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 $$$$ lights like the OptiSpike 50 and 90 [20 Mcd!!!], which are LEP designs.
The other two high quality HID handhelds I know of are also four figure $$$$: the Polarion model line and Xevision/Lemax LX70 , $1500-3500+.
With that in mind, the FF5/FF5GT is an incredible value for the money. I would love to see a 150mm head design from FF but that would entail a very expensive redesign and I think HID is now such a niche market it may well be the stuff of dreams.
200W+ high output, 21700 batteries, and a 150mm to 200mm large head... (with carrying handle) under $600 and THATS my wish list for an FF6.
What say you, FireFoxes? I'd sell my kidney on eBay for two!
Temo che dovremo aspettare un bel po' per una riprogettazione totale (FF6?) con un riflettore più grande. Sono rimasto abbastanza sorpreso dalla FF5GT, che dopo due anni avrebbero cambiato solo l'elettronica. Mi sembra una variazione di costo minima giustificata da aspettative di volume di vendita limitato.
Penso che FireFoxes debba essere un produttore di volume relativamente basso. L'unica altra azienda che conosco (con sede in Cina) che produce una serie di luci portatili HID aggiornate è Microfire (serie Warrior) da oltre 15 anni e le loro offerte attuali sono luci unobtanium a quattro cifre $$$$ come OptiSpike 50 e 90 [20 Mcd! !!], che sono design LEP.
Gli altri due palmari HID di alta qualità che conosco sono anche a quattro cifre $$$$: 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.
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
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:
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.
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.
I was so close to preordering the FF5GT a week ago, I had the money set aside but hesitated! I really wish i found this thread! I was most worried about not knowing anything about HID, and i was worried about durability? Is that a concern? I mean i wont be back packing with it of course lol, but if it gets accidentally bumped will the "bulb" be at risk for breaking? Are they replaceable by the user? I do modify LED lights.
The FF5 was around 2 or so years ago when i first got into this hobby, and i could never imagine spending $300 on a flashlight back then. Today, well now that is not a limiting factor for me thankfully!
I have come to LOVE neutral to warm tints, and the biggest intrigue to me beside the crazy output and candela was everything i hear about how Wonderful the 4300k tint is!
I dont care about runtimes, if i can get 8 minutes on High Mode and only have 2 modes, that is totally fine! Its that perfect ~4000k tint I'm dreaming about! And the awesome candela!
What do you think? Someone twist my arm in to buying this thing!
Hey so I bought the FF5 a few years ago in 4300K and it’s magnificent. It creates a massive beam that looks like it shines forever. It doesn’t get hot even on turbo and I’ve gone on walks for like an hour and had no issues with battery life. That being said, I bought an extra battery carrier and keep it with me so I can swap it out. I also bought the accessories to fix it but I doubt I’d be able to figure that out.
My GT just shipped. I can’t wait to get this thing
Here's a six minute Chinese language video comparing the FF5GT and Acebeam K75 with some great outdoor beamshot scenes that begin at the 2 minute mark. Best view in full screen mode.
...and another comparing the Acebeam K75, the FF5 from 2 years ago in 4300K, and the mega beast Mateminco 90plus (Astrolux MF05): the superlative iteration of the SBT90.2 ($600+)
You’ll know it’s worth it the first time you turn it on high and watch it get brighter and brighter. My FF5 took maybe 10 seconds to reach full power. Don’t turn it on and off quickly as that lowers the lifetime of the filament
Has anyone received their FF5GT yet and compared it to the regular FF5? I’m seeing from initial posts that the lumen output is only slightly more than the FF5 and completely missing the 15k lumen mark. Side by side comparisons between the two doesn’t show any difference. I’m just hoping this is an outlier and other samples will be more on point with the improved specs.
I own and love my 2 year old 4300K FF5 and was really surprised by the FF5GT. Given the identical head/body design with boosted electronics I don't expect a large difference in output.
The eye's logarithmic nature for brightness sensitivity requires a doubling in light output power to result in a noticeable increase in brightness. Twice as bright requires 4X the output power. Herein is the law of diminishing returns of the lumenmonsters and its very important to consider.
Comparing the FF5 to FF5GT, from 10K to 15K (spec) lumens (even though it seems a big increase) isn't going to knock your socks off, despite numerically a 50% increase, its only half of the power increase necessary for a significantly noticable brighter beam.
A major constraint is the relatively compact 90mm reflector head. Great for portability, but it cries out for a 150mm or larger head design, which would yield 3+ Mcd.
FF5 specs at 1Mcd on high, compared to 1.4 Mcd with the FF5GT. The range difference at the hotspot should be noticeably better as opposed to overall brightness of the beam.
The most important consideration is the beam profile, which is very broad and evenly intense coupled with the intrinsic HID jaw dropping center spot. It casts a nice wide field of illumination downrange, which to my eyes is substantially more useful than an Acebeam K75 for example.
