Sorry to hear that about your fandyfire and HD2010. Are you sure yours are ok? Do you have any measurements like tailcap reading or something?
Having lived in this house many years and having always been interested in charts and topography ( I am a master navigator as well as marine engineer) I was thrilled when google maps came online with the sattelite pictures. Since then I have mapped distances and angles as well as some interesting heights out using simple mathematics/tools and google earth/maps.
The distances I mention for the dogs may vary a little maybe 15 meters. But the trees, buildings and landmarks don't. So I think my distances are ok.
As for ANSI throw:
If the requirement for light on target is 0,25 lux as stated in the ANSI standard then I believe the throw of this light would be:
sqrt(55000)/0,25=938 meters. That is not what I see.
But if we say that the throw of this light is enough to identify landmarks such as trees, bushes, sheds and outhouses then we can go back through the numbers and say that I need sqrt(55000)/400 meters=0,69 lux.
Note that the experience of light is wholly individual and dependant on eyesight and experience. I've spent a good deal of my grown up life staring out of windows at the night, looking for a sea boy, a navigation light on another ship or the stars for navigation. I think that helps also.
Ledsmoke when did you order you light and how long did it take. I placed my order for one on 6/21/12 and all it shows is payment confirmed. I emailed them a week or so ago and they said that the A60 and another item were out of stock!!
Both with 4.20v Trustfire 3000s. So they are both performing optimally, I think.
I know for a fact that your Jacod A60 WILL NOT throw well enough to identify something like a deer, dog, or person at 400 yds. Sure it might light up a white barn or shed but probably only enough to tell that it is a building.
For instance, last night I went out just to confirm (to myself) that my STL-V6 and HD2010 didn’t have usable throw at 400yds. There is a creek 408yds away (measured with Nikon Rangefinder) with a mix of oak and maple trees. The trees on average stand 50ft tall. I was barely able to see that they were there. When I say barely I mean I had to really try and let my eyes distinguish whether or not I was actually seeing them. From memory during the day I could remember about how high they should stand and only then could I faintly see them. There could have been a blaze orange elephant by one of the trees and I never would have been able to see it, it was that dim.
I’m not sure why a lot of people seem to exaggerate things (gas mileage in their vehicles especially) but it’s not right IMO. Maybe some don’t see it as exaggerating but merely as just meeting a different level of standards? :~ I feel that it is only right to help others who are looking at these threads, some posting but most just observing, looking for a great thrower. I have no doubt that the A60 is a great light. It is on my “To Buy” list when I have some funds. I just don’t think it is a light that I would grab for if I am wanting to see if there are deer in the pasture 300+yds away.
And here’s the Olight M3X at same distance and settings as above to compare to one of the best XM-L throwers. And no the Jacob doesn’t beat it, but for its size and cost it’s one bad momma.
The ANSI/NEMA FL1 standard for flashlight performance specification sets the target illuminance for throw calculation at 0.25 lux, which is about full moonlight.
Of course that’s not enough for targets like deer against bushy background, but uses/environments differ and a common standard was needed as a means of comparison. We must take it for what it is.
I said that because I assumed your first picture was with no zoom because you didn’t specify. That’s why I doubted the distance. That’s the only reason I replied “10x?” because it was zoomed in immensely.
All kidding beside you have confirmed by point that I expressed earlier. Even at 350yds (I trust your numbers) you can only see the white building and the tree silhouettes. I think you would agree that 400yds is to much to claim for this light? Do you have any pictures of the beam against natural environments? Not something white?
I completely agree. I just know from experience when I first entered the hobby. That people throw out some pretty crazy numbers like 600yds, etc. It just sets up people to be disappointed unless searching for white buildings is what they are looking for.
I agree for someone that doesn’t “need” a throw light but merely wants to see how far they can squeeze each lumen. Even if it seems non-existent at that distance is a concept that I simply can comprehend.
And you have to remember those far shots are 1 sec manual shutter speed and not the longer exposure speeds that some may post. Those pictures at 350yds may even underscore the actual beam. But one thing I do know is that I’m not over exagerrating them either.
