Maximum LUX III throw with 2X123..................

[edison]

I'm looking for a durable 2X123 LED light with maximum throw. These requirements really narrow the spectrum of choices; it pretty much boils down to something with a LUX III emitter and a big optic or reflector. Weight is irrelevant, as heat-sinking mass is better for this application anyway.

I've been able to find three lights so far that I think are suitable, but none of them are very common so I am posting here to test the waters. Feel free to suggest better ones, if they exist, but it must be 2X123 and run well on primary cells.

1) Aleph 3---------------$214.00
2) Tektite TAC4L---------$129.00
3) LedXtreme Predator----$122.00

I was able to find reviews of the Predator at both flashlightreviews.com and the LED museum. It will throw better than any of the other 2X123 LED lights in the extensive review databases of both these informative websites. It's right in there with a Surefire P60/P61 incandescent in terms of throw, but apparently LedXtreme overstates the overall output. It should be the bargain thrower of the bunch, but I haven't been able to find it for sale anywhere at what I consider a reasonable price. I've only found one online retailer that has it, and they want $122. Depending on how it stacks up against the Aleph 3 in terms of throw, it's probably still the best value.

I haven't found any reviews of the TAC4L. I expect it to throw with the best of them. It has a large bezel containing a big optic. My completely unscientific intuitive "guess" puts it ahead of the Predator and behind the Aleph 3 in terms of raw throwing ability.

Then there's the Aleph 3. So, exactly how far does this sucker throw in low ambient light conditions? I'm guessing that this one sets the standard, with an indicial price tag.

This is a WeaponLight application. Therefore, the TAC4L and the Predator are slightly more desirable than the Aleph 3 because of their thicker bodies since I already have a device suitable for attaching 1" diameter lights to a rail. The quality of the spill light is irrelevant, as long as the spot is tight and free of artifacts.

I think the Aleph 3 is probably the best thrower, but I really don't want to spend $200 on a light that will necessitate purchase of another attachment to facilitate mounting. Also, I don't mind one bit having to mod the TAC4L or the Predator with a higher binned LED and/or a stronger converter if it yields more throw. I'd really like to spend less than $200 on this project.

So who can tell us about the TAC4L mystery light? A search turned up this thread, perhaps my CPF searching skills are lacking. I am not a Jedi, yet.......

 

[Haesslich]

Re: Maximum LUX III throw with 2X123..............

Aleph 3 throws easily 300+ yards in my not-so-scientific tests in a darker part of town in summer. Have you considered an Inova T3, however? It has optics to throw pretty damned far, and uses a LuxIII with 2x123.

 

[cratz2]

Re: Maximum LUX III throw with 2X123..............

Is this actually going to be mounted to a weapon or just used in conjunction with a weapon?

 

[davidra]

Re: Maximum LUX III throw with 2X123..............

My T3 definitely outthrows my G2 with P60. It's bulletproof, solid as a tank, and reasonably priced.

 

[powernoodle]

Re: Maximum LUX III throw with 2X123..............

[ QUOTE ]
edison said:

Then there's the Aleph 3. So, exactly how far does this sucker throw in low ambient light conditions?

[/ QUOTE ]

It more or less throws like a SL Strion, if you know what thats like. Except the the Aleph's LED is much whiter than the yellowish incan on the Strion.

If you aren't familiar w/ the Strion, then I'd say that you can ID a person at 100 yards, maybe more, with the Aleph. Other folks will likely give you a much different description of the Aleph's throw, because its very subjective.

best regards

 

[edison]

Re: Maximum LUX III throw with 2X123..............

[ QUOTE ]
cratz2 said:
Is this actually going to be mounted to a weapon or just used in conjunction with a weapon?

[/ QUOTE ]

The light will be mounted to the forend of a rifle.

I want something with a tailcap switch, so unfortunately the Nuwai TM-115X (LUX III with big reflector) didn't make the cut. If it had a tailcap switch it would be a decent host for this kind of project since it's fairly cheap.