I went from 66.5kcd to 71.4kcd by adjusting the focus. I took an o-ring from a 26650 light and pressed it onto the shelf where the lens sits then screwed the bezel part way back on.
This is “too much” adjustment and over focused it but I gradually pulled it back until I got a more ideal result with lux meter (on low up close) then formally re-tested at longer range with highest setting.
This tells me that additional 0.5mm added from MCPCB probably does make a difference even though it didnt appear much “sharper” to me visually. Not sure of the best way to correct this yet or if it’s worth it.
Yup, to get it right and increase the numbers seems like there is too much adjustments to do. The thicker MCPCB probably plays a role, mine is lifted a bit because of the pressure/contact of the “reflector” and the board/soldered wires.
The focusing with these Leds needs to be done carefully, adjusting the lens and all the rest in order to make it “reasonable!
Despite I like the current configuration, I am actually thinking of modding it later, eventually, probably maintaining the same driver, but replacing the led. Maybe a Luxeon or something alike… But this is just a thought, not decided yet.
Thanks luminarium iaculator
Well, I know some people can make that led perform better on SMO reflectors, almost having no spill. With this light and its’ reflector (that screws along with the bezel, it is the possible beam
Yup, with the OTR i3 as I have it now, I would have almost no spill nor rings trying to do the same!
As for the Z821, maybe it had some rings/artifacts.
I believe that a Noctigon MCPCB would prevent some “extreme focus” as it would be even higher than the L4P. It would make the “reflector” almost unscrewable :zipper_mouth_face:
Today I managed to make the Z821 a bit better. I found a 3535 gasket that helped me stabilizing the led centering, so I removed the tape it had.
I blackened the gasket, the refector, the lens and the bezel. The center of the beam improved, with less “white”noise.
I compared values with the i3/M1 (with Samsung LH351D , MTN DD driver with Crescendo, 16650 battery charged to 4.18V).
The Z821 was using a Sony VTC6 charged up to 4.12V.
Both at 5m.
i3 ——————————————————————————- Z821
LUX
FC
Cd
i3/M1
380
37
9500
Z821
2520
227
63000
The luxmeter “disappeared” from the image due to the beam intensity
I would not call that reflector… That is well made MCPCB retaining ring seen on plenty of aspheric light models but this is probably the best… Screwable function is surely better than unscrewable . We don’t want to loose that (on flashlight of course).
Yeah, “reflector” is not the best word/expression, but I was not finding a better one :zipper_mouth_face:
In other zoomies normally it is a plastic piece that acts as gasket too, but in this we have the proper gasket, then that metal “part”
I will try to find a proper spray to make it better blackened than with a black permanent marker.
I don’t think a pre-collimator lens increases throw at all. All it does is magnify the die slightly. The result should be a slightly wider hotspot and slightly decreased throw.
If you want to increase throw in the same size light by adding something between the LED and the main lens, I think the only option is a Waiven collar.
Nice!… Now that is just right flashlight plus you can zoom out to get very fine flood mode better than any usefull spill from the reflector lights. Future of flashlights is in zoomie lights…
Ahah, I bet some people would disagree with you concerning this statement :smiling_imp:
Well, as for me, I will still have a place for zoomies in my collection
Yes… Most people here but I don’t even doubt they will change their mind as technology develops.
Precoolimator lens should and will be also developed in a future. For know with the right precoolimator lens combination you can have 100% larger beam and higher flood mode beam intensity.
For me zoomie is high tech stuff and certainly flashlight area with a lot of thing that could be improved… This is not just “slap good reflector here and centering ring there” and wow what a “usefull spill” we have now . Zoomies are much more than that and I see lately that some sellers started to figure that out also (after 20 years)…