XP-L vs XM-L2 OTF Tests

XP-L and XM-L2 have the same size die (the semiconductor chip covered with the yellow phosphor, the part the light comes from), throw will be the same. XP-G2 has a much smaller die. The dome makes the apparent die size larger (like a magnifying lens). Remove the dome and the die, as the reflector/optics see it, gets smaller.

pflexpro, can you test T6 3C vs V4 3D, like the 5V vs U2 the V4 should be slightly above T6.
For me as like for many others 3C has that unwanted slight greenish in it V4 3D seems like a great pinkier/neutral alternative to 3C. I've some XP-L V4 3D on the way.

XP-L V4 vs XM-L2 T6

Actually here are some other comparisons from the CREE PCT.

XP-L V5 vs XM-L2 U2

XP-L V6 vs XM-L2 U3

Thanks for doing a side-by-side for us.

I do like the power/tint combo on the XP-L, since I'm more of a 2C/3C kind of guy than a 1A kind of guy.

Rumor has it that the U3 binned XM-L2s are going to be coming out soon, which may level the playing field yet again.

can you reveal the source of this rumor?

If I told you I'd have to kill you! Well, I don't wanna say who it was because I'm not sure on the timeframe, and there have been delays before on this sort of stuff, but I would rate the source as "highly credible".

They already has been out for a long time but in very small numbers.
Cutter have them : U3 in 1C tint and U2 in neutral white.

could you tell us who after it is released?

If it were any chinese website i would assume it was a fake, but cutter has a good reputation to lose if they are lying

Could you share the data for all 4 samples instead of just the emitter averages? It would be interesting to see the spread within the emitters as a backdrop to the spread between them. Especially given all the variances just in the data sheets.

I thought the TangsFire C8 8W XM-L2 U3 1300LM Aluminum Alloy Flashlight Black from here TangsFire-C8-8W-XM-L-U3-1300LM already had a XM-L2 U3?

Sure - TangsFire has a U3. It's a Chinese U3 Smile. The only real U3 in a light I'm aware of was the ArmyTek, but they ran out pretty quick. Since there was a real CREE batch of U3's released a while back, all the marketing hyped Chinese sources claimed they had them. I finally had enough of these false claims and proved it by comparing one source's claimed U3 to T6's and found the T6's equal or brighter, and U2's definitely brighter. If they claim U3, like TansgFire, chances it's a T6 at best.

Yeah, my $12 Ultrafire C12 I bought last year also came with an "XM-L2 U3", it even says it on the side!

iOS has them and I will have them soon.

Surprised - now this I'm feel'n!! "Trust in Hank" - the only trustyworthy source on that side of the planet. Illumn, IOS, MtnE, Cutter - only ones I know of to trust bins and tints from.

Thanks Richard, you work very hard for us and it’s greatly appreciated!

Thes are the XP-L dyes - interesting because the early availability of "2A" match's well to the XP-L's.

I bought 10 XML-2 U3 2C tints from Cutter a while ago. I went back 2 weeks later and bought the last of their stock which was about 4. As far as I know they have not had any since. I have in the one light, its a triple, two of the XML-2 U3 2C and one XML-2 U2 2C and I think I can tell the leds apart shining the light on a wall up close with brightness but probably kidding myself. Heres three of the most scientific pictures l've ever taken with the light rotated each picture.

Looking at these shots you can pick it.

U2 is on top in the middle picture? (you should consider a carreer in science Steve, looking good! :bigsmile: )

how about mouser?

If you could get specific tint info from Mouser, yes. I know in the past all they had was the range grouping. DigiKey of course, as well - not sure if they carry much though.

The problem with Mouser & Digikey is that they're expensive compared to the other options. Even buying 500 LEDs they are still a little bit more expensive than what I charge for the bare LEDs! The only way to come out ahead is to buy 1,000.