I've been reading some of the old threads on the TACM 3 and the consensus seems to be that while the SF 6-series has overall better build and beam quality, the TACM 3 is better shock isolated and brighter. I want to focus on the brightness aspect (since I consider the bulb to be the heart of the light) and the manufacturer's claims are certainly impressive for the TACM 3: 105.5 lumens @ 80 mins. Compare this to SF 6P/P60: 65 lumens @ 60 mins. No contest!
Okay, manufacturer's claims aren't always "real life". So I had a look at Brock's page and the brightness ranking. The TACM 3 is ahead of the SF D2/P60 and even the 8NX (110 lumens!), but behind the SF D2/P61 (to be expected since the P61 is 120 lumens). The TACM 3's bulb also appears to be very efficient. It's 5.15W bulb is ahead of the 5.3W SF D2/P60 and 7.3W SF 8NX. And Brock reckons the runtime of the TACM 3 is "just over 60" mins.
My only conclusion is that the TACM 3 bulb is superior. The question is: why doesn't SF incorporate a bulb like that? Imagine combining such a bulb with SF's superlative reflectors. SF is pushing the envelope in tactical flashlights (now even to batteries), so why is it falling short in the bulb department? Am I missing something?
P.S. I'm cross posting this to the SF forum, maybe Ken or PK would reply.
Okay, manufacturer's claims aren't always "real life". So I had a look at Brock's page and the brightness ranking. The TACM 3 is ahead of the SF D2/P60 and even the 8NX (110 lumens!), but behind the SF D2/P61 (to be expected since the P61 is 120 lumens). The TACM 3's bulb also appears to be very efficient. It's 5.15W bulb is ahead of the 5.3W SF D2/P60 and 7.3W SF 8NX. And Brock reckons the runtime of the TACM 3 is "just over 60" mins.
My only conclusion is that the TACM 3 bulb is superior. The question is: why doesn't SF incorporate a bulb like that? Imagine combining such a bulb with SF's superlative reflectors. SF is pushing the envelope in tactical flashlights (now even to batteries), so why is it falling short in the bulb department? Am I missing something?
P.S. I'm cross posting this to the SF forum, maybe Ken or PK would reply.