New FR400 Flashlight

[Curt R]

The old FR400 used three Seoul P4 LEDs in series with a drive current of 700 mA. We have not made that
unit with the advent of the FR600 and FR1000 using the Seoul P7 LED.

We are now introducing the new FR400 using the XP-G R5 LED and a new optic and electronics in the same
head and battery compartments as the the original. The new FR400 has a very tight beam pattern with
minimal side spill. The drive current to the XP-G R5 LED is 1.5 Amps for an average bare bulb output of
about 460 Lumens.

This light is for those that want some throw distance. The FR1000 Candela output is 7200 to 7600 with
a 6 volt or higher battery supply. The new FR400 Candela output is 14600 to 15000 with a 4.5 volt or
higher battery supply. With a single 18650 Lithium-Ion battery the FR400 output is 10500 Candela.
Maximum battery supply voltage is 14.

This is the perfect light for police SWAT teams and others that need a concentrated light or need to light up
something 500 feet away. At 50 feet the hot spot is 7 feet in diameter. At 200 feet the spot is about 22 feet.

The FR400 lights that we are shipping to RMSK right now are the adjustable output versions.
List price is $220.00.

Curt

 

[eyeeatingfish]

So how do you think the xp-g version will stack up when compared to the chinese thrower lights, DBS, MRV, Etc?

I am considering these lights to replace my chinese thrower light for duty work. But then I am also torn between the xp-g version and the P7 version.

Im trying to decide between this FR series (maybe the 600 or this new announced 400 so it can fit in my holster) and the smaller NP300 or NP400

The FR400, this isnt the 1.25 inch head right, this is a large head on the FR1000 and FR600?

Is it a reflector?

 

[Curt R]

This is the FR600 head at 1.62 inches diameter and it uses a solid <10 degree optic and not a reflector.
The NP300 XP-G is 6400 Candela and the NP400 with the P7 is about 3200. The FR600 is about 5000 Candela.
The P7 Rainier pocket back-up with a Lithium-Ion RCR123A is about 2800. The small light emitting
surface area of the Cree XP-G is easier to concentrate than the large surface of the multiple die
Seoul P7 LED. The P7 will produce more light output in Lumens but the XP-G is better for throw at similar
drive currents.

The biggest difference is throw verses medium flood in each group.

Curt

 

[eyeeatingfish]

This is the FR600 head at 1.62 inches diameter and it uses a solid <10 degree optic and not a reflector.
The NP300 XP-G is 6400 Candela and the NP400 with the P7 is about 3200. The FR600 is about 5000 Candela.
The P7 Rainier pocket back-up with a Lithium-Ion RCR123A is about 2800. The small light emitting
surface area of the Cree XP-G is easier to concentrate than the large surface of the multiple die
Seoul P7 LED. The P7 will produce more light output in Lumens but the XP-G is better for throw at similar
drive currents.

The biggest difference is throw verses medium flood in each group.

Curt

Sorry, im not real familiar with candela. Ive read the explanation of why you use it and that is fine, but I just dont really know how to interpret it. I guess I know lumens because I have flashlights that are rated in lumens but I have none rated in candela so I am kind of at a loss. Candela measures more of the throw than lumens does right?

The P7 FR600 sounds like it might made a good duty light, not quite as much throw but close. I am having trouble imagining a 10 degree optic. Do you think that will be good for traffic stops? I want it to light up most of the front seats when I am standing just a foot or two from a door.

Can you think of any other lights to compare this to? I havent found any reviews comparing it with anything and cant even think of any other P7 lights with an optic...

Im wanting to replace my current duty light which is a Lumapower MRV Q2.

 

[eyeeatingfish]

Sorry curt, I am trying to figure something else out. The lights you have been talking about get 5000 to 6000 candela and candela is sort of equivalent to lux correct? I see reviews of some of the chinese brands of lights saying that they have 20,000 lux.
I know you guys use good new LEDs and good optics or reflectors so I am confused why the rating would be so much lower, like in the range of the small EDC size lights.
Am I losing something in translation? Im not trying to bash your lights, I want to buy one, its just that for 200 bucks I want to make sure I understand everything.

 

[RAGE CAGE]

It would be the best $200.00 you could spend IMO for a hard user light.
I have a first generation Night Patrol with the single P4 emitter- the thing is built like a tank. IMHO PEAK is the ultimate in reliability and value. Curt has a post in here somewhere where they were drop testing the first gen.s from a height of 11 feet - 30 times and the batts might be a little shorter- but the lights still worked. Bright- dependable- warranty- made in the USA......can't ask for much more than that. To me, PEAK is to Flashlights what Busse is to Blades.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=230283 post #28 in this thread

"The front bezel is a special urethane compound that we have cast for us and then we machine it to size. After dropping the light at an angle of 30 degrees from 11 feet to a concrete floor, the front bezel showed no marks or damage with a 20 power microscope. The batteries inside the light however were a bit shorter.

Forgot to mention that the test was 30 drops.

Curt"

 

[Curt R]

20,000 Lux would be about 1890 Candela. The conversion rate is about 10.6 to 1.

Most flashlight companies only rate the output of their flashlights in Lumens, the problem is that Lumens
is a measurement of all light produced. A T8 fluorescent 32 watt 48 inch long tube lamp emits 2800
Lumens. The T8 lamp just does not make for a good flashlight. Lots of Lumens, not much throw. Lux is
a measurement of maximum brightness at a point one meter from the light source. Candela is the
measurement at one foot.

An advertised flashlight output in Lumens only, can be misleading without the Candela/Lux measurement
also. Then there is also the angle of the beam pattern and the amount of side spill generated.

Pictures of beam shots are also a problem in that the camera is not the human eyeball. The graduation
from the hot spot to the side spill in a picture is nowhere close to an actual real life observation. A
picture will highlight one or the other but not both.

As far as a duty belt flashlight for police work, the NP series in the 300 or 400 is the best around choice.
The FR series is more powerful but most prefer the smaller size of the NP lights for general service duty.
With a one inch battery compartment and the 1.25 inch head, the NPs are designed to fit the SF holsters.
The NP300 has more throw and the NP400 has twice the spread with more side spill.

The Big Sea Bird 7060 Police light is rated at 195 Lumens. The NP300 has more throw and light output
and the NP400 has twice the light output. Our Aluminum NPs are half the weight and much shoter while
the Stainless Steel NPs weigh only 2 ounces more than the 7060. Four different battery compartments
will work with the NP series, including one that can use AA batteries, 2 x CR123A, 2 x RCR123A, 2 x 18350
or 1 x 18650. The 7060 uses a special battery at $39.95 each.

We also recommend the adjustable output version because many times you just do not need full
power, like when searching the inside of a car or writing reports. The NP series also has an optional
traffic cone adapter and wands.

Curt

 

[cnw4002]

I dont know about anyone else but the RMSk website is about the most obnoxious website I have ever visited. I wanted to find out about the FR400 but I could not stand to watch and listen long enough to find out about the light. That is pathetic.

 

[eyeeatingfish]

I think I am pretty much set on buying one for duty, definately getting an el capitan though.

At work we have the poly stinget holsters from streamlight so I can afford a longer and a little bit wider light than the average surefire 6p.
It looks like the battery tubes are interchangable so maybe I could get the FR 600 and get the battery tube for the FR400 and have both options?
Actually it looks like the body itself is the same for the NP and the FR series, is this true? I love lego options.

One thing I have to ask though is if 20,000 lux is about the same as 2000 candela then that means the FR400 with a single 18650 producing about 10,000 candela should produce about 100,000 lux
This is about twice as high as and of the reviewed chinese throw even with heads with huge reflectors. Something just isnt adding up for me.


I guess the only thing I have to figure out about which light to get is do I get the P7 version or the xp-g version? You said the FR400 has minimal side spill but I definately need some side spill for traffic stops. But if I get the P7 version am I going to be at a real disadvantage in the throw department?

Sorry, I dont mean to dominate the thread.

 

[eyeeatingfish]

I dont know about anyone else but the RMSk website is about the most obnoxious website I have ever visited. I wanted to find out about the FR400 but I could not stand to watch and listen long enough to find out about the light. That is pathetic.

Just call the guy. I did and he was great to talk to. Dont even bother to listen to those video characters.

 

[Dances with Flashlight]

Eyeeatingfish:

PEAK's LEO battery tubes are ALL interchangeable with all LEO heads (including both the FR and NP series, whether adjustable or single level). Here's a thread about these choices:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=257989

As far as battery options go, the most versatile tube is the tactical with an extender and a spacer: 1X18650; 2X(R)CR123; 2X18350; 2XAA/14500; or 3XAA/14500.

I stopped by Peak yesterday to see an FR400 with my own eyes (there's gotta be a story behind your user name). Don't know and can't say anything about the numbers, but this light throws better than any other light I've ever seen, at the expense, however, of spread and spill. This is not a light you'd want to use on the interior of a car - even though you can very easily and quickly dial down the lumens with the adjustable variation.

Curt said, "As far as a duty belt flashlight for police work, the NP series in the 300 or 400 is the best around choice.
The FR series is more powerful but most prefer the smaller size of the NP lights for general service duty.
With a one inch battery compartment and the 1.25 inch head, the NPs are designed to fit the SF holsters.
The NP300 has more throw and the NP400 has twice the spread with more side spill."

I have both the NP300 (XP-G) and NP400 (P7). Because of its optics, the 300 really does throw MUCH better than the 400, but - and this is very subjective - I don't think you'd notice any difference until the distance approaches thirty or forty yards or more. Within that range, however, the sheer volume of light over a broad area with the 400 is stunning, and if I were an LEO this would be my choice because you would be less likely to miss any immediate threat.

Be sure to note the size difference in the heads of the FR series and the NP series; the FR400 is considerably larger in diameter than the NP400 - so much so that the FR400 could be unsuitable for belt carry (at least for those of us who might have seen and eaten too many fish).

 

[eyeeatingfish]

I dont think the width will be a problem. my current lumapower MRVis about the same size head, maybe a little bit wider and it fits. The head is not as tall though but I think I can make that work.

You said the FR400 is too bright for a car? I am not worried about it being to bright on a traffic stop, main thing is it lights up the front seats.

I think ill get the FR600 so I get the wider head so better throw with a P7 but not as tall as the FR1000 head but I still get the P7 and I get the 2x18500 size. Maybe if I dont like it I can order the FR400 head?

Dances, what other lights do you have that I might know that you could compare this too when you said it had great throw?