twentysixtwo
Enlightened
Bought a UK Vectra from Brightguy.com a few weeks ago - couldn't resist the $23 closeout price. I have a miniQ4 that has been my favorite handheld up to now.
The Vectra is basically the D4 with a metal base. It comes with a lantern grip only, while the D4 is available with either a lantern grip or a pistol grip. It comes with a textured reflector rather than a smooth one, but both the pistol grip and the smooth reflector are available from BG. The light is a nice weight, everything feels very solid. There is a small blemish on the reflector, perhaps 2-3 mm in diameter. The handle is plastic and solid feeling but there's a slight parting line on one side which could be improved.
I bought it along with the 6.6W bulb from the C4. I tested the standard 5.8W bulb against the 6.6W bulb and frankly, didn't see much of a difference. the 6.6W bulb has a tighter filament and therefore a smaller spot, but it almost seems dimmer. I tested both with half eaten D alkies and some fully charged Nicads. With fully charged nicads, the light is way too bright to look at directly.
After looking at some websites, I found out that the C4R (Rechargable) has a 9.6W bulb, while the D4R has a 18W bulb. Ok, order from BG again, the shipping charge makes me get some spare bulbs for other lights.
Meanwhile, the pivoting bit that holds the two bulbs is black plastic. It's a small window, but I can't help thinking that it's sucking light. 10 minutes later with some foam tape and silvered mylar tape I have reproduced the base curve in 1 dimension on the outer sides of the bulbs. What else is fast and easy? I paint some ultra-glow paint in between the two bulbs. This will get charged for sure (perhaps too much) when either light is on.
Received the higher watt bulbs today. The 9.6W bulb is still a dissapointment. Fortunately, The 18 watt bulb is VERY noticibly brighter. Testing out the 18W bulb with fresh alkies, it's still brighter than the 5.8W bulb, but noticibly yellow. With Nicads it's super bright, like a car headlight.
I'm puzzled as to why the two C4 bulbs might be dimmer - the C4 and D4 should run the same voltage, why would a higher watt bulb appear dimmer? Not sure if the focus difference might be at play, but the filament appears to be at exactly the same place......
Double checked it - turns out I had the bulbs mixed up. The 9.6 watt is defitely brighter than either the 5.8 or 6.6 watt bulbs. Still think the 6.6 and 5.8 are too close to tell.
........Alkaline..............Nicad
........----------------......----------------------
5.8w....Very good.............Brighter than Alkaline
6.6W....Same as 5.8W..........Same as 5.8W
9.6W....Noticibly brighter....Noticibly brighter
18W.....Slightly brighter,....Wow!
than 9.6 but yellow.
Verdict: Quick and easy upgrade is to get the higher rated bulbs. If you're running alkalines, get the 9.6 watt bulb from the C4R, otherwise get the 18W for NiCad or NiMH.
I plan to do some more detailed testing of current draw, etc.....Also plan to add a tritium capsule to the dovetail slot opposite the handle. Perfect place for it.
My next test is to run the lamp on a homemade pack of 5 NIMH A cells (4000 MaH)
p.s. I have no affiliation with BG except that I'm a satisfied customer
The Vectra is basically the D4 with a metal base. It comes with a lantern grip only, while the D4 is available with either a lantern grip or a pistol grip. It comes with a textured reflector rather than a smooth one, but both the pistol grip and the smooth reflector are available from BG. The light is a nice weight, everything feels very solid. There is a small blemish on the reflector, perhaps 2-3 mm in diameter. The handle is plastic and solid feeling but there's a slight parting line on one side which could be improved.
I bought it along with the 6.6W bulb from the C4. I tested the standard 5.8W bulb against the 6.6W bulb and frankly, didn't see much of a difference. the 6.6W bulb has a tighter filament and therefore a smaller spot, but it almost seems dimmer. I tested both with half eaten D alkies and some fully charged Nicads. With fully charged nicads, the light is way too bright to look at directly.
After looking at some websites, I found out that the C4R (Rechargable) has a 9.6W bulb, while the D4R has a 18W bulb. Ok, order from BG again, the shipping charge makes me get some spare bulbs for other lights.
Meanwhile, the pivoting bit that holds the two bulbs is black plastic. It's a small window, but I can't help thinking that it's sucking light. 10 minutes later with some foam tape and silvered mylar tape I have reproduced the base curve in 1 dimension on the outer sides of the bulbs. What else is fast and easy? I paint some ultra-glow paint in between the two bulbs. This will get charged for sure (perhaps too much) when either light is on.
Received the higher watt bulbs today. The 9.6W bulb is still a dissapointment. Fortunately, The 18 watt bulb is VERY noticibly brighter. Testing out the 18W bulb with fresh alkies, it's still brighter than the 5.8W bulb, but noticibly yellow. With Nicads it's super bright, like a car headlight.
I'm puzzled as to why the two C4 bulbs might be dimmer - the C4 and D4 should run the same voltage, why would a higher watt bulb appear dimmer? Not sure if the focus difference might be at play, but the filament appears to be at exactly the same place......
Double checked it - turns out I had the bulbs mixed up. The 9.6 watt is defitely brighter than either the 5.8 or 6.6 watt bulbs. Still think the 6.6 and 5.8 are too close to tell.
........Alkaline..............Nicad
........----------------......----------------------
5.8w....Very good.............Brighter than Alkaline
6.6W....Same as 5.8W..........Same as 5.8W
9.6W....Noticibly brighter....Noticibly brighter
18W.....Slightly brighter,....Wow!
than 9.6 but yellow.
Verdict: Quick and easy upgrade is to get the higher rated bulbs. If you're running alkalines, get the 9.6 watt bulb from the C4R, otherwise get the 18W for NiCad or NiMH.
I plan to do some more detailed testing of current draw, etc.....Also plan to add a tritium capsule to the dovetail slot opposite the handle. Perfect place for it.
My next test is to run the lamp on a homemade pack of 5 NIMH A cells (4000 MaH)
p.s. I have no affiliation with BG except that I'm a satisfied customer
