Okay, I see that surefire posts output mostly in lumens, and other manufacturers post candlepower. Is there a formula to determine how much more output one light has than another? Also, Surefire has a light that is infra red, what does that look like, and how does it work? Thanks a lot!!
Question about light output
- Thread starter mattz357
- Start date
Size15's
Flashaholic
SureFire only rate their outputs in Lumens.
It is not possible to convert Lumen output to "Candlepower" used by manufacturer. If you want to level the playing field across models and brands that have cp ratings, you can't convert them to Lumens because not enough is known about how the cp value is reached.
Also, Lumen output allow does not give you enough information about the beam to calculate the cp.
It is not even possible to compare Lumen output from brand to brand as many brand, (if they state it at all) will give peak Lumen output from "naked" lamps rather than as SureFire does, give a rating for the light which comes out of the flashlight through the lens with the Lumen value being the 'average' output during it's discharge curve. The Lumen output for regulated SureFires is what it is.
This topic has been covered many times before. Other members will point you towards the thread I'm sure, or you can search for them yourself.
The best way to compare flashlights is the shine them side-by-side. CPF has a wealth of flashlight and members are bound to have the flashlights you would like to compare. It is better therefore to ask CPF to compare specific flashlights and give you the facts and opinions of them.
Respectfully,
Al
It is not possible to convert Lumen output to "Candlepower" used by manufacturer. If you want to level the playing field across models and brands that have cp ratings, you can't convert them to Lumens because not enough is known about how the cp value is reached.
Also, Lumen output allow does not give you enough information about the beam to calculate the cp.
It is not even possible to compare Lumen output from brand to brand as many brand, (if they state it at all) will give peak Lumen output from "naked" lamps rather than as SureFire does, give a rating for the light which comes out of the flashlight through the lens with the Lumen value being the 'average' output during it's discharge curve. The Lumen output for regulated SureFires is what it is.
This topic has been covered many times before. Other members will point you towards the thread I'm sure, or you can search for them yourself.
The best way to compare flashlights is the shine them side-by-side. CPF has a wealth of flashlight and members are bound to have the flashlights you would like to compare. It is better therefore to ask CPF to compare specific flashlights and give you the facts and opinions of them.
Respectfully,
Al
JohnK
Flashlight Enthusiast
There is a very comprehensive "Lumens and Candlepower" section at 186thousand.com
http://186thousand.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=15
http://186thousand.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=15
Size15's
Flashaholic
The SureFire M1:
See SureFire's page here for more information.
How does it work? It's an infrared "LED".
SureFire offers IR filters for most of it's range. These work by blocking all but IR light. They are the FMx3 with x being 1 for M3, 2 for TurboHead, 3 for 1" and 6 for M2.
F03 is for E Series & L1.
F12 is for Z32.
Al
See SureFire's page here for more information.
How does it work? It's an infrared "LED".
SureFire offers IR filters for most of it's range. These work by blocking all but IR light. They are the FMx3 with x being 1 for M3, 2 for TurboHead, 3 for 1" and 6 for M2.
F03 is for E Series & L1.
F12 is for Z32.
Al
soloco
Enlightened
The short answer is that lumens is the light coming out of the lamp assembly; candlepower is the intensity of the light coming off the reflector. Comparing these two would be like comparing apples and oranges.
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Even comparing the lumen rating of one manufacturer to another also using lumens is almost worhless. Just giving the lumen rating, whether the bare bulb or the amount coming out the front is about as worthless as the peak beam candlepower. The lumen rating is just the total output. But how bright is it? A flood beam will be different than a tight spot.
Comparing two lights side by side isn't just the best way, it's really only way to determine if the light is right for you.
Comparing two lights side by side isn't just the best way, it's really only way to determine if the light is right for you.
a maglite with the same lumens output as a surefire should have roughly the same candlepower when spotted down to the same size as the surefire's beam, beam artifacts non-withstanding. lumens is still a much better way of comparing light output than candlepower, which has been the status quo thus far.
Size15's
Flashaholic
The trouble is as has been posted already, I know and trust SureFire's Lumen rating (not least because I have seen it done at SureFire with my own A2). I don't know how any other manufacturer rates their model's output and I certainly don't trust the rating.
The solution would be to have a single body that assesses output to a set of clearly defined characteristics. To have every flashlight manufacturer submit product for testing just isn't going to happen. To have a private funded testing programme would cost someone/group a lot of money.
Side-by-side comparisons the best way for now.
Al
The solution would be to have a single body that assesses output to a set of clearly defined characteristics. To have every flashlight manufacturer submit product for testing just isn't going to happen. To have a private funded testing programme would cost someone/group a lot of money.
Side-by-side comparisons the best way for now.
Al
