Tri-Star 3x3 questions

[lak]

I am thinking about getting the Tri-Star 3x3, are there any comparable lights I should consider at this price range? The biggest difficulty for me is to buy flashlights based on reviews alone, and without the benefit of seeing it in person. I learn that SNII would be the one to beat; pity that it is no longer available, as I prefer buying something new (though wouldn't Tri-Star 3w luxeons last a lot longer than SNII overdriven 5w?).

I believe a formal runtime test has not been done. But can someone give me an educated guess or estimate as to approx how much runtime I can expect with 3D alkalines/NiMh or 4C alkalines/NiMh? E.g. to 50% brightness?

How much side spill does Tri-Star 3x3 has compared with Blaster III (which has really very minimal side spill)?

Thanks.

 

[DrJ]

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[Hoghead]

I have both the Tri-Star 3x1,3x3 and Blaster III.
The beams are totally different. The Tri-Star puts out a lot of light with lots of spill.
Where do you live? Maybe you could see one that belongs to another CPF member?

 

[lak]

[ QUOTE ]
DrJ said:
As far as run time...it depends on the battery type...(I mainly use NiMH cells with a resistor added sometimes)...but I'll give you an idea of the initial current consumption, which should be fairly indicative of run time to 50% brightness:
TS...4*C.....3.4+ amps.. "
TS...3*D.....2.0 amps.... "

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for your information DrJ. And I did manage to find your original post on the current measurement. However, I am not sure how to estimate the run time from these measurements, as the current would drop as the battery discharges. In case of 3D NiMh, the current you measured after 45min has dropped from 2 to 1A, does it mean that runtime to 50% brightness is 45min? Is this with the resistor you added, or do you just use the resistor with the 4C configuration?

And in case of 3D alkalines running 1.5A when new, how do we estimate the runtime to 50% brightness?

[ QUOTE ]
Hoghead wrote: Maybe you could see one that belongs to another CPF member?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a good idea, although I know what my wife is going to say... "You mean you are going to OTHER people's garage to look at OTHER people's flashlights?" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DrJ]

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[Slaro]

The Tri-Star 3x3watts sounds like a winner. I should would like to purchase one of those babies. I think it gives off a nice spot with plenty of spill light too.

 

[Icebreak]

I have lights that are bigger, smaller, throw farther, flood wider, run shorter and run longer but for outdoor use, the Tri-Star 3X3 has the best, most useful beam of light.

 

[Eric S]

I have the Tristar 3X3 along with a SN II and a LC 100. My SN II does throw farther than the other two but, the Tristar put out more light and throws farther than my LC 100. That`s on 4C alks/nimh. The SNII doesn`t ouite match up to the others. I would have to say I almost agree with
DrJ on the lumens ratings but can`t get over the LC 100 mf rating of 450 lumens. Either it`s not 450 or I just have a dam good Tristar.

Eric