Shiningbeam S-mini vs P-Rocket

[justanotherguy]

So I have both, the mini is cool, the P-rocket sst-50 is neautral.

First I am pleasantly suprised just how noticeable the tint difference is.

HOWever, the S-mini seems to put out as much light as the P-Rocket.
I cannot even begin to decid which is brighter, they are pretty much identical.
Indiscernible.
I tried moving batteries around (1 Trustfire, 1 Redi-last) Nada.
I expected something different, that the P-Rocket would be noticeably brighter.
Either the ole 'in the house-china cabinet' test, or the outdoor 'neighbors shed' test.
Nothing. Pretty much the same 'volume' of light, hot spot size, and spill is comparable.

What have I missed? Is there a mode I am not hitting?? Thought the P-Rocket was L-M-H...?

Any ideas? If this is the way it is , I should just pick up a neutral S-mini and sell the P-Rocket.
Thanks
Tony

 

[MichaelW]

Which P-Rocket?

SST-50 or xp-g P-rocket?

Are you doing a fair test, say with new cr123s, or equally charged/equally capable 18650s?

The S-mini has an xp-g, so its hotspot will be smaller than the SST-50 of the P-rocket, so brightness differences will be extra hard to discern. The middle level of SST-50 P-rocket should equal high of the S-mini.

The drive levels of the xp-g P-rocket & S-mini in Low/Medium are close enough to be the same, but High mode should be obviously brighter with the P-rocket.



[I am eagerly awaiting the installation of a neutral-white xm-l into the S-mini, with the higher drive levels of P-rocket xp-g: 60,440,1400. Thanks SB]

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Re: Which P-Rocket?

[I am eagerly awaiting the installation of a neutral-white xm-l into the S-mini, with the higher drive levels of P-rocket xp-g: 60,440,1400. Thanks SB]

Ooooo but I really like the perfect regulation.

 

[justanotherguy]

Re: Which P-Rocket?

Michael...
Yea the 18650's "should" be of same capacity, but I did swap them around to compensate for any battery limitations.
I Dunno, IF the P-Rocket is brighter, I have a hard time discerning that. I love the tint, but it isnt doing anything or me in terms of being brighter.
Heck if its not much different I'd rather relist it. I bought it as an SST-50, but how do I verify?
The modes of the P-Rocket are well differentiated, there is definite differences.....To me the High vs High produce no clear winner.
?
Tony

 

[MichaelW]

Re: Which P-Rocket?

The SST-50 die is huge. You can visually see 7 gold traces on each edge [only two edges]. The xp-g has 4 'segments'.
The power draws of the S-mini & SST-50 P-rocket [on high] are in completely different spheres, like triple for the SST-50. (well at least initially)


[I really wouldn't want a pure drag & drop replacement xm-l S-mini. I would like to retain the perfect regulation with an increase in drive currents, hey what is an extra watt of heat dissipation among friends?]

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Re: Which P-Rocket?

Take a look at the commonly used emitter index.

The SST-50 die is huge. You can visually see 7 gold traces on each edge [only two edges]. The xp-g has 4 'segments'.
The power draws of the S-mini & SST-50 P-rocket [on high] are in completely different spheres, like triple for the SST-50. (well at least initially)


[I really wouldn't want a pure drag & drop replacement xm-l S-mini. I would like to retain the perfect regulation with an increase in drive currents, hey what is an extra watt of heat dissipation among friends?]

The 4xAMC7135 in the 1.4A p-rocket does not have perfect regulation; though I'd agree that it would be nice to have a perfect regulation driver at higher drive currents.

 

[justanotherguy]

Re: Which P-Rocket?

Took it apart today, checking things in my limited way...Any ideas?
Perhaps the switch is a bottle neck? A regular non flashaholic at work couldnt decided which was brighter, so no clear winner there either.
Maybe this P-Rocket is an under performer...
Anyone have this pair to compare?
thanks
Tony

 

[Sparky's Magic]

Re: Which P-Rocket?

Took it apart today, checking things in my limited way...Any ideas?
Perhaps the switch is a bottle neck? A regular non flashaholic at work couldnt decided which was brighter, so no clear winner there either.
Maybe this P-Rocket is an under performer...
Anyone have this pair to compare?
thanks
Tony

What you are trying to do is quite difficult i.e. comparing a cool white beam with a warm/neutral beam. Try a ceiling bounce test and, if you can get, hold of a light meter; you may be surprised. Just a thought.

 

[justanotherguy]

Re: Which P-Rocket?

well. I sold it already. moved up to a 3c XML varapower for a thrower. Quite nice.

 

[ps56k]

Re: Which P-Rocket?

I'm looking for shining something in the yard - when the critters come out late at night -
Wanted something more than say 250+ and able to use more normal CR123 batteries.
Stumbled across a couple different threads here, and have been looking at the Ultrafire and then came across the P-Rocket items.... I still love my old Lowes 2C big torch for late at night, just want something a little more...

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-219/mg-P-dsh-rocket/Detail