TheTec 40 beam is excellent, SureFire-like, roughly 20" diameter at 12' (approximate figures). I have not yet tried any bulb upgrades.
I compared this light to the Streamlite ProPolymer 4AA, the UK 4AA, the UK 2L (because it uses the same bezel/lamp assembly as the 4AA,) and the the Stealthlite 4AA.
The Tec 40 (faceted) has by far the most perfect beam of all these lights.
The Streamlight 4AA had a tiny center spot and a wide, fairly dim peripherial corona.
The Uk 4AA and 2L have essentially the same beam as each other. These vary from poor to good; basically the luck of the draw.
The Stealthlite 4AA has a fairly consistant beam, but very small diameter hotspot. decent beam.
General comments:
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***** SEE REVISED TEK 40 RUNTIME USING THE NEW DURACELL ULTRAS/M3 IN THREAD: TEC 40 VS. UK 2L...
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Tec 40: Disappointing run time, after about 2 hours dimmer than the Uk's. Also rather "slippery" to hold.(NOTE: I used Duracell Regular, not Ultras, dated 2008 in the Tec 40 and Ray-O-Vac Maximums dated 2005 in the UK 4AA. Perhaps that was a runtimefactor)
Streamlight: I didn't care for either the beam or the ergonomics of this light. I love tac-style lights as much as the next flashaholic, but let's not kid ourselves; The tac-type lights evolved as an ideal illumination tool for use with a handgun; hence the tailbutton and the extreme brightness/size ratio. For trekking, walking, etc. the most practical light has a barrel switch.(ie the Surge, the Stealthlite, etc). This light now resides in my drawer.
UK 4AA Excellent ergonomics, feels"unslippable" in the hand; has decent beam if you're lucky enough to get a good lamp assembly, excellent 3hr+runtime. Also, with a well silicone-greased bezel can be very comfortably operated with one hand.
UK 2L Tiny (4.30" x 1")same beam and one hand operation as 4AA. Slightly less runtime, but still a solid 3 hours.
Stealthlite 4AA Good ergonomics, handy barrel switch, but too big for a 4AA, and an impractically narrow beam for average use.
** 2ND TEST ** 12/24/01
After first evaluating the Tec-40 compared to other 4AA lights (see Tec 40 thread)and concluding that it was an excellent light with a disappointing runtime, I decided to test it again to confirm my results.
In that thread evaluating 4AA lights I stated that my favorite small general purpose light (which includes walking, trekking, and everything else) was the UK 2-L. I included it even though it was a 2x123a because it takes the same lamp/bezel as the UK 4AA, and thus has the identical beam.
I just finished testing the Tec 40 and the UK 2L. The UK had fresh Surefires and the Tec 40 had fresh Duracells (not Ultras) dated 2008.
Initially, the Tec 40's beam was whiter, brighter and generally superior because of its faceted reflector. I left them in a bedroom while I tended to my holiday guests.
One hour later I checked on them. The UK was now as bright as the Tec 40, though the Tec 40's beam was still superior.
I checked back after a total of two hours and twenty minutes. I was surprised to see that the Tec 40 had gone out, while the UK was blazing merrily away, still pretty white. I immediately tried another lamp assembly for the Tec 40 and got a brief dull yellowish glow, then nothing. Those batteries were dead. Then I checked the PTec's bulb with fresh batteries: bright white light.
After total runtime of three hours and fifteen minutes, the 2L was quite dim and yellow, though still bright enough to light your way on a sidewalk.
There is simply no escaping the facts. The Princeton Tec 40, despite its many excellent attributes has one glaring fault; a surprisingly short burn time. If I had used Ultras the burn time would have been longer, but probably not longer than the very highly rated Ray-O-Vac Maximums I intend to use in my third (and hopefully final) test.
It appears that the Tec 40 is essentially a two-hour light, and the 2L is a three-hour light. That is one heck of a difference. There are brighter bulbs available for the Tec 40, which will probably further
compromise run time. On the other hand, if beam excellence and brightness are more important to you than burntime, this is probably the light to get.
The 2L's weak point is its beam quality, and since some lamp/assemblies are good and some not so good, getting a superior one is really a matter of luck. (Although lately the beams have seemed more consistant). I have dealt with this in a way that some flashaholics might consider exhorbitant. If my favorite local dealer is in a good mood, he will carefully open several new UK light packs and let me select the best ones. (I give him a lot of business). If he's not in a good mood I just buy several and usually get one or two good ones. (the rest go to friends and into my UK 4As) This way,my 2Ls have beams that are generally very good, though still not as perfect as those from a faceted reflector.
I own and have tested most of the 4AA lights mentioned in CPF, and my preference for a very small general purpose light continues to be the 2L because of its tiny size and 2.2oz weight, its easy operation with one hand (yes, if properly siliconed it works well), its decent if not spectacular brightness, and its excellent run time. Not to mention the fact that it is extremely rugged and completely waterproof.
I EDC (belt holsters) several lights, (including a "superbright" like the ASP Taclite), each with its own purpose. With the understanding that with current technology, any light is a compromise, I find that the 2L fills a special niche more successfully than any other light I have owned, seen or read about.
I realize that this is probably a minority opinion, but choice of lights is determined by each Flashaholic's personal needs and requirements. I acknowledge the excellence of many other lights, but for my use, at this point the 2L fills the bill.
*** REVISED TEC40 RUN TIME *** REVISED TEC 40 RUN TIME ***
See thread Tec 40 Vs UK 2L for results of retesting Tec40 with different batteries.
Brightnorm
