Borrowed this nice light from the manufacturer, and here's my quick and mini-review. :nana:
ARC mania's sale threads is at: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=185395
and post #140 has a re-written nice and easy operation instructions.
There're also two reviews about this light
jeffb's review: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=184472
mudman_cj's review: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=187006
For detailed specifications and features, please refer to ARC mania's sales thread.
=========
First impression: High quality and beautiful!
The switch machanism and UI is the same as LiteFlux LF2. It may be diffcult for beginners at first, but once you understand the meaning of P1/P2/SW(switch actions) while doing a few more practice, you'll know how to operate it. If you don't want to program it, the default setting of P1 (15% output) and P2 (50% output) is also enough for most conditions.
The output is controlled by PWM but there's no flickering at any output level (0.2% ~ 100%) since the hardware PWM frequency is very high at 7800Hz.
It's neat for the quick access to all mode (normal, strobe, and SOS) and functions. There's no need to cycle throught un-wanted modes. The ability to memorize output level of user adjustable mode will make this light a 3-stage light. I set it to 100% and just do SWx2 easily when I need the max brightness.
IMHO, the battery over-discharging protection is a great feature. I don't need to worry about damaging the batteries. :thumbsup: I use 10440 li-ion rechargeables with my LF2 and ExtremeIII. The 50% output of Li-ion is roughly equal to 100% output of NiMH. I could get a long runtime with low output and max brightness when I need it.
=========
Here's my AAA lights for size comparision. From left to right are LiteFlux LF2 SSC/LF2 XR-E/MJP Extreme III/Lumapower Avenger/KD 1AAA Buckle
(My Avenger's LED de-centered a lot.... :green
The Natural HAIII color of the Extreme III is beautiful, smooth and shining. It's near dark gray and no color mis-match. There're dimond knurling at head and body. There's one flat surface engraved "MJP Extreme III" at the body.
There's one hole and notch at the tail to attach lanyard or split ring
The reflector is deep and finish is nice
The thread is also hard anodized. It's very smooth while turning the head.
The head knurling is at the light engine part. The head bezel won't loose accidently when doing the switch actions.
The two-stage switch is detachable, but I'm not brave enough to disassembile it. (LF2 is glued and not detachable)
There're lots thermal vias at the PCB for heat transfer. The head warms up quickly when using high output. I think the heat transfer is good.
Unlike LF2, Extreme III has concaved dot to indicate the positions of P1 (one dot) and P2 (two dots).
Just insert the diffuser directly onto the bezel. There's no need to detach the bezel like LF2. It's a little longer compared to LF2 when installed.
The white diffuser is good for area lighting or candle mode.
=========
Didn't have much time to take the beamshots. I like the beam type of Extreme III. The hotspot is bright while the side spill is also useful. The transfer from hotspot to side spill is also smooth.
Extreme III (10440, 100%, F2.8 1s):
Avenger (10440, Hi, F2.8 1s):
LF2 XR-E Q5 (10440, 100%, F2.8 1s):
=========
Here's the runtime graphs. When runing with the alkaline, the battery over-discharging protection is set to OFF. And for NiMH and li-ion batteries, it's ON. The output level is scaled to 0~100% (the level of beginning is assumed 100%).
The batteries used are Panasonic Alkaline, Eneloop AAA and 320mAh 10440 li-ion. The eneloop is charged on my MAHA-C9000 and used after one day of storage. 10440 was charged by self-made LTC4054 charger and started at 4.16v.
I took the reading at 1 minute interval.
----------
Runtime for Alkaline
----------
Runtime for NiMH
(The local electricity went out when doing the 100% runtime, but the output was already down below 1/10. Thus, I didn't re-run it)
----------
Runtime for 10440 Li-ion
(I didn't do 100% runtime since the current draw from battery may exceed 2C. It's not good for li-ion)
ARC mania's sale threads is at: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=185395
and post #140 has a re-written nice and easy operation instructions.
There're also two reviews about this light
jeffb's review: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=184472
mudman_cj's review: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=187006
For detailed specifications and features, please refer to ARC mania's sales thread.
=========
First impression: High quality and beautiful!
The switch machanism and UI is the same as LiteFlux LF2. It may be diffcult for beginners at first, but once you understand the meaning of P1/P2/SW(switch actions) while doing a few more practice, you'll know how to operate it. If you don't want to program it, the default setting of P1 (15% output) and P2 (50% output) is also enough for most conditions.
The output is controlled by PWM but there's no flickering at any output level (0.2% ~ 100%) since the hardware PWM frequency is very high at 7800Hz.
It's neat for the quick access to all mode (normal, strobe, and SOS) and functions. There's no need to cycle throught un-wanted modes. The ability to memorize output level of user adjustable mode will make this light a 3-stage light. I set it to 100% and just do SWx2 easily when I need the max brightness.
IMHO, the battery over-discharging protection is a great feature. I don't need to worry about damaging the batteries. :thumbsup: I use 10440 li-ion rechargeables with my LF2 and ExtremeIII. The 50% output of Li-ion is roughly equal to 100% output of NiMH. I could get a long runtime with low output and max brightness when I need it.
=========
Here's my AAA lights for size comparision. From left to right are LiteFlux LF2 SSC/LF2 XR-E/MJP Extreme III/Lumapower Avenger/KD 1AAA Buckle
(My Avenger's LED de-centered a lot.... :green
The Natural HAIII color of the Extreme III is beautiful, smooth and shining. It's near dark gray and no color mis-match. There're dimond knurling at head and body. There's one flat surface engraved "MJP Extreme III" at the body.
There's one hole and notch at the tail to attach lanyard or split ring
The reflector is deep and finish is nice
The thread is also hard anodized. It's very smooth while turning the head.
The head knurling is at the light engine part. The head bezel won't loose accidently when doing the switch actions.
The two-stage switch is detachable, but I'm not brave enough to disassembile it. (LF2 is glued and not detachable)
There're lots thermal vias at the PCB for heat transfer. The head warms up quickly when using high output. I think the heat transfer is good.
Unlike LF2, Extreme III has concaved dot to indicate the positions of P1 (one dot) and P2 (two dots).
Just insert the diffuser directly onto the bezel. There's no need to detach the bezel like LF2. It's a little longer compared to LF2 when installed.
The white diffuser is good for area lighting or candle mode.
=========
Didn't have much time to take the beamshots. I like the beam type of Extreme III. The hotspot is bright while the side spill is also useful. The transfer from hotspot to side spill is also smooth.
Extreme III (10440, 100%, F2.8 1s):
Avenger (10440, Hi, F2.8 1s):
LF2 XR-E Q5 (10440, 100%, F2.8 1s):
=========
Here's the runtime graphs. When runing with the alkaline, the battery over-discharging protection is set to OFF. And for NiMH and li-ion batteries, it's ON. The output level is scaled to 0~100% (the level of beginning is assumed 100%).
The batteries used are Panasonic Alkaline, Eneloop AAA and 320mAh 10440 li-ion. The eneloop is charged on my MAHA-C9000 and used after one day of storage. 10440 was charged by self-made LTC4054 charger and started at 4.16v.
I took the reading at 1 minute interval.
----------
Runtime for Alkaline
----------
Runtime for NiMH
(The local electricity went out when doing the 100% runtime, but the output was already down below 1/10. Thus, I didn't re-run it)
----------
Runtime for 10440 Li-ion
(I didn't do 100% runtime since the current draw from battery may exceed 2C. It's not good for li-ion)
