Thanks for a suggestion, but I want something “throwier” than a 1405. I dont care whether it costs 40$ or 70$. Or slightly more. If there is a considerably better thrower than a 1405 that does not cost me an arm and a leg, I want it. I would rather pay more for something more powerful than trying to save and end up with something mediocre. I want the best (within some budget :D), not just something fairly good. I can not say I have ” no expenses spared” attitude, but 600+ kcd is going to cost a bit, thats a plain fact.
I strongly prefer a LED flashlight. HID torches have more disadvantages than advantages for me.
So is there something more powerful than a Courui big head with a 86mm KD reflector at a good price? If not, my next question is, what is a better emitter choice- an overdriven xm-l2 or xp-g2?
Are there actually no xm-l2 leds running at 7 amps??? Then I am sorry, because I am just a noob, and I really thought there were xm-l2s driven at 7amps when I saw the graphs :_( It is all based on these images -
Since those measurements were taken, there was some (undocumented?) changes to the manufacturing process, & the more recent XM-L2’s have a higher vF, & will burn out the bond wires prior to hitting 7 Amps.
I thought that was a problem of the newest tints only, but it is apparently a far more complex issue. So what would be the best emitter-driver choice for my thrower project?
How about using a BLF DD driver? That should work even on 1s ( 3x 18650 wired in a parallel) as long as it is paired with 1 xp-g2 or xm-l2, am I right?
OK, so a BLF DD driver can run one xm-l2 or xp-g2 on 1s voltage right? I will probably stick with this driver. It would be quite pointless to use a 7 or 8 amp driver, rewire cells into a series and then smoke all xm-l2s.
The next question is the emitter. What would be a better choice with this driver? I have red a few threads about wiring cells in a Corui in a series in, but it takes more time than I am willing to put into this light (I dont have much time…).
BTW, I have 3 xm-l2 U2 1A leds I bought last summer and never used, are they “old” enough to handle 7amps or not?
You guys are correct; By the time you have bought all of the ‘go fast’ parts for the D01, you are almost approaching the $$ for a high-end light.
But still, you will have to do some (relatively minor) mods, & you are still at least 100k short of the OP’s goal.
Picking up a 2nd hand K50 & putting in a de-domed XP-G2 would get him there.
If he’s light on time, it’s probably the way to go.
If he only want’s to spend ~$80, then he will have to make the time to get all the parts & mod the D01, or another light with a large reflector installed.
Now I am really confused.
Lets say I have worked hard and now want to play hard and I have a certain amount of money I have no use for and I want a thrower. The goal is 600+ kcd. What should I do? The price difference is negligible. The budget is limited to 100$ or so. What will be the safest and the most throwing option? I really dont like tinkering and modding high end stuff, mistakes and errors can be pretty expensive.
Would a KD reflector with a dedomed overdriven xp-l or xm-l2 be the best choice? Or a KD reflector with a dedomed overdriven xp-g2? Or some stock light like tn31 or K40 with minor mods???
Forget the TN31/K40 if you are set on 600+ kcd. The reflector simply is not large enough, which is why I suggested the K50. Swap in a de-domed XP-G2 on copper, & that should be it.
There may be another large reflector candidate other than the K50 as well.
The D01 mod is a _lot_ of work. Plenty of stuff to go wrong if you mess up. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, then go with the easier option.
Which is why I also suggested you the above two options. I am not sure about the EagTac M25C2, but the Wolf-Eyes SEAL runs with 7135 based driver, which you can easily bump up the current by adding more 7135 chips on it.
LED wise of course you should go with the ‘standard route’ - Dedomed XP-G2 S3, or S4, not sure what is the latest and brightest bin nowadays, I have lost track of flashlight stuffs recently lol.
Dedomed emitter on DTP MCPCB + high current + big a lens/reflector, that is the recipe for 600kcd. The Wolf-Eyes SEAL is still considered expensive but maybe you can contact different vendors privately for potential discounts.