brightnorm
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2001
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- 7,160
Vertical "Extreme Throw" <font color="red">TEST #1:</font> TL-3, 9P/SRTH/N2 and PM6
I have changed the title of this thread to reflect my decision to make this a more comprehensive test than originally envisioned. This will be the first in a series of "Vertical Throw tests" that will compare the best and brightest popular incandescent lights to see which one is truly the "long-throw champ". Stock lamps and batteries will be used with the exception of PowerStream 1/2D batteries in the MagCharger, which improve runtime but not brightness. All nonrechargeables will use mint-fresh batteries for each testing period as will all rechargeables which will be fully charged.
The testing methodolgy is different from many other approaches both in technique and presentation of data, but it has become quite familiar to long-time Flashaholics who have read these reports in the past.
Vertical "Extreme Throw" test #1 began last night with my TL-3 and 9P/SRTH/N2 with the PM6 included out of curiosity. Here's a reminder about how I test in my crowded city.
METHOD
As in the past, due to crowded urban conditions I have developed my so-called "Vertical throw tests". I pace off a specific distance from a building as measured by pedometer, with compensation factored in for turns and corners. Then I select an aim point on a tall building and count the number of floors, conservatively assigning 10 feet per floor. I may sometimes reverse this procedure, counting floors first. When I have my distance and height, I use Pythagoras to derive the hypotenuse which equals the total distance of the test. Accuracy can't be exact but is pretty close because I measure very carefully.
The outcome of this test was largely predictable but I was curious to see how it played out. I picked a building near work that is exactly 30 floors in height with a cement-colored facade and numerous curved window bays. Crossing the intersection I was able to walk quite far from the building without turning any corners to do my tests. There was a fair amount of ambient city light which made the lights appear dimmer than they would have in true darkness.
All lights were loaded with unused SF 123's and the PM6 and TL-3 were focused to their tightest beam. I had a colleague along as an observer. I usually prefer more than one but he was the only one willing to do it in this case.
TEST 1
Height: 300' (30 floors)
Distance: 398'
Total distance: 498'
TEST II
Height: 300' (30 floors)
Distance: 577'
Total distance: 652'
RESULTS: TEST I
The Tl-3 illuminated several windows on the 30th floor and overlapped to the floor beneath with a distinctly noticeable but fairly weak light that could not be called "white". The PM-6 seemed to be of roughly equal intensity but covered a smaller area. The SRTH's beam barely overlapped the 29th floor and was very much brighter than the other two lights. The descriptions my colleague and I agreed upon for the TL-3 and PM6 could be paraphrased as: "very impressive that these little lights reach that far. They're not bright, in fact a bit 'wispy', but still remarkable" Our reaction to the SRTH was: "That's BRIGHT!" . Admittedly "bright" is a relative term, but the SRTH beam was white, not wispy, and bright enough for us to be concerned about complaints from the occupants, or that pedestrians might notice it if they were far enough away from the building.
RESULTS: TEST II
The TL-3 weakly registered on the building, no longer a beam but rather a subtle wash of light. The PM6's beam was barely noticeable. The SRTH's beam was distinctly noticeable, certainly no longer bright but still clearly discernible as a useful beam.
CONCLUSIONS:
This was a very demanding test especially given the prevailing light conditions, and it was conducted fairly briefly without the help of binoculars or other visual aids that might have given us more precise information. NTL, the results are clear: the PM6 is a remarkable performer and again proved that, along with the ASP Taclite and TACM III it is one of the three longest-throw 2x123 lights. The TL-3 performed nobly and confirmed Richard's (rlhess) description of it as being between the P90/91 and the SF turboheads in throw. It is probably the longest throw 3x123 of its size. The 3x123 SRTH/N2 again proved to be a stellar performer, unique in its size class.
COMMENT
The 9P (D3) with SRTH is shorter and lighter than a Stinger HP, though it would be interesting to compare it with a Stinger HP modded with custom 6v NiCAD and Ultrastinger lamp. As Al mentioned, the SRTH can be used with a variety of lamps, but despite the N2's "mere" 105 lumens its filament size and position produce a beautifully tight and focused beam. But not all SRTHs are the same. I had four, now three, and they all produced different beams. I used my best SRTH for this test. Its beam is noticeably tighter, rounder and more intense than my "worst" SRTH, and slightly superior to the other one. The same slight inconsistancy applies to SF's three inch (T1/2)turboheads. Although the best of my three 3inchers was superior to the best SRTH, my best SRTH was superior to the worst 3incher.
Brightnorm
I have changed the title of this thread to reflect my decision to make this a more comprehensive test than originally envisioned. This will be the first in a series of "Vertical Throw tests" that will compare the best and brightest popular incandescent lights to see which one is truly the "long-throw champ". Stock lamps and batteries will be used with the exception of PowerStream 1/2D batteries in the MagCharger, which improve runtime but not brightness. All nonrechargeables will use mint-fresh batteries for each testing period as will all rechargeables which will be fully charged.
The testing methodolgy is different from many other approaches both in technique and presentation of data, but it has become quite familiar to long-time Flashaholics who have read these reports in the past.
Vertical "Extreme Throw" test #1 began last night with my TL-3 and 9P/SRTH/N2 with the PM6 included out of curiosity. Here's a reminder about how I test in my crowded city.
METHOD
As in the past, due to crowded urban conditions I have developed my so-called "Vertical throw tests". I pace off a specific distance from a building as measured by pedometer, with compensation factored in for turns and corners. Then I select an aim point on a tall building and count the number of floors, conservatively assigning 10 feet per floor. I may sometimes reverse this procedure, counting floors first. When I have my distance and height, I use Pythagoras to derive the hypotenuse which equals the total distance of the test. Accuracy can't be exact but is pretty close because I measure very carefully.
The outcome of this test was largely predictable but I was curious to see how it played out. I picked a building near work that is exactly 30 floors in height with a cement-colored facade and numerous curved window bays. Crossing the intersection I was able to walk quite far from the building without turning any corners to do my tests. There was a fair amount of ambient city light which made the lights appear dimmer than they would have in true darkness.
All lights were loaded with unused SF 123's and the PM6 and TL-3 were focused to their tightest beam. I had a colleague along as an observer. I usually prefer more than one but he was the only one willing to do it in this case.
TEST 1
Height: 300' (30 floors)
Distance: 398'
Total distance: 498'
TEST II
Height: 300' (30 floors)
Distance: 577'
Total distance: 652'
RESULTS: TEST I
The Tl-3 illuminated several windows on the 30th floor and overlapped to the floor beneath with a distinctly noticeable but fairly weak light that could not be called "white". The PM-6 seemed to be of roughly equal intensity but covered a smaller area. The SRTH's beam barely overlapped the 29th floor and was very much brighter than the other two lights. The descriptions my colleague and I agreed upon for the TL-3 and PM6 could be paraphrased as: "very impressive that these little lights reach that far. They're not bright, in fact a bit 'wispy', but still remarkable" Our reaction to the SRTH was: "That's BRIGHT!" . Admittedly "bright" is a relative term, but the SRTH beam was white, not wispy, and bright enough for us to be concerned about complaints from the occupants, or that pedestrians might notice it if they were far enough away from the building.
RESULTS: TEST II
The TL-3 weakly registered on the building, no longer a beam but rather a subtle wash of light. The PM6's beam was barely noticeable. The SRTH's beam was distinctly noticeable, certainly no longer bright but still clearly discernible as a useful beam.
CONCLUSIONS:
This was a very demanding test especially given the prevailing light conditions, and it was conducted fairly briefly without the help of binoculars or other visual aids that might have given us more precise information. NTL, the results are clear: the PM6 is a remarkable performer and again proved that, along with the ASP Taclite and TACM III it is one of the three longest-throw 2x123 lights. The TL-3 performed nobly and confirmed Richard's (rlhess) description of it as being between the P90/91 and the SF turboheads in throw. It is probably the longest throw 3x123 of its size. The 3x123 SRTH/N2 again proved to be a stellar performer, unique in its size class.
COMMENT
The 9P (D3) with SRTH is shorter and lighter than a Stinger HP, though it would be interesting to compare it with a Stinger HP modded with custom 6v NiCAD and Ultrastinger lamp. As Al mentioned, the SRTH can be used with a variety of lamps, but despite the N2's "mere" 105 lumens its filament size and position produce a beautifully tight and focused beam. But not all SRTHs are the same. I had four, now three, and they all produced different beams. I used my best SRTH for this test. Its beam is noticeably tighter, rounder and more intense than my "worst" SRTH, and slightly superior to the other one. The same slight inconsistancy applies to SF's three inch (T1/2)turboheads. Although the best of my three 3inchers was superior to the best SRTH, my best SRTH was superior to the worst 3incher.
Brightnorm
