In other words, no need to be overly concerned about reduced HID bulb longevity.
I have an FF4 too. It does project a very bright, very far and wide beam of glorious light…. more than any multi-emitter light I own (stock and modified).
But…if it’s the only light you will own (and I doubt it is), then it’s an impractical beast to use as it eats batteries like crazy with a 2000-lumen low mode and can fry an egg…
A flashaholic should own a good HID though…it’s a different animal, so to speak.
Go for it
Low mode-24 watts-is about 3000 lumens. Not 2000 lumens.
40 watt mode mode is a generous 5000+ lumens.
And yes, help me convince Big C that it is a wonderful flashlight.
Thanks Tatasol!
Glad that you like yours, It’s a beast if you need it.
Yes, I am aware that it exceeds the factory rating of a 2000-lumen low mode @ 24w, as well as the other modes for that matter, as tested by RDfronty, if I remember right.
Thanks for the concern.
As a former owner of this light, the 60W version, it was great, but has some serious issues;
1. Lots of issues with the battery carrier for many people. I had to send mine back for repair.
2. You can only enter turbo ONCE after which you must turn the light off in order to enter it again.
3. In a warm environment even the low mode will get too hot.
4. Eats batteries fast.
5. Once you do a turbo run, you will need to allow it to cool down.
6. If the light gets HOT, you will want to turn it off, preferably take batteries out, and it will actually get hotter before it cools off, so it's out of commission for ~10 minutes or so.
7. Like all HIDs it needs to warm up.
Don't get me wrong, I like it, and I certainly don't regret buying one, but having had it, I can't help but to think LED lights are superior in most applications.
If an FF5 with active cooling, and carrying 8 batteries instead of 4 came out, I would grab one, but until then the FF4 just isn't practical to me.
As an alternative, I very strongly suggest getting an Acebeam X60, dedomed, and with a current bump. You'll get ~6000 lumens from it, and ~500kcd.
A modded RC40 would also work, but the price tag would be steeper, and output not quite as high.
Wow! That is a lot of negatives! I learned more about HID lights by reading your post and others.
I would NOT even consider one just on these THREE points alone!
2. You can only enter turbo ONCE after which you must turn the light off in order to enter it again.
3. In a warm environment even the low mode will get too hot.
6. If the light gets HOT, you will want to turn it off, preferably take batteries out, and it will actually get hotter before it cools off, so it’s out of commission for ~10 minutes or so.
It is more than “Maybe 1500 OTF” and probably 100 lumens or so under my 2000 estimate. 
Mine is updated from the V1.9 “Prototype” and is the “V4” version.It has a revised driver I believe RMM designed with thermal protection and driven a little more. It is probably 1800 to 1900 OTF! Hopefully Justin will get this version to test and verify output.
Here are Justins[JMPaul320] measurements of the PROTOTYPE.
Fenix Tk61vn V1.9 prototype
Samsung 20r
1630@ turn on
1554@ 30 sec
920 high
531 mid
189 low
Throw - 741,000 lux
which differences are between the 60W and the newer 65W version ?
I was PM by the maker of Firefox via Facebox.
Other than the cosmetic changes which are minimal. They use the same exact bulb and its said to drive the bulb slightly more current with the 65WATT difference. I was also told lux is unchanged and the lumen output is negligible.
Best,
bigC
That would make the 60W version more appealing if anything.
I once saw a photo of the 65w version and noticed that it has a stainless steel bezel, though I’m not 100% on that.
That's basically it.
On the 60W version there is threading though, so you can use a camera lens cover. You can probably just unscrew the steel bezel.
You have identical issues I face with my MTG2 copper custom builds. Run hot, too hot to hold after 3~5min, drain cells fast at 5A~7A.
The only difference you mentioned is the battery carrier needing service, but other than that I have exact same issues with my 40~50WATT MTG2 2D Mag builds. That’s why I carry 2 of them in my Wrangler. Use one for a couple minutes, than the other to let the first one cool. Kinda annoying to do it this way, so nothing new here.
Ill look into the ACEBEAM X60. thanks,
bigC
X60 also can't be left running on turbo indefinitely. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any ~3500+ lumen light that can be left on at turbo without overheating, or having the light turn itself down (TK76 for example will turn itself down if it's getting too hot, or batteries are running low).
don’t buy the X60 or X60M without asking…
My TK75vn KT is “close” to 3500 lumens/341Kcd.
Fenix Tk75vn XML2 PDT KT burn in edition
Sony vtc5
3184@ turn on
In the summer I run it 15 to 20 minutes on turbo. Dial down to Medium or Low for 3 minutes,right back to Turbo again if I want.
In the Fall, Winter and most of the Spring I can run it on turbo for the duration of the battery charge……Minus split second step downs!
I guess “close” does not count except for horseshoes and hand grenades! lol!!,Close enough for me!
The X60 (and all other Supbeam/Acebeam lights that recharge cells inside the light) have problems that the manufacturer refuses to repair. The battery charging system was poorly designed and does not balance charge the cells, resulting in excessive heat and wear on the lowest voltage cell(s) during discharge.
Also, the control ring was poorly designed. The light does not maintain a constant output setting and varies in brightness (dim, bright, dim, bright, etc). Sometimes it even goes into strobe mode all by itself. Of the three X60 flashlights I received, two of them have been returned to the manufacturer because they didn’t work properly.
I closed the X60 group buy sale and am working with several others and the Consumer Product Safety Commission in preparation of having their product lines banned for sale within the US. Acebeam is aware of this and refuses to do anything to help us.
Sales thread:
Discussion thread: Supbeam X60 Group Buy - Interest and Discussion Thread - Dangerous problem discovered!
The X60 random mode changing is not something I've seen on any of the three X60's I've handled... they were all either stock, or modded by Vinh though, not the new factory 6500 lumen versions.
Still a good light imho, just so long as you don't use the in light charging, which personally I never do.
@wolfdog1226 I Agree the TK75vnKT comes pretty close, I have a fiat lux model, and I do like it a lot, but it does still have the drawback that it can't be left on unattended, even the stock version.
One very appealing point of HID's over the LED lights, is the beam pattern... to me the difference between a TK61vn and FF4 was mostly lighting up an area at a distance vs lighting up a spot.
My Question sir is “Why would you leave it unattended?! I do not tail stand my TK75vn to light up a room I use it outside on the trails as its intended!!!,No draw back for me…………!
After this I don’t want to take anymore space/time away from the OP’S,OT! :bigsmile:
The most likely scenario is it gets borrowed by someone, who despite warning, will still leave it on turbo without actually holding it. - Incidentally that's also the reason I no longer let most people borrow anything beyond a AA powered light.
For ceiling bounce TK75 level 2-3 is more than enough imho.