Review : "Dialogue on the Aleph System" *PICS*

[Miciobigio]

Review : \"Dialogue on the Aleph System\" *PICS*

Simplicio : What is that ?
Marco : It's a flashlight , a torch , it makes light in the dark.

S : What's his name ?
M : His name is "Aleph1" You can see the laser engraved logo onto the head , it's built by McGizmo

S : /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif i want it ! What i have to do ?
M : you have 2 options

A) kill me and take this /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
B) read HERE and send an email to McGizmo /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif

i suggest you option B) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

S: Can you describe it to me ?
M: Yes , sure.This torch has a 5W led ( but you can choose a 3W led if you want a super-thrower ) and as for the driver has a Badboy 750mA so i can use it with a single 123 or with a Li-ion rech. or with 2x123 batts and also with 2xCR2 batts.

S : How is that possible ?
M : because this torch has 3 different power packs

The smaller one is for a single 123 batt.
The middle size one ( called 17500 ) is for the li-ion rech. Pila or Copia and take also 2xCR2 batts !
The longer one is for 2x123 batts but i use it also with my 17670 Li-ion rech. they fits perfect !

S : can i use my old E2 battery tube ?
M : sure, you can use E2/E2E/E2D/E2O/L4 or every compatible ( UBH , Balrog's ) SF E-series tubes.

S : and the tailswitch ?
M : the Aleph tailswitch is a 2 stage switch ( remember the SF-L1 ? ) , press 1 stage , press more full power OR twist first stage, twist more, full power.

S : can i use instead the SF-Z57 click-switch ?
M : yes you can, and you can also use all the other SF E-series tail switch.

S : but the SF tail switch has that glowing capsule that is so cool in the dark ?
M : No, but i think that you can try to ask Surfire to make a special E2E-glowing-tailcap just for you.

S : what do you think of this torch ?
M : It's simple , it's the best i own , you can see some beamshots and you can see that also with the small power pack , using only one 123 batt. , it's outstanding , i like the big hotspot of the 5Watt-led and the bright side spill.
The finish is top notch , it seems a SF-project , the modularity is the real bonus , i could not be more happy. (but my english is so bad that i esitate to write all the good tinks i feel of the Aleph )

Aleph1 5w vs E2 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Aleph1 5W on low vs Arc AAA

Aleph1 5w using one 123 (3Volt) vs Arc-LSHP Lux3-Tbin 670 ma 17mm reflector

 

[PS09]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif
I presume that this the first review introduced like a dialogue. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Pietro.

 

[Zigzago]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

Socrates: What do you think of Miciobigio's use of the dialogue format for a flashlight review?

Alcibiades: Very clever, I wish I had thought of it.

Socrates: Me too.

 

[McGizmo]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[cue003]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

Great writeup. I am thinking about getting the 5W combo myself. Which battery pack do you like the best with it? i know it doesn't throw as much as the LuxIII but can you take some further distance shots illumitating an object against the Lux III Arc etc?

is there a difference in brightness with different batt packs or is it moreso runtime difference?

Thanks.

Curtis

 

[Fitz]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

Nicely done Marco!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/goodjob.gif

 

[Kiessling]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

Curtis ... ALL the battery combos are great! That's so cool about the 5W ... very versatile, very bright, and up to medim distance unbeatable output. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Well .. ahem ... the 2xCR2 option is cute, but not really reasonable though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

ALEPH ROCKS !!!!!

bernhard

P.S:: great and entertaining review, marco!
agreed on every point.

 

[Kiessling]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

I just noticed this thread is in the reviews forum ... so for all those who do not know that there's a McGizmo forum ... some more Aleph pics to make you hungry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif :

bernhard

 

[Josey]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

The Aleph 1 2X123 with DB917 Lux III TYOJ can throw a sock through a brick wall. Just awesome.

 

[hideo]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

M-
nice pics! a good 5W emitter running on a low to mid powered Badboy in 1x123 is my new fave for "Blob o' LIGHT" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

hideo

 

[Miciobigio]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

[ QUOTE ]
cue003 said:
Great writeup. I am thinking about getting the 5W combo myself. Which battery pack do you like the best with it? i know it doesn't throw as much as the LuxIII but can you take some further distance shots illumitating an object against the Lux III Arc etc?

is there a difference in brightness with different batt packs or is it moreso runtime difference?

Thanks.

Curtis

[/ QUOTE ]

Curtis ,

there are some difference in lux output using differents batt packs.
I measured from a little more than 1 meter :

2x123 (6 Volt) 1350 Lux
17650 (3,2-4,2 Volt) 950-1300 Lux
1x123 (3 Volt ) 800 Lux
2xAA ( 2,4 Volt ) 720 Lux ( 1800 mA draw ) using a UBH .

here are 2 more beamshots :

(taken with the camera in "manual mode" same "t" and same "f" )

I want to say that these shots don't make full justice to the Aleph , the room was full of light you could see every objects , maybe i underexposed these 2 pics but the difference is there.

You can see why i prefer 5W over the 3W /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Did i say "thank you" to Mc-Gizmo ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif

OK , now i feel better.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Dan_one_Million]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

Great review Miciobigo,
where do you get you the 17600 LiOn cell from ?

 

[Miciobigio]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

[ QUOTE ]
Dan_one_Million said:
Great review Miciobigo,
where do you get you the 17600 LiOn cell from ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Dan ,

sorry they are 17670 ( not 17600 ) , they are long as 2x123 and you can use them also in the L4.
I found them in the battery pack of a Toshiba notebook.
All the toshiba notebook use 17650 or 17670, usually other brand use 18650 or 18xxx that are to large.

You can go HERE click over the brand name ( Toshiba ) then choose a battery type and click on "order" then you can see what li-ion are inside . /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Dan_one_Million]

Re: Dialogue on the Aleph System.

Thanks Miciobigio !
found the 17670

 

[Barefootone]

Re: Review : \"Dialogue on the Aleph System\" *PICS*

Ciao Marco,
Come Sta? I enjoyed your clever review of the Aleph 1, very good <font color="blue"> </font> /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif. I just received my Aleph 2 this week from Don I just love it. My Aleph 2 is a 3w. with a BB750, 1x123, MCe2S/15ohm and a Tritium vial in the tailcap.
Now that you have had awhile to play with your Aleph 1 do you still like the way you had it made up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif? I ask since I'm considering building one for myself or having Don build it for me since I can't install the Tritium vials.
I have built my own 5w (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ub...at=&Board=LED&Number=631920&fpart=&PHPSESSID=)and I like a lot although it has the Donut in the spot. I know that Don can add the .20" shim and take the Donut out.
Your beam quality in your beam shots looks very good with no trace of the Donut.
Anyway once again I enjoyed reading your review very much. If you would have any suggestions for me about my future 5 w. build let me know.
Addio and Keep-em bright in the night /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/au.gif,
Jeff

 

[Miciobigio]

Re: Review : \"Dialogue on the Aleph System\" *PICS*

Hello Jeff,

yes i like the Aleph1-5W a lot , mine was build by Don and don't have any "black hole" inside the beam , the hot spot fades gradually in the side-spill and this is good for me.
I think that you would like more build the head by yourself but the "0.20'' shim" is a must , maybe you could ask Don to send one to you.
I've seen that you have done a good job on your 5W head /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif.

Anyway don't say to me " Addio " because is like to say : "We will not meet again in this life"

But you can say to me " Arrivederci " /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

 

[arewethereyetdad]

Re: Review : \"Dialogue on the Aleph System\" *PICS*

I've been EDC'ing my bare AL Aleph2 BB750 1x123 15 ohm. I'm surprised that if I use the light on high mode for three or four minutes (or longer), the light gets VERY hot, very nearly too hot to hold. Has anyone else experienced this, and is there a remedy?

 

[McGizmo]

Re: Review : \"Dialogue on the Aleph System\" *PI

"Dad",
The remedy is really to use the high beam more intermittantly or go with a lower current drive for high output. The new next gen's, when they come out will be more efficient at high levels and consequently generate less heat but there is no real getting around the fact that these LED's generate heat at their current efficiency levels; especially when driven at the higher currents! A Lux III driven at 917 mA may only put out 40% more light than when it is driven at 400 mA which is more than a 100% increase in power consumed! Guess where that "wasted" power goes! The vocal majority of CPFer's must not use their lights in long constant on situations or there would be more suggestion and comment or advise towards driving the LED's at reduced levels. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

 

[arewethereyetdad]

Re: Review : \"Dialogue on the Aleph System\" *PI

Thanks Don! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif Heat or no heat, I love this light. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Miciobigio]

Re: Review : \"Dialogue on the Aleph System\" *PI

arewethereyetdad :

i just tested my Aleph1 BB750 Lux V , using a Li-ion 3.7-4.2.

After 3 minutes the head become hot , but i can use my hand without a problem to hold the head , the 2x123 body become very little hot and is a joy to keep in my hands /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif, after 10 minutes there are not difference at all in the situation.
After 15 min. i end the test because the situation did not changed.

I measured the current drain from the Li-ion 1,6-1,7 Amp.

The Arc-BB750-5W with the 2x123 Arc3 battery-pack that i have, become a lot more hot ( after 10 min. ) than my Aleph1 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


I'm very happy with my Aleph1-5w /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif