New X990 owner

[JSWrightOC]

I am now the proud owner of a McCulloch X990, bought from Ufokillerz for a great price. It came with the 4.5Ah batteries, and the lamp has the yellow tinge in the bottom. While the lamp is cool, I can see a nice lump of halide salts in the arc envelope. Presently I'm burning in the lamp to help alleviate this, and to exercise it some since it hasn't been run in a while. However, I am still very happy with it, and can't wait to try it outside tonight!

Any tips or tricks I should know about?

 

[shiftd]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Nice /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
so, don't forget to post beamshot /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JSWrightOC]

Don't worry, more than just beamshots are coming.

In fact, I might include it in Quickbeam's shootout when he does that with me.

I've already disassembled a battery and now I'm working on the light itself. well built, shouldn't break. Definitely uses an automotive-style lamp.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello JSWrightOC,

A word of caution, don't stare right at it when it is on...

Seriously, about the only problem that can develop is if you turn it on and off all of the time. From what I understand, re-strikes age the bulb rapidly. If you let it sit for a few minutes before starting again, there should be no problem. This is not the light to signal SOS with.

I really enjoy this light. I get a smile on my face every time I start it up. It is also a good light to impress people with. "See that dog 4 blocks down the road, what is he carrying in his mouth?" Fire up the 990, "Oh it's an orange tennis ball." Impressive.

Have fun.

Tom

 

[SilverFox]

Hello again JSWrightOC,

One thing that is kind of interesting with the 990 is to position it like a flashlight and rotate it along the axis in your hand. The beam will take on some interesting colors as the light is rotated.

Have fun.

Tom

 

[flashfan]

Posted by SilverFox: "I get a smile on my face every time I start it up."

Whew! I'm glad I'm not the only one that this "phenomenon" happens to...

 

[JSWrightOC]

Ditto!

I smile every time I turn it on too. Having some experience with HID lights in general, I am familiar with the limitations. Usually when I turn it on, it stays on for at least a few minutes...and if I turn it off, it stays off for at least a minute. Most of its usage is going to be continuous operation, which is what HID lamps love anyway. I've already run both batts down the rest of the way and am working on charging them back up.

So, is there an official X990 "club" ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JSWrightOC]

I just documented in pictures all the details of the x990 that might be of interest. I'm working on processing them and may post them on CPF. I also did a beamshot comparison with its closest competitor, my 50W MR-16 halogen overdriven on 14.4V. Let's just say it ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Frenchyled]

Hey JSWrightOC,

Finally you get-it ! Isn't it a very Hight Bright Light ?
If you are happy it's essential.
It's a nice HID and I hope for you pleasure with it !

 

[Quickbeam]

JS - just don't get overzealous with your "taking apart" needs and break it before we do the shootout!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JSWrightOC]

FrenchyLED,

YES! I finally got it! I am very pleased with its performance, and I think this satisfies my "brightest light" needs for a while. Much like everyone else, I smile whenever I turn it on. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif There is some yellow to the beam, but it is not noticeable in the spot when in spot mode, and covers only the bottom 25% when in flood mode. It doesn't bother me--I'm familiar enough with HID lamps to know that this is not a permanant thing, and artifacts in the beam don't really upset me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Quickbeam,

Never fear, my taking apart desire is satisfied for now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif My intent was to document the assembly of the light and at least get a good feel of it for myself. If I could find a replacement lamp, relaming the unit would be a trivial task (if it becomes necessary). Also, re-celling the battery may be pretty simple as well. My next project is to draw a schematic of the built-in charging circuitry, which appears to be smart to a certain degree, as it switches to a trickle charge mode automatically. Funny thing is I didn't see much in there aside from a sprinkling of transistors and some passive components...

By the way, when is said shootout going to take place? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/poke2.gif

 

[TheQase]

-- would love to see those pictures... i am debating on maybe buying one of these, since i cant afford the maxabeam.

i know this has been asked before... but how would YOU compare this to a maxabeam...from what you know.

 

[Sway]

[ QUOTE ]
Quickbeam said:
JS - just don't get overzealous with your "taking apart" needs and break it before we do the shootout!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Quickbeam,

A Shootout! when and where?

Later
Sway

 

[Quickbeam]

Sway,

If and when JS and I can get out acts coordinated, we're planning a shootout at an undisclosed indoor location /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif to compare just about every light both he and I have. All day affair type of thing, with pics for everyone here at cpf to enjoy! For now I think it will just be for he and I unless JS has other ideas since it involves utilizing resources at a place of employment.

My new job could not have come at a better time financially, but could not have come at a worse time for coordinating the shootout. But, hey, gotta pay the bills!

 

[BillBill]

When's the shootout? Are you going to post pictures, Quickbeam?

BTW, I just finished THE RETURN OF THE KING

 

[Quickbeam]

Yep. Loads of pics. Every light I have. Battery cost is no object. Once I can find a frikkin' free weekend! Don't hold your breath, but this shootout will be a doozy when we get it done.

 

[NikolaTesla]

I had to get one too. My darn Surefire L6 just can't cut that kinda beam... Oh well is only $$$$$$$
Can't wait to see it. Greg at Bright guy made me promise not to try it till its dark outside /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[JSWrightOC]

It's insanely foggy outside tonight, and even though the x990 isn't a throw monster, it still puts out a wall of light that shines through the fog. I can still see 400+ feet away, assuming the light scattering from the fog isn't blinding me! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

 

[NikolaTesla]

Qase, get a X990. you will love it. Just to bright to believe. I bit the bullit and got one. Been investigating the HID bulb. The D2S has that yellow halide stuff in it and is normal. Light takes a while to break in. They have BRIGHTER D2S bulbs if you want to go there.... just more $$$. Put it on the strap and road my bicycle with it. My 16 watt CygoLite got 1/2 a block- this is day light for 1/2 a mile...
Its a bit big and heavy but LIGHT and LUMENS it HAS.

NikolaTesla