Any of you MB owners try the MBA-3015 Collimating Lens Filter? Trying to get some practical performance, as it is $420
MaxaBeam Collimating Lens ?
- Thread starter LuxLuthor
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DM51
Flashaholic
I've just looked it up here, and it looks as if it is only really for use when the beam is set to wide, to eliminate the dark spot at the center.
It doesn't say what it would do to a spot beam, but it is hard to imagine it would improve it - I would guess the effect would almost certainly be an adverse one, over-focussing it, or blurring it.
Most people get the MB for that amazing concentrated spot, not for the flood setting. As the overall output of the MB is not large, there are better ways of spending $420 to get a good flood beam, IMO.
It doesn't say what it would do to a spot beam, but it is hard to imagine it would improve it - I would guess the effect would almost certainly be an adverse one, over-focussing it, or blurring it.
Most people get the MB for that amazing concentrated spot, not for the flood setting. As the overall output of the MB is not large, there are better ways of spending $420 to get a good flood beam, IMO.
I have seen that Peakbeam description of it, and you may be right....but I'm looking for someone who actually has one to describe how well it actually works, and in particular what happens as the beam adjustment is narrowed.
A collimating plano-convex lens is a whole other animal than a filter, and depending on how they are designed, they can produce remarkable effects that may (or may not) work well if dialed down from flood mode....or it may be designed to ONLY work in flood mode.
A collimating plano-convex lens is a whole other animal than a filter, and depending on how they are designed, they can produce remarkable effects that may (or may not) work well if dialed down from flood mode....or it may be designed to ONLY work in flood mode.
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Here was Bob's (from PeakBeam) description of it:
DM51
Flashaholic
Interesting info - thanks for obtaining it. My interpretation of it is that it throws the spot slightly out of focus, or makes it "fuzzy", blurring it round the edges. It would be interesting to see pictures of that.
I talked to a former active duty Marine, now US Military supplier who was also a combat helicopter pilot (or crew), and he reported experience with collimating lenses in some lighting application(s). The company he works for now also sells MB, and he was very impressed with this particular lens. If you look at the PeakBeam link, there is the center plano-convex lens that may have an effect somewhat like the LED aspherical lenses. There would be some reduction of the 1.5+ mile range, but I am not getting the flavor of there being a diffuser effect. I may have a chance to try one out to see how it works, and if so will get some shots.
I finally got my night camera settings figured out, and the Leica 1200 CRF to do distances.
I finally got my night camera settings figured out, and the Leica 1200 CRF to do distances.
DM51
Flashaholic
I was wondering about an effect similar to a long-focus aspheric placed at a short distance, where the effect is very slight but noticeable. This could be something like that, but obviously I'm just guessing.
The center spot of my MB is so sharp you can still make out artifacts at long distances (500 yds plus). A slight blurring might even be a good thing.
Your Marine contact sounds like he knows what he's talking about.
The center spot of my MB is so sharp you can still make out artifacts at long distances (500 yds plus). A slight blurring might even be a good thing.
Your Marine contact sounds like he knows what he's talking about.
I've been searching and searching for the beamshots that I've seen with the collimating lens mounted and it doesn't just reduce the throw a little bit, it reduces it a lot. Of course, the advantage is that it completely erases wide angle shadows. Sorry I can't show you a picture but I'm still looking.
I'm pretty sure that CPFer XPLRN has already made his mind up to purchase one so it might be worth waiting to see what he thinks.
I'm pretty sure that CPFer XPLRN has already made his mind up to purchase one so it might be worth waiting to see what he thinks.
Lux, I'm striking out on locating those pictures. They were against the side of a building on both tight and wide focus from about 40-50 feet away. The wide beam looked a lot like the one in the Maxabeam pictures the tight beam looked like the shape of a mag11 with an MOP reflector. It's wasn't the familiar sharp and tight beam profile anymore.
Sorry I can't find them. I knew I should have saved them in a MB folder...poop!
Sorry I can't find them. I knew I should have saved them in a MB folder...poop!
Hey, thanks very much for looking for it. I will hold off on getting this until I either get to try it risk free, or see clearer evidence of its benefit. Like DM said, that price is pretty hard to justify.
I figure it's a toss up. You could either get MB's collimating lens or their nicely priced battery charger......... :laughing:
karlthev
Flashlight Enthusiast
I'm going to check it out with my antiicpated visit to Peakbeam in July.
Karl
Karl
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I wonder if they have an underground (dark) tunnel for distance testing/viewing? Thanks for checking on this though! Supposedly, the new Lithium pack is within 1-2 months of being released. It has a self contained charging PCB/indicator status that just connects directly to the 12V PS (not using the cradle). It is using the older Lithium Cobalt cells.
