This is a moment that a couple of people have been waiting for 
- my Big Mag Shootout.
I came to realise that my favourite flashlight is a big one. The more lumens the better!
In the last year I've collected a few Big Mags, and I figured it was time to put them all to the test.
Some stats about these lights. Between them, there's 51 emitter dies (and one little bit of wire). All together, they'll output ~17,800 lumens, consuming a healthy ~300 Watts.
So, I'll introduce the contenders, in lowest to highest theoretical Lumen output:
Elektrolumens MC-E-III 4C Mag. This one I've had the longest, and it started my love of Big Mags. It's had the standard tube replaced with one bored for 26mm cells. Instead of 3x18650's it now runs 3x26650 IMR's, and has had a few resistance mods applied. I actually took it a bit too far, and melted some components, which Wayne gracefully repaired for me.
Elektrolumens "Wall-of-Fire" Quad P7 Mag. I bought this to mitigate the DT's while the MC-E-III was away for repair. This appears to be a one-off 2C build. Runs off 2 AW C Li-Ions.
Techjunkie's XX-Ray. I fell in love with this light when I first joined CPF. It was only being constructed at the time. Back then 3500 lumens was just unheard of. I leapt at the chance to buy it when he put it up for sale (although the sales thread sat for 2 months because I was too poor to pay for it). Runs on 4x18650 IMR's
ma_sha1's Triple XM-L Yard Sweeper with "Nuke Mode". This is a little ripper. Ma is the mad scientist of CPF and his mods always push the boundaries. This has 3 XM-L's driven through a D2flex board from 3x26500 IMR's. High mode runs all three emitters at 2.8A. Nuke mode lets the dogs off the leash and runs as DD, shoving 4.6A into them. Thermal management in Nuke Mode consists of me counting to 20 and turning it off for 5 mins.
MrArtillery built Mag623 with a rocker switch and 4x26500 IMR's. Nice, (comparatively) simple, really really bright. The only incan I have that can stand up to all of the big LED lights.
All together, in not quite the listed order. Left to right, the MC-E-III, Wall-of-Fire, Yard Sweeper, XX-Ray, Mag623
Isn't this just a beautiful sight? (Left to right, the MC-E-III, Wall-of-Fire, Yard Sweeper, XX-Ray, Mag623)
Now for some comparison shots. Some may remember my cruddy old treehouse from old beamshots. I ripped it out a few months ago for a proper playground. It's my new shooting range. It's about 7 meters from the camera.
MC-E-III
Wall-of-Fire
XX-Ray
Yardsweeper
Mag623
All the photos were taken at the same settings, based on the MC-E-III. The Mag623 just kills my poor little camera.
Oh, and here's an extra photo to help you compare to a more "normal" light. It's my High-CRI Triple - it puts out about 500 lumens
ma_sha1 and Techjunkie - You two will have to argue which one of you won. I can't decide :devil:
- my Big Mag Shootout.I came to realise that my favourite flashlight is a big one. The more lumens the better!
In the last year I've collected a few Big Mags, and I figured it was time to put them all to the test.
Some stats about these lights. Between them, there's 51 emitter dies (and one little bit of wire). All together, they'll output ~17,800 lumens, consuming a healthy ~300 Watts.
So, I'll introduce the contenders, in lowest to highest theoretical Lumen output:
Elektrolumens MC-E-III 4C Mag. This one I've had the longest, and it started my love of Big Mags. It's had the standard tube replaced with one bored for 26mm cells. Instead of 3x18650's it now runs 3x26650 IMR's, and has had a few resistance mods applied. I actually took it a bit too far, and melted some components, which Wayne gracefully repaired for me.
Elektrolumens "Wall-of-Fire" Quad P7 Mag. I bought this to mitigate the DT's while the MC-E-III was away for repair. This appears to be a one-off 2C build. Runs off 2 AW C Li-Ions.
Techjunkie's XX-Ray. I fell in love with this light when I first joined CPF. It was only being constructed at the time. Back then 3500 lumens was just unheard of. I leapt at the chance to buy it when he put it up for sale (although the sales thread sat for 2 months because I was too poor to pay for it). Runs on 4x18650 IMR's
ma_sha1's Triple XM-L Yard Sweeper with "Nuke Mode". This is a little ripper. Ma is the mad scientist of CPF and his mods always push the boundaries. This has 3 XM-L's driven through a D2flex board from 3x26500 IMR's. High mode runs all three emitters at 2.8A. Nuke mode lets the dogs off the leash and runs as DD, shoving 4.6A into them. Thermal management in Nuke Mode consists of me counting to 20 and turning it off for 5 mins.
MrArtillery built Mag623 with a rocker switch and 4x26500 IMR's. Nice, (comparatively) simple, really really bright. The only incan I have that can stand up to all of the big LED lights.
All together, in not quite the listed order. Left to right, the MC-E-III, Wall-of-Fire, Yard Sweeper, XX-Ray, Mag623
Isn't this just a beautiful sight? (Left to right, the MC-E-III, Wall-of-Fire, Yard Sweeper, XX-Ray, Mag623)
Now for some comparison shots. Some may remember my cruddy old treehouse from old beamshots. I ripped it out a few months ago for a proper playground. It's my new shooting range. It's about 7 meters from the camera.
MC-E-III
Wall-of-Fire
XX-Ray
Yardsweeper
Mag623
All the photos were taken at the same settings, based on the MC-E-III. The Mag623 just kills my poor little camera.
Oh, and here's an extra photo to help you compare to a more "normal" light. It's my High-CRI Triple - it puts out about 500 lumens
ma_sha1 and Techjunkie - You two will have to argue which one of you won. I can't decide :devil:
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