That is sweet. I hope manufacturers will see there’s more interest in going “short” than having extra extension tubes. On a 2-cell light, I’d rather have an 18650-sized tube included for 2 * 18350. We’re smart enough to realize it still needs 2 cells, if it does (just tell us).
Link for the KD lens, please? I’m guessing this is the best all-around lens you’ve found for your purpose—which is valuable.
Why did you ditch the Crelant lens? I might have missed some discussion on this somewhere else. What’s the comparison? I’d be kind of surprised that the oh-so-high-end Crelant lens is inferior to a random compatible kaidomain offering (not sure how we’re defining “inferior” here yet though). So 35 bucks just for a housing to put the lens in? Collimators like yours don’t have reflectors in them, do they? Would that waste less light, or just send light scattering outside of your beam?
This thing’s not too heavy on your rig?
Why not push the XPE2 to 2 amps?
I’m wondering if there’s a cheaper way to duplicate the crux of this setup, centered around that KD lens and a short length? Maybe a lens inside a Jacob A60? Although I like that width.
I’m guessing you’re using two Ultrafire 18350 li-ions in there?
I haven’t spent any real money on a dedicated thrower (should we call it a “spotting light” or “scope light”?). I was tending towards a Convoy L2, but I’m coming to the conclusion that the least spill is the best, if you just want to see far. I’d imagine spill can spook game/advertise your location more, plus blind you from seeing what’s way out there. I read in another thread about boaters who pick up buoys at night, need zero spill if possible, otherwise they can’t see them for the waves close-up. In another thread, an author retrieving trailcam pics wrote about being aware a cougar was in the area, and feeling naked not being able to see far into the woods with all the spill from his light (I’d have at least 2 lights in that case).
I’ve also noticed light through a lens is more “coherent”. Hard to explain, but I do know that focused light will send a usable beam right through window screen, whereas reflector light gets hung up on the screen, and you can barely see outside. I’ve never really understood why it’s so different. I think there’s more there, though, if I can understand it. Some despise the projection of the die, but I’ve always found it really cool.
Are X*-*2’s better for focused beams, due to their smoother phosphor (lack of current sinks, or whatever those ‘bars’ are)?
