D
**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
I will refer to this custom-built flashlight as the PR-917*E2.
Don "McGizmo" McLeish graciously offered to provide me this light in another post where we had disccused the merits of the Surefire L4 Lumamax. I was provided a L4 for eval by an underling. I tested it briefly but, because I had several other incandescent lights that I promised to give my attention, I deferred my review. However, I responded to the L4 thread prematurely by describing how it lacked throw.
I don't ordinarily comment on a flashlight's performance until I had opportunities to actually use it in conjunction with tasks related to tactical engagements. I opted to comment on the L4 because it is the first regularly mass-produced LED flashlight that even approaches a level of light output suitable for tasks where a firearm may be deployed.
My primary reservation with the Surefire L4 Lumamax is that its output is not adequately concentrated enough to provide a projected spot small enough to place it on the center mass (the torso of an average human) of the target at distances typically between 21 to 30 feet. This criteria immediately demarkates the usage of handguns with barrels of 2 to 5 inches. This barrel length range is that typical of handguns ordinarily carried on-body for defensive purposes through those provided as primary duty sidearms for those in uniform.
For this evaluation, I will be using my defacto standard ASP Taclite; a flashlight that I have been carrying and using for almost six continuous years. The Taclite replaced my previous standard; the old style Surefire 6P with the 65-lumen, P60 lamp assembly. I began using the 6P in 1989 because it had the best combination of high output AND small physical size.
I switched to the ASP Taclite in 1997 because it had the capability of adjustment to a very narrow spot. I prefer this output because of the criteria in the next paragraph. In 2001, I discovered the "tear-drop" shape of the next generation, externally-focused tactical lights called the Triad offered by the same maker. In the Triad, the new bulb is underwhelming. However, when placed in the internally-focusable Taclite, its output is capable of being concentrated to such a small projected spot that it rivals those flashlight products equipped with a turbo lamp assembly.
I began evaluating this category flashlights in 1998; providing written results of my findings. One criteria that I use and have found to be a practical standard measurement is what I call the DSR . This unit of measure is the Distance to Spot Ratio. Is is the ratio of the distance (feet) between the lens of the flashlight and the torso of the target to the diameter of the light product projected spot as displayed on the torso of the average (defined as a 5' 9", 160 lb.) male.
The DSR does not account for such technical measures as lumen and/or peak beam candlepower. In over 40 years of using a portable, handheld flashlight in conjunction with a firearm, I never heard anyone say "...ooh, I was successful at stopping the perpetrator with the assistance of 35 peak beam candlepower estimated at 142.5 lumens." I have, however, heard "...yeah I painted his chest with d'light before I dropped his sorry *** with a .45 Corbon" (unofficially, of course).
Among other publications, I believe that credit goes to the FBI's annual Uniform Crime Report (UCR) for establishing that the typical defensive civilian handgun firefight occur at an average (i.e. mode; for you statistically-inclined) distance of 21 feet. The average (median) width of an adult male torso is about 2 feet. If the distance when the flashlight was used was 21 feet and diameter of the projected spot on the torso is 2 feet, the DSR is 10.5:1.
Flashlights with DSRs of greater than 15 risk not providing enough spill or area lighting that establishing field of fire is more difficult without ambient, parasitic lighting. DSRs of less than 6 entails that throw is inadequate and places the operator too close to the target. Remember that what remains constant is that the desired hotspot is 2 feet or less in diameter at a minimum fighting distance of 21 feet.
Have I obfuscated the topic enough? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
I am a member of several other internat BBs that regularly discuss fighting methods and techniques. I have only posted to this BB in the last 18 months. I am certain that a few CPF members whom are also members of those BBs will refer to this post with much amusement.
Folks, DSR is nothing fancy. It is not something that I regularly think about; certainly not if I find myself in a circumstance when I have to use a firearm. It is a concept that has allowed me to choose the performance from a flashlight that I feel that I will eventually need in order to survive an altercation involving the use of a firearm. It is a performance criteria that I have already determined and have trained with so that if and when that unfortunate scenario occurs, I feel that I already have the tools to help me survive.
To those technical types on this BB that will dissect the DSR info, please keep in mind that the operator will have about 1.5 seconds to decide when to pull the trigger. Is your flashlight's performance suitable to the task?
Anyway, on to frst impressions...
The PR head is much smaller than the existing CPF photos depict it to be mainly because the Surefire E2 boby is tiny. The length of the entire light is about 5 inches. The width of the palms of my hands is 5 inches. I can wrap my hands completey around the entire light so that in certain angles, it cannot be seen by the casual observer. This is an advantage to some and a disadvantage to a few like me. I can "palm" a basketball. There is not much to hold on to with the PR917*E2.
The color of the PR head is flat and almost appears to be a really dark OD as compared to the E2 body's shiny black annodizing. LED looks a little out of place sitting deep within the modified stochactic Pelican reflector; looking almost like the base of a burned-out bulb. The shiny collar and tab are striking in color next to the all that black annodizing. My preference is black (surprise, surprise) for these parts.
The belt clip, also in black is of the highest quality that I have used. I have carried many cell phones and 2 way radios with with various clips of questionable performance. The lithmus test is is to clip a light, radio, or phone and determine if the clip will stay on your belt when you first sit in your automobile seat. I tried this one and it never failed to dislodge from my heavy 1.25-inch width double-lined sharskin belt.
The fit and finish of the PR head is flawless; attesting to the maker's deft touch with a lathe. The maker is in the same league as custom craftsmen such as Reeve & Mayo (blades), Rosen & Sparks (leather), & Baer & Brown (1911s) [just to name a select few whom I have had the pleasure of sampling their work].
The DSR measurement will take place as night falls.
The maiden field test will occur when I visit with a friend at a large metropolitan airport tonight.
All this for a flashlight, you say. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
So far, I like what has been provided to me. The true test is when the PR917*E2 dukes it out with the ASP Taclite tonight.
To paraphrase Charlie's (MrBulk) quote; "...none of this will matter in a..." week. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
DETAILED ANALYSIS
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
DISTANCE to SPOT RATIO (DSR)
Definition: The ratio of the distance (feet) between the lens of the flashlight and the torso of the target to the diameter of the light product projected spot as displayed on the torso of the average (defined as a 5' 9", 160 lb.) male.
The DSR of the PR-917*E2 is almost exactly 10.5:1 @ 21 feet. This is ideal. The spot is round with some abberations at the edges. There is no visible secondary image or ghosting light spot, but there is definitely spill of light wherein surrounding objects are also readily identifyable.
Contrast this to the ASP Taclite's 21:1 DSR @21 feet. At 21 feet, the hotspot is ~12 inches, however, there is a secondary and detectable hotspot that illuminates surrounding objects. At 30 feet, the Taclite DSR is still at 20:1 with the main hotspot enlarging to only ~18 inches in diameter.
Don told me before I received the light that there is a slight greenish tint on the output. When I first activated it, I could not detect it. Likely because I've been accustomed to the yellow-ish colors of the incandescent products that I've in the last 40 years. As I sustained the comparison to the Taclite's spot, the PR-917's output began to look more white. Or is it that the Taclite's was looking more yellow? It was only after I looked at the PR917 output repeatedly and exclusively that I finally noticed the color variation. The very slight greenish speckles give the output a "polar ice" tint. It didn't take long for me to get acclimated to this vast color improvement.
CARRYABILITY
Definition: The ease and convenience with which the user can transport the product; whether in a gear bag, briefcase, or belt sheath/pouch/holster.
POCKETABILITY
Definition: The ease and convenience with which the user can transport the product in a shirt, trouser, jacket, or coat pocket.
HANDGUN GRIP
Definition: The operator's ability to utilize the product in conjunction with the use of a handgun. For this size of tactical and category, the product will be evaluated with the Harries, Rogers/Surefire, and Neck Index techniques that will be described separately noting the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Harries
Description: .
Rogers/Surefire
Description: .
Neck Index
Description: .
IMPACT DEVICE
Definition: .
METHOD of OPERATION
Description: .
POWER SUPPLY
Description: .
DURABILITY
Descrition: This portion of the evaluation will necessarily be long term. My set critera is 90 days. Many employers often use this period to evalaute the performance of new employees before officially accepting them as permanent members of the organization. Very much like the employee on the probationary period, the product will need to exhibit as many of its desirable characteristics in order to impress the operator/user.
MAINTENANCE & REPAIR SUPPORT
Description: Since this a custom product, repair support is NOT expected.
RELIABILITY
Description: .
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
I will refer to this custom-built flashlight as the PR-917*E2.
Don "McGizmo" McLeish graciously offered to provide me this light in another post where we had disccused the merits of the Surefire L4 Lumamax. I was provided a L4 for eval by an underling. I tested it briefly but, because I had several other incandescent lights that I promised to give my attention, I deferred my review. However, I responded to the L4 thread prematurely by describing how it lacked throw.
I don't ordinarily comment on a flashlight's performance until I had opportunities to actually use it in conjunction with tasks related to tactical engagements. I opted to comment on the L4 because it is the first regularly mass-produced LED flashlight that even approaches a level of light output suitable for tasks where a firearm may be deployed.
My primary reservation with the Surefire L4 Lumamax is that its output is not adequately concentrated enough to provide a projected spot small enough to place it on the center mass (the torso of an average human) of the target at distances typically between 21 to 30 feet. This criteria immediately demarkates the usage of handguns with barrels of 2 to 5 inches. This barrel length range is that typical of handguns ordinarily carried on-body for defensive purposes through those provided as primary duty sidearms for those in uniform.
For this evaluation, I will be using my defacto standard ASP Taclite; a flashlight that I have been carrying and using for almost six continuous years. The Taclite replaced my previous standard; the old style Surefire 6P with the 65-lumen, P60 lamp assembly. I began using the 6P in 1989 because it had the best combination of high output AND small physical size.
I switched to the ASP Taclite in 1997 because it had the capability of adjustment to a very narrow spot. I prefer this output because of the criteria in the next paragraph. In 2001, I discovered the "tear-drop" shape of the next generation, externally-focused tactical lights called the Triad offered by the same maker. In the Triad, the new bulb is underwhelming. However, when placed in the internally-focusable Taclite, its output is capable of being concentrated to such a small projected spot that it rivals those flashlight products equipped with a turbo lamp assembly.
I began evaluating this category flashlights in 1998; providing written results of my findings. One criteria that I use and have found to be a practical standard measurement is what I call the DSR . This unit of measure is the Distance to Spot Ratio. Is is the ratio of the distance (feet) between the lens of the flashlight and the torso of the target to the diameter of the light product projected spot as displayed on the torso of the average (defined as a 5' 9", 160 lb.) male.
The DSR does not account for such technical measures as lumen and/or peak beam candlepower. In over 40 years of using a portable, handheld flashlight in conjunction with a firearm, I never heard anyone say "...ooh, I was successful at stopping the perpetrator with the assistance of 35 peak beam candlepower estimated at 142.5 lumens." I have, however, heard "...yeah I painted his chest with d'light before I dropped his sorry *** with a .45 Corbon" (unofficially, of course).
Among other publications, I believe that credit goes to the FBI's annual Uniform Crime Report (UCR) for establishing that the typical defensive civilian handgun firefight occur at an average (i.e. mode; for you statistically-inclined) distance of 21 feet. The average (median) width of an adult male torso is about 2 feet. If the distance when the flashlight was used was 21 feet and diameter of the projected spot on the torso is 2 feet, the DSR is 10.5:1.
Flashlights with DSRs of greater than 15 risk not providing enough spill or area lighting that establishing field of fire is more difficult without ambient, parasitic lighting. DSRs of less than 6 entails that throw is inadequate and places the operator too close to the target. Remember that what remains constant is that the desired hotspot is 2 feet or less in diameter at a minimum fighting distance of 21 feet.
Have I obfuscated the topic enough? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
I am a member of several other internat BBs that regularly discuss fighting methods and techniques. I have only posted to this BB in the last 18 months. I am certain that a few CPF members whom are also members of those BBs will refer to this post with much amusement.
Folks, DSR is nothing fancy. It is not something that I regularly think about; certainly not if I find myself in a circumstance when I have to use a firearm. It is a concept that has allowed me to choose the performance from a flashlight that I feel that I will eventually need in order to survive an altercation involving the use of a firearm. It is a performance criteria that I have already determined and have trained with so that if and when that unfortunate scenario occurs, I feel that I already have the tools to help me survive.
To those technical types on this BB that will dissect the DSR info, please keep in mind that the operator will have about 1.5 seconds to decide when to pull the trigger. Is your flashlight's performance suitable to the task?
Anyway, on to frst impressions...
The PR head is much smaller than the existing CPF photos depict it to be mainly because the Surefire E2 boby is tiny. The length of the entire light is about 5 inches. The width of the palms of my hands is 5 inches. I can wrap my hands completey around the entire light so that in certain angles, it cannot be seen by the casual observer. This is an advantage to some and a disadvantage to a few like me. I can "palm" a basketball. There is not much to hold on to with the PR917*E2.
The color of the PR head is flat and almost appears to be a really dark OD as compared to the E2 body's shiny black annodizing. LED looks a little out of place sitting deep within the modified stochactic Pelican reflector; looking almost like the base of a burned-out bulb. The shiny collar and tab are striking in color next to the all that black annodizing. My preference is black (surprise, surprise) for these parts.
The belt clip, also in black is of the highest quality that I have used. I have carried many cell phones and 2 way radios with with various clips of questionable performance. The lithmus test is is to clip a light, radio, or phone and determine if the clip will stay on your belt when you first sit in your automobile seat. I tried this one and it never failed to dislodge from my heavy 1.25-inch width double-lined sharskin belt.
The fit and finish of the PR head is flawless; attesting to the maker's deft touch with a lathe. The maker is in the same league as custom craftsmen such as Reeve & Mayo (blades), Rosen & Sparks (leather), & Baer & Brown (1911s) [just to name a select few whom I have had the pleasure of sampling their work].
The DSR measurement will take place as night falls.
The maiden field test will occur when I visit with a friend at a large metropolitan airport tonight.
All this for a flashlight, you say. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
So far, I like what has been provided to me. The true test is when the PR917*E2 dukes it out with the ASP Taclite tonight.
To paraphrase Charlie's (MrBulk) quote; "...none of this will matter in a..." week. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
DETAILED ANALYSIS
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
DISTANCE to SPOT RATIO (DSR)
Definition: The ratio of the distance (feet) between the lens of the flashlight and the torso of the target to the diameter of the light product projected spot as displayed on the torso of the average (defined as a 5' 9", 160 lb.) male.
The DSR of the PR-917*E2 is almost exactly 10.5:1 @ 21 feet. This is ideal. The spot is round with some abberations at the edges. There is no visible secondary image or ghosting light spot, but there is definitely spill of light wherein surrounding objects are also readily identifyable.
Contrast this to the ASP Taclite's 21:1 DSR @21 feet. At 21 feet, the hotspot is ~12 inches, however, there is a secondary and detectable hotspot that illuminates surrounding objects. At 30 feet, the Taclite DSR is still at 20:1 with the main hotspot enlarging to only ~18 inches in diameter.
Don told me before I received the light that there is a slight greenish tint on the output. When I first activated it, I could not detect it. Likely because I've been accustomed to the yellow-ish colors of the incandescent products that I've in the last 40 years. As I sustained the comparison to the Taclite's spot, the PR-917's output began to look more white. Or is it that the Taclite's was looking more yellow? It was only after I looked at the PR917 output repeatedly and exclusively that I finally noticed the color variation. The very slight greenish speckles give the output a "polar ice" tint. It didn't take long for me to get acclimated to this vast color improvement.
CARRYABILITY
Definition: The ease and convenience with which the user can transport the product; whether in a gear bag, briefcase, or belt sheath/pouch/holster.
POCKETABILITY
Definition: The ease and convenience with which the user can transport the product in a shirt, trouser, jacket, or coat pocket.
HANDGUN GRIP
Definition: The operator's ability to utilize the product in conjunction with the use of a handgun. For this size of tactical and category, the product will be evaluated with the Harries, Rogers/Surefire, and Neck Index techniques that will be described separately noting the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Harries
Description: .
Rogers/Surefire
Description: .
Neck Index
Description: .
IMPACT DEVICE
Definition: .
METHOD of OPERATION
Description: .
POWER SUPPLY
Description: .
DURABILITY
Descrition: This portion of the evaluation will necessarily be long term. My set critera is 90 days. Many employers often use this period to evalaute the performance of new employees before officially accepting them as permanent members of the organization. Very much like the employee on the probationary period, the product will need to exhibit as many of its desirable characteristics in order to impress the operator/user.
MAINTENANCE & REPAIR SUPPORT
Description: Since this a custom product, repair support is NOT expected.
RELIABILITY
Description: .
