LH351D is brighter than SST20. It produces more lumens.
However, my personal experience is the SST20 looks a lot more impressive. Especially in lights like this with tiny optics. This is because the hotspot is much, MUCH more intense with SST20, even if it isn’t as wide.
Best would XPL HI which throws like SST20 while producing lumens like LH351D, and can do so with excellent tint below the black body line. However, I can see why XPL HI would not be a common option in this light, especially if it would double the cost of the light to nearly $200.
[quote back from Arrow]
(https://i.imgur.com/4WSBkgS.jpg) a few minutes ago. The caveat is “pricing and lead times are subject to change based on the factory/supplier conditions” . In other words, no firm time frame. Couple that with Zebralight’s message.
But I agree, if he could get them, spreading them across the other models would be great.
My experience with the XP-L HI wasn’t that great. It showed significantly more abrupt CCT shift in the beam then either my 219C or SST-20. The color temperature was also about out of spec. to. I had a 2700K model, and it’s actual CCT was over 3000K. The yellowish rings in the beam were in the upper 2900K range.
The SST-20 delivers its promised CCT better then the XP-L, and it has far less chroma shift about beam to.
The 18350 proportions look off to me. Functionality wise, if you are carrying such a big light, may as well use 18650’s and have a good grip on the light.
On the other hand, I suspect alot of people would want to buy the shorter tube for a few dollars extra as a secondary option. I would be curious even for myself! Could make a cool table top lantern. That would actually be a good accessory for it, a lantern diffuser made to fit.
3 x 21700 are about the same diameter as 4 x 18650 and only have a tiny advantage over 4 x 18650. Hank wanted to keep the light small.
It does require at least raised flat tops. It should have a ring on the driver like the Meteor and Q8 (based on the battery tube spring board). There are a few raised flat top 21700 on the market, but not too many. There’s even less button top 21700 currently on the market so 18650 does make the most sense.