I am not exactly shooting Don /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif, I am merely presenting a comparison of some of the fine lights he manufactures. Those lights are mostly PR or PR-T heads in various configurations as well as the McL4.
You will see white-wall shots here, if you are interested in real life outdoor shots look at the
Gargantuan Real Life Shootout , the pics are online now since I changed my host.
When appropriate, you will see shots of the coronas with overexposed hotspots and a seperate shot of the hotspots without the corona.
Of course all lights run in regulation, there are no unregulated lights with Don /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. All lights use the new-style PR with the softer orange peel surface unless otherwise stated.
What you see in these pics is NOT what your eyes see, at least not always. This is a more scientific beam comparison with variable camera settings to achieve the best reproduction of relative brightness and beam quality. For absolute comparisons with fixed settings outdoor go to the thread mentioned above.
1. PR-T BB611 SWAK vs. PR DB700 R2H
While the R2H is creamier in color it is still a tad bit brighter.
2. PR DB917 TWAK vs. PR DB700 R2H
The 917 is of a colder white and is brighter than the R2H, but not too much, it is not a staggering difference.
3. BB611 SWAK vs. DB700 R2H vs. DB917 TWAK hotspot shot
Besides the creamy color of the R2H you can see the steady increase in brightness of the contenders. Note that these differences are not dramatical.
4. McLux-TK vs. McLux DB750 R2H beadblasted McFlood
The HD LS with the beadblasted McFlood produces the mother of all floodbeams, almost without any hotspot at all while the TK has some artifacts. Don told me that the beadblasting would be necessary when using high domes with the McFlood.
5. PR-T BB500 W4V vs. PR BB750 X3T
The BB500 5W version is eaten alive by the ultimate 5W light in this class, of course. BUT it can run on 1x123 and 2x123 whereas the BB750 cannot be fully driven by 1x123. This 500mA combo is a wonderful, versatile and powerful light, see below for more.
6. TW4 vs. PR-T BB500 W4V
The TW4 stands no chance against the BB500 light, that has also a superior throw to the TW4. Regulated runtime of this thing is 30min on 1x123, confirmed by three tests. Hosted on an E1e it is really cute /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif.
7. PR-T BB611 SWAK - McL4 (BB600 R2H in KL4)
The McL4 has a broader and somewhat weaker hotspot and a more prominent corona. The R2H has a creamier color than the LuxIII.
8. TW4 vs. PR-T BB611 SWAK vs. PR-T BB500 W4V
While this comparison does not make sense at first sight, those three lights are all very attractive alternatives for a medium sized EDC. Here's how they compare: the TW4 is weakest with the worst throw, runs unregulated but should have the longest overall useable light output. The SWAK has the tightest spot and longest throw whereas the W4V has a medium flood that is much more focussed than the TW4 while being outthrown by the SWAK. It has the highest overall light output. Runtime is approx. 45-50min for the SWAK, 30min for the W4V and about 2h useable light for the TW4.
9. Old vs. New Pelican Reflector
The old version had a more aggressive orange peel, producing a smoother albeit weaker beam according to the theories and prophecies. Well, let's see:
9.1 Hotspot PR DB700 R2H oldPR vs. PR DB700 R2H newPR
9.2 Hotspot PR BB750 X3T oldPR(up) vs. newPR (down)
OK, it is true. The less orange peel a reflector has, the more beam artifacts you get, but the output is higher and the hotspot less defocussed. This is especially true for the 4 dice of the 5W LS, where the difference is really noticable at close distances. For real life (see above mentioned thread) you can forget these elaborations, both the old and new PR are perfect reflectors in reality. This is a mute point anyway since the old ones are old, meaning out and forgotten. No more for us. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
CONCLUSIONS
- something really new: the PR heads are the throw kings in this class of lights /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepy.gif
- increased current up to 917mA does not result in an overwhelming brightness increase. high powered LuxIII's make only sense if you really really need throw. for close-up and medium range lower drive currents are overly sufficient and save runtime and avoid heat.
- the R2H can compete very well with the LuxIII, at least when not driven beyond 700mA like here
- a 5W LS on 1x123 is a very valid combo and quite useful with the PR, producing a nice medium flood wall of light with a very good beam quality. A regulated alternative to the TW4 with more power and throw albeit a somewhat short runtime.
- the McFlood reflector can be used with a high dome (when beadblasted) to very nice results .. a real flood.
- beam fanatics will want the old PR with a more aggressive orange peel but will not find it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif, while power fanatics are satisfied with the new one.
Overall, the choice of beam pattern, throw type, power and runtime we have now with these creations is enormous. if you choose wisely, you'll find what you want. it is all there, you just have to look /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Take into consideration all the fine mods and creations of our other modders there should be a suitable light for anyone around ... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Don is the
and my hero /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif .
I say thank you for making those great lights available to us all !!!
A buge thanx to Wayne for his drivers, too /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif !!
And to all the others who contributed ...
bernhard
You will see white-wall shots here, if you are interested in real life outdoor shots look at the
Gargantuan Real Life Shootout , the pics are online now since I changed my host.
When appropriate, you will see shots of the coronas with overexposed hotspots and a seperate shot of the hotspots without the corona.
Of course all lights run in regulation, there are no unregulated lights with Don /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. All lights use the new-style PR with the softer orange peel surface unless otherwise stated.
What you see in these pics is NOT what your eyes see, at least not always. This is a more scientific beam comparison with variable camera settings to achieve the best reproduction of relative brightness and beam quality. For absolute comparisons with fixed settings outdoor go to the thread mentioned above.
1. PR-T BB611 SWAK vs. PR DB700 R2H
While the R2H is creamier in color it is still a tad bit brighter.
2. PR DB917 TWAK vs. PR DB700 R2H
The 917 is of a colder white and is brighter than the R2H, but not too much, it is not a staggering difference.
3. BB611 SWAK vs. DB700 R2H vs. DB917 TWAK hotspot shot
Besides the creamy color of the R2H you can see the steady increase in brightness of the contenders. Note that these differences are not dramatical.
4. McLux-TK vs. McLux DB750 R2H beadblasted McFlood
The HD LS with the beadblasted McFlood produces the mother of all floodbeams, almost without any hotspot at all while the TK has some artifacts. Don told me that the beadblasting would be necessary when using high domes with the McFlood.
5. PR-T BB500 W4V vs. PR BB750 X3T
The BB500 5W version is eaten alive by the ultimate 5W light in this class, of course. BUT it can run on 1x123 and 2x123 whereas the BB750 cannot be fully driven by 1x123. This 500mA combo is a wonderful, versatile and powerful light, see below for more.
6. TW4 vs. PR-T BB500 W4V
The TW4 stands no chance against the BB500 light, that has also a superior throw to the TW4. Regulated runtime of this thing is 30min on 1x123, confirmed by three tests. Hosted on an E1e it is really cute /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif.
7. PR-T BB611 SWAK - McL4 (BB600 R2H in KL4)
The McL4 has a broader and somewhat weaker hotspot and a more prominent corona. The R2H has a creamier color than the LuxIII.
8. TW4 vs. PR-T BB611 SWAK vs. PR-T BB500 W4V
While this comparison does not make sense at first sight, those three lights are all very attractive alternatives for a medium sized EDC. Here's how they compare: the TW4 is weakest with the worst throw, runs unregulated but should have the longest overall useable light output. The SWAK has the tightest spot and longest throw whereas the W4V has a medium flood that is much more focussed than the TW4 while being outthrown by the SWAK. It has the highest overall light output. Runtime is approx. 45-50min for the SWAK, 30min for the W4V and about 2h useable light for the TW4.
9. Old vs. New Pelican Reflector
The old version had a more aggressive orange peel, producing a smoother albeit weaker beam according to the theories and prophecies. Well, let's see:
9.1 Hotspot PR DB700 R2H oldPR vs. PR DB700 R2H newPR
9.2 Hotspot PR BB750 X3T oldPR(up) vs. newPR (down)
OK, it is true. The less orange peel a reflector has, the more beam artifacts you get, but the output is higher and the hotspot less defocussed. This is especially true for the 4 dice of the 5W LS, where the difference is really noticable at close distances. For real life (see above mentioned thread) you can forget these elaborations, both the old and new PR are perfect reflectors in reality. This is a mute point anyway since the old ones are old, meaning out and forgotten. No more for us. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
CONCLUSIONS
- something really new: the PR heads are the throw kings in this class of lights /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepy.gif
- increased current up to 917mA does not result in an overwhelming brightness increase. high powered LuxIII's make only sense if you really really need throw. for close-up and medium range lower drive currents are overly sufficient and save runtime and avoid heat.
- the R2H can compete very well with the LuxIII, at least when not driven beyond 700mA like here
- a 5W LS on 1x123 is a very valid combo and quite useful with the PR, producing a nice medium flood wall of light with a very good beam quality. A regulated alternative to the TW4 with more power and throw albeit a somewhat short runtime.
- the McFlood reflector can be used with a high dome (when beadblasted) to very nice results .. a real flood.
- beam fanatics will want the old PR with a more aggressive orange peel but will not find it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif, while power fanatics are satisfied with the new one.
Overall, the choice of beam pattern, throw type, power and runtime we have now with these creations is enormous. if you choose wisely, you'll find what you want. it is all there, you just have to look /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Take into consideration all the fine mods and creations of our other modders there should be a suitable light for anyone around ... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Don is the
I say thank you for making those great lights available to us all !!!
A buge thanx to Wayne for his drivers, too /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif !!
And to all the others who contributed ...
bernhard
