Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
In a matter of weeks, I will be taking some of our lights up to LSI for integrating sphere tests. Since we have the sphere for a block of time, would you guys be interested in me testing some of your lights while I am at it?
As you know, integrating spheres are one of the best ways to test a light source. The sphere provides a lumen measurement, which provides an accurate reading of a lamp's total output. Although this is a superior measurement to Candela or Lux measurements, not everyone has access to a sphere (they are quite expensive).
I prefer to use LSI's (http://www.lightingsciences.com/) spheres because 1)LSI is a top level testing lab (they produce standard luminaries for other testing labs and, 2) they know quite a bit about integrating spheres since they actually make them onsite.
If you send your light into LSI to be tested, the standard fee is $150. However, since we plan on testing a large number of lights at one time, we get a much better rate. If your light meets the criteria, we won't charge you anything to test it. You ship it to us, we pay to have it tested, we pay to ship it back to you, and we publish the results on the CPF.
Obviously, I need to put certain restrictions on which lights are tested this time around. Otherwise we may be flooded with lights. If the first tests go well, we may expand it further.
For this test, I am looking for 1x123 lights only. Preferably those that are fairly new and fairly popular on the CPF. This way everyone then can use them as a reference for other lights. I am looking for suggestions of which lights are best for this.
There are various projects ongoing on the CPF to build "poor-man's integrating spheres", etc. Those project leaders are encouraged to send stable samples in for LSI testing. They can then use those samples to check the accuracy of their equipment.
I also invite manufacturers, reviewers, etc. It would be nice if I had some help with the tests. Local CPF'ers, manufacturers, etc are invited to come on testing day and help out with tagging, photographing, logging, etc.
Here's how this will work:
1. I hope that these tests bring more attention to the need for standardized testing in the industry. No more "1 million CP figures", etc.
2. This test regime is for lumen figures only and limited to 1x123 size flashlights. That is a flashlight powered by a single 123 cell. If this test goes well, I may expand it to other types of lights in the future.
3. We are looking for popular, newer model lights only. These are lights more likely to be in the hands of the average CPFer and can be used as a standard for comparing other lights.
4. Local CPF'ers are invited and encouraged to help me with the test. This includes photographing the units, tagging them, mounting them in the sphere, recording results to excel, etc. Reps from other flashlight companies are invited as well. We could have quite a bit of fun.
5. Email me at [email protected] and tell me what lights you would like tested. Don't just send me the lights without sending me an email first please. This will help me stay organized. I may refuse to test certain lights if they don't meet the criteria or we have too many of one kind already submitted.
6. Send your lights to our address below. The condition of the lights must be as follows:
a. 1x123 size only for this test
b. include 2 new common brand (duracell, etc) batteries with each light you send in
c. I may limit the number of lights per person
d. Configure the light to come on at full power with a simple button press
e. Include any instructions needed to verify that the light is indeed set for full power, etc
f. Make sure the optics are in good shape, etc. We may not agree to test the light if it is in poor quality and does not represent the typical unit for that model.
7. Our address is:
MTD LLC
Attn: Peter Gransee
3101 N. 33rd Ave
Phoenix, AZ. 85017
8. I will be testing the lights the week ending May 12th. I will not test lights that arrive after May 8th. All lights will then be shipped back via FedEx express saver insured within 2 weeks. If you can't be without the light for that time period, don't send it in please.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Peter
As you know, integrating spheres are one of the best ways to test a light source. The sphere provides a lumen measurement, which provides an accurate reading of a lamp's total output. Although this is a superior measurement to Candela or Lux measurements, not everyone has access to a sphere (they are quite expensive).
I prefer to use LSI's (http://www.lightingsciences.com/) spheres because 1)LSI is a top level testing lab (they produce standard luminaries for other testing labs and, 2) they know quite a bit about integrating spheres since they actually make them onsite.
If you send your light into LSI to be tested, the standard fee is $150. However, since we plan on testing a large number of lights at one time, we get a much better rate. If your light meets the criteria, we won't charge you anything to test it. You ship it to us, we pay to have it tested, we pay to ship it back to you, and we publish the results on the CPF.
Obviously, I need to put certain restrictions on which lights are tested this time around. Otherwise we may be flooded with lights. If the first tests go well, we may expand it further.
For this test, I am looking for 1x123 lights only. Preferably those that are fairly new and fairly popular on the CPF. This way everyone then can use them as a reference for other lights. I am looking for suggestions of which lights are best for this.
There are various projects ongoing on the CPF to build "poor-man's integrating spheres", etc. Those project leaders are encouraged to send stable samples in for LSI testing. They can then use those samples to check the accuracy of their equipment.
I also invite manufacturers, reviewers, etc. It would be nice if I had some help with the tests. Local CPF'ers, manufacturers, etc are invited to come on testing day and help out with tagging, photographing, logging, etc.
Here's how this will work:
1. I hope that these tests bring more attention to the need for standardized testing in the industry. No more "1 million CP figures", etc.
2. This test regime is for lumen figures only and limited to 1x123 size flashlights. That is a flashlight powered by a single 123 cell. If this test goes well, I may expand it to other types of lights in the future.
3. We are looking for popular, newer model lights only. These are lights more likely to be in the hands of the average CPFer and can be used as a standard for comparing other lights.
4. Local CPF'ers are invited and encouraged to help me with the test. This includes photographing the units, tagging them, mounting them in the sphere, recording results to excel, etc. Reps from other flashlight companies are invited as well. We could have quite a bit of fun.
5. Email me at [email protected] and tell me what lights you would like tested. Don't just send me the lights without sending me an email first please. This will help me stay organized. I may refuse to test certain lights if they don't meet the criteria or we have too many of one kind already submitted.
6. Send your lights to our address below. The condition of the lights must be as follows:
a. 1x123 size only for this test
b. include 2 new common brand (duracell, etc) batteries with each light you send in
c. I may limit the number of lights per person
d. Configure the light to come on at full power with a simple button press
e. Include any instructions needed to verify that the light is indeed set for full power, etc
f. Make sure the optics are in good shape, etc. We may not agree to test the light if it is in poor quality and does not represent the typical unit for that model.
7. Our address is:
MTD LLC
Attn: Peter Gransee
3101 N. 33rd Ave
Phoenix, AZ. 85017
8. I will be testing the lights the week ending May 12th. I will not test lights that arrive after May 8th. All lights will then be shipped back via FedEx express saver insured within 2 weeks. If you can't be without the light for that time period, don't send it in please.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Peter
Last edited:
.. I know
