arioch
Enlightened
So I ordered the new 2008 Coast LED Lenser 7736TS last week from an online dealer that shall for the time being remain anonymous. It just arrived today, and from what I am seeing on my white walls compared with my 6P with Malkoff M60, Fenix TK10, and yes, even the old Coast LED Lenser 7438 "Hocus Focus" 3W Luxeon, I am somewhat underwhelmed.
The 6P with Malkoff M60 blows it out of the water (no surprise), the TK10 is considerably brighter (less so), and, irritatingly, even the "Hocus Focus" is in the same department brightness wise (hotspot on narrow focus). Now the older 3W Luxeon model of the 7736TS was listed at 83 lumens, which is more output than the "Hocus Focus", which listed at 60 lumens. The "new 2008" model at 149 lumens should be clearly brighter than the "Hocus Focus" (over twice the output), but I am not seeing this.
Among the concerns that I had going into this purchase were:
1.) The 7736TS model was already in production, unlike some of the other "new for 2008" models from Coast, like the P7 and T7. Hence, some dealers might be selling the older, 3W Luxeon 83 lumen models using the specs for the newer, 3.42W 149 lumen models.
2.) The head does not separate so I cannot see the LED inside, and with the optic versus a reflector, I cannot see the LED properly through the lens. Hence, no way to see what kind of LED is inside.
3.) Based on the LED Lenser website, the body style, switch, and all exterior markings are the same for the older model as for the newer model.
4.) Two reputable online dealers, Brightguy and Batteryjunction, were not carrying this particular model, although Batteryjunction had it on the "coming soon" list. The dealer I purchased the item from had the item for sale, and for a substantial discount ($50.99) from the price I saw offered @ Batteryjunction ($59.99) for whenever it became available.
5.) After I ordered my light, I checked the website I bought the light from, and found that it was now being offered at ... $59.99.
I am curious as to whether I had been sent the last of the older models to make way for the newer ones. I will be trying it out at night to do brightness comparisons again. If I do not see a lot of improvement on my new arrival, I will be contacting the dealer I purchased it from, and (if necessary), post @ Cheers and Jeers.
One strange feature to this light versus my "Hocus Focus" was that it is top loading; that is, you remove the head and take the battery holder from the top and load it the same way in reverse. The holder will not come out from the tailcap end, although the tailcap does come off (??).
For those who would chime in on how the Coast line quality sucks and is unreliable, or the 3AAA battery form factor is terrible, please don't (I see this on many Coast threads). I have happily owned my Coast LED Lenser 7438 "Hocus Focus" for the past couple of years, use it about every day/night, have dropped it numerous times on concrete, used it in rain, and have never had it fail when I needed it. I have also owned older Coast lights that were not the best, so I can see both sides. However, in this case, I would just like to know how to determine whether or not my new light is the "new 2008" model or the older one without having to tear the head apart and voiding my warranty. :sigh:
The 6P with Malkoff M60 blows it out of the water (no surprise), the TK10 is considerably brighter (less so), and, irritatingly, even the "Hocus Focus" is in the same department brightness wise (hotspot on narrow focus). Now the older 3W Luxeon model of the 7736TS was listed at 83 lumens, which is more output than the "Hocus Focus", which listed at 60 lumens. The "new 2008" model at 149 lumens should be clearly brighter than the "Hocus Focus" (over twice the output), but I am not seeing this.
Among the concerns that I had going into this purchase were:
1.) The 7736TS model was already in production, unlike some of the other "new for 2008" models from Coast, like the P7 and T7. Hence, some dealers might be selling the older, 3W Luxeon 83 lumen models using the specs for the newer, 3.42W 149 lumen models.
2.) The head does not separate so I cannot see the LED inside, and with the optic versus a reflector, I cannot see the LED properly through the lens. Hence, no way to see what kind of LED is inside.
3.) Based on the LED Lenser website, the body style, switch, and all exterior markings are the same for the older model as for the newer model.
4.) Two reputable online dealers, Brightguy and Batteryjunction, were not carrying this particular model, although Batteryjunction had it on the "coming soon" list. The dealer I purchased the item from had the item for sale, and for a substantial discount ($50.99) from the price I saw offered @ Batteryjunction ($59.99) for whenever it became available.
5.) After I ordered my light, I checked the website I bought the light from, and found that it was now being offered at ... $59.99.
I am curious as to whether I had been sent the last of the older models to make way for the newer ones. I will be trying it out at night to do brightness comparisons again. If I do not see a lot of improvement on my new arrival, I will be contacting the dealer I purchased it from, and (if necessary), post @ Cheers and Jeers.
One strange feature to this light versus my "Hocus Focus" was that it is top loading; that is, you remove the head and take the battery holder from the top and load it the same way in reverse. The holder will not come out from the tailcap end, although the tailcap does come off (??).
For those who would chime in on how the Coast line quality sucks and is unreliable, or the 3AAA battery form factor is terrible, please don't (I see this on many Coast threads). I have happily owned my Coast LED Lenser 7438 "Hocus Focus" for the past couple of years, use it about every day/night, have dropped it numerous times on concrete, used it in rain, and have never had it fail when I needed it. I have also owned older Coast lights that were not the best, so I can see both sides. However, in this case, I would just like to know how to determine whether or not my new light is the "new 2008" model or the older one without having to tear the head apart and voiding my warranty. :sigh:
