CajunJosh
Newly Enlightened
I received my new Titanium Innovations L50 last week. The light has not had a chance to be put through its paces on patrol so I figured I would just post a brief review of the overall build quality and features that make this light unique. I've included a few indoor beam shot/comparison photos and will update this thread later with outdoor shots. I have yet to conduct any runtime tests on the light as it has to stay fully charged while on duty for safety reasons.
To give you some background I've worked in law enforcement for 3.5 years and did irrigation work before that. I expect things I purchase to be rugged and able to stand up to a beating. I currently use the Polarion PH50 on duty and it has plenty of battle scars from being dropped on rocks and concrete. Much of my equipment has to withstand extreme conditions from 140 degree temperatures in the patrol car to temps as low as 20 degrees at night during the winter. Our equipment often is exposed to both rain and ice as well.
The Case:
I will admit I had great skepticism when looking at the case online before ordering. I've ordered numerous products where the case was advertised as an added bonus only to be disappointed later with overall build quality. This case was defiantly not a disappointment. Like my Polarion case this thing was flashy but don't let looks can be deceiving. The case is constructed of metal and rugged rubber. The case has large metal hinges and latches that feel sturdy. The case also has two locks and comes with two keys. I feel confident that this case could take a beating in the back of a patrol car without sustaining any damage. The contents inside the case are well packaged and the foam cutouts allow easy removal of the equipment but a secure fit when stored. The case also has the Titanium Innovations L50 logo on the top as an added bonus.
The Contents:
The L50 package comes with a diffuser, shoulder strap, AC charger, DC adapter, and a horrible smelling de-moisture packet which causes the entire case to smell like mothballs. I've Febrezed the heck out of the case attempting to eliminate that smell.
AC Adapter – The AC adapter attaches directly to a standard AC outlet with convenient fold out prongs which fold directly out of the charger similar to an Apple power supply for those that are familiar with them. Both the AC charger and DC adapter attach directly to the L50 with a dual prong screw connector which gives you a reassuring secure connection. I will admit the charger is an area of concern. It appears to be a cheaply constructed Asian charger that has a high pitched sonic type whine while charging. The noise isn't terribly loud but noticeable to those with sensitive hearing. (I was able to hear the charger over my 9" fan.) The charger also gets very warm while charging and I wouldn't trust leaving the L50 on the charger overnight to complete the 3.5 hour charge cycle without supervision.
DC Adapter – This was an area of MAJOR disappointment and I guess it's my fault for not reading the product description closer. The DC adapter allows you to directly power the L50 from a cigarette lighter without affecting the battery charge. The DC adapter however does not charge the battery. I really hope in the future they come out with a DC charger as this was the major reason I decided to purchase the L50 to replace my PH50 on patrol. The DC Adapter has a heavy duty coil cord. The L50 has a screw on cap with urethane washer to cover its charging port when in use. The cover is attached by a small ball chain which is defiantly a well though out feature.
Diffuser – The Diffuser provides an excellent fog distribution of light. The lens is constructed of a fogged glass and does reduce the overall output of light however you are still getting an extremely useful intensity of light. I personally don't find the diffuser necessary with the light adjusted to the full 15 degree flood pattern, but more on that later. My favorite feature of the diffuser lens is the method of attachment. Unlike many of the L50s counterparts that use snap on style connectors that can grow brittle and snap with age this diffuser is encased in a threaded rubber ring which screws directly onto the front of the light. You simply unscrew the cosmetic ring and screw on the diffuser. The threads on both the diffuser and the cosmetic ring always seem to cross thread no matter how hard I try to get them started right, however, the threads always correct themselves without damage.
Shoulder Strap – It's a shoulder strap and it connects to two rings located on the light. If you want an in depth review on the function and quality of the shoulder strap you have way too much time on your hands.
Features of the L50
30w/50w Dual output Ballast – Without a doubt the most innovative and anticipated feature of the L50. Sadly this is also an area where I won't spend too much time. The selection process is very easy with a switch locked on the left side of the handle, which you can easily manipulate while carrying the light. There is hardly any notable difference between the two settings. I will say that if you can truly squeeze an additional 50 minutes out of this light on the 30 watt setting then it is an instant winner in my book. Overall light output at 50watts is less than the Polarion PH50 but not by a huge margin. Part of this may be due to Polarion's precision lens design. Both settings are very impressive and useful in both low and no light conditions.
Adjustable Focus – This is my favorite feature. The L50 features an adjustable focus from 1 to 15 degrees using a small lever located directly under the carrying handle. This is also conveniently located and the lever is easily manipulated with minimal pressure from one finger. The level pans from left to right going from flood to spot. The far right will actually go past full spot and began to add more of a corona to the beam. The adjustable focus is smooth and functions by moving the bulb back and forth within the reflector. My only complaint here is that the level has no stops and can be pushed all the way down to the body of the L50. If you push the lever all the way down it takes some coaxing to get it back up as there isn't much finger space under the lever. When adjusted to the full 15 degrees the L50 puts out a very impressive amount of light. I find it very easy to scan a much larger area with the light and easily focus in on areas of interest quickly using the focus lever.
Fuel Gauge – The L50 features a five LED fuel gauge which illuminates when you press the battery check button. A cool feature of the fuel gauge is that the top three LEDs are green and the bottom two are red giving you a crystal clear indicator of the power status of the light in low/no light conditions where it would be hard to read the gauge label. The fuel gauge also has a reset button to clear any errors that may be indicated during charging or operation. The gauge will give two separate readings depending on whether you check it while the light is activated or while the light is off. The gauge includes a single multi colored LED that flashes while the L50 is charging and turns green when fully charged.
Illuminated On/Off Switch – This is more for amusement then practical application. The L50 has two power switches. A main switch on the back of the light completely disconnects the battery from the rest of the light including the onboard charger. This prevents accidental activation from the top switch. The rear switch must be on for the light to be charged. The second switch is a red illuminated switch on the top of the light located under a spring loaded, clear plastic cap. I'll wait to pass judgment on the cap as it appears to be something I will break on patrol. The power switch is illuminated red when the light is activated. The advertised purpose of the illumination is for ease of operation, however, I find it easy to find the switch when the light is on given the area is already brightly illuminated with the L50. The switch activates the light with a tactical click and the switch is encased in a clear flexible rubber shield to add a level of waterproofing. Once again I'll wait to pass judgment until after the light sees it's first accident scene during a downpour.
The bottom of the L50 is constructed of metal to allow for better heat dissipation and includes a threaded base for mounting on a tripod. The light has rubber pads on the bottom for increased durability. Size wise, she's not petite by any means when compared to the Maxabeam or the Polarion PH50. The light however, does not feel cumbersome or heavy when in use and is quite comfortable. The overall build quality of the light feels sturdy and although I don't think it would survive a drop onto concrete from any distance above 2 feet, it does still seem like it could take a few bumps and bruises. Time will tell.
Start-up time for the L50 to full brightness was timed at 12 seconds compared to 7 with the PH50. The L50 ballast whines loudly during start-up but becomes barley audible once full power is reached.
Overall I like the feel and features of the L50. Albeit a tank this light has been very impressive so far and when compared to the Polarion PH50 you are getting great bang for your buck. There are a few annoyances on the light but nothing that would sway me from making the purchase again. The pros defiantly outweigh the cons. I find the layout and operation of the light simple and easy to use and I look forward to using this tool out on patrol and feel confident in its ability to function in the field.
Feel free to post any questions and I'll try to update this thread as quickly as possible. I apologize for the quality of some of the photos, I was using my girlfriend's camera for the first time. I also apologize if any of the information is confusing as I accidentally deleted my entire review twice while typing this.
Hope you guys enjoy.
L50 Reflector
L50
Size Comparison with Maxabeam, L50, and PH50 (Happy Family!)
Beamshots taken indoors at 12 feet, all at 50 watt setting:
L50 50/50 spot/flood
L50 flood
L50 with diffuser
L50 spot
Polarion PH50 comparison
To give you some background I've worked in law enforcement for 3.5 years and did irrigation work before that. I expect things I purchase to be rugged and able to stand up to a beating. I currently use the Polarion PH50 on duty and it has plenty of battle scars from being dropped on rocks and concrete. Much of my equipment has to withstand extreme conditions from 140 degree temperatures in the patrol car to temps as low as 20 degrees at night during the winter. Our equipment often is exposed to both rain and ice as well.
The Case:
I will admit I had great skepticism when looking at the case online before ordering. I've ordered numerous products where the case was advertised as an added bonus only to be disappointed later with overall build quality. This case was defiantly not a disappointment. Like my Polarion case this thing was flashy but don't let looks can be deceiving. The case is constructed of metal and rugged rubber. The case has large metal hinges and latches that feel sturdy. The case also has two locks and comes with two keys. I feel confident that this case could take a beating in the back of a patrol car without sustaining any damage. The contents inside the case are well packaged and the foam cutouts allow easy removal of the equipment but a secure fit when stored. The case also has the Titanium Innovations L50 logo on the top as an added bonus.
The Contents:
The L50 package comes with a diffuser, shoulder strap, AC charger, DC adapter, and a horrible smelling de-moisture packet which causes the entire case to smell like mothballs. I've Febrezed the heck out of the case attempting to eliminate that smell.
AC Adapter – The AC adapter attaches directly to a standard AC outlet with convenient fold out prongs which fold directly out of the charger similar to an Apple power supply for those that are familiar with them. Both the AC charger and DC adapter attach directly to the L50 with a dual prong screw connector which gives you a reassuring secure connection. I will admit the charger is an area of concern. It appears to be a cheaply constructed Asian charger that has a high pitched sonic type whine while charging. The noise isn't terribly loud but noticeable to those with sensitive hearing. (I was able to hear the charger over my 9" fan.) The charger also gets very warm while charging and I wouldn't trust leaving the L50 on the charger overnight to complete the 3.5 hour charge cycle without supervision.
DC Adapter – This was an area of MAJOR disappointment and I guess it's my fault for not reading the product description closer. The DC adapter allows you to directly power the L50 from a cigarette lighter without affecting the battery charge. The DC adapter however does not charge the battery. I really hope in the future they come out with a DC charger as this was the major reason I decided to purchase the L50 to replace my PH50 on patrol. The DC Adapter has a heavy duty coil cord. The L50 has a screw on cap with urethane washer to cover its charging port when in use. The cover is attached by a small ball chain which is defiantly a well though out feature.
Diffuser – The Diffuser provides an excellent fog distribution of light. The lens is constructed of a fogged glass and does reduce the overall output of light however you are still getting an extremely useful intensity of light. I personally don't find the diffuser necessary with the light adjusted to the full 15 degree flood pattern, but more on that later. My favorite feature of the diffuser lens is the method of attachment. Unlike many of the L50s counterparts that use snap on style connectors that can grow brittle and snap with age this diffuser is encased in a threaded rubber ring which screws directly onto the front of the light. You simply unscrew the cosmetic ring and screw on the diffuser. The threads on both the diffuser and the cosmetic ring always seem to cross thread no matter how hard I try to get them started right, however, the threads always correct themselves without damage.
Shoulder Strap – It's a shoulder strap and it connects to two rings located on the light. If you want an in depth review on the function and quality of the shoulder strap you have way too much time on your hands.
Features of the L50
30w/50w Dual output Ballast – Without a doubt the most innovative and anticipated feature of the L50. Sadly this is also an area where I won't spend too much time. The selection process is very easy with a switch locked on the left side of the handle, which you can easily manipulate while carrying the light. There is hardly any notable difference between the two settings. I will say that if you can truly squeeze an additional 50 minutes out of this light on the 30 watt setting then it is an instant winner in my book. Overall light output at 50watts is less than the Polarion PH50 but not by a huge margin. Part of this may be due to Polarion's precision lens design. Both settings are very impressive and useful in both low and no light conditions.
Adjustable Focus – This is my favorite feature. The L50 features an adjustable focus from 1 to 15 degrees using a small lever located directly under the carrying handle. This is also conveniently located and the lever is easily manipulated with minimal pressure from one finger. The level pans from left to right going from flood to spot. The far right will actually go past full spot and began to add more of a corona to the beam. The adjustable focus is smooth and functions by moving the bulb back and forth within the reflector. My only complaint here is that the level has no stops and can be pushed all the way down to the body of the L50. If you push the lever all the way down it takes some coaxing to get it back up as there isn't much finger space under the lever. When adjusted to the full 15 degrees the L50 puts out a very impressive amount of light. I find it very easy to scan a much larger area with the light and easily focus in on areas of interest quickly using the focus lever.
Fuel Gauge – The L50 features a five LED fuel gauge which illuminates when you press the battery check button. A cool feature of the fuel gauge is that the top three LEDs are green and the bottom two are red giving you a crystal clear indicator of the power status of the light in low/no light conditions where it would be hard to read the gauge label. The fuel gauge also has a reset button to clear any errors that may be indicated during charging or operation. The gauge will give two separate readings depending on whether you check it while the light is activated or while the light is off. The gauge includes a single multi colored LED that flashes while the L50 is charging and turns green when fully charged.
Illuminated On/Off Switch – This is more for amusement then practical application. The L50 has two power switches. A main switch on the back of the light completely disconnects the battery from the rest of the light including the onboard charger. This prevents accidental activation from the top switch. The rear switch must be on for the light to be charged. The second switch is a red illuminated switch on the top of the light located under a spring loaded, clear plastic cap. I'll wait to pass judgment on the cap as it appears to be something I will break on patrol. The power switch is illuminated red when the light is activated. The advertised purpose of the illumination is for ease of operation, however, I find it easy to find the switch when the light is on given the area is already brightly illuminated with the L50. The switch activates the light with a tactical click and the switch is encased in a clear flexible rubber shield to add a level of waterproofing. Once again I'll wait to pass judgment until after the light sees it's first accident scene during a downpour.
The bottom of the L50 is constructed of metal to allow for better heat dissipation and includes a threaded base for mounting on a tripod. The light has rubber pads on the bottom for increased durability. Size wise, she's not petite by any means when compared to the Maxabeam or the Polarion PH50. The light however, does not feel cumbersome or heavy when in use and is quite comfortable. The overall build quality of the light feels sturdy and although I don't think it would survive a drop onto concrete from any distance above 2 feet, it does still seem like it could take a few bumps and bruises. Time will tell.
Start-up time for the L50 to full brightness was timed at 12 seconds compared to 7 with the PH50. The L50 ballast whines loudly during start-up but becomes barley audible once full power is reached.
Overall I like the feel and features of the L50. Albeit a tank this light has been very impressive so far and when compared to the Polarion PH50 you are getting great bang for your buck. There are a few annoyances on the light but nothing that would sway me from making the purchase again. The pros defiantly outweigh the cons. I find the layout and operation of the light simple and easy to use and I look forward to using this tool out on patrol and feel confident in its ability to function in the field.
Feel free to post any questions and I'll try to update this thread as quickly as possible. I apologize for the quality of some of the photos, I was using my girlfriend's camera for the first time. I also apologize if any of the information is confusing as I accidentally deleted my entire review twice while typing this.
Hope you guys enjoy.L50 Reflector
L50
Size Comparison with Maxabeam, L50, and PH50 (Happy Family!)
Beamshots taken indoors at 12 feet, all at 50 watt setting:
L50 50/50 spot/flood
L50 flood
L50 with diffuser
L50 spot
Polarion PH50 comparison
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