OK so it's hardly 'budget' ($560), but you've gotta admit that it's an interesting set up (I really wanna see some beamshots). http://www.intl-outdoor.com/feilong-2d80-9xml-u2-80009000lm-flashlight-p-337.html
It is interesting. Though each is powered at 1.67 Amps. (15 amps total/9).
This is kind of an unusual cutoff point in that XM-Ls output curve is pretty linear until about 3 amps or so. Hence I'd expect 5 of em at 3 Amps each to be just about as bright. I guess if the emitters are cheap enough it might make sense, but I don't think they are. It seems to be extra complexity for little gain.
Considering you can get a 5x XM-L for under a hundred bucks, I dunno about this one.
Is this for sure? How do you know they are all in parallel? Guess it seems sensible for heat tho
check out this thread discussing
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/6932?destination=node%2F8068%3Fpage%3D1&3621_name=15
How many lumen is the output realistically then? Even with 6000lm this would be an interesting "device".
I can't see why it would cost that much but it is interesting!
The XML's are definitely more efficient at lower drive currents. Taking a look at the official spec sheets for an XM-L U2:
1.7A puts out 653 Lumens @ 121 Lm/w. 9 at this current would be 5877 LED Lumens.
3A puts out 976 Lumens @ 97.5 Lm/w. 5 at this current would be 4880 LED Lumens.
So as you can see you get about 1000 more lumens with about the same amount of power.