Fire-Foxes FF4 HID Flashlight Review (As usual, picture heavy)

This, and the VN costs more. I imagine it wont handle the heat those emitters produce as well as the HID handles the minimal amount of heat generated.

It really depends on the batteries used and the mode.
With Panasonic 3400Ah NCR18650B, runtime should be 60+ minutes on 40W before it shuts down, and probably 75+ minutes on 24W.

60W shuts off within 5 minutes no matter what batteries you use, due to the thermal switch being tripped.

Although the thermal switch would probably trip before any of the aforementioned runtimes are reached

True, the MM15 will be a ridiculous wall of light, like a SRK on steroids. I imagine the FFIV would be like a TK75 on steroids (alot of throw and spill)

On the early ones there were some focus issues, mine was around the 350 kcd mark after burn in. It is possible to adjust the focus but it is not a couple of minutes work. A friend worked with mine and got to over 460 kcd but we knocked it back to 400 kcd as I preferred the beam pattern.

Bulbs are readily available as are carriers, the last time I asked the ballasts as well, though whether if you lived in the States the lipslockin still applied I don’t know. AFAIK the only problems in the wild concerned a few carriers. There is a five year warranty on them anyway, applies with the lipslockin I presume?

Couple of things, Turbo is limited by a timer to 3 minutes not by a thermal switch.

If Turbo is not used, my standard FF4 has never thermally switched down to low from high, but then I live in the UK.

Concerning batteries, although the panny Bs & Gs work fine as do the Sanyo blue tops, the PD/PFs are better. I have used the 30a 2200 Sony and they also work very well the Sony 30a 2600s should also be fine and would have the runtime of the blue tops. The HD cells runs cooler and are better suited to the light and a necessity for a modded 4.

As for run-times I have never managed to get anywhere near an hour on high (standard FF4), in low yes. (on Bs) But now only use pd/pfs so obviously slightly less runtime.

Edit: Sorry should have said congrats chriszhou on getting the FF4 and the review!

It's amazing that LED flashlights are only just starting to catch up. Vinh's Supbeam X60 comes very close, but at nearly double the price and no longer for sale. There are a couple other lights that can match output, but I don't think any of those also have anywhere near the same throw. I'm eager to see what the BTU Shocker v2 is going to be like.

No way would I ever say ‘minimal amount of heat generated’ with regard to a FF4… it’s small…it gets Hot, but as you said it does handle it well.

Also If you are stuck without a lighter it can ignite newspaper. Great party trick LOL :bigsmile:

Minimal compared to 2x MTG2. :stuck_out_tongue:

I think I had the giant ebay HID in mind when I typed that. The ebay hid handles the heat ridiculously well for the sheer amount of output. I can definitely see a lot more heat generated in the tiny (by comparison) FF4 package. I did happen to see a few of those burn videos with HID lights. Pretty entertaining watching someone scorch cardboard with a flashlight. :slight_smile:

Ah mt-g2s at 10A = heat = yup fun :zipper_mouth_face: I have found MT-G2s have zero chance of survival in my presence. I am zero for 6 at the moment :ghost:

Oh yes those ebay hid’s do have some beef to them, doubles up as weights for ones morning exercise :bigsmile:

I wish. On turbo the FF4 generates an absurd amount of heat. Personally after I run it for a while, 10-20 minutes max, I take it apart, take batteries out, separate out the tube and head.

The head actually gets hotter, 2-3 minutes after the light is off. You could cook on it...

No need to imagine... http://laserpointerforums.com/f66/fire-foxes-4-vs-fenix-tk75-battle-big-lights-83918.html :D

Yep, I saw that thread of yours ages ago, it’s a really nice post with good information and really great photos

I’ve always wanted one of these bad boys >)

Just tried to get one using the “FF4HIDWD” coupon, but the coupon did not work.

I’ve PM’d Cherry….but in the mean-time, is this currently the best deal for the FF4 ??

Cheers :beer:

Wonderful review, as far as i know, FF4 is the most powerful flashlight with long beam,except its “pocketable” design. I supposed that how long could FF4 run at Turbo mode. maybe 2-3 mins? it’s exactly suitable for flashight enthusias :bigsmile:

Im pretty sure theres a BG offer at US$199. Needs a code, but search the BG thread. I might be confusing it with another though…

Edit: Here ya go

Oh sorry that’s a typo.

It’s “FF4HIDWB”

It brings the price down to $208 USD, at least it did when I used it…
Personally I chose Wallbuys because it was the cheapest option, although I’m not sure whether that is still the case.

Thanks EJ

Just checked @ BG;

AU$220.69 with that code.

Still won’t accept that code - I get “Without this coupon” when I try to apply the code.

I’m logged in, & have set country to AU.

Glad you liked it! Writing the occasional "review" like that gives me a huge amount of appreciation on how much work goes into a nice one, like the one posted. I especially love the mouse over shots.

Turbo is exactly 3 minutes, but the light will also step down if it gets too hot, or the batteries aren't keeping up.

I think HID will always blow away any single led light and many multiple led lights. I still prefer HID over any led, but the price for a good one is just to much.

Great pics and mouseovers.

That may still hold true for a while, but not for long. Already LED lights are beating HIDs in throw, and with multiple LEDs in overall output. The MTG2, a single LED is being pushed to over 3000 lumens all the time now.

It just seems that while there has been an immense move forward in LED technology (from ~2006-2007 when I started paying attention) the HIDs have not kept up.

Best deal seems to be with Bang-Good with the “bgff4” coupon, but that still doesn’t bring it down to the US$199 that was in the deal thread recently.

- edit - yes it does, but I’m getting reamed when I change the currency back to $AUD :frowning:

- edit - I just partook in retail flashlight therapy… :beer: