Noctigon Meteor M43

[dc38]

I'm not an EE, nor a flashlight designer, but the thing has 12 LEDs. I don't know what each LED is drawing, but 2A seems reasonable and doable, so 24A total? Four cells, that's 6A each, no?

Chris

At 6A each, wouldnt the runtime on turbo ultimately be about half an hour? (Even on high cap high draw cells)

At 12800mAh battery capacity, the light runs ~1.6h. That translates to an overall consumption of 8A, or 2A per cell. It would help to have a wiring diagram of the LEDs though

 

[romteb]

At 6A each, wouldnt the runtime on turbo ultimately be about half an hour?

Light output on turbo is not constant, the light coudn't even handle it thermally, the output (and thus amps) decreases a lot in the first 10 minutes.

 

[Giocomo]

At theoretical 2A per LED, since the driver outputs 8A @ 11V, that is how it actually works electrically, however that 8A is the Iout (Ouput current), the input current will be greater like on any regulated boost driver. There is no output current identical to input current unless a driver is linear. So what the manual says 7.5A per cell is correct. Runtimes cannot be calculated based on cell capacity, all has to be calculated in watts available in the cells (current load must be correct, not watt/h at 0.1A load, but at 7.5A load resulting watt/hour) and watts drawn.

 

[markr6]

Something is really keeping me from pulling the trigger on this. It's not just the price or need for another charger or 4 more batteries, but it worries me that I feel like it may be more of a "project" light, a prototype just to SEE how many lumens are possible instead of a practical tool. That's fine, nothing against Hank or the engineering of this thing. I know it's a work of art! Maybe I just need some convincing from those that own one.

 

[seasam]

Something is really keeping me from pulling the trigger on this. It's not just the price or need for another charger or 4 more batteries, but it worries me that I feel like it may be more of a "project" light, a prototype just to SEE how many lumens are possible instead of a practical tool. That's fine, nothing against Hank or the engineering of this thing. I know it's a work of art! Maybe I just need some convincing from those that own one.

yeah we haven't really seen what the step-down looks like for one. I know it's temperature dependent but it would be nice to have some kind of idea what the light is capable of running at between 5-20 minutes instead of just what it puts out in the first few minutes.

 

[markr6]

Just noticed the specs changed a little; not sure when.

NW 219BT 92CRI 4000lm 20,000cd 4790K

now says:

NW 219BT-V1 90CRI Min 4450lm 20,000cd 5000K

Not complaining I'm torn between the Nichia and 3D flavor.

 

[Giocomo]

yeah we haven't really seen what the step-down looks like for one. I know it's temperature dependent but it would be nice to have some kind of idea what the light is capable of running at between 5-20 minutes instead of just what it puts out in the first few minutes.

Most flashlights are temperature dependent that are high power, because are made for short burst, that is the most convenient way to use, be on medium for good runtime and then burst several second on turbo, that is why we need modes on flashlights with outputs over 500lumens, any light even a 20W light can get ultra hot, so the M43 is not extraordinary in this regard.

 

[thedoc007]

Most flashlights are temperature dependent that are high power, because are made for short burst, that is the most convenient way to use, be on medium for good runtime and then burst several second on turbo, that is why we need modes on flashlight with outputs over 500lumens, any light even a 20W light can get ultra hot, so the M43 is not extraordinary in this regard.

Actually most lights still have timed stepdowns, not temperature controlled...but that doesn't answer seasam's question about how long it can run at what output. Does it do an abrupt stepdown, or dim over time? Can it run for two minutes on turbo, or ten? To a lot of people (me included) details like that matter.

 

[markr6]

The time lapse video showed it dimming, but may not be useful if you're looking for hard numbers.

I just don't want to get a light that puts out crazy light and end up using medium all the time. I understand the higher modes may just be for short bursts, but I think I'd rather have a lower max mode and be able to run that without worrying as much.

But as these sodacan lights get brighter and brighter, there's really nothing magical out there to keep them cool.

 

[Giocomo]

Actually most lights still have timed stepdowns, not temperature controlled...but that doesn't answer seasam's question about how long it can run at what output. Does it do an abrupt stepdown, or dim over time? Can it run for two minutes on turbo, or ten? To a lot of people (me included) details like that matter.

80W output if you think you can take that for 10minutes, then you don't need temperature control of timed step downs, but these lights are built for short burts exactly because of the high wattage.

 

[Giocomo]

T
but I think I'd rather have a lower max mode and be able to run that without worrying as much.

This is why some people think the opposite, conscientiously use medium and have the turbo when they really want it, as a general rule. If you have a simple single XM-L2 3A using a single 18650 with no thermal regulation or stepdown timer and the light has excellent thermal path then you cannot hold that light after 15 minutes and it is only a 10W light.

 

[tonkem]

For the money, I can only think of one other non custom light that would come close, but still fall short, but for alot more money. That is the Lupine Betty TL2 at 4500 lumens, with thermal regulation, and a proprietary battery. So, for the money, in my mind, this light is a steal. I ordered the XP-G2 S2 version for the 70k cd. It shipped today from Mountain Elec, hope to have early next week. Will compare to the 6330, Lupine Betty TL-s (only 2600 lumens)... and let all know my impressions. I am by no means a reviewer, but will do my best to give an unbiased opinion against the aforementioned lights.

Something is really keeping me from pulling the trigger on this. It's not just the price or need for another charger or 4 more batteries, but it worries me that I feel like it may be more of a "project" light, a prototype just to SEE how many lumens are possible instead of a practical tool. That's fine, nothing against Hank or the engineering of this thing. I know it's a work of art! Maybe I just need some convincing from those that own one.

 

[mizjif]

I received my stone white S2 dedome version two days ago, and my new Efest 35A cells yesterday. After a fresh charge, I can safely say, this thing is worth the money. Not only is it a monster in output, it nearly disappears in the hand with its small size. Fit and finish is second to none. This thing is special.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Something is really keeping me from pulling the trigger on this. It's not just the price or need for another charger or 4 more batteries, but it worries me that I feel like it may be more of a "project" light, a prototype just to SEE how many lumens are possible instead of a practical tool. That's fine, nothing against Hank or the engineering of this thing. I know it's a work of art! Maybe I just need some convincing from those that own one.

We're all different, but unless you have a specialized need for one of these monster lights, they're not all that fun to carry around, even when walking the dog for 20 minutes, let alone hiking somewhere. My SupFire M6 is similar to the Meteor and it just sits in its box only coming out when I want to cycle the cells.

Heck, I can say the same thing for my SWM D40A. I carried it the first night I had it, to a Costco and then on a walk in a park and that's been that...lol.

Chris

 

[easilyled]

We're all different, but unless you have a specialized need for one of these monster lights, they're not all that fun to carry around, even when walking the dog for 20 minutes, let alone hiking somewhere. My SupFire M6 is similar to the Meteor and it just sits in its box only coming out when I want to cycle the cells.

Heck, I can say the same thing for my SWM D40A. I carried it the first night I had it, to a Costco and then on a walk in a park and that's been that...lol.

Chris

Yes I'm waiting for the time that there's a CR123 EDC pocket-light that can produce that many lumens. I think its going to be a very long wait though! :naughty:

 

[markr6]

For me I guess it's just half boredom/half addiction. I want something new and insanely bright. It won't be the most practical light in my bag that's for sure!

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Yes I'm waiting for the time that there's a CR123 EDC pocket-light that can produce that many lumens. I think its going to be a very long wait though! :naughty:

Don't get me wrong, I think that everybody should own a monster light, or two, even those people who don't actually 'need' something that powerful. They're awesome in their own right, just not practical to carry.

My buddy sent me his TK61vn V4 in March while I was at home visiting my family and I showed my dad and my sister what the thing could do and they couldn't believe it.

I've got some decent lights, but the two that I rotate through and carry pretty much everyday, are my ET D-25C Ti. clicky and SWM V11R, both with IMR 16340s. They've rarely left me 'wanting' for more and I'm out and about in the big city, quite often.

Were I to live out in the boonies, I might carry something bigger.

Chris

 

[Kevin1322]

A lot of talk on practicality of this light. I'd just like to make a couple of comments on this, just as a reminder to some.
At almost $200, this is not a "practical" purchase for most people wanting a flashlight. Professionals that need the really bright light for longer periods of time won't be getting this either.
If you need the 6,000 plus lumen light for long periods of time this isn't the light for you, but with all the levels of light and the build quality, I really don't think anyone can say this isn't a practical light (if you have the money). Something this small isn't meant to be run at 4,000 to 6,000 lumens for very long; they are there for short bursts, just in case, or just for fun.


Personally I am getting one when I can. For flashlight enthusiasts, it seems to be THE light to have for 2015. It's a lot of light (not just in lumens) for the price and I just don't see it getting any better, at least this year. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[markr6]

I believe I started with throwing out the word "practical". I didn't mean that in a negative way at all; just trying to find a balance between output and runtime without getting hot. It's tough! Like selfbuilt said, the TN36 gets really hot. So it's just an unavoidable limitation at this time until some new technology comes along.

 

[Kevin1322]

This small of a light, yes. You can get this though and be fine at 5000 lumens as far as heat goes ;-) Vinh also does this light, giving it more lumen and better heat management.
http://acebeam.com/acebeam-10000-lumen-x60m#.VV-c0mfbJes