I was curious also, do you think somehow with such a smallish reflector the extra output (lumens) would cause the difference. I know that an xpl hi should theoretically out throw a domed sst-40. I am a novice when it comes to modifying flashlights, although I am trying to learn, so I could very likely be wrong.
Yesterday I asked Neal If it is possibble to order D1 without led and star because I want to put in a dedomed SST40 :sunglasses:
My tests about SST40 and XP-L HI shows these numbers in the same C8 host and FET driver:
XP-L HI V2 1A:
5,9A, 1434 lumens, 93100 Cd, 610m
SST40 with dome:
8,6A, 2232 lumens, 70500 Cd, 531m
SST40 dedomed:
8,6A, 2000 lumens, 136300 Cd, 738m
Wow!!!
I need some SST40 emitters? Where do you get them? Mountain Electronics is out of stock. :weary: I guess maybe Kaidomain? Anyone know of any vendors selling 5000K SST40?
I bought mine from kaidomain. Perfect dome, no bubbles and any defects in the dome.
I wonder why vin had virtually the same result with his domed vs dedomed sst40s? Your results show that it’s far superior throw without the dome.
Maybe he thought that a pocketable light has more useful beam with dome than a pencil beam. If you want more than 500m throw you will bring a big gun not a pocket thrower. It is still very good throw for the size with dome.
Darnit. I just remembered why I HATE Kaidomain.
I can’t login there. I’m registered with 3 separate email addresses and none of my passwords ever work. I even click the button to reset the password and never get emails from them telling me the new temp password. the problem isn’t me remembering the passwords as I have them written down. Rather the problem is their login system is complete garbage.
Because I can’t login I can’t actually place an order with them.
I Just ordered the D1vn
Spec 2: SST40 HD 6500K Lumen 2300, Lux 48K, Throw 438m
I have noticed that in HKJ comparator and have heard others say that. I do not doubt it. I am using a VTC5A in my TX25C2vn DD/single mode.
I am Certain of this.The minimal increase in output with the VTC5A will NOT be noticeable by eye. That is why I am going to use a 30Q in it.Longer run time and more durable than the other Two batteries listed in the chart. The chart below substantiates that decision for me.
I will personally be using a GA cell in my D1 when it arrives. (Probably) Still no noticeable output loss (to the naked eye) but longer runtime.
I think there is more voltage sag with the 30q. I haven’t tested this but I’ve anecdotally noticed that the vtc5 stays brighter for much longer than the 30q. Don’t have a vtc5a or vtc6 though, just vtc5… Also this is on a D4 which has a much higher drain so the d1 might prefer the 30qs…
Why stock D1 has only 1400lm while blf a6 with spring bypass has 1600lm? Is it because the dome in a6 or something else?
When you’re using a light with a fet driver (VN drivers are fet drivers too) and a high Vf led , like xp-g2 , output can be up to 15% better with a VTC5A . Even if both 30Q and VTC5A are in a low voltage , let’s say 3.4V , VTC5A will give more current than the 30Q .
G Damian. The D1 uses an xpl HI. The blfa6 uses xpl HD. The dome on the a6 makes it have a higher total output, while the HD version has less lumens but much more throw.
That’s semi-true.
Dome improves output and reduces throw.
But the highest bin of XP-L HI is 4 bins below that of HD. The difference that the dome makes amounts to ~1 bin. I have no idea why there’s no XP-L HI V6 available.
So I guess the right answer would be that D1 uses V3 bin and A6 uses V6 bin, just that.
I was trying to be a little simplistic for him. Stated another way: G. Damain if you took the led out of your blf A6, dedomed it, and then reflowed it onto the mcpcb of the D1, and the power was identical, the overall total output would be 20 percent less but the throw would increase nearly 50 percent.
Agro is correct in that the difference is less here because the HI emitters are already binned substantially lower than the v6 bin. All together this adds up to be 7-11 percent less in this case. It’s probably less however because to get 1600 lumens out of the blf A6 you have to do everything right : springs bypassed correctly on both of the springs, and use a high drain battery that is capable of being charged to 4.35v and a charger that is also capable. And be sure to keep everything clean. Notice: NEVER EVER CHARGE A LITHIUM BATTERY TO 4.35v UNLESS IT IS SPECIFICALLY RATED FOR IT. You will at best drastically reduce capacity and lifetimes of the battery, and at worse overheat the battery until it vents or violently ruptures, destroying the battery, charger, and cause damage to everything in the vicinity. I’m sorry if you already know this but it pays to mention safety. When I first got into flashlights I had asked Richard at mountain electronics if I could charge a new batch of Samsung 30qs I got from him to 4.35v. The response came in what could have been the fastest email reply the world has ever known. He laid out everything bad that could happen in bold and all caps! It scared the crap out of me then and still does, so I usually try to pass the warning along to others.
Does anyone have any idea what price the D1s will be released at? Also is the emitter going to be an xpl hi? I am assuming so due to the throw numbers but I have not heard definitively.
Joey Adams, Agro: thank you for explanation, now it is clear 
Ok.I believe you. My battery knowledge comes from you modders on here, HKJ,MOOCH.JON from Liionwholsale.
I can only speak for myself, I can sometimes drive myself nuts with these battery choices when a lot of times there is not much if any difference b/w the best ones[VTC5/A,30Q,VTC6]! I do not think I am alone in that regard! At the same time I want the best battery for the light in question.
This is for my D1vn light:Spec 2: SST40 HD 6500K Lumen 2300, Lux 48K, Throw 438m
For this light Vinh just changes the LED. I do not think there is a current boost and Tom E’s and TK’S UI and internal parts all remain[EXCEPT the LED].
I ONLY use my single cell lights for 15 minutes, max 20 minutes for the ones using less output.I like MAX output on the trail so I always bring a spare to pop in. When I get home they are all between 3.76v and 3.86v depending on the light and duration of use. They NEVER get close to 3.4v,not even near 3.6v. So when I look at HKJ’S comparator, I am looking for the battery w/ the least amount of voltage sag up to ~3.70v. So run time for these single cell modded lights is not the most important, it is the max current to give the most output up to 3.7v.
EDIT: For this light I am actually looking for a bit longer run time since it will be pushing 2300 lumens………~600 more than any other single cell 18650 light I have.Hence the 30Q over my VTC5A. I probably have to put a fresh battery in after 10 or 12 minutes!