McLux vs Firefly?

[keithhr]

since I own a McLux and have preordered a Firefly, I was wondering if anyone has an idea how these will compare in brightness, throw etc. I'm not sure where the original 123 small light design and info is, and can't remember reflector, optics, regulation other details, but I'm sure one of our more technically inclined brethern hav a good idea. They will both by 123 , one cell lights so that's a good place to start.

 

[paulr]

Throw is determined by the optics, which are configurable. My McLux has a McFlood which should give a wider angle beam than the Firefly, but correspondingly less throw.

Brightness is determined by the LED which is partly luck of the draw. Don't worry about it too much. It's hard to notice small differences in brightness unless you point both lights at a wall simltaneously and compare them. It won't matter in practical use. Obsessing about which flashlight is brighter is like obsessing about which stereo is louder. There are better things to worry about.

Mainly, these are two completely different styles and concepts of lights. CPF motto, buy both.

 

[Tomas]

While I can't give you a comparison shot between a McLux and a FireFly, I can give you a simple comparison shot between the Arc LS Hybrid with standard NX05 optics and Arc LS2 electronics and the LL123, which is the forerunner of the FireFly with the cut down NX05 optics and MicroPuck electronics.

Of course both are subject to the "Luxeon Lottery" as to beam color and such, what is interesting (to me) is the relative beam shaping they offer.

Both are with fresh CR123s, and the beams are projected on a textured white wall at 2 meters. (Image is color-corrected. Relative intensities and colors shown are quite accurate.)


Click for larger image.

 

[keithhr]

thank you Tomas, nice of you to post those shots.I was mainly curious as to whether they were going to be similar, I put the nx-05 optics in my mclux and like the bit brighter center.

 

[PaulW]

Brightness is also determined by drive to the LS. Does anyone know how many milli-amps are feeding the LED?

Paul

 

[Tomas]

Paul, the specs on the electronics for the two lights pictured were 330mA for the Arc LS and 350mA for the LL123.

The new FireFly will be adjustable over a wide range since the electronics supplied in the fully-built FireFly will be the Sandwich Shoppe MadMax module.

The FireFly without installed electronics will take any of the standard Sandwich Shoppe modules - some of which are pretty hairy. (Keep in mind that the small mass and surface area limits the length of time that a high powered module can be run in a FireFly before there is a heat problem ... )

The 350mA electronics in the LL123 shown above appears to be at, or just above the current level safe for continuous use. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/huh.gif So long as the LL123 above is held in a hand, the heat transfered in that way makes the light perfectly happy after ten minutes or so (the longest run at one time that I've used it). If just left on while sitting on a table, it would likely overheat at some point.

Hope that helps,

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

 

[PaulW]

Tomas,

Now that's a complete answer. Thanks a lot.

Paul

 

[DSpeck]

Thanks, Larry, I couldn't have said it better myself... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Raindrop]

Doug,

Since you responded can you clarify about the use of our own "sandwiches" as mentioned above. When I read your offer of the TK versus the units without sandwich I assumed you meant like a McModule or a DIY McLux that would require you to solder and pot the LED into the head or module assemblies.

Does the "Firefly" operate like a MiniMag in that you can just drop in an assembled Dat2Zip sandwich of your choice into the Firefly bodies??? If so that might be a nice option to order a number of LED sandwiches and pick and choose the "best" for use in the Firefly.

 

[DSpeck]

The Firefly uses a MadMax or BadBoy module (available from dat2zip only). Any colour you have or can get should work, if it's on one of these modules. The semi-complete option only needs you to drop in your MM or BB module, install the included snap-ring, and it's done. The rest of the light will be assembled and ready to go.

Yes, the operation is like a MiniMag in the way you drop in the sandwich and go. Essentially the two kits are the same, with the sole exception of including the module or not. The semi-complete version is intended for those who already have a module to use, or who want a different colour, etc.