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Cree XP-G2 added to the line - 2014

McGizmo

Flashaholic
Joined
May 1, 2002
Messages
17,290
Location
Maui
Hi guys,
I have been offering the various lights with a choice of Cree XM-L or Nichia High CRI (119 or 119V) LED now for some time. My reasoning was to either use the best LED in terms of quality of light (high CRI) or the LED capable of the greatest amount of light (lumens) which has been the Cree XM-L option. I recognize there is a broad gap between these two offerings and that for many of you, there would be a LED of preference not offered here.

There is no way I can offer even a small selection from all LED's available and certainly based on bin distinctions and differences. However I did decide to select a compromise or third solution hopefully bridging the gap. And this gap is also defined by the throw of a LED. My bias is admittedly towards flood where ever and whenever possible so my previous offerings of the LED's did not address a LED selected based on maximum lux or throw.

I have selected the Cree XP-G2 as the new addition to LED selection for a number of reasons and I also selected the bin with hopes of satisfying some of you not that enamored with the previous choices. I have opted for a XP-G2 that is balanced between max lumens VS best quality of light. For this new LED to bridge the gap it seemed reasonable that it shared some of what each of the other LED's had to offer. The bin I am using is R3 E4 which provides a LED with reasonable flux, neutral tint and reasonable CRI.

I took some sample measurements comparing a Nichia 119 (500 mA max) with Cree XM-L and Cree XP-G2 (both at 650 mA max). These were all in a Haiku with 3S converter:

LED____lumens (low) __lumens (med)__lumens (high)___lux (1 meter)__CCT (kelvin)__CRI (average)

XM-L________12________50___________240___________1400__________6300________65

XP-G2________10_______42___________195___________2780__________4500________80

119___________7_______31___________125___________2200__________4500________92

In regards to throw, the die size and thus surface brightness of the die is key when collimating the beam. The 119 has a smaller apparent image size than the XP-G2 and thus a smaller diameter spot. Both of these have significantly smaller dies than the XM-L and resulting smaller diameter or tighter angles in their collimated beams. The relative differences in lux as seen in the Haiku should follow through when the LED's are used behind the other reflectors in my offerings; namely the Makai and recent AquaRam.

The XP-G2 can be used in all of the McClickie lights as well as the Aqua series. With a max current of 1500 mA if you get a AquaRam or Aqua Mule I would not suggest you drive the LED beyond the 1400 max which is presently programmed in the lights.

The XP-G2 uses the same reflector in the Haiku as the 119 (this reflector was originally designed for the XP-G).

In addition to having to order a new run of MCPCB's to host the XP-G2 I also had to order a new run of reflectors. I could have held off on this had I limited their use to just the 119's. And in the spirit of full disclosure what finally provided the tipping point was my personal desire as well as an industrial request for a Royal Blue flashlight which was best obtained by using the Cree XP-C LED.

If any of you want one of my lights using the XP-G2 LED instead of the XM-L or 119(v), please indicate this choice in your e-mail request. The price for any of these lights will be the same price as that of the 119 version of the light. the stock level for high on a 3S converter based light engine u sing the XP-G2 will be 660 mA like the XM-L based Light engines.

It is my guess that this addition is part good news for those wanting such an option as well as bad news for those already confused by all of the alternatives and variations. :duck:

And lastly, if this addition is received as other additions have been in the past, one of the first inquires I get will be focused on asking if a different tint or bin of XP-G2 could be used as a substitute to what I am offering. :green:
 

ffemt6263

Enlightened
Joined
Jun 7, 2011
Messages
266
This is AWESOME news! A neutral xp-g2 is exactly what I've been wanting. Now which gorgeous host to get it in......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

nbp

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 16, 2007
Messages
10,970
Location
Wisconsin
Good stuff Don! I think this will be well received, as was the old XP-G LE. It is a wonderful blend of flood and throw with plenty of lumens for any EDC activity. I am eager to hear people's thoughts on these as they trickle out. I still love popping my old XP-G LE in my Haiku.
 

scout24

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
8,869
Location
Penn's Woods
Email incoming for a 3v, 3s, XP-G2 Haiku. May as well start the New Year off on the right foot. :)
 

Jaykayyy

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Dec 19, 2013
Messages
7
oh boy oh boy, I dont think my will power will hold out. I was going to get the AA haiku with 119, but I think ill get one of these first.
 

ibcj

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 11, 2005
Messages
789
Location
NY
I've been looking forward to a 1xAA Haiku and was thinking about the 119v, but this might be a better option. Opinions on this led with a 1xAA Haiku?
 

Jaykayyy

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Dec 19, 2013
Messages
7
I think the AA converter would lend itself better towards the 119 nichia, and the larger output of the xpg2 to the 3s converter. Thats the combo that im saving for.

I think im going to order a 3s/3v xpg2 haiku head to relace the xre head I have, and also get a full AA 119 Haiku.
 

OneBigDay

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
406
Location
Minneapolis, MN
This is AWESOME news! I have been looking at the Haiku for years but never could find a configuration that I could live with. Most of the time I am a fan of the XML and floody beams, but at lower mA settings, my conclusion is that the punch of the XP-G2 is the way to go.

Now I can see a Haiku AA XP-G2 in my future. :party:

For whatever it's worth of all the emitters that have been around since I joined (late 2009), I think the XP-G2 in particular is the best general use beam which works equally well indoors and outdoors. It has nice lux numbers, but still very adequate spill.

Thank You for making this an option!
 

alex in germany

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Apr 27, 2006
Messages
156
Location
Germany/Bavaria
If any of you want one of my lights using the XP-G2 LED instead of the XM-L or 119(v), please indicate this choice in your e-mail request. The price for any of these lights will be the same price as that of the 119 version of the light. the stock level for high on a 3S converter based light engine u sing the XP-G2 will be 660 mA like the XM-L based Light engines.

Hi Don,

can you build a Haiku XP-G2 with the AA converter?

That sounds great for me.


Alex
 

archimedes

Flashaholic
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
15,780
Location
CONUS, top left
....

I took some sample measurements comparing a Nichia 119 (500 mA max) with Cree XM-L and Cree XP-G2 (both at 650 mA max). These were all in a Haiku with 3S converter:

LED____lumens (low) __lumens (med)__lumens (high)___lux (1 meter)__CCT (kelvin)__CRI (average)

XM-L________12________50___________240___________1400__________6300________65

XP-G2________10_______42___________195___________2780__________4500________80

119___________7_______31___________125___________2200__________4500________92

....

Great news ! I think the XP-G2 is an excellent emitter, and it's always nice to have more choices :)

Thanks also for the measurement chart, above .... I don't think I'd seen that data anywhere before.
 

SFfanman

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
Messages
437
Great news ! I think the XP-G2 is an excellent emitter, and it's always nice to have more choices :)

Thanks also for the measurement chart, above .... I don't think I'd seen that data anywhere before.


+1 :party:
 

GhostReaction

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 16, 2005
Messages
1,194
Location
Singapore
Don, tried to email you but it keep bouncing back.
Am I on your barred list already? :eek:
Would like to get a AA haiku with xpg2
 

McGizmo

Flashaholic
Joined
May 1, 2002
Messages
17,290
Location
Maui
Don, do you have any output measurements with the AA converter in a Haiku?
I did just do a test with a Haiku AA XP-G2:
Lumens: Low - 6, Med - 17, High - 110
80 CRI and 4400K CCT on this sample
 

GhostReaction

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 16, 2005
Messages
1,194
Location
Singapore
If that's the test reading, these xpg2 with AA are running brighter than the AA XML2 mule,
xpg2 lumens: low -6, med- 17, High -110
XML2 lumens: low -2, med -10, High - 85
 
Last edited:

KuanR

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 20, 2012
Messages
1,823
Location
Macau S.A.R.
I did just do a test with a Haiku AA XP-G2:
Lumens: Low - 6, Med - 17, High - 110
80 CRI and 4400K CCT on this sample

Thanks Don! Now I just have to scrape together the funds to finally pull the trigger on one of these
 
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