Wolf-Eyes Dragon-I owners, inside please.

[Lunal_Tic]

I just picked up a Dragon-I and must say so far I really like it. One of the best things is that it's ready when I am. The Li-ion pack means that I don't have to "plan" to use the light like my 990 that loses charge in a few days to a week.

I have notice a few oddities though and wanted to get some feedback. I've noticed that there are some surges in light during which the color of the beam also changes. These are usually brief but they strike me odd. Does anyone else have this?

Also I live in Japan and go to the US often, how have users in those places modified/use the EU powersupply?

I also tend to run the light for long periods, often the full 110 minutes at a go. I've noticed that the instructions say charge at 2 LEDs on in the tailcap but this is usually a good bit less than 110 minutes into the burn. Do you run your light until it dies or keep track of the minutes then charge or charge as recommended?

Lastly, are the bulb/ballast proprietary? I was thinking about getting an extra bulb since the life rating is only ~300 hours and was wondering if there are less expensive alternatives to buying a Wolf-Eyes bulb.

I've only got 4-5 full recharges on the light but I look forward to a lot more use, particularly after I find a suitable holster for it. I've already gotten an camera lens cap for it and feel much better putting it in my bag now.

Thanks for your help and comments.
-LT

 

[MaxaBaker]

Is the $500 price tag worth it? I want one.

 

[MaxaBaker]

Also, I don't think you should run the light till the batt. dies. That can be pretty bad for HID bulbs.

 

[markdi]

hid is regulated

running the light until it dies should not hurt the bulb

I could be wrong

 

[MaxaBaker]

HID is regulated to a certain point. In the x990, it will begin blinking before it dies and that is very bad. When the battery just cannot put out enough power, it may dim or flicker or strobe - all of which are very bad for metal hilide bulbs.

 

[markdi]

my 2 35 watt ballasts do that too.
I have a curcuit that would solve that problem
it cuts off the power at a certain point and can sense when the battery has been recharged and resets.

the xenlight ballasts have some thing simular to that
feature built in to them.

so my dl50 50 watt light will not have that problem.

I should sacrifice one of my phillips 85122 bulbs and see how much battery strobing it takes to hurt it.

I bet that the bulbs in my 35 watt lights will last for years any way.

besides I keep every thing charged up.

 

[Lunal_Tic]

BOF, I really like the light but YMMV. The 990 is more impressive but I would reach for the Dragon-I more I think because of size and the above mentioned battery problems with the 990.

As for flicker of HIDs neither of mine, the 990 or Dragon-I, flicker before dying. They just die. I'm more concerned with whether the Li-ion pack is regulated so it doesn't over-discharge.

-LT

 

[symes]

LT,

I've wondered about one of these to replace my Tigerlight...

No chance I suppose of seeing 10-20ft beam shot on narrow and flood beams? I'd love to compare with my M6.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello LT,

I am surprised you have having battery problems with you X990. I once went a month with out using mine and did not notice much difference at all.

I also have observed the flare ups, but it is usually just at start up. I can also get it to do it when I bump the light. I believe it is the start up "salts" in the lamp. The longer you use the lamp, the less flare ups you should see. I believe the "salts" get used up over time.

I have a "round to blade" converter plug that allows me to just plug the charger in. No problems so far.

Li-Ion chemistry (like Lead Acid) lasts longer when charged up after a partial discharge. I seem to recall something like 200-300 full cycles compared to 600-800 equivalent cycles with partial discharges. I tend to charge mine up after each use. If the use happens to be a bit extended... that's the way it goes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I understand there are auto lamps available, but do not know which one it uses, or if there is a cost advantage. I just got a spare and will figure out an alternative when the first one blows.

I had to re-center my reflector, but overall think is a pretty good light. My X990 still blows it away, but the Dragon I is easier to hold.

Tom

 

[Lunal_Tic]

symes,
I don't know if this is a good replacement for a tac-light. It takes a good bit to get to full power, not instant 100% like the TL or M6. As for beamshots, I'm not really setup to do that, sorry. If you don't need speed though it's pretty nice.

SilverFox,

Thanks for the info. I've had 3x990 batteries and have another on the way to replace one that had a problem. They all have discharged, either in or out of the unit, within a week max. 2 ceased working all together within about 3 months.

So do you run your Dragon till it shuts off or when it's down to 2 LEDs? I had a poorly centered reflector too but had it replaced. The original one touched the bulb on one side. Also if I understand correctly, I shouldn't be running it down to nil then recharging. I guess I've still got that NiCad frame of mind. Did you find a holster for it or do you just use the hard case?

-LT

 

[SilverFox]

Hello LT,

I charge it back up after an evening of use. If I need the whole run time, I am not afraid to use it, but usually I charge it at 3 LED's.

I carry it in my coat pocket (big coat pockets...).

Bummer with you X990 batteries. Hope you get it worked out.

Tom

 

[Lunal_Tic]

Thanks SilverFox,

I talked to the 990 US distributor, nice guy, and he said the discharge in a week thing is normal. My main problems have been the dead batteries or ones that run only a short time and have charge LED problems (or maybe a charge problem that makes the LEDs weird).

On the Dragon carry, guess I need bigger pockets. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm using a Canon 76mm lens cap when it's not in the box; better than nothing I guess.

-LT

 

[MaxaBaker]

Hey,

does anyone have any beamshots, or know where I can see any beamshots for the Dragon I ?

How does it compare to the UK Light Cannon?

 

[Lunal_Tic]

Here's their site complete with beamshots. I would add that I believe it is using the old reflector not the new one and there is a difference for the better.

-LT

 

[MaxaBaker]

Thank you Lunal Tic /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have actually been to that page before but never realized there were more pictures /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif

 

[Lunal_Tic]

BOF,

No worries. I wish they had ones from further away and with the new reflector. For me the big selling point was the battery pack and size.

Not a great pic but that's a 2D Mag it's next to . . .not bad me thinks.

-LT

 

[MaxaBaker]

Very Nice!!!!!

I had no idea it was THAT small. I definitly could find a pocket to put one of them in /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/huh.gif

Thanks for the pic!!!!!!

 

[MaxaBaker]

How thin is the beam? Does it have decent throw???(I'm a big fan of throw)

 

[Lunal_Tic]

BOF,

If you mean the hotspot, it's tiny but that's not the whole story. There is considerable spill and multiple intensity coronas. I use the furthest out at the edge to read or inspect things within about 5'. Anything closer to the center is eye frying at that distance.

It says it has an adjustable beam and it does, just not much variation. It goes from small to tiny but again the coronas are quite wide and I can't tell that they are effected at all. Mine still has color variations depending on its mood but to be honest it doesn't bother me.

SilverFox has had his a lot longer and would be able to speak more to throw though I believe his is the older reflector. The main difference I notice between them is fewer artifacts in the beam and a bit better focus. That and it was centered better to the bulb and that may have been the improvement more than anything.

I hope this helps.

-LT

 

[MaxaBaker]

Thanks!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif