I can’t decide between the two and can’t get both.
GT pros:
Higher lumens at 7500 Cons:
Smaller reflector(?)
Higher price, about $40-50 by my estimate
MF04S Pros:
Larger reflector
Less expensive
Already have a regular GT, so MF04s would be another new light
I believe it comes with a strap and laynard Cons:
Less lumens(6000)
I believe the MF04 in xhp35 form has been found to have higher lux than the BLF GT, but I’m not sure if this will translate to xhp70.2 performance due to too many other variables.
Which light has a higher quality reflector?
Any opinions/input?
How accurate do you guys think the lumens are for either light?
For the more technical people, which light has a better/more efficient driver?
You won’t be noticing the 1,500lm difference unless held side by side, most likely.
The biggest drawback of the MF04S is the early output drop to 60% when it reaches 43C, with all the mass it has it can easily sustain a higher output, whereas the GT70 can run as bright and as long as the batteries allow.
For ultimate performance I would go with the GT70. For practicality I would go for the MF04S, because of the smaller size, more predictable temperature regulation and the ability to turn on turbo even with discharged batteries.
IMO a FET driver is good for small lights and cheap mods, but for $200+ it was possible to source a decent boost driver pushing ~60W to the emitter. Boost drivers are the future anyways.
BLF GT70
If I got it right this light will come with an FET driver, i.e. it will only deliver the maximum output with fully charged cells. Along with the voltage drop the light will deliver less performance, i.e. it will not be as bright as with fully charged cells. Lexel has a buck driver for it which is designed for 6-7A, i.e. the overall average performance might be better but the peak output might be less than with the FET driver. Personally, I prefer the buck driver maintaining a constant output but this eventually means that I need to open and mod the light which again means more cost and more efforts. On the plus side there will be 8 cells in parallel to ensure a long runtime.
Astrolux MF04s
If this one comes with a boost driver instead of an FET driver, I would consider this fact as a benefit for the MF04s as high regulated output will be maintained even when voltage decreases. It also comes with a (maybe insignificant) larger reflector with a higher gain of lux. Furthermore, the MF04s seems to have a better price compared to the BLF GT70. Unfortunately, it will come with a “short” tube that takes 4 cells only and there is no sign of a tube extension to use 8 cells for better runtime.
I just won on ebay a Giggles test light The BLF GT70 with the XHP70.2 version it has over 7,000 lumens! The mod includes a 12V Texas Avenger FET driver to handle the ~125W+ of power this light uses. A rare 12V XHP70.2 MCPCB that allows the LED to fit in the light properly without risk of shorting out. The Genuine Cree XHP70.2 5000k 74 CRI LED, I’m hoping to get some fantastic lumen numbers as well!
I got mine with the dome but De-doming the LED I was told it increases the throw significantly but will cause the tint to get warmer to around ~~300k-500k and a loss of around ~10-15% lumens. On the 5000k+ LED’s it can also give a slightly green-blue hue to the light as well.
Mine includes the dome, Texas Ace informed me the XHP70.2 GT was his test light and is outputting over ~7000+ lumens and ~550Kcd for a total of 1600m of throw with a De-Dome it does around 750Kcd for a total of 1850m + of throw. I should have it on Thursday or Friday this week.
Imalent R70C. Slight bigger reflector, lighter, better quality than both the GT70 and MF04S. I think there are some discount codes that bring it within the same price range of the BLF GT70.