Please help me pick my next HID

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BIG_PAPA

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Messages
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I have 2 POB HID's. They are awesome!!!

What I like:

1. BRIGHT!!!!
2. Smart Chargers (ability to be left on charge indefinately without over charging
3. Long Run Time

What I don't like:

1. Big
2. Plasticky construction
3. Non focusable beam

What I want in my next light:

1. Bright (35W HID or more)
2. Smart Charger
3. Long run time
4. Smaller than POB
5. Aluminum construction
6. Focusable beam (I am more interested in a LONG throw, but the ability to flood it out a little would be nice)

I am thinking of getting this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220405547970&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

My friend has one and I have used it and it seems very nice. It is just as bright or brighter as the POB, although I don't know if it has a focusing beam or a smart charger.

Is there something that will better suit my wish list?

I am trying to stay around $3-400.

Thanks for any help you guys can provide!!
 
I would love to have an L50 and I may just hold off and save up for one, but with now it is out of my budget to spend that much. :(

Also, it doesn't appear to have a smart charger, which is very important to me.
 
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Although I wouldn't leave the L50 on the charger without supervision for hours and hours on end just out of personal preference it does have it's on built in charger with over charge protection and does not have to be monitored while on the charger.
 
Patriot said:
Big Papa, warnings about G&P

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=183919
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=181523
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=208541
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=206967


Which ever why you go, pick something that's been widely owned and tested among CPF'ers. :)

I think the L35 or Oracle 35W would both make nice 2nd lights.
Click to expand...



Thanks for the heads up on the G & P. THey are MUCH cheaper than comparable specs from other manufacturers, I guess it was too good to be true. It is a shame, though, because when they work, they seem like great lights.
 
CajunJosh said:
Although I wouldn't leave the L50 on the charger without supervision for hours and hours on end just out of personal preference it does have it's on built in charger with over charge protection and does not have to be monitored while on the charger.
Click to expand...


So what is up with these expensive lights not having smart chargers? That is one thing i love about the POB's. Plug them in, leave them plugged in, ready to go at a moments notice, always fully charged. :confused:
 
BIG_PAPA said:
So what is up with these expensive lights not having smart chargers? That is one thing i love about the POB's. Plug them in, leave them plugged in, ready to go at a moments notice, always fully charged. :confused:
Click to expand...

Most are li-ion type batteries. Once charged, maintenance isn't needed. Did you have a peak at the Oracle yet?
 
Patriot said:
Most are li-ion type batteries. Once charged, maintenance isn't needed. Did you have a peak at the Oracle yet?
Click to expand...
Yes, It looks like a good match for what I am looking for, except that I didn't like the non-smart charge, but I didn't realize that Li-Ion's don't have to be maintained. What is the charge procedure for them? Do they have to be drained before being charged? How long can they be left on charge without being damaged?

Also, how much are replacement batteries for the oracle? I didn't see them separate on his site and if they are reasonable, it would be worth having 2 on hand.


Thanks!
 
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BIG_PAPA said:
Yes, It looks like a good match for what I am looking for, except that I didn't like the non-smart charge, but I didn't realize that Li-Ion's don't have to be maintained. What is the charge procedure for them? Do they have to be drained before being charged? How long can they be left on charge without being damaged?

Also, how much are replacement batteries for the oracle? I didn't see them separate on his site and if they are reasonable, it would be worth having 2 on hand.


Thanks!
Click to expand...



Well, actually their are some "smart features" to every li-ion system. They're more sophisticated that the POB and wall wart in any case. You can charge the light and store it and it doesn't have to be discharged before charging. Top them off any time you like.

Have a read up on li-ion in the battery "sticky" section.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=133440

The extra batteries are right under HID lights.....
http://www.automotivelightstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2804
 
As much as I appreciate the X990 and its performance, the NiMH batteries are a major pitfall in my opinion. Both of my batteries are completely dead now and I use it while connected to 12V power only since I'm not going to invest in more batteries for it. Too many other low maintenance HIDs for me to go back messing with NiMH again.

Instead, I would opt for the ACRO A-3100 aka RL-11 from magnalight. It uses li-ion batteries and has some other nice feature. At nearly the same price point it's a lot more light than the 990X/X990. The only reason I didn't mention it before was that the OP required "non-plasticy" lights. Some people wrongly associate that with lower quality when it's really the electronics that are important.
 
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