SL4AA 7 LED gets the L.E.D out!

[SuRgE]

Hello,

I recently purchased the Streamlight 4AA LED and I have to say it kicks some serious bootaay! I have compared it to my 2 Arc LSs and my Inova X5T and it seems to put out more light.

Its not as focused as the others but it has a fairly large hotspot. I am very impressed with this $23 torch that runs on cheapy batteries and can hold its own against the big boys. But it can't compare to my SFE2E/KL1; thats the BOMB!

I've read the runtimes are not what SL advertises
buy this seems to be its only downfall. Heck its waterproof to 200 feet and has all kinda of safety classifications. And again it cost ONLY $23.

Is this a sleeper because I don't see alot of posts regarding this excellent light.

For the record I own over 40 flashlights and now even more addicted since I discovered CPF!

Seeee Yaaaaa!

 

[Orion]

You got a bomb in your SureFire?

I, too, greatly like my SL4AA. It's light out put is quite impressive for only 7 small 5mm LEDs. It has been talked about, quite a bit, in recent past, and was decided that it is that bright because it is overdriving the LEDs a bit. However, for the relatively small amount of cost to buy it, even if the life expectancy of the bulbs is cut in half by the overdriving, that's still longer than a normal person will ever use this light. It's an excellent torch, and feels good in the hand!

 

[Nerd]

I don't think that the life of the led will be halfed by driving it this hard. It should be much more...

 

[Doug S]

Originally posted by Nerd:
I don't think that the life of the led will be halfed by driving it this hard. It should be much more...

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I tend to agree. While it will depend on many factors including how often the batteries are changed, intermittant vs continuous use, criterion for "life" [e.g., output/efficiency reduced by X%] I would not be surprised if the reduction is on the order of a factor of one thousand.

 

[Orion]

What if one put a dummy cell in place of one of the AA batteries, making it 4.5 volts rather than 6 volts. Would that solve the overdriving problem? Logically, it should! What say ye?

 

[Bushman]

I say, who cares if they are overdriving the LED's
I mean really? It has a lifetime warranty does it not? If they want to sell a product with a shorter life than expected, and they are willing to back that up with a lifetime warranty then that is Streamlights problem. I for one have this particular light on my list. (for alkaline use only)

 

[Doug S]

Originally posted by Orion:
What if one put a dummy cell in place of one of the AA batteries, making it 4.5 volts rather than 6 volts. Would that solve the overdriving problem? Logically, it should! What say ye?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Yes.

 

[Doug S]

Originally posted by Bushman:
I say, who cares if they are overdriving the LED's

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">If I owned one, I certainly would care. Not only is the efficiency significantly at lessened by overdrive, but I wouldn't want to periodically sent it for exchange because the output has degraded.

 

[Nerd]

Time consuming, shipping cost.... waiting time..

(I always like to be close to my lights... can't bear for em to so far away from me for so long e.g. 1 week)

 

[Raven]

Is the SL 3C also overcharged?

Raven

 

[txwest]

Yes, but the slight overdrive of 4.5V is pretty well considered acceptable with min damage. TX

 

[Albany Tom]

All day long I work with technology that is supposed to work, or "has to" work, yet doesn't work. It's nice to have something (the streamlight) that shouldn't work, but does. It should glow for 10 minutes and then die, as much as it's overdriven, but it doesn't. It just works.

I haven't heard of anyone having one die with alkalines yet, and I figure I'd hear it here first. I love the light.

 

[Minjin]

The TurtleLite uses a single LED overdriven by 4 AA's. I don't think I've ever heard anybody complain about blowing that one either. For fun, I took the led out of the TurtleLite and put it in a sixD Mag. Puts out some nice light!

Mark

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I just received a previously owned black model and I am very pleased, especially for 20 bucks shipped. It is brighter than my Lightwave 3000. I like the size and the feel in the hand. I like the runtime. I like AA's although I had intended to use NiMH's. I have emailed Streamlight asking them about their usage. It had a slight battery rattle but a business card fixed that. For the price, this light seems like a must have. The switch is solid. Yes it is difficult to activate with your thumb. Use your index finger, and don't use it to clear rooms. 🙂
I have one question/concern. A sliver of light is escaping from the bezel where it meets the body. About 2 inches of the bezel area. Has anyone else noticed this on theirs and would that not relate to waterproofness, as the light must be going past the o-ring? Oh and what's the little pink plastic plug just under the o-ring?

Jim

 

[EMPOWERTORCH]

Overdriving would significantly reduce the LED life from 10 years worth of light to say 5 years of light.
The average non-torchaholic will lose or damage a torch in less than that time!
I overdrive a lot of my red LED torches (LED runs direct from battery and is unresistored).
This appears to cause little in the way of problems.

 

[Ratso]

I am wondering how much brighter the 3C version is than the 4AA, and how much longer it stays at maximum brightness. If someone would kindly produce a runtime/brightness graph of both I would really appreciate it.

 

[SuRgE]

Ratso,

My 3C appears to be a more dispersed beam but not really brighter than my 4AA. Just more light but not much.

I am more impressed with the 4AA. Haven't done any runtime results but Streamlight package states 3C about twice the runtime.

See ya,

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I have one question/concern. A sliver of light is escaping from the bezel where it meets the body. About 2 inches of the bezel area. Has anyone else noticed this on theirs and would that not relate to waterproofness, as the light must be going past the o-ring? Oh and what's the little pink plastic plug just under the o-ring?

Anybody have any feedback on this?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[SuRgE]

Galavanter,

Mine has a very very slight hint of light escaping but no concern for me. I believe the pink plug has something to do with the water resistance and the lights ability to release pressure. I'm not sure about that but all my dive lights have similar plugs.

See ya,

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Just what I needed to here, a "don't worry about it" response. Even though you're not sure about the plug, your answer sure sounds good and it's what I'm telling anyone who asks. 🙂

Thanks,

Jim