Here are my thoughts on this light. The only difference between mine and the stock version is that mine has a slight current boost. They both have an option of CW or NW.
The light is priced very reasonably, compact, powerful and has a great tint[NW].
I walk my Husky every night on the trail[just got back] and we both love constant turbo until the light gets too hot! That is just my preference and certainly NOT everyone elses. That is why these lights of today have step downs and regulated drivers. I have numerous lights that can run on turbo for 15 or 20 minutes,even in the summer and indefinitely in the winter.
The ONLY thing I would change is the step down. By no means am I bashing the light. I understand why they have it step down. Initially the light steps down after 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. After each subsequent “step up”, the light steps down again about every 70 to 90 seconds depending on heat level and battery status,just my guess.The step down is gradual but definitely noticeable,going from 2000 lumens to 1100 is certainly noticeable to me.
I have developed leather hands from all my high powered lights. I have read on here and elsewhere how hot this light gets. To me it is manageable and not as hot as I thought it would be.This light gets hot but not nearly as hot as a few of my others, TK75vn quad, E’tac T25C2vn to name a few.I never had to turn the CAT V6 off OR down due to heat. The other night I ran it for 40 minutes[constantly stepping back up] and only turned it off once to change the battery. It was 75F/23C outside. The light was never scalding like some others can get.Although at some points I was holding the bottom part of the light.
To make this light perfect[for me] is to not have it step down and not be regulated. That way I will not have to step it back up every 70 to 90 seconds after initial step down!The guy who I bought it from[V54] is working on a driver that can do that.
We are all a bit different in our preferences. Constant turbo on the trail makes me happy and EDC’ing in my house my preference is EDC’ing using 1 to 20 lumens!
This Cat V6 is a great light. I have brought it with me every night since I got it a week ago.
Thanks again for your great review with all the information, numbers and stats that are helpful to me and I am sure others.
What's wrong with being regulated? I prefer fully regulated drivers, allows me to access full power output at cell voltages way below maximum, which is preferable for someone like me which rarely charges its cells above 3.95 - 4V.
In an unregulated flashlight generally driver and other resistances are tuned up for a maximum output at full cell voltage, and it starts tapering from there (usually fast). It is thus wise not to aim for such peak output values in a driver with regulation and no stepdown, or the heat can get unmanageable with ease.
Regulation ≠ stepdown.
Oh! When on high power grab that flashlight well, you're cooling it with your hand(s)! If not, you're letting component heat stress out of hand! Literally, too.
:-)
Original post date: Sat, 08/04/2018 - 11:16. Edited for typo fixup.
Maybe I used the wrong word[regulated] I love MAX output on the trail. The Cat V6 steps down like I said after ~ 2, 2.5 minutes. I just step it back and continue to do it. It is a pain in the ass! It is never too hot too hold for my leather hands.These manufacturers are over cautious,I guess it is in the best interest of the average Joe!
I have a few lights that have thermal step down. I like that better because they [my modded ones] let the light get pretty darn hot b/4 it steps down which is a long time for my TK61vn V4
My thoughts are w/ my Husky CAPO now. He threw up some white foam/liquid. He has never done that before. Only emergency vets are open now and they cost way too much.
Reading the “nets” answers to this will drive a person nuts,at least its conflicting reasons drive me nuts!
Yeah, I think you are right, Catapult V6 will step down from the MAX output, when either the temperature is too high or an internal timer like that is expired. However when the battery voltage is not high enough, the output of Turbo will then be reduced to a lower value (the MAX is no longer available). At this time the internal timed step-down seems disabled, and you can have V6 stay in Turbo as long as the temperature is not too hot.
And BTW, the included ThruNite battery is not powerful enough, you may get a Shockli 5500mAh or Keeppower IMR 6000mAh instead (both with PLB 55A inside).
Yes, I have 2 X Shockli 26650 5500mAh batteries. My V6 is actually modified but still has the stock UI/Driver. Just had a current boost and a NW 5000K LED put in.
V54 is working on one of his DriverVN’s for the light where I can eliminate the step down or have to timed for several more minutes or the thermal Step down Temp. set much higher. :sunglasses:
My guess is it is NOT a thermal step down, otherwise I would not be able to continue to bump back to turbo. I have used this light for Forty minutes[leather hands] and only turn it off to change battery. It definitely cools off pretty fast once it is off…and in a short time, ~ 1 minute b/w battery change and using my hand to absorb heat b/4 I turn it back on!
Thrunite tc20 with thrunite oem 26650
Turn on. 3860 lumen @30 seconds… 3210 lumen
So yes. Wolf dog aka capo is right in response to his comment… And BTW, the included ThruNite battery is not powerful enough, you may get a Shockli 5500mAh or Keeppower IMR 6000mAh instead (both with PLB 55A inside).
Maybe your ThruNite battery is slightly weaker than mine, or it is not fully charged, or perhaps my TC20 NW is slightly under driven. My fully charged ThruNite battery performed exactly the same as the PLB 55A for the first Turbo shot, for the first two minutes. However it heated up more quickly and was unable to sustain the 2nd shot for more than half a minute. And the PLB 55A can sustain ~9 minutes (accumulated).
Yes, the word “accumulated” means the runtime curves were measured by repeatedly cooling and then re-activating Turbo. I already posted my measurements for V6
~16.5 minutes. But since your V6 is driven harder than the stock version, this should be noticeably shorter.
Yes, I see the chart. So would that be 13 Minutes? Not quite 16 minutes.
Looks like 16:36 it dives and does not make it back to turbo.
One question. That is NOT totally dependant on the battery is it?
If a different driver was put in could the PLB-55A possibly sustain more turbo? I would think there would be enough voltage after 13 minutes to do this.
Just my guess as the guy who modded it is working on another driver.
Just received mine from joker145 in pristine condition. Thank you joker. With the stock battery the throw lives up to spec according to my meter (calibrated to known lights). The switch feels good and solid.
It does get a bit uncomfortable before the turbo/temp control kicks in but not so hot that you want to drop it. All in all a nice handheld shooter with great neutral white beam. It will be used primarily onboard the ship I currently work on by others so the usb charging makes it mostly idiot proof.
Kudos to Thrunite for making a nice compact 26650 thrower.
With the stock battery the throw lives up to spec according to my meter (calibrated to known lights). The switch feels good and solid.