My input:
The host design from djozz looks very innovative and would be very nice (if made of aluminum).
Will the reflector be made of aluminum or plastic?
Plastic reflectors tend to be rather imprecise compared to ones made out of metal. Metal reflectors themselves can have varying precision, but generally they tend to work.
The precision is important if one wants to combine a large reflector with a very small led. This is why reflectors for large searchlights with xenon arc lamps (very, very small point of light in the arc) are so expensive - they are very precise.
If the reflector is made out of plastic I would recommend using a larger LED like a de-domed Luminus SST-90 (P-Bin @ 15A) oder CBT-140 (factory de-domed, very expensive, inefficient, but 4000-6000 lumens from 14mm^2 is very nice). A de-domed Nichia144A series or de-domed Cree XHP-50 would be more modern and efficient (but with donut-hole).
If the reflector is made out of of metal the Cree XHP-35 HI, XP-L HI, de-domed XP-G2 and Osram Black Flat are all nice options. The Osram Black Flat has the absolute highest luminance, is readily available, has a nice tint and doesn’t need to be de-domed. It’s only problem is that it has a very small 1mm^2 DIE, half the size of a de-domed XP-G2.
The XP-G2 would need to be the old version with small DIE in the S2 Bin. This is very hard to find, especially in larger quantities. It might also have an ugly tint after de-doming.
The XHP-35 HI is probably the best compromise for extreme throw and still some lumens.
Is the heatsink overly spreader to the front of the head? Based on the experience owning the new maxtoch 2X, the fins on the outer front of the reflector does not improve much to the heatsink. Acebeam K60, K70 both heat up very slowly at the front and the fins seem not helping much also. Why not follow the 2X to minimise the head diameter:)
Would much prefer if this light had a battery carrier. Some of use will want to convert to 4P or 4S (Me!).
Actually, I think it would be best if this was just a Host. Then we all use our own drivers and emitters or have someone build one to their personal configuration.
Can you also poll on Host vs Whole Light. Something like:
Plunger Host
Plunger Whole Light
Box Host
Box Whole Light
etc
A host could be developed so much faster than a whole light that would probably have a driver and maybe an emitter I don't want. For example, I want 4S cells and buck driver to max drive the emitter of my choice. Some here want big emitter. Some want small die. Some prefer parallel cells for safety, etc.
No one told me this was already announced and had a thread lol.
Well I just skimmed the last 6 pages for some interesting talking points, so forgive me if I missed anything.
I was doing some testing last night with various lights. I would hold them like a lantern (aka, the box style) and then light a flashlight at eye level.
When held at waist level the shadows get very bad and in many cases it is almost impossible to see what you are looking at. Good in open flat areas but not good int he woods or places with optical.
When held at eye level it was much easier to see things at range. I also noticed that it was easier to point the light at what I wanted with it held “overhand”.
So my vote for a thrower goes to the classic style.
Now I think a flooder / monster lumen version would work amazing in the box style. You could mount a fan on the back of it and have virtually unlimited heat shedding ability. You could run 4-6x XHP70’s wide open without overheating I bet for a grand total of 20k+ lumens. I would totally get behind this.
A whole light gives more control over a manufacturer than a host, they have to deliver a working flashlight so they have to have the details right. And a whole light also implies the developement or adaptation of a driver, which for simple folks like saves a lot of trouble making/fitting one.
Yes I understand the question
Yet I want to pursue a whole light.
Why?
So all can use it.
Then it has Narsil, so many options people just dive into settings to set it up how they want.
With a tail switch and a side switch and driver retainer ring without any glue this too should be nice to mod.
I think it could be a lot easier to find a manufacturer for a complete light then a host.
I really hope (yeah hope since we started polls so much sooner in the process we will have to see what will be chosen) it will be a XHP35hi
And well with a LED like that in a reflector like this we should get such a nice beam that stock should make for a dream light.
But writing this, why don’t we indeed poll about host or not
First poll shape
Second poll name
Third host/complete
Fourth beam shape (pencil, fat panvil (marker) or a little more floody (TN16))
OK?
Makes since. Just hoping this light will have configurability in the design. A big light like this will have serious heat sinking. Some will want want do drive the emitter to the max. Others at a consistent output for extended periods. That calls for 4S (with 2P and 2P as an option) and buck regulation in my book. We are talking serious thrower here. Something that would be used in search and rescue. Like searching a mountain side. Lots of area to scan.
I vote for XHP35-HI marker beam and the only head with handle style light with four 18650-s in series in the head around or under the reflector. The bottom battery tray will give it a good platform to stand on. And aluminum reflector, and UCLp plastic AR coated lens.
Probably also the cheapest variant.
3x18650 in parallel would result in a comfortable tube diameter, sufficient runtime and current.
Additionally a tube extension for further mods.
