Maglite 6d xenon bulb vs Malkoff 4-6D P4 drop in

[exodus125]

I have always wondered how the two would compare beam shot wise. Here are the specs:


6D Maglite xenon bulb

Lumens: 233.5
Runtime: 10-11 hrs (output goes way down as the power drains)

Malkoff 4-6D P4 Drop-in

Lumens: 240
Runtime: [FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]8+ hours on 4 D Cells [/FONT][FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]at the rated output (240 lumens). It will continue to operate at reduced output for several more hours[/FONT]. (maybe Gene can chime in to let us know how long the runtime would be with 6D batteries). Is it safe to assume if it runs for 8hrs on 4 that on 6 it would run about 12hrs?



Beam shots:

For the beamshots 2 different 2D hosts were used, and a mdocod 6aa adapter was used, the adapter was swapped into both hosts so both lights were running on the same power.

Indoors: Beamshots look to be very close, although the spill on the Malkoff is a lot brighter. In a completely pitch dark room the malkoff will illuminate everything like a lantern and still have a pencil beam for spot lighting. The xenon bulb has a decent spot beam, but hardly any spill.

XENON

MALKOFF

Outdoors: Difference in beamshots is more apparent here. YOu can see there is deffinately more spill on the MAlkoff and the xenon is not as bright. The xenon will also continue to get dimmer as runtime increases, where the malkoff will run at the rated lumens for 8 hrs.

XENON

MALKOFF

XENON

MALKOFF

Unfortunately, where the Malkoff REALLY excels is distance spotting, which was hard to do from my back yard. I will try to go to a field where I can show some distance beamshots a little better.

 

[Marduke]

The lumen spec for the incan is really about 1/2 of advertised.

 

[exodus125]

in the xenons defense, to me it does not look dim. Indoors the beam spot is very similar to that of the malkoff. Outdoors you can tell the difference more though. The most obvious difference is the side spill The malkoff illuminates almost like a flood but still ahs that tight beam spot.

 

[MrGman]

Measure the current draw through both of those configurations and you will see part of your answer. That incan is not running 233 lumens, like the other guy said probably closer to half of that maybe 60%.

The incandescent lights run time is also meaningless since its not regulated and is constantly dropping. so from the moment you turn it on the power level is going down. You aren't getting a constant output for X amount of hours. The Malkoff is regulated and you will be getting close to full power for most of that time.

You need to see the entire run time plot of consumed power to see how bad the incan is. Four hours into the test, you won't be getting anywhere near the initially turned on brightness, whereas with the Malkoff you will.

 

[exodus125]

don't get me wrong, I understand all of this. I posted this because I myself was curious how the beams would compare at initial output and had not been able to find any pictures anywhere. I still think the malkoff is brighter and of course the output will remain constant.

 

[exodus125]

here is another picture with inverted colors

what I may do for a real comparison is wait until the eneloops drain a little more, then take some more pictures.

 

[R@ndom]

Inverted colours for outdoor beamshots is a great idea! Shows the beam profile and outdoor usefulness very well.

 

[WadeF]

I found my Mag 6D with the Xenon bulb and fresh D batteries to throw about the same as my Dereelight DBS. It's no slouch, but look at it, it's huge, and requires 6D cells that will quickly drain resulting in less and less output.

 

[etc]

cool.

I have a 3D Malkoff, runs a long time. Actually have a hard time discharging it, usually go for months before recharges and even then the cells are not depleted.

Where is that thread that compares Malkoff 4D, 3D, so on...