ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout *NEW**Pictures***

[bigchelis]

Hi all,
Thanks to all of you here I was able to build and test my 2C Mag ROP.





Ingredients:

• 2C Mag = contact: Mirage_Man = he makes them accept IMR C cells.

Note: If you have an old 2C Mag with serial # beggining with a number as opposed to a letter it will fit IMR C cells with no boring needed.

• UCL lens = lighthound.com

http://www.lighthound.com/521mm-UCL-Lens-for-Mag-C-amp-D-Size-Flashlights_p_44.html

• IMR C cells = 2 of them purchased from lighthound.com

http://www.lighthound.com/AW-IMR-26500-2300mAh-LiMN-rechargeable-lithium-battery_p_3046.html

• ROP 3854 vs. 3853 = They come in 2 in a pack and consist of a High and Low variant in each set.

http://www.batterystation.com/flashlight_lamps.htm

• KD V3 Smooth Cammed Reflector $13 delivered.

KD M*g SMO Reflector V3.1 15mm Opening SKU: S006165
http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDeta...ProductId=5631

Then you have to put it together...Just plug and play with no modding needed.

Here we go now:
Here are the parts layed out.

Here are the ROP bulbs layed out:

 

[bigchelis]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

I used IMR C cells for testing. I took pictures with my Olympus Stylus 850w digital camera on night setting. In real life I saw more light, but at least you can see how the output of each lamps compares to the next. I also used a tri-pod and a Fluke Multimeter. The Palm tree is 100yards away according to google earth.

Current Readings at the tail with topped off cells: My watt math is under no load.
3854L: 2.03A = ~ 16.69 watts
3853L: 1.52A = ~ 12.49 watts
3853H: 3.30A = ~ 27.12 watts

I didn't think the 3854H would work with the IMR C cells so I depleted them to 3.87v exactly/each.
3854H: 4.20A = ~ 32.5 watts

I was pleasantly surprised that the 3854H didn't instantly go poof on me so I then tried 2 topped off cells. Each IMR C cell was 4.11v.
3854H: 4.30A = ~ 35.33 watts

Note: I actually got 4.90A at the tail for a split second reading, but it settled and stayed put at 4.3A.

There was a moth, that kept buzzing in the beam which made that impression you see in the pic.
Here is the 3854L (left) vs. 3853L (right)

Here is 3853H (Left) vs. 3854H (right) topped off IMR C cells

Here is the 3854H (Left) 3.87V cells vs. 3854H (right)

 

[Hack On Wheels]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

The night setting doesn't keep settings locked between shots, does it? If the camera compensates for the lighting changes between shots, then unfortunately they won't do a very good job of showing the difference in output.

I'm glad to hear you are having good luck with the 3854H and the IMR cells though, I'm looking at doing that setup myself soon!

Have you got a preference for one of the bulbs yet?

 

[bigchelis]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

The night setting doesn't keep settings locked between shots, does it? If the camera compensates for the lighting changes between shots, then unfortunately they won't do a very good job of showing the difference in output.

I'm glad to hear you are having good luck with the 3854H and the IMR cells though, I'm looking at doing that setup myself soon!

Have you got a preference for one of the bulbs yet?

As I suspected the 3854L has the same lazer type beam the 3853L has, but with more power. This is my favorate so far.

The camera setting is likely not the best, but I hope to get MrGman to do a video shoot-out later on. I also have my fingers crossed he will have another calibrated IS Sphere in his garage of thruth. I think if I could give you folks the real OTF lumens it would further help this review.

In terms of which was brightest to my eyes:
3854H = super bright and floody
3853H = similar to 3854H, but It did seem a tad less bright in the spill

3853L = lazer like beam pattern
3854L = lazer like beam pattern and noticeably more intense light at 100 yards. I like this one the best.

 

[bigchelis]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

The Mag Tail cap if left stock makes it super tough to screw on.
I took the paint from inside the tail cap as much as possible with a dremel cylinder type bit. Then I got the stock 2C spring and forced it as low as possible.

 

[Hack On Wheels]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

Awesome, so the 3854L would be a great bulb to leave in the light for general use... but then if you want to really light up an area you can switch to the 3854H. That sound about right? I'm liking the sounds of this!

Lumen ratings would be pretty awesome to know, hopefully that happens.

Interesting note about the tailcap... how much longer are the two IMRs than a couple of alkaline C cells? Did you consider just cutting down the spring or would that not have done as good of a job?

As I suspected the 3854L has the same lazer type beam the 3853L has, but with more power. This is my favorate so far.

The camera setting is likely not the best, but I hope to get MrGman to do a video shoot-out later on. I also have my fingers crossed he will have another calibrated IS Sphere in his garage of thruth. I think if I could give you folks the real OTF lumens it would further help this review.

In terms of which was brightest to my eyes:
3854H = super bright and floody
3853H = similar to 3854H, but It did seem a tad less bright in the spill

3853L = lazer like beam pattern
3854L = lazer like beam pattern and noticeably more intense light at 100 yards. I like this one the best.

 

[Jay T]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

It does look like the camera's built in metering is adjusting the exposure settings on each shot. To see the power of the camera's auto metering take a look at this thread. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=240241

If your camera does not have a full manual setting there is one work around you can try to "Lock" a constant exposure for all of the shots.

Aim your biggest light down range. Give the shutter a half press. Half press is when the camera locks focus and exposure settings. Now hold the half press, turn off the big light and turn on the light you want to use. Still holding the half press? Take the shot. If you do this for each shot all of the shots should be made with the same exposure settings. (For best results you should be a three armed mutant or have a friend)

 

[bigchelis]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

It does look like the camera's built in metering is adjusting the exposure settings on each shot. To see the power of the camera's auto metering take a look at this thread. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=240241

If your camera does not have a full manual setting there is one work around you can try to "Lock" a constant exposure for all of the shots.

Aim your biggest light down range. Give the shutter a half press. Half press is when the camera locks focus and exposure settings. Now hold the half press, turn off the big light and turn on the light you want to use. Still holding the half press? Take the shot. If you do this for each shot all of the shots should be made with the same exposure settings. (For best results you should be a three armed mutant or have a friend)

Wow this is very good info...

I will re-take the pictures this Thursday. Tonight I have a hockey game to go to:twothumbs

 

[Mjolnir]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

Once you figure out the camera settings, do you think that you could do a shot of the beams at about 30-40 feet away? I am currently using a different KD reflector in my ROP that I suspect has a less than ideally focused beam, so I am considering getting the reflector that you currently have for more throw.

In my ROP I am using the batteryspace 4000 Mah IMR 26650 cells. They probably don't fit in a 2C maglite, but they do have more capacity than the AW cells and cost $3 less per cell.
Do you have any idea of what the additional diameter of you C maglite was before boring? My cells seem to be about 26.35 mm; any idea if they would fit unbored?

 

[bigchelis]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

Once you figure out the camera settings, do you think that you could do a shot of the beams at about 30-40 feet away? I am currently using a different KD reflector in my ROP that I suspect has a less than ideally focused beam, so I am considering getting the reflector that you currently have for more throw.

In my ROP I am using the batteryspace 4000 Mah IMR 26650 cells. They probably don't fit in a 2C maglite, but they do have more capacity than the AW cells and cost $3 less per cell.
Do you have any idea of what the additional diameter of you C maglite was before boring? My cells seem to be about 26.35 mm; any idea if they would fit unbored?

In my backyard the fence is exactly 50 feet away, so I will figure this camera exposure thing and do beamshoots at 50feet and maybe to show the beam at 10feet in the house against a white wall.

The 4000mAh IMR 26650 cells will fit perfect inside a 2D Mag. They are the lenght of a single 18650 cell.

My Mag hosts was an older numerical serial number and didn't need boring, but my newer 2C which has C***as first number had to get bored to fit the IMR C cells.

No, they would definitely not fit the newer C Mag at all. The IMR 26650 cells should be very usefull in a 2D Mag with a home made holder:twothumbs

 

[Mjolnir]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

Well I actually already have the 26650 cells in a 2D maglite. I took a 1 inch inner diameter PVC tube (which fit perfectly inside the maglite body) and "bored it" out to fit the extra few millimeters from the 26650's. Of course, I don't have a lathe, so I have to use a drill press and a drill bit that was 1 inch, and then file it down a bit. The inside is fairly rough and there are some edges in it, but the cells fit well with no rattle at all when the tailcap is on.

 

[Dioni]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

Very usefull beamshots, thanks bigchelis! :thumbsup:

 

[ElectronGuru]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

how much longer are the two IMRs than a couple of alkaline C cells?

There's a comparison here:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=230003

 

[ANDREAS FERRARI]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

As I suspected the 3854L has the same lazer type beam the 3853L has, but with more power.

3853L = lazer like beam pattern
3854L = lazer like beam pattern and noticeably more intense light at 100 yards. I like this one the best.

Thanks for testing these bulbs bigchelis.

So the 3854L is brighter than the 3853L at the same voltage.Just like LuxLuther's testing predicted.

 

[KiwiMark]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

Awesome, so the 3854L would be a great bulb to leave in the light for general use... but then if you want to really light up an area you can switch to the 3854H. That sound about right? I'm liking the sounds of this!

That is exactly my experience.

So the 3854L is brighter than the 3853L at the same voltage.Just like LuxLuther's testing predicted.

The 3853L also goes yellow a bit quicker as the cells run down, the 3854L has a better colour for longer.

In terms of which was brightest to my eyes:
3854H = super bright and floody
3853H = similar to 3854H, but It did seem a tad less bright in the spill

I have also noticed that the 3853H isn't as bright, but it is likely to last much better as it can tolerate quite a lot more voltage before . The 3853H certainly isn't a bad bulb, just not quite the same intensity as the 3854H.

 

[ANDREAS FERRARI]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

+1 to every statement by KiwiMark!!!!!!!

 

[bigchelis]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

I manage to put the camera on auto mode and what you see now is the same exposure for all shoots taken. I took moved the tri-pod 15 feet from the beige wall and I zoomed in to get the shape of the beam only. The smooth reflector doesn't make the ROP bulbs good for wall hunting, but outdoors they come to life.

The hotspots for all 4 lamps are nearly the identical size, yet the LOW variants provide a lazer like beam. The High bulbs actually have a nicer hot spots than the Low bulbs.

The 3854H (left) vs. 3853H (right)

The 3854L (left) vs. 3853L (right)

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

Great thread! But you really need to find a darker place... LOL

Thanks for sharing!

 

[bigchelis]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

I had the exposured fixed for all shoots 1/4 F3.5 and although the lights look brighter in person at least you can see how they compare to each other at 50 feet (Google Earth). I also used topped off cells for both High bulbs

You can really see how much better the 3854L is than the 3853L. I have put topped off IMR C cells in the 3854H bulb 6 times trying to get it to go , but it hasn't happened.

The 3854H (left) vs. 3853H (right)

The 3854L (left) vs. 3853L (right)

Nailbender 2C MC-E 610 OTF (left) vs. P91 2 IMR 16340 450ish OTF(right)

 

[KiwiMark]

Re: ROP 2C Mag 3853 vs. 3854 100yrd shootout ***Pictures***

you can see how they compare to each other

Yes you can, very well in fact. Nicely done :thumbsup: