From my noobish point of view.
a) tf x100 fits into ur price range.
b) x100 have 3000+ lumens otf.
c) i guess x100 might be possible.
d) x100 i try full power on 4pc 26650, 30 mins no problem.
e)i dunno how to answer this.
f) x100 flood more then my J18, throw further, also defensive/offensive weapon better.
Also sharing my thoughts as this is my dilemma too previously.
I need several lights for my usage & my biggest was J18, i was also stuck with choices like SKyRay 9 x T6 or TF AK 47 or Ak 48(12 LED) ; other 12 x T6 or X100(7 led like my J18).
AK 47 was my was one of my first choice as got poison by Richie’s thread.
However, i went TF-X100 & HID route. HID is due to after Richie’s explanation & his expertise with the light after the driver went in.
I believe the main concern with all lights after driver is the HEAT issue, my usage is mostly longer time, so HID suits me better…
So putting the HID aside.
LEDs to LEDs…
Why did i choose TF-X100 over Ak 47 (9led), AK 48(12led)?
All of them have OTF 3000+ lumens from infos such as calculations & real world tested + photoshots by gurus here.
1stly, is due to the massive head. I still have not open up my x100 to see inside, so base on physics (use my car”s brake kits’s rotor analogy),bigger can disperse more head/absorb more heat before brake fade.
X100’s head is almost 1.5 times or 1.8 times bigger then J18’s head. I try to take photo comparing X100 & J18 size later, hv to work in a bit.
So if i want to put in drivers to have more lumens:
- The heat output from 7 leds should be lesser then 9 leds or 12 leds (if i understand correctly after put in driver, each led will be given X amount of watt no matter 7,9,or 12 led ; or i am wrong?), thus the X100’s head
might maybe just be able to disperse heat enough for the 7 LEDs because even if i put in drivers, i will need to gun them at high power for at least 20 mins. Keeping my fingers crosses nothing melts.
2) During the time wen i order X100, the shop also have ak 47, i ask the person to compare both of them on video & show me. X100’s head is still looks bigger.
Hope it helps.
EDITED: Photo to show the diff in size of X100 & J18.
Dun understand why it does not show out on forum? But click on the link & photo will show up
Cigarette box is just as a gauge of size/scale. The middle left most shows J18 head is being place inside of X100’s head.
Pardon the poor quality photo, only have iphone…
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/icopulate/compare.jpg