this_is_nascar
Flashaholic
TNG, meaning "the next generation" of the Pacific. Quite some time ago, I reviewed the original Pacific light from Peak. That review can be found HERE. I don't recall all the details, but that generation of the Pacific contain the Lux-III emitter. You can read the details in my past review, but overall I really liked the Pacific. It's large size, in the standard 1xAAA configuration was its biggest disadvantage in my opinion.
So, over a year has passed and I've notice some recent posts concerning the Pacific. It's nice to see that folks are still getting enjoyment from this light. It's really a great light, that has many possible configurations, based on the various battery tubes which are available. Since my original purchase of Pacific lights, Peak has introduced a variation using the Seoul P4 emitter. I'm no expert, but it's supposed to be brighter and more efficient than the Luxeon-III. Peak has also introduced different power-level options for the Pacific.
-- XLR 50cp.
-- HP 230cp.
-- UP 300cp.
-- SP 500cp.
There seems to be some confusion as to whether the "CP" numbers are for the Seoul or the Lux-III. For my purposes, it really doesn't matter. I think the average Joe would understand the intent of the SP is to be the brightest, with the least amount of runtime and the XLR the dimmest, with the most runtime. Being the type of guy that I'm am, I ordered (2) of the SP versions, along with a 1xCR2, 1xAA and 2xAAA battery tube. I've also performed some runtime comparisons, some of which have been recently been discussed HERE. Rather then continuing in that thread, which was more of a question/answer thread, I decided to start this new review thread.
In handling these (2) new P4 SP Pacific lights, it appears nothing has changed with the physical light. The bezel is still a glossy black, which looks sort of weird attached to the flat black bodies. I consider this a minor complaint. The Pacific still appears to use the IMS-17 reflector, although don't hold me to that. The battery tubes appear to be unchanged as well, in a multitude of available configurations (1xAAA key-chain <default>, 2xAAA key-chain, 1xAA pocket, 1xAA key-chain, 1xCR2 pocket, 1xCR2 key-chain). In the course of all these advanced, multi-level, multi-task, can do everything but wash the car flashlights which have hit the streets over the last 12-18 months, it's really easy to lose track of very simple, very useful lights such as the Pacific. Recent posts re-sparked my interests in this light and the fact that it does run on so many configurations, just made it a no-brainer to take another look at the Pacific.
I was looking mostly to see how well Peak implemented the P4, as it relates to output vs. runtime. I probably made a mistake by getting the top-of-the line SP version first. As we know with most lights, in it's maximum mode or output level, battery life is usually not taken into consideration or a huge factor for the makers of the light. I can think of one or two exceptions, but that's for another thread. Not all of my testing has been completed, but this is what I have so far. Part of me wants to think the regulation circuit has changed from the Pacifics of the past, however I have no knowledge of that. I make this statement based on the results I've seen on these lights, comparing it to old data I have from the prior lights. Rather than the circuit being changed (again, speculation on my part), it's highly likely that since the past Pacifics never produced the power of these SP lights, that explains these strange results. What I don't understand and has not been explained is why such the poor lithium performance compared to the the alkaline cells. I have not asked Peak about this yet, but I'm expecting their goal was for the SP version to be a bright as possible and forget about runtime or consistent regulation. Because of that, I've order (2) HP versions to perform similar testing.
You'll notice that I stopped most of these test prematurely, not taking them as long as I normally do. I did that because, for the most part, it was quickly obvious that the regulation produced by these lights was not up to the levels that I was expecting or looking for. I'll do more extensive testing on the HP versions.
AA-Cells.
AAA-Cells
CR2-Cells
All Cells
As I already mentioned, I'm not done with the testing. I still have the 2xAAA configuration to do. I may also test the 1xAA configuration on a Sanyo 2500 NiMH cell. I'm holding my final opinion of the new Pacifics until I get and test my HP versions. My hope is that I see regulation that's a bit better than this and a performance improvement while using the lithium E2 cells.
So, over a year has passed and I've notice some recent posts concerning the Pacific. It's nice to see that folks are still getting enjoyment from this light. It's really a great light, that has many possible configurations, based on the various battery tubes which are available. Since my original purchase of Pacific lights, Peak has introduced a variation using the Seoul P4 emitter. I'm no expert, but it's supposed to be brighter and more efficient than the Luxeon-III. Peak has also introduced different power-level options for the Pacific.
-- XLR 50cp.
-- HP 230cp.
-- UP 300cp.
-- SP 500cp.
There seems to be some confusion as to whether the "CP" numbers are for the Seoul or the Lux-III. For my purposes, it really doesn't matter. I think the average Joe would understand the intent of the SP is to be the brightest, with the least amount of runtime and the XLR the dimmest, with the most runtime. Being the type of guy that I'm am, I ordered (2) of the SP versions, along with a 1xCR2, 1xAA and 2xAAA battery tube. I've also performed some runtime comparisons, some of which have been recently been discussed HERE. Rather then continuing in that thread, which was more of a question/answer thread, I decided to start this new review thread.
In handling these (2) new P4 SP Pacific lights, it appears nothing has changed with the physical light. The bezel is still a glossy black, which looks sort of weird attached to the flat black bodies. I consider this a minor complaint. The Pacific still appears to use the IMS-17 reflector, although don't hold me to that. The battery tubes appear to be unchanged as well, in a multitude of available configurations (1xAAA key-chain <default>, 2xAAA key-chain, 1xAA pocket, 1xAA key-chain, 1xCR2 pocket, 1xCR2 key-chain). In the course of all these advanced, multi-level, multi-task, can do everything but wash the car flashlights which have hit the streets over the last 12-18 months, it's really easy to lose track of very simple, very useful lights such as the Pacific. Recent posts re-sparked my interests in this light and the fact that it does run on so many configurations, just made it a no-brainer to take another look at the Pacific.
I was looking mostly to see how well Peak implemented the P4, as it relates to output vs. runtime. I probably made a mistake by getting the top-of-the line SP version first. As we know with most lights, in it's maximum mode or output level, battery life is usually not taken into consideration or a huge factor for the makers of the light. I can think of one or two exceptions, but that's for another thread. Not all of my testing has been completed, but this is what I have so far. Part of me wants to think the regulation circuit has changed from the Pacifics of the past, however I have no knowledge of that. I make this statement based on the results I've seen on these lights, comparing it to old data I have from the prior lights. Rather than the circuit being changed (again, speculation on my part), it's highly likely that since the past Pacifics never produced the power of these SP lights, that explains these strange results. What I don't understand and has not been explained is why such the poor lithium performance compared to the the alkaline cells. I have not asked Peak about this yet, but I'm expecting their goal was for the SP version to be a bright as possible and forget about runtime or consistent regulation. Because of that, I've order (2) HP versions to perform similar testing.
You'll notice that I stopped most of these test prematurely, not taking them as long as I normally do. I did that because, for the most part, it was quickly obvious that the regulation produced by these lights was not up to the levels that I was expecting or looking for. I'll do more extensive testing on the HP versions.
AA-Cells.
AAA-Cells
CR2-Cells
All Cells
As I already mentioned, I'm not done with the testing. I still have the 2xAAA configuration to do. I may also test the 1xAA configuration on a Sanyo 2500 NiMH cell. I'm holding my final opinion of the new Pacifics until I get and test my HP versions. My hope is that I see regulation that's a bit better than this and a performance improvement while using the lithium E2 cells.
