Malkoff P4 vs Kaidomain Q5... is this normal?

[bolts]

Ok so I've had the Malkoff P4 drop in in my 3 C cell maglite for a few weeks now and I am very happy with it. Initially I was unimpressed trying it out in the house but where it really shines (sorry couldn't help it ) is in throw, outdoors of course.

Now, a couple of days ago I got a kaidomain Q5 drop in for my 3D maglite figuring the 2 should be comparable in brightness as well as throw.

I'm running 3 4500 mAh in my 3C mag, and 3 AA 2000 mAh eneloops in AA to D adapters in the 3D mag. I also tried some 2500 sanyos with the same results. The Malkoff is at least twice as bright.

Would the different batteries, Cs compared to AAs account for the difference in output? There is also more resistance due to the AA to D adapters in the Q5 kaidomain dropin.

Is it possible that it is indeed the batteries or might something be wrong with the drop in I got fromm Kaidomain?

Would putting 3 D sized cells in the 3D mag make it as bright as the 3 C?

Any input would be greatly appreciated...

TIA

John

 

[curlyfry562]

Resistance can cause a decrease in brightness but generally it is not significant. It might help if we knew the specs of the Q5 drop-in. I had the same reaction w/ my malkoff for my 3D mag the thing has amazing throw.

 

[bolts]

Here is the link to the 3D dropin I got:

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=4323

Resistance can cause a decrease in brightness but generally it is not significant. It might help if we knew the specs of the Q5 drop-in. I had the same reaction w/ my malkoff for my 3D mag the thing has amazing throw.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

A couple things.
The Malkoff is using an SSC P4 LED. P4 is the model name, not the flux bin. The Kai Q5 is a Q5 flux bin Cree XR-E LED.
The Malkoff driver circuit runs at a higher current than the KD dropin.
The SSC P4 has a far better emission pattern for a reflector than does a Cree emitter; it puts more light sideays. With the cree you get a much brighter spill because the cree puts more light forward, hence not into the reflector.
If you are using Kaidomain 3AA>D battery adapters they are notorious for having a lot of resistance.
The Kaidomain Q5 dropin was primarily designed to run with an Aspheric lens, and with a proper aspheric in front of it, it should out throw even a malkoff dropin.

 

[bolts]

I got the aspheric lens as well but it's not very impressive. Not with this measly output anyway....

I odn't particularly like it... but...I haven't tried it outdoors ...yet! :naughty:

A couple things.
The Malkoff is using an SSC P4 LED. P4 is the model name, not the flux bin. The Kai Q5 is a Q5 flux bin Cree XR-E LED.
The Malkoff driver circuit runs at a higher current than the KD dropin.
The SSC P4 has a far better emission pattern for a reflector than does a Cree emitter; it puts more light sideays. With the cree you get a much brighter spill because the cree puts more light forward, hence not into the reflector.
If you are using Kaidomain 3AA>D battery adapters they are notorious for having a lot of resistance.
The Kaidomain Q5 dropin was primarily designed to run with an Aspheric lens, and with a proper aspheric in front of it, it should out throw even a malkoff dropin.