brightnorm
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2001
- Messages
- 7,160
***** SEE REVISED TEC40 RUNTIME USING DURACELL ULTRA/M3 AT BOTTOM OF POST *****
____________________________________________
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 lightsI 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.
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 UKs 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, 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 our choice of lights is a personal one, 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 TEC 40 RUN TIME FIGURES ***
I just completed my (third!) Tec 40 burn test. This time I used Duracel Ultras with "M3 Technology" dated 2008.They gave significantly improved performance. After 3 hours and ten minutes, the beam was much dimmer, but still moderately useful. Duracell Ultra AAs are available on special at Cheapbattery.com for $2.50 for a 4-pack. The last time I ordered Duracell Ultra AAs from them I got batteries dated 2003, which means they had probably been manufactured around 1997. Clearly unacceptable, so I returned them. I don't feel comfortable recommending them after that. For my final Tec-40 test I'll try the very inexpensive Ray-O-Vac Maximums. I'll try to post results in the next day or two.
If my Tec 40 can give me a solid three hours on reasonably priced batteries, I will re- rate it and start using it myself.
Brightnorm
____________________________________________
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 lightsI 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.
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 UKs 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, 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 our choice of lights is a personal one, 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 TEC 40 RUN TIME FIGURES ***
I just completed my (third!) Tec 40 burn test. This time I used Duracel Ultras with "M3 Technology" dated 2008.They gave significantly improved performance. After 3 hours and ten minutes, the beam was much dimmer, but still moderately useful. Duracell Ultra AAs are available on special at Cheapbattery.com for $2.50 for a 4-pack. The last time I ordered Duracell Ultra AAs from them I got batteries dated 2003, which means they had probably been manufactured around 1997. Clearly unacceptable, so I returned them. I don't feel comfortable recommending them after that. For my final Tec-40 test I'll try the very inexpensive Ray-O-Vac Maximums. I'll try to post results in the next day or two.
If my Tec 40 can give me a solid three hours on reasonably priced batteries, I will re- rate it and start using it myself.
Brightnorm
