The 50.2 version is more efficient over the same lumen range as the SST-40 simply because it’s bigger die can put out more light for the same battery amperage. Once you get past 1800 or so lumen, they are not comparable.
That’s above my pay grade. If the L6 is 3800/4300. I can see this at 2300 because I have compared them side by side. The first light I had listed is one 26650 and has a simple two step brightness UI. It is listed at 1800. This one ramps, and is listed at 2300. The UI is unlike anything I have seen mentioned here, so I don’t know what it is. But. The output is fairly impressive to a nimrod like me.
When the 50.2 stepped down after just two minutes, it was QUITE hot, and the step down was very severe. If it was 4300 to start, I would GUESS it went down to possibly 1200-1500.
The L6 is actually about 2900/3300 or pretty close. Their ratings are a bit on the high side.
Did you have both versions of the Chaselight? If the 2 cell version is brighter, then they probably did change the driver or at least bumped up the amperage.
Is the 2 cell Chaselight one click on/off? If so, I might try one just for kicks.
I have both. I was impressed with the one cell until I saw stuff like the FT03.
It is high-low-off, so two click
Hold for SOS
I did the DC Fix on one for a dedicated house light, don’t want throw when I am looking for something under the table.
I tried to do a side by side beamshot inside, but the camera just can’t get the definition. I will try to do one outside.
The 2 battery version is on-off and ramps. It is like 2X as bright side by side.
Zeroair’s review shows it doing a huge stepdown :
My S43S - albeit not a big light - also does aggressive stepdowns. If you run it on turbo it immediately does a huge stepdown, then waits a few seconds, then a does another huge stepdown…resulting in like <100 lumen.
I’m not thinking of Anduril.
I find the NarsilM method of setting stepdown temp (hold light until it’s too hot) to be very hit & miss. Much better to manually enter a temperature (eg Anduril) because at least then you can test it, go /- 1, test it, go/- 1 etc.
Ha ha, the S43S is just the small light I was thinking of that initially did a too fast step down. You might need to manually set your S43S. I did and got much nicer, smaller step downs. Astrolux S43S Stepdown after custom temp adjustment - YouTube
Just to clarify, a 32% drop is not a lumen percentage. It’s 32% of the ramp scale. The ramping has 150 steps, so it should go from step 150 (Turbo) to step 102 which is like a nice medium level.
It’s interesting that his review saw the light step down at 40°C. I think it should be closer to 55°C. That’s usually the default. He may need to manually set the stepdown temp as well. (Start with a room temp light, activate manual setting, then hold light until you think it’s hot enough and shut off. It memorizes this level.) It works great for me. If your having issues, make sure the lights internal temp is cool. I let it sit for a couple hours to fully cool down before setting the manual temp.
I don’t know if the Anduril temp setting is better or not. I haven’t really played with it much. The FW3A is the only Anduril light I have. Once I calibrated the room temp, it’s step down seemed fine. I don’t really like the delayed turn off in Anduril and a few other things about it. So I’m more a Narsil guy. You can turn off all temperature stepdowns if you want and let your hand tell you when to turn it down. That’s what I’ve done for years with my L6 that has old Narsil firmware on it. It’s all about what you prefer.
I would like to see Zeroair reset the thermal calibration or at least try it with a milder battery, not that high current 21700.
Here are some beam shots for you. The 1 cell is not currently available on Amazon. I think you can see the two cell is way brighter.
Use the captions under the pics. They do not show in the order I uploaded but the captions underneath are right
I thought the amperage would be higher for the 50.2 at the same lumen level because it is larger.
Nope, opposite. If we pick a brightness level of 1000 lm and have 3 different size led dies (let’s use Cree because their efficacy is pretty consistant) xp-g3, xp-l2 and xhp50.2, the bigger dies will use less amperage. Less amperage means less power used which equals better efficiency as far as battery run time is concerned.
xp-g3, die size 1.44mm2 = 2.5A
xp-l2, die size 1.9mm2 = 2.2A
xhp50.2, die size 2.94mm2 = 2A
(From raw led tests and different testers, so don’t treat as super accurate, but it’s accurate enough to show the differences)
Note that Luminus SST-40 has about a 2mm2 die size and would be about 2.2A. Very similar to xp-l2 until you get to the higher amps.
Of course, the xhp50.2 is capable of 16A and the the SST-40 9A, so if you use Turbo a lot the 50.2 will drain the battery quicker.
Got it, good explanation.
End up with chaselight, and will buy the mf01mini instead, thoughts?
What are you asking?
Mf01 mini compare to ft03 I guess
As always, get the one that best fits your needs. FT03 has less lumens, smaller hot spot and further throw. Mini has more lumens, bigger hot spot and less throw. The spill lighting is quite different between tir lens and reflector. Different UI’s, mini has aux LEDs. What do you prefer?.
Since I am into laser I would be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed by the acebeam w30. But that price tag just doesn’t sit well with me. I was looking at the C8g from sofirn, I already own a c8t. I don’t like how it heat soaks and stay useless, thought the C8g would be an upgrade then I stumbled on to ft03 as direct competitor. Then I leaned the imminent release of mf01 mini. I always wanted a fancy aux, and with a throwing capable light that’s like perfection. Now I learn mf01 mini will throw less, just how much less?
I am starting to a mass a collection here and may just separate my needs. Got the chaselight now, btw the thing is a security device as a weapon lol.
The mini is still new so it has not been tested or reviewed. We have to go by factory spec of 616 meters.
FT03 SST-40 - 875 meters
FT03 xhp50.2 - 735 meters
How do you like the Chaselight?
I have both models of the FT03.
The first version can stay on turbo much longer. It does not heat up very fast at all. 5 minutes is no problem. Not as much total light but more throw.
Is there anywhere I can get a precompiled Anduril hex file for the FT03?