Surefire C3 beam shape

[Inova his head]

Hi all, long time no see!

I've just got myself a Surefire C3, but the beam is rather oval/rectangular. I was wondering if this is normal (my E2L has a square beam after all)? It's that shape with the P90 and the P91 bulb I bought as well, so I don't think it's a refletor issue. Any thoughts?

Tom

 

[Flash_Gordon]

It is normal. The beam of the P90 and P91 is slightly oval in shape. This should present no problem in actual use.

As you said, your E2L which uses a KL1 head presents a very square beam.

There is no rule that says a flashlight beam has to be round. It is an expectation that we tend to have that is not always true or necessary.

The Surefire Millennium series lamp beams are more oval than the P lamps. I actually like this because I can easily turn the light in my hand to place the widest coverage in either a vertical or horizontal orientation as needed.

Mark

 

[Inova his head]

Mark,

Thank you for your help. I don't have a problem with it being that way, as long as it's meant to be.

Thanks again,
Tom

 

[BoomerSooner]

Yep, they're oval'ish.

Personally, I don't like it. It doesn't stop me from using SF LA's but I do prefer a round beam. If I want to see in oval patterns, I just move the light back and forth. I mean, with oval shape, you have to turn it one way or the other anyway to see one way or the other so why not just have a round beam and just move the light a tad? You're moving it anyway with oval beam.

Lumens Factory LA's seem to be much more round, I do prefer them in that way.

I just don't like seeing a beam out of round, it always appears to be off, no matter how it's positioned. Not that I'm OCD that way.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Hi all, long time no see!

I've just got myself a Surefire C3, but the beam is rather oval/rectangular. I was wondering if this is normal (my E2L has a square beam after all)? It's that shape with the P90 and the P91 bulb I bought as well, so I don't think it's a refletor issue. Any thoughts?

Tom

I hate the P90 too! You'll be MUCH more pleased with the Lumens Factory HO-9. Its beam is way rounder and whiter, it's just beautiful. Check it out.

 

[Size15's]

The lamp filament is not a point source (dot) - it's a bar. Therefore an efficient reflector/lamp combination will produce an oval beam rather than a round beam.

 

[Inova his head]

Hmmm... any idea how long my C3'll last with a Lumens Factory HO-9?

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Hmmm... any idea how long my C3'll last with a Lumens Factory HO-9?

At least 40 minutes. I get around 50 minutes on 3XCR123 Panasonic cells.

 

[Inova his head]

Really? That does sound good! Brighter light for longer? Is the beam just as tightly focused as SF ones?

Tom

 

[Owen]

The beam is mainly a large oval spot. There is nothing round about it. It will not run as long as a P90, since it's pulling ~1.5A vs. 1.2A, but the spot is much brighter.

 

[Inova his head]

I understand versus the P90, but I was thinking of the P91. It sounds like it's brighter, runs for longer and is cheaper. If this is right the only thing holding me back is whether or not the beam is as tightly focused?

Thank you,
Tom

 

[Inova his head]

Having done a little research I've found the EO-9 that's brighter still. Anyone any feedback on that one? Any idea how long it lasts?

 

[Bryan]

I replied to your other thread, but the EO-9 is perfectly round if that is what you desire. The P90 and P91 are both very oval in comparison and it's honestly a bit annoying sometimes. It's hard to compare the P91 to the EO-9 as far as brightness is concerned because it's flood vs. throw. I love them both and use them equally though. It just depends on my mood. For close up flood, I prefer the P91 but for long distance throw (with a round spot) I prefer the EO-9.

The P90 stays in a G2 with rechargeable r123's. I don't really like that lamp to tell you the truth, so I just use it as a backup light (since the G2 can handle a lot of abuse).

 

[Inova his head]

I looked at that one first in fact, but thank you. =)