Texas_Ace BLF Calibrated Lumen tube / Sphere No math skills needed - Several spheres still available

Vry Nice—-I’ve been using DC Fix in my light tube—-I still have a multiplying factor but my results are much more reliable and consistant

Hmm, that is a good question. I know the PVC itself was several times the price. If there is interest I will go to a specialty plumbing supply store and see how much it would cost.

Remind me to check into this if I forget, this week is going to be VERY busy for me.

Just let me know if you want me to add you to the list. If you end up sending me the L6 to mod I could ship them back together.

It should be, you only need the very tip of the light sticking through the centering ring for it to work. In fact sticking the light in even 1/2” too far can have a pretty noticeable effect on the readings.

Indeed, this version does seem slightly more consistent then the foam I used before and way WAY better then using nothing like I tried at first.

You are definitely getting the L6. 8500 lumens is too good to pass up!

I am thinking of designs like the Armytek Wizard where the cooling fins protrude in front of the bezel, preventing it from lying flat on a diffuser.

Yea I also want to know because I’m interested in the upcoming Astrolux MF03, MF04, MF05, TN42VN, and Acebeam X70 or whatever other high power lights might be coming out.

It will not seal perfectly but it should still give a reasonably close reading. You will just need to add a little bit for the light that escapes due to an imperfect seal. After some experience with the tube you will figure out a reasonable amount to add by playing with other lights of similar output and pulling them out of the tube slightly.

Ok, I will look into it. I don’t think I will get time to do this until Friday at the earliest, Remind me tomorrow if you can. I will be silly busy the next few days.

How about a spare diffuser ring with a custom cutout for the fins so it lies flat? I’m mostly curious because I do a ton of testing with modded Armytek headlamps so it’s worth the extra effort to me.

I will take one. Thanks.

100$ for a PVC pipe does not sound budget to me. I’ll pass that one.
Mike

i tried to use the same, but without diffusor.
may be some semi-transparent paper will work, have to check.

problem here was such - it felt like low brightness was really not precise.

have you checked low bright modes there? are they also precise like higher ones? if yes, i have to test my tube over again.

You are not just paying for materials, you are also paying for knowledge, experience and calibration.

The fact that several people will have the same design calibrated so closely to one another also means that flashlight reviews from them can contain accurate lumen readings. Multiple people owning these means more models of flashlights can be tested. This is good because you can’t expect just a few people around the world with high end and expensive spheres to be able to test every light that comes out.

Besides, the more professional ulbricht spheres cost thousands of dollars. $100 is much more affordable for the more serious flashlight hobbiests.

Ps, plus it can measure a huge range of output. From at least 150 lumen to 25k lumen. It’s easy to use and there is no math involved. Flooder and throwers don’t matter. That’s pretty awesome in my eyes.

It is possible I could 3D print up a custom ring that could be used for this if they all have the same size head. Can you get me a measurement of whatever edge you would want the light to seal to?

I have been using my sphere for almost 2 years now and have not had any issues at low or high brightness. It took a LOT of work to get it to the point though. Easily 6 months calibrating and tweaking the design. It looks simple now but there were dozens of versions before this.

I would not take it’s numbers down at at 5 lumens and less to be perfect but that is the price that is paid to allow for lights over 25k lumens to be measured. It will still register moon mode on most lights though.

This latest design should be even better since the diffusing sheets are much more ideal for this.

Also, all the LED tests in my sig were done with my sphere like this, so there is a pretty good dataset on it already as well.

Yes, it is not “budget”, nor is it a necessary tool for many of us.

But it IS a Texas Ace built and calibrated tool for accurately reading the output of various flashlights. The materials (including a measuring device—Lux meter), versatility, construction, calibration, accuracy, and work put into this device will justify it’s cost to those of us who desire accurate light output measurements with minimal hassle.

If Texas Ace is building it, you can count on it’s quality. I suspect the materials alone will be close to his costs and a small percentage will go to pay for his time and expertise.

In that regard, it may not be “budget” but it will definitely be a “bargain” for what those customers receive.

I suspect many would rather spend $100 on an awesome flashlight…and he makes those too!

I’ll take one. Would be great for all the reviews I do on youtube.

I'll take 1.

T_A, that's some fine engineering and tuning work you've done there! :) Congratulations on making a precision instrument from something that took a little "black magic" to just come close to actual numbers. Again, well done!

-Ben