Gadget freaks take note

[KD5NRH]

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_inf ... ts_id=2341" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

760 lumens off of 8 AA batteries, MSRP $152.95, strobe mode, and just generally tacticool looking flashlight. Perfect for the folks who can't afford Surefire's $400+ M6 Guardian or the 6 CR123s the Guardian can eat in 20 minutes. Looks to be not much bigger than a 3D Maglight, too.

With the low-power mode putting out enough to read by for 230+ hours on easy-to-find batteries, this could be the perfect light for the emergency kits.

[gigag04]

Looks too busy IMO.

[KD5NRH]

Looks too busy IMO.

If you think it looks busy when it's turned off, just imagine how it would look to a person of interest looking down the bore of its strobe mode.

If it actually cycles through the heads in strobe mode, that would be far more disorienting than a single light flashing. Three independent strobes at slightly different frequencies could be even more effective, but probably a little tougher for the mode switching circuit to handle.

[gigag04]

I think that would disorient ME if I was trying to negotiate a house while clearing it.

Can't knock it till I try it though.

[KD5NRH]

I think that would disorient ME if I was trying to negotiate a house while clearing it.

Can't knock it till I try it though.

A strobe is really not that bad when you're behind it. It is that bad when you're in front of it, though, and a mirror you're not expecting can make you effectively in front of it pretty quickly.

IMO, strobe mode would be great on a weapon light, since you can just leave it on while clearing. It's still hard to aim at, but easy enough to aim by.

[jimlongley]

Noted a couple of things reading the description. First, the output was tested using a 2500mAh NiMH battery. Second, the run times are based on the test and, Third 8 AAs will not give you anywhere near 2500mAh.

That "Turbo" mode would be too bright for anything useful except maybe a mauntaintop searchlight or signaling ships at sea over the horizon.

[KD5NRH]

Noted a couple of things reading the description. First, the output was tested using a 2500mAh NiMH battery. Second, the run times are based on the test and, Third 8 AAs will not give you anywhere near 2500mAh.

Not sure what gives 2500, but Sanyo Eneloops are at least 2000mAh, and Energizer e2s are 2300.

That "Turbo" mode would be too bright for anything useful except maybe a mauntaintop searchlight or signaling ships at sea over the horizon.

When an attacker needs to be blinded, there's no such thing as too bright. 760 lumens is, AFAIK, still a long way from "certain permanent damage from a brief flash." Afterall, the Borealis is over 900, and I haven't heard of any permanent blindings from it.

[C-dub]

I can't even imagine how bright 760 or 900 lumens is. The little M3 light I have on my G22 seems pretty bright. I know there are much brighter lights out there. However, there is always one thing I've wondered about. What is the comparison between lumen and candlepower? I seem to recall looking around once and just got frustrated Does anyone know where in the lumen scale does 1 Million candlepower fall?

Edit to add: I looked again and found something different this time. It looks like a rough comparison would be 1 candela = 12.57 lumens. So, 1M candela = 12.57M lumens and 100 lumens = 7.95 candela.

This seems strange. Would someone check my math? Mine seems fuzzy this afternoon.

[Excaliber]

I can't even imagine how bright 760 or 900 lumens is. The little M3 light I have on my G22 seems pretty bright. I know there are much brighter lights out there. However, there is always one thing I've wondered about. What is the comparison between lumen and candlepower? I seem to recall looking around once and just got frustrated Does anyone know where in the lumen scale does 1 Million candlepower fall?

Edit: Sorry for the question. I looked again and found something different this time. It looks like a rough comparison would be 1 candela = 12.57 lumens. So, 1M candela = 79,554.5 lumens

Well, yes and no - mostly no. Candlepower and lumens measure different aspects of light output. 1 candela = 12.57 lumens if the light is evenly dispersed in all directions.

Candlepower measures light intensity in a particular area of a particular direction at a particular distance. Flashlight manufacturers that use this unit of measure never publish the distance, size of the area measured, or direction, so the rating is not very helpful.

Lumens measure total light, and are the more commonly accepted standard, but this doesn't tell you if the light is evenly dispersed (it almost never is) or if it has hot and dim areas within the beam (which it almost always does).

Lumens are somewhat more useful for comparing flashlights from the same manufacturer if you assume they use the same testing methods for all their wares, but comparison between manufacturers based on either candlepower or lumens alone doesn't tell you what you need to know to make a good buying decision.

[Significant Otter]

Does it come with a disco ball?

[jimlongley]

Noted a couple of things reading the description. First, the output was tested using a 2500mAh NiMH battery. Second, the run times are based on the test and, Third 8 AAs will not give you anywhere near 2500mAh.

Not sure what gives 2500, but Sanyo Eneloops are at least 2000mAh, and Energizer e2s are 2300.

That "Turbo" mode would be too bright for anything useful except maybe a mauntaintop searchlight or signaling ships at sea over the horizon.

When an attacker needs to be blinded, there's no such thing as too bright. 760 lumens is, AFAIK, still a long way from "certain permanent damage from a brief flash." Afterall, the Borealis is over 900, and I haven't heard of any permanent blindings from it.

And some Alkalines test at more than 2500 as well as some NiMHs, the problem is that the average user is not going to spend the kind of money necessary to get the quality cells necessary to achieve those outputs, and a typical AA is closer to 1100. Also, one has to consider the actual drain supportable by the batteries in use. NiMHs have a great power curve, as do lithiums, but alkalines and particularly carbon zinc, have a tendency to lose output strength as they heat up from drain, and heat up more, etc. etc.

My problem is with any of that kind of advertising "It will perform this way under ideal conditions." Like the Sear ad where they show the person pulling a dryer out of the washer and state that the water and energy savings of the washer will pay for the dryer. It sure will, if the washer lasts 11 or 12 years and energy costs stay as "low" as they are now, and water stays as cheap, and if you only do the ideal loads.

I do not know how many lumens it takes to blind someone permanently, but it happened back during WWII in Edgerton's lab.

[Grog]

Most flashaholics who would consider that light (didn't click the link, but it had to be the TK40) would be using rechargeables. All modern high-quality nlmh batteries will be at least 2000mah and up to 2700 (I've seen 2900s but don't remember seeing quality ones).

I thought of getting one, I have about 70 AA Eneloops that would have kept up with it very well :D

[KD5NRH]

And some Alkalines test at more than 2500 as well as some NiMHs, the problem is that the average user is not going to spend the kind of money necessary to get the quality cells necessary to achieve those outputs, and a typical AA is closer to 1100.

The average user isn't going to have a $160 flashlight to put them in anyway.

Also, one has to consider the actual drain supportable by the batteries in use. NiMHs have a great power curve, as do lithiums, but alkalines and particularly carbon zinc, have a tendency to lose output strength as they heat up from drain, and heat up more, etc. etc.

That would be why the Borealis comes with NiCd batteries, and recommends them exclusively. For the most part, I use E2s in my LD20, and they keep the "low" setting ridiculously bright for a couple months before it drops off to where it should be, which suggests they're sourcing more current than it needs. I think I still have a couple of NiCd AAs somewhere, but their self-discharge rate is higher than the rate I run through batteries with regular use in that light.

I do not know how many lumens it takes to blind someone permanently, but it happened back during WWII in Edgerton's lab.

It would almost certainly be a function of both luminous intensity and time; I would think staring into even a 50-60 lumen light from close range long enough would cause a problem, but most people aren't going to keep looking at it that long.

[KD5NRH]

Most flashaholics who would consider that light (didn't click the link, but it had to be the TK40)

TK45, actually; whole new design, with 3 heads and $5 cheaper than the 40.

would be using rechargeables.

Depends on the use; I hardly ever put rechargeables in flashlights these days unless I'm going camping. With my normal use, the batteries last long enough that it isn't a serious concern.

[KFP]

I'd go this route http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Home/ ... 0000:50500" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for the same price, and not worry about batteries.