Which Acebeam TK16 For Use As A Cap Light While Horseback Riding?

[JAS]

I have a Fenix RC09. I use it as a cap light while I am horseback riding at night. The Acebeam TK16 looks like it might be a suitable replacement. What I am trying to decide is which LED to select. The choices are:

OSRAM

CREE XPG 3

LUMINUS SST-20

Which LED should I select? How should I decide?

 

[Msf]

I am an old horse stall mucker. My wife, kids and grandkids ride (I try not to fall out of the saddle), but coincidentally, I use a TK16 SST-20 on my hat quite often. My rationale is simple. HCRI provides better contrast. I can make things out better. When I am trying to figure out what's ahead of us on the trail, the improved contrast of the HCRI is better than anything other than a Lumens Cannon, which you can't mount on your hat.

 

[DayofReckoning]

I have the TK16 in the SST-20 and the tint is excellent.

 

[JAS]

I am a bit unclear on the various modes. It looks like there is an ECO mode and two Power Modes. Does the end-user select those? Why are there two Power Modes?



Powered by 1 x RCR123A Battery - Power Mode - LUMINUS SST-20
Moonlight: 0.5 Lumens - 6 Days
Low: 13 Lumens (46cd) - 12 Meters; 12 Hours
Med: 80 Lumens (236cd) - 30 Meters; 3 Hours
High: 450 Lumens (1271cd) - 71 Meters; 1 Hour
Turbo: 1250 Lumens (3570cd) - 118 Meters; 45 Minutes
Strobe: 370 Lumens - 1 Hour

Powered by 1 x RCR123A Battery - ECO Mode - LUMINUS SST-20
Moonlight: 0.5 Lumens - 6 Days
Low: 13 Lumens (46cd) - 12 Meters; 12 Hours
Med: 80 Lumens (236cd) - 30 Meters; 3 Hours
High: 450 Lumens (1271cd) - 71 Meters; 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Turbo: 750 Lumens (2000cd) - 89 Meters; 45 Minutes
Strobe: 370 Lumens - 1 Hour

Powered by 1 x CR123A Battery - Power Mode - LUMINUS SST-20
Moonlight: 0.5 Lumens - 12 Days
Low: 13 Lumens (46cd) - 12 Meters; 17 Hours
Med: 80 Lumens (236cd) - 30 Meters; 4 Hours 30 Minutes
High: 180 Lumens (450cd) - 42 Meters; 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Turbo: 400 Lumens (1240cd) - 70 Meters; 1 Hour
Strobe: 250 Lumens - 50 Minutes


https://www.batteryjunction.com/acebeam-tk16-al.html

 

[DayofReckoning]

The TK16 on Power Mode Turbo draws far more current than what many 16340's can provide. I've had several Protected 16340's have their Protection Circuit trip because I fired up the Power Mode Turbo. The ECO mode is there for weaker cells that can't handle the current draw that the included Acebeam IMR16340 CAN handle.

EDIT: Forgot to add that the user can easily select between eco and power mode. The instruction manual shows the process.

 

[carrot]

To switch from Power to ECO or vice versa, lock out the light by pressing and holding the button from off until it blinks.

Then click 10x and it will show either a brief ramp up (Power enabled) or a brief ramp down (Eco enabled).

Then unlock the light.

It's cumbersome but fine. I generally leave my lights on Eco. Unless I forget.

 

[JAS]

I am a bit unclear on the various modes. It looks like there is an ECO mode and two Power Modes. Does the end-user select those? Why are there two Power Modes?...

What was confusing me was the list shows a Power Mode, then the Eco Mode and then another Power Mode. Then I realized it is a RCR123A vs. CR123A Battery difference.

I am now sort of leaning towards the CREE XPG 3 and a second battery!

 

[carrot]

What was confusing me was the list shows a Power Mode, then the Eco Mode and then another Power Mode. Then I realized it is a RCR123A vs. CR123A Battery difference.

I am now sort of leaning towards the CREE XPG 3 and a second battery!

I have an XP-G3 TK16 and it is horrid. I think the SST-20 is much better.

The XP-G3 in the TK16 is at least 6500K and maybe closer to 6800K. If you don't mind cool tints then you might not have the same disgust. It is about 20% wider of a beam, which is nice, but lux is also noticeably lower than the TK16 SST-20. The SST-20 used is like 3700K-4000K and very nice, warm, not green at all.

The only reason my XP-G3 TK16 gets so much use is because it is the copper one, which is the perfect weight and size for EDC. But I'd much rather have the SST-20 LEDs in there.

 

[Sos24]

Another one for the SST20. I have the SST20 and the OSRAM. The SST20 has a nice tint, CRI and a wide enough beam that I think it would work nice for your purposes.

 

[JAS]

I did place my order one week ago, but it is delayed for about three more weeks.

Anyway, I originally was thinking about the Acebeam TK16 as a simple replacement for my Fenix RC09. Now, however, I am actually giving some thought to using both of them. If I do, would having one of them running "steady burn" and the other in the strobe mode be the most effective for being seen?

 

[JAS]

I did place my order one week ago, but it is delayed for about three more weeks.

Anyway, I originally was thinking about the Acebeam TK16 as a simple replacement for my Fenix RC09. Now, however, I am actually giving some thought to using both of them. If I do, would having one of them running "steady burn" and the other in the strobe mode be the most effective for being seen?

Yesterday my Acebeam TK16 arrived after about a six week wait. I charged up the battery and went out for a horseback ride. I had both the Acebeam TK16 and Fenix RC09 on my cap. Sadly, I am underwhelmed. The Fenix RC09 seems to be a much brighter, whiter light.