Just seen this: http://www.lightmalls.com/buy/u3. Not sure if they got the specs wrong, but first time I'm seeing a U3 1A listed. Only U3's I've seen listed are 1C. They have them on 16 and 20mm stars.
They also have 3 budget lights listed with U3's. Again, first time I'm seeing this for under $20 lights.
Okay guys, drum roll please:
Yep, a U3 , 4 amp job, yeah!!!
This is why I'm doubting the U3 1A is real. Can't trust the way these guys list anything...
Especially that the previous listing was for U2 1A. What a coincidence.
Many members are reporting some Chinese C8s are drawing over 3 amp at the tail cap. Now I realize that the newer LEDs are more efficient, and thus should (theoretically) draw less current, and produce an equal or greater amount of light. However, just like the newer LDs blue laser (Example the new M140 445nm, 9mm blue, is more efficient that the old 140s, but can also handle more current ( example: old 5.6mm @ 1 to 1.5 watt modded and the new 9mm 1.5 watt to 3 watt modded) Lasers use the same basic constant current drivers, but while laser hobbyists are still using 1 to 2 amp drivers, Flashaholics are using 3 to 4 amp drivers on single white light LEDs. Conclusion: if the new U3s can draw over 4 amps at the tail cap, the with improved efficiency, and being driven harder, but cooled better, we should expect the same type of results as the Blue Laser freaks are getting with their updated and harder driven LDs. By the way, I am Flomotion on LPF and Photon Lexicon, so I am a laserhead beside a Flashaholic. Now, they are way smarter dudes here than me both on BLF and LPF, but I am willing to try the Chinese stuff, as they are the ones willing to work with us hobbyists. Yes, the Chinese will try to get a few more nickles and dimes from you, and stretch the numbers, but their are no American Companies interested in this niche and could give a damn about Lightheads. Just my humble opinion…
P.S. Yes, many Chinese vendors are not very techy, and the sales personnel leave something to be desired, and they do mess the numbers up. Yeah, that 1 amp rating on the U2s an U3s is more than likely a typo or mis-communication…, me thinks…
Any beamshots around yet???
Ooops - the 1A is the color tint, sorry for not making that clearer. I've only seen the 1C color tint available for the U3 up till now. The 1C's are warmer but lower lumens than the 1A tint, in theory. With the amps issues, I bought the LightMalls C8 U2 light and measured up to 5.1 amps (fully charged Panasonic unprotected), though their specs say 3.0 amps regulated. So, I consider the driver unregulated and probably same is true for the C8 U3 light, though they state 4.0 amps regulated.
Actually, I mod'ed my C8 U2 with a 3.8 true regulated driver (KD V2 with 10*7135's at 380 ma each).
Flomo - Most of the folks here who are not into lasers wont understand the laser specific specs in your post. There's a few who will but its simply not common knowledge 445nm diodes are now availble in 9mm rather than M6.5. If you have a source for 5.6amp or 12 amp drivers let us know? There's plenty of demand and more strained eyes than you may be aware, soldering 7135 IC's in pancake stacks sucks. lol I use my same handle as well...And you certainly know your stuff...btw Welcome bro!!!
Sunny at LigthMalls finally just responded to my inquiry about the U3 1A tint. Here is her reply:
Thanks for your inquiry email . So sorry for late reply .
The data of U3 product is our suppler told us, and we also have U3's in the 1C color tint .
Could you please tell me how many you want ?
Best regards
Sunny Yang
Lightmalls team
So how many should I order of these U3 1A's? They are gonna go like hotcakes! 