Why do you need turbo that lasts a few seconds before stepping down?

You may have seen many high lumen flashlights, getting thousand lumens at turbo mode but only produce max output for a very short period. For example, one claims 10000 lumens at turbo mode, lasting for 10s and then stepping down to a lower output. So why set up like this?

As LEDs produce heat, a handheld flashlight could only dissipate a limited amount of heat. Especially on turbo modes, it generates a lot of heat, enough to damage the electronics and even burn the hands, so it’s common for high output flashlights to step down before overheating. And it’s also a way about battery conservation when you are using the flashlight outside.

Some people think a few seconds of the burst just doesn’t seem very useful. While many users tell turbo mode is useful for quickly checking things in the distance, when the standard high mode may not provide enough light. Are you willing to buy a light that is super bright but only has a limited run time at turbo brightness? How do you usually use the turbo mode?

I don’t need it, manufacturers do for false advertising.
CRI and constant brightness till battery deplete I care.
Mike

Why do sports cars have a vmax of 200mph? Nobody would need it IRL.
To see what is possible, to market it the right way, so we can brag on BLF what we built.

My more expensive lights can do thousands of lumens, I don’t use them ever in that setting.

For me, the question of choosing a flashlight who’s highest mode will run for hours and hours and hours, versus a flashlight whose highest mode will run only for a few seconds, is a matter of personality. That’s why I like both kinds.

idk ? for fun ? :smiley:

Lights are improving tremendously so the days of 5 second turbo are almost behind us. The new SP35 for example implements spectacular ATR that is barely noticeable.

Yes. :smiley:

I have an Emisar D4V2 Sand with XPL-HI V2 5D 4000k. ~18A with a Vapcell S30 on Turbo for a few seconds.

I bought another Emisar D4V2 Cyan with XPL-HI V3 3A 5000K last week. :person_facepalming:

They’re fun!

Some people get annoyed at the short runtime on Turbo… get a bigger flashlight! :stuck_out_tongue:

It’s the “WOW” factor. Practicality comes in sub-turbo modes or ramping capability. Nonetheless, it’s nice to have mega-tons of light to scare away the bogeyman, or punch a 400 meter hole in the night if so needed or desired. I just know that every time I double tap the go button on a barn burner light, there’s a big ’ol smile on my face….and it tends to last longer than a turbo blast.

Its the same thing with megapixels in cameras. The perceived idea is the higher the number the better. Fact of the matter is you would not buy a new 5MP camera today. There was one Imalent light I don’t recall the model where it did 100K lumens on turbo for something like two seconds. People don’t see the two seconds, they see the 100K lumens. Human nature I guess.

Those super-bright lights are for fun, too big and heavy for carry or camping anyway. So I have a 8000lm flashlight and it falls back to 5000lm after some time, that makes it still pretty bright even when fallen back a little so I don’t care that much. For practical use I really don’t need that much light and don’t like to carry 434gr. of flashlight for a longer time so I have other lights for practical use.

Flashlight manufacturers should advertise their lights like this (just an example):
4000lm max output for 60 seconds (@ 25°C ambient temperature, zero wind speed /also mentioning battery, which was used during measurement/)
700lm sustainable output (same environment specs, output after temperature regulation settles).

This would speak clear enough for most of the users.

Anyway, I also find, that flashlights with turbo lasting only a few seconds are impractical, and an annoyance to use. From cold state, I need turbo to last at least 60 seconds - this is enough for scanning around briefly for identifying important objects in my surroundings (but for some use cases, I would prefer it to last several minutes, even if it isn’t so high level).

1 Thank

i use it about every day

it;s for when i need to see as far as possible, if only for a few seconds

why would you not want that, no matter how bright it can run all day ?

  • in any design, there is usually more light to be had, if it doesn;t have to run long

i’ll take it

i also do not like giant heavy lights that do not go in a pocket, it;s a good compromise for me

600 lumens all the time,up to 1600 for 10 sec

it beats either big heavy lights, or NO turbo

but that is just me

I’m probably not the only person sucked into buying a light due to max lumen claims on the packed. I’m pretty sure I won’t be the last. Manufacturers are in the business of selling lights. They also don’t tell you next too the 1 month runtime claim that it’s on moonlight mode at 1lm. Big spec numbers sell lights.

We don’t. We need as much sustainable lumens in the smalles body possible. Since that is not possible, we make concession :slight_smile:

I don't know if I need that, but I do want that.

I prefer turbo to last at least a few minutes, even if that means turbo isn't nearly as bright.

That is more useful to me than super bright turbo for only ten seconds.

like my convoy l6 can do highest turbo 3000 lumens something nonstop no termal stepdown really until batteries wear down first… but can i fit the light in my pockets ? not realy… but a fw3a and similar that can punch out almost that evne for short time is fun xd

You need to look at the mass of the light, something like the fw3a can’t possibly put out high power for too long. You can tell this by just looking at it.

I prefer cri (r9/r12). I sometimes use turbo to see far, but since I’m trying to make perfect long range shots, turbo seldom lasts long enough.

In fact, most lights can’t even sustain “high” which is ridiculous. All lights should have a larger mass and efficient buck driver imo

Max output…Turbo whatever you want to call it.I have NO use for lights from factory whose drivers only sustain Turbo for 10, 20 30 seconds or whatever.

I have a dozen modified lights that sustain Turbo for awhile.Basically they sustain the highest output possible in direct proportion of battery depletion. The output loss is not that noticeable until 10, 15. 20 minutes later until battery depletion.

Those are the lights I like.In addition my Hand determines the step down in warmer months, Not these bursts/ timed step downs that are for amateurs! :+1:

Good thing that you have expensive, large and heavy alternatives!!