I have a FF3, a FF4, and 2 FF5s. They are all good. FF5 is clearly the most powerful and highest lux. But I really like the tighter knurling and hand feel of the compact FF3 the very best. Look fwd to hearing more about this new model.
The above link for the FF5GT is faulty. Here is the correct one:
https://www.nealsgadgets.com/products/fire-foxes-ff5gt-hid-flashlight
...and all the FF5GT accessories, like spare battery carrier, lens cap, carry case, diffuser filter....
It was working i checked before posting , but something must have changed with the link. thanks for posting the new one. 
Upgrade over the FF5:
Power increased to 150W high mode, 15K lumen, 1.44Mcd, 2400 meters range.
FF5 had 100W high mode, 10K lumen, 1 Mcd
Low mode is same 50W, 5K lumen, about 40-45 min runtime with 30Qs if high mode is not used
Sadly, the Achilles heel of the FF5 design remains unchanged. It uses the same 4S1P 18650 battery carrier design which IMHO drastically limits runtime. It cries out for a 4S2P 8 battery pack like the BLF GT. Now with a 50 percent power increase on high mode the runtime will suffer significantly.
I have and love an FF5. Its beam quality is outstanding. By nature HIDs have jaw dropping throw along with broad uniform beam, with a LEP like hotspot. High mode would run around 8 minutes before thermally switching to low mode, then shut off battery depleted about 30-35 minutes total. I desperately wanted an 8 battery tube for more runtime. Nealsgadgets.com sells extra 4x 18650 battery carriers for $30 so it's possible to quick change but I would prefer a longer tube for better balance with its heavy huge 90mm head.
The 4300K HID of the FF5 is stunningly gorgeous pure neutral white with minimal artifacts; the same in the FF5GT I presume. Its color rendition is sublime, with incredibly vivid natural greens. On par with the current best high CRI LEDs.
I have a soft spot for HIDs, despite power hungry and fragile. There's something magical about the incredible intensity of the hotspot by virtue of the short arc. It's comparable to the high end LEPs. The biggest draw for HID is its beam character: the unique and distinctive combination of broad flood and stunning throw. It's reminiscent of the old super high output incandescent custom light era.
There's a 15 percent discount code for the FF5GT at Nealsgadgets.com, code NDNA. Ships August 8th.
. Based on my experience with the FF5, I strongly recommend the FF5GT as the best affordable HID light I know. I look forward to reviews.
Have fun!
Thank you very much for your information and especially for your advice.
Bigger reflector
Sorry, grin, I believe the FF5 and FF5GT are identical physical chassis/reflector. Both spec w 95mm head, 200mm length, and 750g weight. Only the ballast electronics given a major boost in output from 100W/42W to 150W/50W.
I did some thorough investigation and discovered there was an 8 cell battery briefly in production 2 years ago for the FF5, but it was Asian market only and discontinued after only selling a few units. Shame because it would give at least a practical 90 min (on 5K lumen low). At least there are plenty of the well made 4x 18650 accessory battery carriers ($30) available to be able to quick change.
For those that want to get a much better idea of the FF5GT, here is the FF5 thread, with some great beamshots (including comparing to the SBT90.2).
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/62843
For Fedtro,
sei il benvenuto amico mio. Ti incoraggio vivamente ad acquistare la FF5GT. la qualità del fascio è sorprendente, a differenza di qualsiasi LED. Scegli la versione 4300K con un portabatteria di scorta e 8 batterie Samsung 30Q. Sono sicuro che sarai molto felice. divertiti e abbi cura di te!
+1
Lol
For Ocelot,
thank you I think I will buy ... my first HID
Yes I know so I will wait until they increse the size of the reflector.
The ff4 and ff5 reflector focal length is the same. If you plot the curve to get the reflector to 150mm wide it becomes 210mm deep.
Hello Grin,
I'm afraid we would have to wait quite a long time for a total redesign (FF6?) with a larger reflector. I was quite surprised by the FF5GT, that after two years they would only change the electronics. Seems to me a minimal cost change justified by limited sales volume expectations.
I think FireFoxes must be a relatively low volume manufacturer. The only other company I know (China based) making a series of upgraded HID handheld lights is Microfire (Warrior series) over 15 years and their current offerings are unobtanium four figure $$$$ lights like the OptiSpike 50 and 90 [20 Mcd!!!], which are LEP designs.
The other two high quality HID handhelds I know of are also four figure $$$$: the Polarion model line and Xevision/Lemax LX70 , $1500-3500+.
With that in mind, the FF5/FF5GT is an incredible value for the money. I would love to see a 150mm head design from FF but that would entail a very expensive redesign and I think HID is now such a niche market it may well be the stuff of dreams.
200W+ high output, 21700 batteries, and a 150mm to 200mm large head... (with carrying handle) under $600 and THATS my wish list for an FF6.
What say you, FireFoxes? I'd sell my kidney on eBay for two!
Dare to Dream!
[quote=Ocelot]
Ciao Grin,
Temo che dovremo aspettare un bel po' per una riprogettazione totale (FF6?) con un riflettore più grande. Sono rimasto abbastanza sorpreso dalla FF5GT, che dopo due anni avrebbero cambiato solo l'elettronica. Mi sembra una variazione di costo minima giustificata da aspettative di volume di vendita limitato.
Penso che FireFoxes debba essere un produttore di volume relativamente basso. L'unica altra azienda che conosco (con sede in Cina) che produce una serie di luci portatili HID aggiornate è Microfire (serie Warrior) da oltre 15 anni e le loro offerte attuali sono luci unobtanium a quattro cifre $$$$ come OptiSpike 50 e 90 [20 Mcd! !!], che sono design LEP.
Gli altri due palmari HID di alta qualità che conosco sono anche a quattro cifre $$$$: la linea di modelli Polarion e Xevision/Lemax LX70, $ 1500-3500+.
Con questo in mente, la FF5/FF5GT ha un incredibile rapporto qualità-prezzo. Mi piacerebbe vedere un design della testa da 150 mm di FF, ma ciò comporterebbe una riprogettazione molto costosa e penso che HID sia ora un mercato così di nicchia che potrebbe essere roba da sogni.
200 W+ ad alto rendimento, 21700 batterie e una testa larga da 150 mm a 200 mm... (con maniglia per il trasporto) a meno di $ 600 e QUESTA è la mia lista dei desideri per un FF6.
Che ne dici, Firefox? Venderei il mio rene su eBay per due!
Abbiate il coraggio di sognare!
I think that a future FF6 as you described it even with a longer battery tube with 8x 21700 would appeal to many for search and rescue, especially considering that a HID has higher output run times better than any LED.
[/Citazione]
HIDs give up a lot compared to LEDs. They require really complicated drivers with HF/HV starters (they need 15-20kV to start the arc) usually running a DC to AC converter. The cheaper ones run DC and it’s not as good as an AC output for consistency (AC drivers are more expensive). Ideally, they are suited to run on 12-24 volts input. There’s a 10-15 second warm up time until the beam reaches max intensity (and correct CCT) as well.
So yes, runtime is meh, you have way fewer modes and decreased usability, plus you don’t have “instant on” like LED either. Compared to a Acebeam K75 or BLF GT90 or even the OG BLF GT with xhp35 HI, the LED lights are better choices. However The cool-factor with HIDs is super high though!
Yes HID is fun. I would like a LX70 but probably never own one. If there is an FF6 with 150mm head there is no doubt I will own one.
With 150mm head you are looking at an MF05 sized light. The reflector focal lengths of both are close to each other. 150w the thing would be a beast of a light!!!
I do have an ff4 and an MF05 that are in bits because I had an idea to build my own
Wow I hadn’t heard about this. I have the 4300K FF5 and the beam is indeed gorgeous but it’s tempting to get the 6000 for the wow factor
Ah I decided to go with the 4300K. Can’t wait to get this bad boy
The biggest wow factor light I ever owned was an in-house designed limited production handheld HID made by the company XeRay/XeVision called the "Barn Burner" 75W 7500 lumens circa 2005. Back then 35W HIDs were the rage and the Barn Burner was like the BLF GT94X to them, except constant full regulated output for almost 2 hours with a rechargeable Liion pack. How many LEDs produce over 1 Mcd for 2 hours and this was 17 years ago!
Grin, I'm dying to see your MF5 HID hybrid project come to pass. I urge you to contact the owner of XeRay for tech support/design help. I remember him to be an encyclopedia of HID wisdom and eager to assist with any questions.
True that HID requires complex driver electronics and is power hungry, yet the cool factor is off the charts and ridiculous fun to use. The spectral response mimics the broad even curve of sunlight with very narrow peaks in green (535nm) and red (600nm), far superior to the roller coaster shapes of LED curves. With the FF5, warmup time was less than 5 seconds to full 100W output. The fun factor alone should drive our hobby interest, and the FF5GT will deliver inquantity!
The only other affordable handheld HID searchlight I know of is the Lightforce 50W 5000K models (around $250). They require a 12V external power source, but have large 170mm and 240mm focusable head designs (7 and 10 inch reflectors). Just add a 12V SLA battery in a backpack and -presto- search and rescue kit for under $300! Here's the link:
https://www.lightforce.com/en_us/products/searchlights/hid-searchlights
Even though HID is a bit of throwback novelty, I think anyone considering themselves an enthusiast owes it to experience it firsthand. I think the FF5GT might have the same wow factor as my beloved Barn Burner did a lifetime ago.
It's all about laughing out loud, overall....
The MF5 HID project is really interesting, I think a smaller host like that of the MF04 would be fine, of course with an 8x 21700 battery pack, it would be more compact and would not affect the performance too much, I really hope that someone can make it as a prototype and in the future market it.
[quote=Ocelot]
[/Citazione]
My friend, I bought it today and I'm already happy ...