better light. It has a larger reflector and much better throw, while maintaining the same amount of side-spill brightness. But unless you mod the mini, the higher output of the Nailbender makes up for the smaller reflector. It puts it over the top of the mini.

 

[molon_labe]

Can you elaborate more on the VX 2.8a driver? Where. how, pics, cost?

I tried to PM but the forum wont let me.

I must take back what I said about the two....I just tested them side-by-side and remembered my D-Mini VX Ultra has a 2.8 amp driver also. So in comparing the Nailbender to the VX Ultra (with the stock 2.1 Amp module)...I have to say that the VX just barely out-throws it. But you would have to test them side-by-side carefully to notice. The Nailbender has a hot-spot that is nearly equal in throw but quite a bit larger, and the side-spill is a little narrower, but a fair amount brighter than the VX. In defense of the VX though.....My Z2 host has a UCL glass lens, which adds 8-10 percent in output. I measure 8200 lux VX, and 8000 lux Nailbender. I have asked Lumapower to commision an order as it is too expensive from flashlight lens at under 20 peices. I get about 9000 lux VX with no glass. So it is definately not great glass. I usually get 9-11% gains on my other lights when I install a UCL. The Ultra VX with a UCL and a 2.8 amp driver like the nailbender should get about 10,000-10,500 lux.

Sorry I was mistaken. Here is a quick pic. Stock 2.1A VX on the left. Nailbender on the right. It's hard to tell with this pic, but there is a smaller circle within the VX hotspot that is a little more intense. I would have to step down the exposure to show it. But it is late...

 

[kengps]

I bought my drivers from a CPF member named "download" Paid $9 each. You can configure it as you want by soldering a bridge. 5-mode, 3-mode, 2 mode, etc. They aren't an exact fit to the VX pill. You'll have to glue them in.

Here's his page. It is item "G"

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2060148&postcount=1