But this time with the wrong driver - I am assuming it has the driver out of the gold P32 which is 3-mode and 14500 capable. Actually, for me this is a bonus as the 3 mode is more useful than the single mode even if it would be better as high/low without strobe. If my hypothesis is correct, then the 2.8V cutoff makes a lot of sense as it'll stop it from over-discharging 14500s - 2.8V is a good place to stop under load.
The box:
The box travelled well considering it was just in the usual padded envelope.
The contents:
Minus bubblewrap - looks like I'm doing an unboxing - something I've always wondered why people bothered....
It definitely says it is a P31
Usual interchangeable ends lubricated with some blue goo that gives a nice feel to the threads. Maybe a tiny amount too much of it, but better than usual. Thus far it maintains the very, very high standards I expect of these Hugsby P3* lights. I've had three of them through my hands now and have found no issues with any of them.
This one says 2010.07 - the last P31 I got said 2010.02 and the P32 I received recently said 2010.07
Throw (AA Alkaline) 0
Lightbox (AA Alkaline) 0 :)
Throw 14500 fresh from the charger: 7480 lux at 1 metre. That's a lot.
Lightbox:
Switch on: 1176 / 211 lumens
30 Seconds:1084 / 194 lumens
2 minutes:1064 / 191 lumens
Added to Lumen Estimates spreadsheet for next update of that thread.
On 14500 it is the third brightest of my AA lights - the Ultrafire C3 stainless steel is the brightest but also the hottest. The Hugsby produces 85% of the output and 150% of the throw. It out-throws all my other AA/14500 lights by a long way
Light | Best Throw |
Trustfire R5-A3 Alkaline | 1800 |
Trustfire R5-A3 NiMH | 1880 |
Trustfire F22 SS NiMH | 2200 |
Aurora SH0030 SM 14500 | 2810 |
Uniquefire AA-S1 NiMH | 2830 |
Uniquefire S10 1M NiMH | 2960 |
Ultrafire A3 14500 | 3160 |
Trustfire R5-A3 14500 | 3520 |
Aurora SH0030 5M NiMHx3 | 3700 |
Hugsby P31 | 3790 |
Ultrafire C3 SS Q5 14500 | 5060 |
Trustfire F22 SS 14500 | 5610 |
Uniquefire S10 1M 14500 | 5650 |
Uniquefire AA-S1 14500 | 6100 |
Hugsby P31/32 14500 | 7480 |
Temperature at 2 minutes: I don't believe the thermometer - It said 36.7oC My lips said about 45oC. Warm but not burning.
Ambient Temperature 21oC
No way would I let a stainless steel C3 near my lips after two minutes on high with a 14500. That said, it is inescapable with AA lights of high lumen output that they are going to get hot. Until we have considerably more efficient LEDs this is going to remain the case.
To be continued as I investigate farther.