question re: turboheads

[CQB]

hey!

at first, i was considering getting another SF 6P-BK and a SF C3-HA. (I mean, it's Christmas, right??) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/santa.gif

then i got to thinking about getting the corresponding turboheads as well b/c I'm in this "get the most THROW" mode right now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

my question is to anyoen who has either the 6P and/or the C3 AND their respective turboheads.

I already know the hotspot will be tighter with the TH's. I am more concerned with the SPILL. Do the THs have the same/more/less amount of spill light than the original heads?

If I used the 6P or C3 WITH a TurboHead, say, Close Quarters/indoors... would there still be enough SPILL to say, light up a room? Or would it be like looking through a tunnel, with a tight hotspot with little-to-no spill?

I am hoping the THs will still give the same amt of spill light in addition to the tighter hotspot. Cuz that would be just grand! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif

Thanks!
Be safe.
CQB

 

[mossyoak]

i believe it won't give you that "tunnel" feel and even if it does there should be enough light bouncing of the target to light up the room right?

 

[KevinL]

CQB.... the Turbohead is calling your name.. very loudly, even I can hear it.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My rig is a MN15 (125lu/60min) lamp, 9V power pack, KT1 Turbohead. Spill is less than the P90, however, it is still bright enough to work by should I have to use the KT1 as a close range light. The loss of spill was to be expected, because the Turbohead takes more of the spill light and focuses it to do what it does best. It's only got 125 lumens to work with, so some of it has gotta be redirected into the hotspot. There is still more than enough spill to light up the room. No tunnel vision effect. You still have adequate light.

If you want the same amount of spill as a P90, with the brighter hotspot and all, you may have to move to a brighter lamp so there are more lumens to go around. The M4 or M6 should be able to give you brighter spill, and brighter hotspot, and more of EVERYTHING /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Spike]

Al maybe the person to provide the best answer to this as it was his advice that I followed and now I'm sold on turboheads.
A KT2 does provide ample spill to illuminate a room and will throw a good distance. I was advised the 6p was not that great with a KT1 and I now can agree, 9v is the way to go if you want some impressive throw and the extra length of the 9p/c3 provides a better handling base for the turbohead. I put the KT2 on a 6p for about 5 minutes and it hasn't been back on it since, it now lives on a 9p and I love it.

 

[kongfuchicken]

I have quite a few sf turboheads and some seem to have better spill than others...
The bulbs are the reason; some of my N1s have a frosted tip; these have a great spot but will make sort of a "dark ring" arround the spot. I also have a few older turbo lamp assemblies without the frosted tip and these make a perfect beam in every aspect (same as P60s with a smaller brighter spot).

 

[Topper]

I think there is still plenty of spill for me. I run one on my C3 and have 2 M4's and an M6. I would recommend the Turboheads.
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Size15's]

CQB,

I urge you to go straight to the KT2-HA for your C3 (HA).
TurboHeads do give you some surround beam - it is less then a standard-sized bezel but is still useful I find.

The N2 lamp is great! Intense white, pure and round beam.
The optional MN16 High Output Lamp Assembly is my preferred choice for three-SF123As. It gives a larger main beam and slightly more surround.

Individual lamps and individual reflectors will create variations in the beams they produce together.

There are not my photos but they are pretty realistic:
They are actually M900A (M3 bezel) and M900AB (M3T bezel)

If you look at the fences on the left-hand side, and the structures in the distance on the right-hand side you can see the difference in spill...
Of course, check out the far fence and the tree for the difference in throw!

M3 with MN11 Lamp:


M3T with MN16 Lamp:


Here is one of my photos of the M3-CB and M3T-CB:


I think SureFire TurboHeads are fantastic!

Al

 

[mossyoak]

hey i want to put the 6p turbo head on my e2e but i dont know where to find an "e2c" adapter do you guys know of any place?

 

[kongfuchicken]

custom bst.
I saw one not too long ago...

 

[mossyoak]

thanks

 

[CQB]

thanks everyone for all your replies and comments.

KevinL: I think u & I have talked about this topic before. Yes I think you are correct - I also hear them calling my name. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Al: /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kewlpics.gif Thanks for the pics man! Wow! You can really see the fence in the second shot. Less spill but impressive hotspot at such a distance.

I am 99% convinced I am going to get me a KT-2 TH for my ol' C3. Thanks again for the input everyone...

CQB

ps. if they find a cure for flashaholism, is it wrong to NOT want to get cured? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif

 

[CQB]

another quick question re: turboheads...

does anyoen have comments on the KT5 TH? This is the one for the 8AX.

I already have the KL7 for when I want to use an LED light instead of the stock incan. But I was wondering how the KT5 performs? Compared to the KL2+ C3? I am sure the C3 combo is going to be brighter since we're using primary cells over a rechargeable pack.

But does the KT5 still manage to produce some throw worth bragging about? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Maybe I should get that instead of the KT2 for my C3, since I prefer to go the rechargeable route whenever I can. Then again, I could also get me some Pilas for my C3, right? Aauugghh! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif

(ahem) Thanks /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
CQB

 

[Size15's]

The KT5 (I have one for my 8NX) produces a very good beam like the KT2 beam. I'll post a photo of the 8NX+KT5 and 9P+KT2 when I next get home (Work Christmas party tonight so don't hold your breath!)

Anyway, it's the same "KT" TurboHead as the KT2 but a different adapter collar to interface with the 8AX/8NX body.

I really like the beam of the KT5. You can replace the KT TurboHead with the SRTH or "T" TurboHeads etc. The downside to the 8AX/8NX is that it does not have a LockOut TailCap which is very important to me. If you are happy with the B90 performance in your L7 then it should make a fine host of the KT5.

As a side note, I love the beam of the Classic [discontinued] 9NT. It's very intense. The 9AN+KT3 on the otherhand seems to not continue this tradition. Which from a practical perspective produces what I would term a 'more powerful' beam for the same range as the 9AN (rather than a more intense beam for longer range).

If you ask me whether you should get the KT2 or KT5 then I suggest you get the KT2 first.

Al

 

[SilverFox]

Hello CQB,

I have to agree, in part, with what Al said. The KT5 does a very respectable job, but the Classic 9NT is still the standard to measure up to.

I have the KT5 and am very pleased with it. Nice focused spot, but still enough spill to keep you from tripping over things. If you keep the spot pointed at distant objects, you will do fine. If you light up a near object, you may see spots when you turn the light off. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I do not have a KT2, so can not comment on it.

By the way, I am getting 53 minutes on my B90 battery pack hot off the charger. When I first got my 8NX, I thought SureFire had their "head in the stars" with regard to battery run time. I then figured out the charger and realized that I was not fully charging the battery.

Tom

 

[mossyoak]

i have a 6p and was wondering if i could take one of those nitrolon cell extenders that they have on surefire.com and put it on the back end of the 6p and then buy a 6p turbohead and an m4 bulb and make an 6p/m4 hybrid? with the 350 lumens

 

[Size15's]

mossyoak,

What you need is two A19 (black anodised metal) body extenders for your 6P - this creates a body to hold four SF123As.
I suggest you buy the KT2 TurboHead for three-SF123As.
You'll also need the MN60 or MN61 (preferred) Lamp for four-SF123As.

Kit list:

6P
A19 (SF123A extender)
A19 (SF123A extender)
KT2 TurboHead Kit (for Three-SF123A)
MN61 Lamp Assembly (for Four-SF123A)

Gives you two major options:

6P+A19+A19+KT (MN61) (four-SF123A)

6P+A19+KT2 (N2 supplied as part of KT2) (three-SF123A)

Both are excellent.

 

[mossyoak]

thank you so very much i have wondered how to do that since i got my 6p

 

[Topper]

I count 3 Major options if you consider Pila cells. I ran a 6P + 2 A19's KT MN15 or MN16 with 2 168s cells. I love the LEGO factor with the SF line enhanced with rechargable cells
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[CQB]

hey Topper or anyone? Can I use PILAs with a KT2-BK and my C3-BK? What can I expect in terms of overall brightness and throw vs the same rig powered with primary cells? If I CAN use PILAs which model and how many? Tks! CQB

 

[KevinL]

2 x Pila 150S in the C3. Use the 9V lamp assemblies - MN15, MN16 in the Turbohead, P90/P91 in the standard bezel. All compatible. Since lithium ion voltage does not drop off as fast as CR123s, they should be as bright as fresh CR123s and hold that through a larger part of their discharge cycle.

Same throw and same brightness, batteries don't affect that. (you might get a tiny bit more brightness though)

And one big benefit: if the rechargeables give you any issues, pop 'em out, fill up with 3xCR123, and you're on your way again. No need to change lamps or anything else.

(you can probably do a lot better in the color matching department though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)