7xSST-40 in a 40mm head with throw might be a struggle. I have a DQG Tiny 26650 (XPG2) and a Astrolux MF01 Mini (SST-20) on my desk. Both have 7 LEDs, both will do over 2000LM. The DQG is 40mm, the Astrolux is 45mm, both are more flood than throw. I prefer the Astrolux MF01 Mini and it has Anduril. You can probably get 2000LM+ from a single SST-40. The Convoy S11 with single SST-40 says 2300LM.
Even the main, 2000 sustained lumens on a single cell, isn’t likely to happen. To sustain that output needs mass. My two lights that can do it are a Supfire M6 with 3x XHP50.2 3V and a modded Convoy L6. Both large lights.
I also would suggest the Astrolux MF01-Mini / Mateminco MT07 with 7x XPL-Hi (instead of SST20) — the 7x XPL-Hi variant is a bit more expensive than the 7x SST20, and not always available. They run Anduril.
But sustained 2000 lumens with 7 LEDs probably conflicts, as mentioned above.
I think try looking for a single XHP70.2 LED flashlight (will be more floody though, not throwy) that has an efficient driver circuit, which may be able to nearly sustain 2000 lumens… Probably may not sustain 2000 lumens but maybe check the Wuben T70 and Rofis MR70 (these are the 2 that came to my mind, they are probably not the best example) and some others with more efficient circuitry.
I have the MF01 mini copper/aluminium. Pretty nice light. Not doing 2000 lumens though. It sustain mode 6/7 while getting pretty hot 60C?. Probably doing just under 1000lm at this setting. What kind of enviroment are you going to use it in? You might be able to get 2000 sustained if it’s cold/windy but with large emitters which won’t have the best throw. How far out do you need to see?
Yeah it looks like 2000lm sustained isn’t going to happen.
I had hoped that 7 leds would allow each led to operate in a more efficient zone, reducing total power.
DQG Tiny 26650 XPG2: nice little light, about 900lm sustained (?)
Astrolux MF01 Mini (SST-20): about 325lm sustained
Mateminco MT07 (SST-20) (could’t find a good review of the XPL-Hi): about 258lm sustained
I’m gonna use it outside on bicycle runs in the forest at night (summer and winter).
I would be looking at lights like the Wowtac A4 or A5, Sofirn SP33 or Rofis MR70. (The A5 and Rofis will be all flood “wall of light” though). I would think these lights should be fine with 350~450 lumens continuous, on a moving bike with plenty of air cooling.
I like the side-button interface for my commute, Fenix E35UE shown. I run it on HI continually at 350~400 Lumens and have never had an issue with overheating or anything like that. I have ridden it on pack-dirt XC trails (no hills) and its been fine for that. I have never taken it on mountain trails though. I would need a better mount for that, and more lumens wouldn’t hurt.
The other variable is your max stop distance. That should be used to determine how much throw you will need. This will vary from one person to the next. You always want your light to throw farther than you can stop, so you can identify obstacles with sufficient stopping distance.
The thrunite TC20 is also a contender… but its going to be all flood like the A5 and MR70.
You should probably update the original post to let people know you are specifically looking for a bike light for night mountain-forest rides. Thats a pretty unique requirement, IMHO.
The upcoming Fireflies E12R should be as close as it gets. Specs say it can sustain 2,580 lumens for 10 minutes and 1,200 lumens for and absolutely incredible 2.8 hours if it is true. No other light in this size range comes close but these numbers have not been confirmed as the E12R is not released yet.
The MT07/MF01 Mini have a weird heatsinking issue with the driver, resulting in poor sustained performance at the top of their ramp. I think with the mod that fixes its heatsinking, it should be able to sustain as much or more than the E12R. Get 7 6500k XPL2s in there and I think it should be able to sustain quite a lot of lumens.
That NSX4, with its 4 XHP50.2s and massive amount of cooling fins, that seems like the perfect light for this application though.
No way the MT07/MF01 Mini can sustain more than the E12R even with the copper mod. I have 2 of those. The problem is the 7135 driver. The new FF uses a premium grade Lume buck driver so the E12R will be unmatched at least for the time being. Also 12 LEDs will alow it to run more efficiently than 7 LEDs.
The NSX4 is huge. Not going to be anywhere near pocketable. I love the heat fins though.
