Smith & Wesson Cree

[benyosh]

Anyone seen the S&W Cree headlamp? I've tried searching here and on Google but can't find any info on the headlamp. Browsing the flashlight section at Big5 Sporting Goods, I came across this lone Cree headlamp...they wantted $40 for it so i passed. Happy Halloween.

 

[saildude]

the smith & wesson web site - their webmaster is a moron so the site is so-so for ease of use

http://www.powertechinc.com/luxeon/head.shtml

mb

 

[benyosh]

Thanks for the link, Saildude. However, the website has no mention of a Cree headlamp only a Luxeon. I've searched high and low for any info on a S&W Cree headlamp with no success. Also, i'm certain that it was a Cree emitter/star as i could see directly into the headlamp.

 

[JetskiMark]

I was looking at a Big 5 advertisement and there is a Smith & Wesson Cree headlamp on sale for $29.99, reduced from $49.99.

This is the only thread I found that mentions it.

It probably is a re-branded version of another light.

The ad only states Cree Xbright LED chip and 3 watts.

I was hoping to find some reviews on it here.

It does not sound very promising if it is a single level 3 AAA light like the one in the link above. The pic in the ad looks like the same light as the one on the website.

I might take a look at it if I am near a Big 5. If it was 15 to 20 dollars, I would consider buying one. 30 dollars still seems excessive for a (assuming it is) single level light.

 

[hopkins]

I bought one at Big5 in San Jose, California today for $30. For a 3AAA powered light its very bright.

1. The large bezel is for the big heatsink inside thats shaped like those
tea candles you put under the fondue pot.

2.The Cree LED is held inside of this heatsink by screws in the reflector assembly.

3. A tight focused spot beam for VERY long range viewing and enough spill to see the weeds to either side of the trail (just back from testing it)

4.Measured current is 0.5amps with the included 3AAA batteries which explains the brightness.

5. Its got a resistor inside to limit current. Push button on/off' One mode only.

6. Headlamp straps got plenty of extra adjustment for big heads.

7. Construction is of thick, solid feeling plastic. Rubberized bezel.

8. Large comfortable forehead pad: thicker than most.

9. Hinge clicks fine to hold any position and is strongly made- PT should copy it as it looks the same as a 10yr old Rayovac HL I've got.

 

[hopkins]

I modded it when I saw there is enough room inside the bezel to add a 2nd pushbutton switch and
resistor for a low mode. A 33ohm resistor gave a measured current of 40 mA
with rechargeable NimH cells (3AAA's) through the Cree.

I've still to glue a rectangle of bicycle innertube over it. Note that ShoeGoo
seems to stick to this plastic if its cleaned with Isopropyl alcohol.

 

[hopkins]

A few more comments about this HL
After being on for 10 minutes (pulling 0.5amp from the 3AAA NimH's) the outside is NOT warm but I unscrew the bezel and pull out the heatsink/reflector assembly and
Ouch! Its way to hot to touch. This can't be good for the Cree's life expectancy. The light is O-ringed and the thick plastic seems to have a low
thermal conductance.
But with my mod for a low mode its now good for about 20 hours runtime with brief uses of high.

 

[CM]

A few more comments about this HL
After being on for 10 minutes (pulling 0.5amp from the 3AAA NimH's) the outside is NOT warm but I unscrew the bezel and pull out the heatsink/reflector assembly and
Ouch! Its way to hot to touch. This can't be good for the Cree's life expectancy. The light is O-ringed and the thick plastic seems to have a low
thermal conductance.
But with my mod a 2nd low mode its now good about 20 hours runtime with brief uses of high.

Sounds like a poor design. Plastic is bad unless you do something like Princeton Tec did with their apex.

 

[hopkins]

ya a poor design for dumping heat. With my mod running (0.040Amp drain)
the heatsink does not feel warm even after a half hour. So now it can be used
on low with brief use of high.
But I'm still looking at it for some sort of clever heatsink mod. If I could replace
all the plastic surrounding the heatsink with metal that would do it.:thinking:

 

[hopkins]

Here's one way for getting the heat out of this Smith & Wesson Cree
3aaa headlamp. I cut a slot in the underside of the headlamp so a strip of aluminum will contact the back of the internal Cree assembly. Attached a small
heatsink to this aluminum strip with a screw.

I can tell it does a good job as it starts to warm up after 2 minutes run on high and is hot after 15 minutes but still allows plenty of downward tilt and only added 15grams. Now total weight w/batteries is 155grams.

..