I have just finished testing the XPL High Intensity emitter and thought I would share the results. I wanted to see the difference between the H.I. and a dedomed emitter. Keep in mind, this test was only a single emitter test and if the test were repeated several times, each outcome would probably be a little different.
I used a single host (Convoy C8 3.8A potted) and a single battery (Efest 35A 18650) for the test. I used three emitters: an XPL V5-2A, XPL V5-2A heat dedomed - unsealed, and an XPL H.I. U2-1A.
I would have preferred to use the XPL V6-1A, but I don’t stock 1A in XPL.
Each emitter was mounted in the host and the following measurements were done: OTF lumens, throw (to .25lux), and beam pattern. The test battery was recharged and allowed to rest 1 hour before and between the OTF test and the throw test. The test emitter was removed and the next test emitter was installed -then the test series was repeated.
For the output test, I mounted the light in my integrating sphere. Although, I was only looking for the ANSI –30 second measurement, I continued to three minutes and plotted the results of all three on one graph:
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The flashlight was fan cooled during the output test -I have adjusted the fan to approximate the amount of cooling as if the flashlight were being handheld…although, for a 3 minute run, the cooling doesn’t make much difference.
Output test result:
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The overall output for the dedomed was just over 10% less than the domed version. The output of the H.I. was about 12% less (remember, I’m comparing a V6-2A to a V2-1A)…I haven’t checked the specs…but that sounds about right. I was hoping the H.I. would be higher that the dedomed, but it’s slightly lower…still close.
Next, I checked the throw for each emitter setup calculating meters to .25lux as specified in ANSI FL-1. I have recorded the throw on a photograph of the beam shots. I want to apologize, but my house doesn’t have a white wall…so the photos are on a ‘Toasted Cashew’ wall. I used manual exposure (same exposure for each) and I set the white balance to 6000°K.
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As expected, the dedomed had considerable color shift. Any color difference seen between the XPL and XPL H.I. is a result of using a 2A emitter and a 1A emitter.
I added one more photo of the H.I. emitter using an Orange peel reflector…this was an afterthought…all of the output test were done with a smooth reflector. Notice, the rings in the dedomed and H.I. emitter with the smooth reflector. I knew the orange peel reflector would smooth out the beam pattern, but it’s the first time I’ve taken a controlled reading on the effect of orange peel on throw. The orange peel reflector caused an 8 meter drop in throw…with a much nicer beam. I’ve always use a smooth reflector in my personal lights, but I think I will keep the orange peel in this light.
Back to the results: So, in this limited test, the dedomed was brighter than and had better throw than the XPL High Intensity…but by only a very small margin. The results were close enough, I think if I had sealed the dedomed led, the High Intensity may have come out on top.
The important thing is: no more weird color shifts, no more broken bond wires, no more stopped up led seal nozzles…no more dedoming for me!