Coast HP550 at Costco for $49

Is it actually an aspheric or is it a TIR lens?

From elousv’s video it looks like a TIR lens, which stands to reason since COAST/LED Lenser uses TIR for most of their zoomies.

Yes, it uses a plastic TIR lens.

that true TIRs can’t zoom, per se?

The HP550 has a substantial raised dome in the center which if you compare it to a TIR with a recessed cavity which then essentially rests on the Led, then can ya really call it a TIR or is it something else? Perhaps a hybrid? I guess that’s why I prolly loosely called it an ‘aspheric’ in this case because if it weren’t moving it would look just like one - excepting the ribbon of concave perimeter. The dome btw is about 1” in diameter and the concave perimeter is about 3/8”. I would guess that it’s maybe about 1/4” raised from the concave surface.

I’m basically not familiar with other current Led Lenser’s out there with TIR so you guys that have those could you describe them?

Btw……here’s a thread with some good shots of TIRs (collimators).

The lenses are a polycarbonate lens. I don’t think it hurts the throw, but again plastic can be scratched where glass can’t unless you do something crazy.

this thing’s sliding head would prolly feel like it weighs a ton. 8)

Polycarbonate is still pretty tough stuff. It will hold up well unless really abused. It can also survive impact better. If that kind of lens had to be ground and polished out of glass, this thing would cost a lot more than $50.

I wonder if they’ve thought of adding a fitted filter cap at the end of high transparency glass for those who want a stronger cover, also they could have colored filters for those who want red and yellow and blue for night.

Does this run on just 3 or 6 AA’s as well? how’s the performance on fewer batts?

design of the battery carrier.

I imagine someone, somewhere, will mod this somehow to take 3 x 26650’s sooner or later. H)

Depends how they're wired. I'll bet you it is wired 3s3p...

I’m guessing it IS wired 3s3p, since 9 AA batteries is just a strange number otherwise. Plus, their HP17 (which uses D batteries, but uses an older, less powerful 615 lumen version of the Cree XM-L) uses three D batteries. So I’m assuming that the HP550 runs on the same voltage. This would suggest that the HP550 could possibly run on, say, 3 AA batteries or 6 AA batteries (with reduced runtime, of course). I’ll have to see if I can do this when I finally get mine (I’m having a friend in Southern California buy me one, and ship it up to me).

Speaking of the HP17, this makes me wonder what Coast is going to do about THAT particular light. It would certainly be nice if they could upgrade it to the same LED as the HP550 for the added runtime, simplicity, and reliability (I’ve not had the best of luck with battery holders - another reason I like D’s). And they might have to, since the HP550 is cheaper (for the time being) and brighter. It also makes me wonder what they’re going to do about the HP21. The HP550 produces almost as much light at a fraction of the cost. They’re REALLY going to have to ‘step it up’ with that one if they hope to sell it for ~$300!

named ‘Cyclone’ heat-sinking system if that indeed is what they’re using inside the 550. Had it on high for a good 15 minutes and it barely gets warm. To dismantle that head I think is gonna be challenging though. So how many more of these am I gonna buy some of you are wondering?

Prolly five, could be seven, or even nine if I really go bonkers. I’m not sure yet. It depends on the beam quality from test-flashing a bunch again. I kinda think they prolly got security keeping close tabs on me after I went through all those boxes 2 x now. :open_mouth:

Try 1 and 2 batteries in each carrier (instead of 3) to see how it works - or doesn’t.

and just thought he was asking how many batts the carrier was spec’d to hold vs what it could light up. (We just got a new puppy who kept me up pretty much all nite.) :smiley:

Just tested it and it runs on 3 or 6 AA’s just dandy. H) :open_mouth: I’m running eneloops.

As far as brightness, by a quick look in my garage it appears to be just as bright whether on 3 or 6 as to 9. But I didn’t run it long in that config to see what batt sag’s going on. I’m waiting on a luxmeter to verify this sort of stuff too btw.

whoa thats definetly a plus on my end. running on 3 cells and just as bright too….hmmm thats winner winner chicken dinner

Current draw? Can you also measure with higher/lower voltage to get an idea of regulation? Do D cells fit into the tube?

With alkalines the “1000 lumen” implies >3A, so >1A per cell.

Only competitor with AA nihms is Trustfire 3T6 4S, and 4A style, >1000 lumens lol.

All I can say is that it appeared to be just as bright. Don’t hold my crank to the fire on that, please. :open_mouth:

I’d have ya pretty busy over the work bench with DMM’s, mods, special projects, and other money-making ventures. :open_mouth:

I’ll be the twisted, demented, proud owner of 7 of these things. :open_mouth: H)