Non-round beam SF M3
- Thread starter rjr104
- Start date
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Outdoors Fanatic
Flashlight Enthusiast
That's pretty normal with most stock SF lamp assemblies. Get some Lumens Factory bulbs if you want the roundest beams and furthest throwing lamps made to fit SureFire lights. I'd recommend getting the IMR-M3 (or the HO-M3 for longer runtime).
Cheers
effulgentOne
Enlightened
Yes, this is normal. However, it's caused by the shape of the filament in surefire bulbs, not the reflector. As OF already mentioned, Lumens Factory bulbs are typically better in this and other respects, and many people on CPF use them. I personally like my EO-M3 (inbetween the HO and IMR in output and runtime).
Normal filament shape but sometimes it's made even worse if the bulb is cocked sideways in its base, during manufacturing. As the others have already stated the LF lamp assemblies are a very nice improvement in beam quality are crooked bulbs are almost non-existent from LF. Btw, you picked a great light! :thumbsup:
MrSneakyMan
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2009
- Messages
- 17
The oval shaped beam only bugged me a small amount as I was dazzaled by its most impressive 225 lumens gouging out my eyeballs.
What really bugged me is how the mn11 bulb exploded after 5 minutes of runtime and surefire doesn't want to know about it.
Disappointment reigns
What really bugged me is how the mn11 bulb exploded after 5 minutes of runtime and surefire doesn't want to know about it.
Disappointment reigns
leukos
Flashlight Enthusiast
Try calling SF customer service again, they usually take care of you under those circumstances.
NextLight
Enlightened
It is 'normal' for M3s. I personally like the oval pattern, as it is useful for walkways & roads windows, rooms, and even blinding BG's eyes up close (when horizontal) If it were so bad as be be hourglass shape where I could actually see the filament windings in the beam's hot spot, that would be a bit much.
The phenomena is related to filament size vs reflector size, vs reflector smoothness, focus, and glass envelope clarity. The M3 (and my C3-P91) give great throw and center intensity, with the less circular hot spot. If one were coming from a single LED light, the oval shape might look defective.
The phenomena is related to filament size vs reflector size, vs reflector smoothness, focus, and glass envelope clarity. The M3 (and my C3-P91) give great throw and center intensity, with the less circular hot spot. If one were coming from a single LED light, the oval shape might look defective.
Yes, this is indeed normal.
By the way: did you use that MN11 with primaries or with 2X 17500s?
In the last case.... it is no surprise it exploded. You are overdriving this lamp assembly severely when used with 2X Li-ion batteries.
The MN10 will withstand them.
Let me try to explain this:
primary CR123A's have a no-load voltage of 3V.
Under the load of an MN10, they sag to about 2.5V each
Under the load of an MN11, they sag to 2.1 to 2.2V each.
This means, an MN10 is powered by a total voltage of about 7.5V when using primary CR123A's whereas 2X Li-ion will have 7.4V so that's no problem.
However, the MN11 will only see 6.3 to 6.6V in total when powered by 3X CR123A, which is way less than two Li-ion batteries will provide!! So, the MN11 will be overpowered quite severely in this case!
Exactly the same goes for the P90 and P91: the P90 will withstand two Li-ion cells, the P91 will have a very limited life on them....
Timmo.
By the way: did you use that MN11 with primaries or with 2X 17500s?
In the last case.... it is no surprise it exploded. You are overdriving this lamp assembly severely when used with 2X Li-ion batteries.
The MN10 will withstand them.
Let me try to explain this:
primary CR123A's have a no-load voltage of 3V.
Under the load of an MN10, they sag to about 2.5V each
Under the load of an MN11, they sag to 2.1 to 2.2V each.
This means, an MN10 is powered by a total voltage of about 7.5V when using primary CR123A's whereas 2X Li-ion will have 7.4V so that's no problem.
However, the MN11 will only see 6.3 to 6.6V in total when powered by 3X CR123A, which is way less than two Li-ion batteries will provide!! So, the MN11 will be overpowered quite severely in this case!
Exactly the same goes for the P90 and P91: the P90 will withstand two Li-ion cells, the P91 will have a very limited life on them....
Timmo.
socom1970
Flashlight Enthusiast
Thanks for that explanation, addict! I knew something of the reasons behind Li-Ion and primary function as they relate to LOLA's and HOLA's, but your explanation is excellent!
To rjr104: Oval beam patterns are common on many larger Surefire lamp assemblies. I personally like the oval beam as it is very useful in some conditions.
However, if you don't care for the oval beam, Lumens Factory LA's have more of a round beam shape and are just as good as Surefire LA's, if not better in some instances. Plus, the LF LA's are designed for Li-Ion cells, so no problem with accidents or shorter lamp life.
Illum
Flashaholic
If the beam doesn't come oval...then I call surefire
If it comes oval it means the filament is focused, not the envelope
how much was the M3 btw? I'm interested in acquiring one soon
If it comes oval it means the filament is focused, not the envelope
how much was the M3 btw? I'm interested in acquiring one soon
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DimeRazorback
Flashlight Enthusiast
I like the oval beam!
Good for horizontal beam spread :devil:
Good for horizontal beam spread :devil:
Illum
Flashaholic
its interesting to note that lumensfactory lamps have very round outputs at reduced throw...I have a hunch it has to do with envelope design over filaments
@ Illum: there's one for sale on CPF Marketplace:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=198771
Timmo.
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=198771
Timmo.
Illum
Flashaholic
yeah, I'm eyeing that one for awhile now
I'm still trying to figure out which ones the cheaper way out to run a KL6: a M3 body or a D3/9P body and a C-to-M adapter:shrug:
I'm still trying to figure out which ones the cheaper way out to run a KL6: a M3 body or a D3/9P body and a C-to-M adapter:shrug:
I would definitely try to get one of the "adapter-less" possibilities... either an M3 or an M6
Timmo.
Timmo.
Illum
Flashaholic
I guess I have no choice....
