Lumens Factory LAs vs Surefire LAs (P60)

[zipplet]

Hi,

I'm looking at the Lumens Factory lamp assemblies and I'm wondering how they are able to build LAs with a much higher output than the surefire stock P60 but with the same runtime! I know they quote bulb lumens whereas surefire quote torch lumens, however even taking that into account the assemblies are a lot more powerful.

For example, a surefire P60 is 65 lumens for 60 minutes, whereas a LF SR-6 is 120 lumens for 60 minutes. Is it really more powerful or are the numbers inflated a bit? I don't believe that torch lumens vs bulb lumens could be a 50% loss.

If they are truthful with the runtime figures then I'll have to get myself a couple of LF assemblies to play with - looking at an EO-6 and SR-6. Additionally, the ES-6 is apparently brighter than a P60 according to LF, although taking losses into account it's probably the same, but it runs for 80 minutes!

I'd appreciate it if people can tell me about any experience they have with LF LAs vs surefire LAs. Thanks in advance.

 

[Fusion_m8]

Torch lumens are roughly 65% of bulb lumens. Surefire bulb ratings are known to be very conservative and the readings are not taken when the bulbs are first turned on, but rather after they have been running continuously for some time, say 5-10 mins or so. I also believe Surefire's bulb ratings are an average figure taken over hundreds of bulbs. LF bulbs are probably peak readings taken at the start rather than the average reading taken after some time.

My experience with LF and SF bulbs have been good generally. I have experienced duds and gems from both brands. Its difficult to gve an UNBIASED answer as to which brand is better. LF lamps are great value for money IMO and perform just as well as SF lamps, which appear to be better built but hardly ever outperforms the LF bulbs from my experience.

 

[cernobila]

Well the SF P60 is about 100 bulb lumens so the difference is hardly noticeable. Its all to do with the actual voltage and amps of the lamps.....I use only the 3.7, 9 and 13 Volt LF lamps in D19, D26 and D36 sizes....and am happy with them.

Check out their specs page.....

http://www.lumensfactory.com/d26_series_specification.htm

 

[zipplet]

Hmm, thanks that's what I've been wondering. So, the SR-6 can be considered to be roughly the same as the stock P60 (just cheaper). Still, I'll give the EO-6 a try, that one should be roughly equivalent to a P61?

 

[Illum]

I'm inclined to suggest the filament pitch, coil, and width paired with whatever mix of proprietary gases they are using allows more overdriving ability than that of surefires.

Assuming Surefires statement of 100% xenon is accurate [and it seems to be] LF's lamps may contain lesser gases, like krypton maybe. I've noticed LF lamps darken with use [black deposits in the base or bahind the filament post] while surefire lamps just accumulate a slight brown stain around the primeter and height of the filament. I think LF is driving their lamps a little too hard ...heck, how does a EO-E1R outshine an MN03 when they both draw realatively similar current?

The only way to have more output with equal runtime is to overdrive the lamps from their designed wattage and make effort to sustain them... Still...something doesn't add up.

 

[Fusion_m8]

Not really... my LF EO-6 is only as bright as a stock SF P60, maybe I just got a dud EO-6 or a really exceptional SF P60. If you want to try a LF EO-6, you can have mine if you like, just PM me your address and I'll send it to you.

Hmm, thanks that's what I've been wondering. So, the SR-6 can be considered to be roughly the same as the stock P60 (just cheaper). Still, I'll give the EO-6 a try, that one should be roughly equivalent to a P61?

 

[cernobila]

Hmm, thanks that's what I've been wondering. So, the SR-6 can be considered to be roughly the same as the stock P60 (just cheaper). Still, I'll give the EO-6 a try, that one should be roughly equivalent to a P61?

Well from tables.....the P61 is 2.36A and the EO-6 is 1.9A.....and taking into account the advertised run times, the P61 is still the brightest 6V D26 lamp.....the level of difference between these two I am not sure about.

 

[USM0083]

Hmm, thanks that's what I've been wondering. So, the SR-6 can be considered to be roughly the same as the stock P60 (just cheaper). Still, I'll give the EO-6 a try, that one should be roughly equivalent to a P61?

I would say that a P61 would have a greater total output, but an EO-6 would have a slightly tighter hotspot, so it may appear brighter.

You could also run a LFs 9 volt lamps with a pair of RCR-123s in a 6P. I've run a HO-9 with this setup, and it's 160 torch lumens for 20 mins.

 

[zipplet]

Is a 3C discharge rate safe with that setup? Did the light get abnormally hot?

 

[Fusion_m8]

3C = :duck:

Is a 3C discharge rate safe with that setup? Did the light get abnormally hot?

 

[mdocod]

With AW brand cells, if you only use it in short bursts it's not the worst thing in the world as his RCR123s have a lot of high end safety features, but I wouldn't recommending using the 2xRCR123>HO-9 configuration if you need something that runs for more than a minute at a time.

Eric