SF P61 vs PM6?

[Joseph]

Let me ask a further question!
In lux measurement Peli M6 and G2/P61 are about the same brightness according to Craig's Led Musium.. but M6 throws significantly further while P61's total output is higher... according to Quickbeam's sight..
How could this happen? Which one is the literally 'brighter' one?

Furthermore, lux is measured about the same between the two.. then how does M6 run that long? M6 runs 1.25hour while P61 runs for 20mins ..

Curious... haha.. Someone please give me some advice!

 

[Joe Talmadge]

by all accounts:

PM6 has a brighter hotspot (more candlepower) and throws farther
G2/P61 has more total light (more lumens)

Joe

 

[Skyline]

The SF P61 has a larger beam and puts out a lot of light. It's really evident when you use it outdoors. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[N710]

M6 throws great but is not in the same league IMO as the P60 or P61.The surefire would be better in defenive purposes as the flood portion of its beam is much brighter.A PM6 is also heaver and larger than what is becoming on of my favorite lights, the G2 Surfire.

 

[Quickbeam]

[ QUOTE ]
In lux measurement Peli M6 and G2/P61 are about the same brightness according to Craig's Led Musium.. but M6 throws significantly further while P61's total output is higher... according to quickbeam's sight..
How could this happen? Which one is the literally 'brighter' one?

[/ QUOTE ]

Joseph asks a classic question: "Which is brighter?" The problem is that a lot of people consider "brightness" to be one of two different things - how distant of a target you can light up adequately (throw) or how much overall light (Lumens / overall output). This is why I provide both measurements on my site to help you make comparisons and decisions about which light will suit your needs best.

Also, I believe Craig and I measure beam intensity at different distances and using different units so the numbers may not be directly comparable.

The shorter runtime makes sense when you compare the overall output, which is ALL of the light produced. If the P61 makes more light overall with the same batteries, it's draining the batteries faster. It will therefore run for a shorter period of time on the same batteries.

 

[bwaites]

The simple explanation is this--this ignores several variables but brings it down to basics.

Output equals bulb. A bulb which puts out more total light will generally use a battery faster.

Throw equals reflector. A bigger or more efficient reflector will collect more of the light output by the bulb and focus it more effectively, so a bulb with less total output may out throw a bulb with more output. Less total output equals longer runtime.

Bill

 

[Joe Talmadge]

And, in addition, texturing the reflector can improve the quality of beam (beam smoothness) but sacrifice throw to some extent.

All of which boils down to exactly what I said in the first reply: P61 has more total brightness (lumens), but less brightness at the hot spot (candlepower) and less throw.

And deriving that from all the principle above:
P61 has much less runtime => probably more total brightness (lumens)
P61 has better textured reflector => probably better beam quality, probably less throw

Which is what everyone who has tested both seems to indicate.


Joe

 

[keithhr]

the pelican PM6 that I had, out threw the Surefire 9P that put out way more light than surefire's 6 volt lights. I sold my Surefire for that reason. If you do any searches of the PM6 for reviews, Brightnorm did an excellent one. As a matter of fact, the Pelican refelctor from the PM6 has become the reflector of choice for McGizmo's mods of many lights because it out throws just about all competing reflectors. The forum factor of the E2E is a bit better because of the pocket clip, but it's just a different type of light.

 

[MR Bulk]

[ QUOTE ]
bwaites said:
The simple explanation is this--this ignores several variables but brings it down to basics.

Output equals bulb. A bulb which puts out more total light will generally use a battery faster.

Throw equals reflector. A bigger or more efficient reflector will collect more of the light output by the bulb and focus it more effectively, so a bulb with less total output may out throw a bulb with more output. Less total output equals longer runtime.

Bill

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually one of the best "direct explanations" I've seen for those (usually newer members) who ask the perennial brightness question.

 

[bwaites]

Thank you, MasterBuilder Bulk! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif