My Assorted Led Flashlight Questions

[Midnight Oil]

I have several questions after reading Illum's long ago post regarding the effects of varying amounts of yellow phosphor on tint.

1. What other parameters beside the amount of yellow phosphor determine the tint of a led? If the amount of yellow phosphor is the only factor, why are the NW and WW leds usually of a lower flux bin compared to their cool counterparts? Why don't one get say a XP-E R2 NW or WW just by slapping more yellow phosphor onto an otherwise CW led? Or is it that the very process of putting on more phosphor decreases the light output of the led, lowers its efficienty, and thus bumps down its flux bin?

2. For mid-range lights (talking about cost), why are the NW and WW leds usually one or even two flux bins lower than the CW leds? Is it because there is less demand for them? If NW and WW LEDs can match CW ones in output, will people still choose CW? To me, things just look too eerie under anything but NW.

3. What is it about the led manufacturing process that is so variable and uncontrollable that the emitters from the same batch will not have identical tints?

 

[skyfire]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

ive seen in a video that the quark AA-2 is brighter than the LD20.

the R5 version's spill is brighter, with a wider hotspot than the R2.

the spill is also wider than the fenix light, and my opinion the clip and knurling is better, its also a little bit smaller and lighter than the fenix pd30

i have the quark 123x2 R5 and its my favorite light.
the AAx2 is not as bright, but im sure its bright enough.

i would go with the AAx2 R5.

i have recommended it before, to anyone impressed with my 123x2 R5, because they dont need to deal with the cr123a batteries. and AA batteries are very common.

 

[skyfire]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

sorry, ive been drinking some scotch. i forgot you are asking about AAx2 instead of the 123x2,

anyways, forget what i mentioned about the fenix pd30.

and the quark AAx2 R5 seems like the best chioce.

 

[LeifUK]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

Fenix lumens are not Out The Front, Quark are. So the Fenix is probably producing about ~140, compared to ~205 from the Quark.

 

[reflecyion]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

i have the quark 123x2 R5 and its my favorite light.
the AAx2 is not as bright, but im sure its bright enough.

even with 14500's ?
i plan on getting a R5 quark, and was gonna go with the aa2 version, thinking that with 14500's it would be nearly as brights as the 123^2, and i'd still have the option of using regular aa batteries.
am i mistaken?

 

[Brasso]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

According to the 47's website, the 2AA Quark input voltage maxes out at 4.2v, so putting 2 14500's in there would instantly fry the emitter. No go.

 

[reflecyion]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

ah, i see... so i would need a separate 123^2 head to run 14500's. thanks.
still learning...

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

I assume you mean get a single AA tube and run it with one 14500? I think two together would kill the AA2 head.

According to the graphs for the R2's I've seen on here the 123-2 version head would be brighter on 14500 than the AA version head would be. I assume that woudl carry across to the R5 versions when comparing betwen both modelas that have R5's. There's a couple of threads that have the graphs. One is
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=234960

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

I assume you mean get a single AA tube and run it with one 14500? I think two together would kill the AA2 head.

I have gotten the impression that this is possible to swap a heads between the AA's and 123's . Are the bodys the same diameter? Is it possible?

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

I have gotten the impression that this is possible to swap a heads between the AA's and 123's . Are the bodys the same diameter? Is it possible?

Oh yes, very possible. The threaded ends of the bodies are the same sizes. The actual body in the middle is wider on the 123 than the AA but still narrower than the threaded ends. They all fit each other physically which makes them great to my mind.

You can run an AA head (which is the same as a AA2 head) with a single 123 battery as well as AA, 2 x AA, 1 x 18650, 1 x 17670, 1 x 14500 and probably some other batteries (i'm no expert). You just have to remember not to run that head with 2 x 123 batteries. For that you need the 123-2 head.

So versatile.

 

[luke_DF]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

While I like the Quark AA2 R2's physical appearance, flawless beam, moonlight mode, and the more or less cool white output, I wish its spill were brighter, which would be more useful for closeup work. In a similar fashion, while I prefer the LD20's brighter spill, useful diffusers, and brightness levels, I don't like its appearance, the potential beam artifacts, and the variable tints of its beam. As for the Quark AA2 R5, I've not been able to find much about it. Thanks in advance.

I don't know if quark AA and AA2 will have the same light beam profile, but if so, then I think my quark AA tactical has a brighter spill than LD20. I like fenix appearance and functionality, but plan to look at quark AA2 in the future. might be a hard choice, if you end up getting both of them to field test and decide, let us know what you think

 

[skyfire]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

from what ive gathered the AA, AA-2 and 123 uses the same head only the 123x2 is different.

i dont see why 2x14500 cells on the 123x2 head would be different. of course beisdes the AAx2 body.

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

I don't know if quark AA and AA2 will have the same light beam profile, .......I like fenix appearance and functionality, but plan to look at quark AA2 in the future. might be a hard choice,

AA and AA2 are the same head. If you already have an AA then alls you need is an AA2 tube and you've got an instant upgrade.

 

[Ezeriel]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

Hi there!

I'm a total newbie to flashlights too, and I just took the plunge and bought my first light, an LD20 :thumbsup:

I passed on the quark for two reasons, didn't like the UI, and the preflash:tsk:
The preflash can be seen at 2:09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtrg1ivqJtg&feature=player_embedded


I chose the LD20 thanks to some dude's inspiring words "we don't compare every 2AA light to the LD20 for no good reason, it's an amazing light."

He was right, it's amazing. It's not perfect. You are right about the artifacts in the beam.. well.. no spots, but it is ringy. I didn't get a diffuser tip, but after putting a piece of scotch tape over the bezel, I want one! Wow what an awesome flood!

I like the look of the LD20, but it is slippery, and awkward to hold. I bought a box of assorted O-rings at Lowes and put three of them at the thinnest part of the light, and now it fits my hand perfectly! :rock:

I also found CPF as-well-as this site of various beamshots extremely helpful. (it has an LD20, but no quarks)

http://superfonarik.ru/article_info.php?articles_id=11


All in all, I dont have a single regret about getting the LD20, just wish I bought the diffuser tip.

(this one, not the sex toy )
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_27_38&products_id=1775

 

[Midnight Oil]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

Thanks, Ezeriel. 4Sevens just ran out of the Quark AA2 R2, so it now comes down to either the R5 version or the LD20.

I hear the LD20 beam is actually neutral white, which I prefer over the green tint that the few people who have commented on the R5 have mentioned. I also prefer the 47 lumen mode over the 85 and 22 modes of the R5. 22 will likely not be enough, and I don't always need 85. With the LD20, if 47 is too dim, I can always go to the 94 mode. The LD20 can also be fitted with the diffuser lens and tips. The Fenix diffuser lens seems to be more convenient to use than the Quark Prism attachment or EagleTac's screwed-on attachment.

Hmm, sounds like I've already made a decision.

 

[Midnight Oil]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

Thanks, lukeDF. I've seen a beamshot of a Quark AA Q3 5A on 1x14500 Li-ion. The surrounding in the photo is covered in snow, so it's hard to judge how bright the spill really is. I'm leaning towards the LD20, but will wait for more comments about the Quark AA2 R5 before committing.

 

[Midnight Oil]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

Thanks, Skyfire. I really need to see beamshots of the R5 before taking the plunge, one way or another, especially because the few people who have commented on it say it has a green tint.

I like a bright spill, but I don't want to loose too much throw. I'm thinking, the LD20 has decent throw, and if I ever need even more spill than it already has for close range work, I can just pop on the diffuser lens.

I know I can't ask for much for $60, but I' don't deal too well with buyer's remorse, so I'll continue to actively observe and listen for now.

 

[Ezeriel]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

I have a friend that picked-up a R5 droppin for his Surefire, it has a green tint, and it is a very floody led.

It throws as far as my LD20, is just as bright, but it's wider beam lights up a much larger area, it uses 2 Cr123s, and has a P6/6P head, which is known for throw. But even though it's 300-350 lumens, the amount of light is more diffuse, so the lights "feel" very similar when outdoors, and I think a lot of his light's lumens might be lost into the sky.




My LD20 actually changes color with the output levels


Low is rather green tinted oo:

Medium is white with just a hint of green
(but you have to be looking for it)

High is a rather colorless "flat" white

Turbo is a very bright white, but it's a "full white" as if a dash of pink and blue were added to the white (not purple)
...it's hard to describe, but it just makes colors jump out more.


I'm not sure if all LD20s behave this way, or if I just got lucky :thumbsup:




"Fenix lumens are not Out The Front, Quark are. So the Fenix is probably producing about ~140, compared to ~205 from the Quark."

umm.. Mr.Gman didn't test the quarks, but the LD20 on 2 Alkaline AAs holds at 157.9 lumens after 60 sec in his test
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=229135



I don't want to steer a decision, I'm just saying the difference in all this lights isn't so dramatic in the real world... pick the user interface you like the most, and just dive right in

 

[Midnight Oil]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

Well, guys. It's been two months since I started this thread, but I still haven't purchased my first light. None of the candidates have a compromise of the features I'm looking for, and I still can't find comparison beamshots of the Quark AA2 R5. Are those lights not selling or do the usual reviewers just don't think it is worthy of review.

Meanwhile, I've read some less than favorable reviews of the XP-G R5's green tint, specifically those used in the Quarks. -1 for the Quark AA2 R5 then? :shrug: There is still the R2 version, which the 4sevens website says will not be restocked once it's sold out, but has sold out a couple of times and each time, restocked. If the light is still in demand, why throw in the prism kit to stimulate sales. Based on the reviews of the prism kit I have read, the reaction to it is lukewarm at best, so it seems like it's not worth much, especially when thrown into a sales package, yet 4sevens is charging $20 for it when purchased separately.:thinking:

I was looking forward to Eagletac's upgrade for the P20A2, hoping they would add another brightness level between the High and General modes, around 100 lumens, but that is not to be. :sigh: For me, there is too large a jump between the 200+ High setting and the 60 General setting. The High setting will be good for dazzling friends and rare moments that require a lot of light (like when 4 raccoons decided to duke it out atop my roof a few weeks ago and I had to manually strobe my cheap Dorcy light :green: and yell into the skylight to scare them off), but will not be a practical brightness level for extended use due to the heat and short runtime. I imagine the General mode will be sufficient within a 30 foot radius, but beyond that I will need more light, around 100 lumens OTF, which will offer a good compromise between brightness and runtime.

Well, it seems like my last hope is the ET PC20A2, which is advertised to have 4 output levels. I hope it will have what I'm looking for, otherwise I may never buy a light.

 

[AnAppleSnail]

Re: Seeking Quark AA2 (R2&R5) Side By Side with Fenix LD20 Outdoor Beamshots

Any light is far better than none, and not really much worse than your ideal light. You won't see a small brightness change, so buy a thrower with good UI and nail a light diffuser on.