I dont know wether its inconsistant quality or just user differences with MM and tailcap readins , mine reads 2.4 with my MM using heavy leads and my SF MPP1 pulls 0.78a on same fresh SF batt and leads ...theres just to much room for differences ie batt types MM's leads ect seems everyone will always get differing readings unless we all sync'd with same batt's MM's ect ..lol..that aint happenen ...either way it throws a ton'a light and im real happy with it ... it was an ebay purchase not MF ..I wont hesitate on purchase due to tailcap readins of others or you'l never buy because theres always differences
Current draws vary between samples of the same model even with regulating drivers, more so with direct drives. Internal resistance between multimeters varies a lot and even the thickest leads cannot entirely obviate the current reduction that the inclusion of the meter is imposing.
So yes, the comparison between readings carried out by different people on DD flashlights is unreliable.
yeah go's to show its wise to use tailcap readings as a rough guide only , my x9 's a great light to say the least , took it out bush last night for a shootout along with the Solarfoce MMP 1 head on L2T body ,both loaded with fresh SF protected cells ....both lights a good throwers the MMP1 nice tight clean beam plenty'a throw for my use hunting , the x9 fantastic to just light'em up throws as far as the MP plenty'a usefull spill but no so much as to greatly hinder ya night vision . both lights are very well made and look to be water thight
just took these readings now using
4.21 v solarforce protected Battery
my MultiMetre thick leads
x9
2.2a
I was naive and tried 2xCR123 before I ever tried 18650 because I didn't have any around at the time. They were at 3V and it ran without any poof. I only had it on for maybe 15 seconds.
Did the brightness seem like it was 2.6A when you were getting low readings? I ask , because i get 1.6A with my HF DMM and the output is not very bright . I don't want to buy an expensive DMM and have high readings and the output not show it.
@gen1.3 My x9 is very bright and has been since I got it. There is no doubt that it is driven at 2.6. That’s why I decided to get a new DMM. I knew it was reading low. Still read low until I got good leads.
Ian, I have tried 2 CR123a's with no problems. It puts out about 40K lux compared to 36K with an 18650.
It is noticeably brighter when shining on far away objects. The longest I've had it on at one time is 30 sec. Ive already gone thru a pair of cells and I'm on my 2nd set.
Make sure you check the current first to see if your X9 can handle it.
I use the equus 3320 multimeter. It is talked about in the Harbor Freight DMM thread. Bought it at walmart. The leads that came with it were very thin, got low readings. I put a set of leads from an OLD harbor freight DMM on it and now the tailcap readings seem to be right on. The Harbor Freight leads are pretty thick, I don’t think the newer ones are as nice.
My meter seems not to work properly and relied just on post made here and what my eyes perceive in terms of brightness, also compared the X9 amp draw with my 2.5a ultrafire driver and thats how I came up with my numbers. Will have to buy first a better Multi meter.
Is there a way to know if the driver could handle 2xCR123 without testing with batteries?