Vector 137CO Review

[rlhess]

I just received a Vector 137CO. It is somewhat more impressive than the Brinkmann QBeam Max Million that I reported on last week.

Major plusses:
--As a 12V light, it will run from the car battery while recharging.
--It recharges faster from AC and especially from the car system.
--It is slightly brighter than the Brinkmann at the peak intensity AND the bright circle is larger.
--Another BIG plus is the packaging:
----Swivel handle: Lantern/Pistol
----Water resistant
----Built-in stand
----More compact than the Brinkmann
----More robust feeling

The minuses compared to the Brinkmann:
--The Vector has a more oval beam and a more ragged beam.
--The battery is not quickly interchangeable so you can't have a fully-charged spare on hand.

As you may recall, the hottest spot on the Brinkmann I could find at 10 feet was 65,000cd. The hottest spot I could find at 10 feet on the Vector was 89,000cd. I tried to find the extra 1000cd to make it a nice round 90000, but I couldn't.

When I increased the measuring distance to 30 feet, I got 101,000cd, so the beam is either partially coherant

or it's not fully formed at 10 feet.

This one is going in my car!

I'm debating on whether it's worth returning the Brinkmann to WalMart or just keeping it around.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[rlhess]

Re: Vector 137CO Review / Best Spot for me ?

Well, the battery doesn't hold a charge for me and I haven't used it as much as I thought...It's still a nice light, but it's big and doesn't run for very long.

What do others use it for? I was at a friend's last night. He has an UltraStinger and I had my SRTH Turbo Head on a 9P. He has an abandoned home across the ravine from him--about 300 feet away is my guess. Both the US and the SRTH lit it up nicely before the moon came up.

I don't know anymore what to recommend for a major step beyond the SRTH or US.

I see my mini-review was quoted in the "Best Spot For Me" thread and so I added that to the Subject line.

Thoughts?

Richard