Sorry let me explain. I really like the C2 wizard sand version and like the features of the C2. However, that version only comes with the Cree XHP50.2 which I think has a CCT of 5700k and CRI around 70. So I am afraid it might approach a bluish tint and with the low CRI not so useful. Why do they use such crappy emitter? Just to gain some lumens?
I wish I could find some measurements of this emitter, including CRI and DUV but the reviews out there don’t have them. @jon_slider do you know of any?
Ahhh I see, thank you for explaining! The XHP50.2 is one of the ugliest emitters in existence. The only, only thing going for it is that it makes lots of lumens per watt, so they are used in lights boasting high lumen numbers. For a headlamp and general use it is terrible.
100Ra just means the device’s sensitivity is not great enough to detect the difference between that and the reference spectrum. In the early days of the 519A I’ve seen at least one report of the 5700K achieving a 100.0 Ra on an Opple light meter. The issue with these meters is that they do not sample the entire spectrum, so certain pathological bits of the spectra (blue spike and cyan dip) are sometimes not picked up.
Nice catch, it is really bad indeed. I guess I am clearly steering towards one of the skillhunt. The H200 or the H04 that have the 519a. The H300 has Cree XHP50.2 high CRI, it seems to have nice tint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeYUo6mXamE but still the 519a should be better
Another interesting discussion point is battery life. The battery life seems to be higher in the C2 with 144AR compared to the H200 battery estimates with 519. I am sure there’s some thermal management also. Also the H04 has slighly longer battery time at slighly higher lumens compared to the H200, even though the driver is the same. Why would this be?
The 144AR is more powerful than 2x519A, with lower CRI, both of which improve battery life per lumen. I don’t see a 519A version of the H04, but both XPL2 and LH351D are green-tinted with lower CRI than 519A, both of which improve runtime per lumen.
Driver alone does not tell the full story, the LED used and type of secondary optic also matter in runtime.
Hi just some opinions - hope to help. I have the light you’re interested in, Skilhunt H04 w/ 519a 4500k. It’s an excellent light, like a little jewel in look and feel. The magnetic charging is great because it’s so convenient, but not great because whether around the house or travel, you have to bring that cable instead of USB-C everywhere. The headband is truly THE best in the business. As for color, it is however not rosy, more like yellow with a slight green tint. @QReciprocity is an expert in 519a (and all things flashlights) so he could chime in, but I think this yellow green tint is the reason why people dedome 519a.
The rosy tint you mention is more associated with the famous LED Nichia 219b 4500k. Incidentally this LED is available for extremely cheap in Convoy H2 headlamp (like 20 bucks or something HERE) and actually is THE most rosy of all my Nichia 219b’s 4500k by measurement and subjective look. I don’t know why, either the optics or this was early batch 219b that Simon has. That rosy tint that people talk about is IMHO not rosy at all in real life use in nature. It’s more of a whitish light (totally subjective obviously) that brings out distinct colors of nature. The Convoy H2 headlamp has ring at periphery that is seen on white-walling but doesn’t bother me one bit IRL. For anyone in the hobby, for 20 bucks I would say buy and have fun.
Unfortunately whether you like a LED’s color rendition could only be determined by having the light in person.
I have too many headlights. I have considered the H200 mostly because it’s available in 3000K. And I’ve always wanted to try that UI. Two things have held me back. I don’t like the looks of the mode spacing. And I’ve watched many videos alone and compared to others and it “appears” to me that the beam is not as wide as the armytek lights.
I am thinking of buying the H200 as well, because of triple. I don’t need the red channel and modifying mpcb to a single channel should be easy. Of course, I would fix in my own driver too. Comparing to single led we can gain about 25% + eficiency at 10W turbo mode. Same 10Watts but + 25% of brightness ;)) Can you measure driver diameter? Is it same 21mm?
@cannga thanks for the insight. Wow from the picture comparison you show you can really tell the rosy tint of the 219b. I had expected the H04 to be floodier than that.
The Convoy are definitely interesting and highly customizable. Would you happen to have a comparison picture of beams of the H04 and the C2 Pro Nichia?
Very good catch (and sorry I don’t have C2). Skilhunt H04 has 3 different versions: H04 RC (Tir optic for flood), H04F RC (Reflector w/ external diffuser for flood??), and H04R RC (OP reflector for throw), mine is the third one and that’s why the beam is so throwy. I use my headlamp for evening walk & safety, so prefer max throw, but for closeup work around the house I wouldn’t recommend it. Floody beam is (of course) better. BTW I think the Skilhunt 200 looks excellent also, more output than my H04 for sure.
The Skilhunt just screams quality. It’s like whoever designed it has put a lot of thought into it. Candle has 2 levels, Turbo has 2 levels, button feels great, small & light, different optics choice, BEST IN CLASS headband that allows light to rotate. OTOH the Convoy H2 has Nichia 219b 4500k, which you cannot get anywhere else. All that said, for me the most important criteria besides beam shape is color rendition, “you” have to like the color rendition of the LED.
Some numbers:
Skilhunt H04R RC 519a: 97 gm, turbo=743 lumen (measured w/ Texas Ace lumen tube), throw 84 m
Convoy H2 219b: 127 gm, turbo=596 lm, throw 155m (if you are looking for throwy beam and the famous 219b rosy tint, this is your only choice).
Convoy is of course 20 bucks (!), its headband is ok but I had to buy an Olight headband to make it a little more “luxurious” looking. Even so, nothing matches the easy rotation of Skilhunt headband.
very interesting. Not this is getting hard to decide, between black friday offer and a coupon I could get the C2 Nichia or the C2 White in sand color for 63 euros, that’s actually cheaper than the H200.
Great thread! Lots of good info and nuanced discussion about the best headlamps and tints.
The B35AM is also available in the Convoy H2 headlamp (18650, unfortunately no compatible TIR. Optional 18350 short tube). See these photos from macomako’s Reddit:
H2 B35AM 3000K default reflector:
The HD15R is already very floody. I had it, and I think it has an even wider beam than my Skilhunt H04 with the 60° TIR (the widest compatible optic available from Convoy). The LH351D, of course, appears very green and is less pleasant compared to higher-quality emitters.
If you want even more flood than the HD15R, consider a mule as well (e.g., the DW4 mule).
Unfortunately the flood light is red otherwise I would be mostly satisfied with it. On the specs it says Beam Degree: white 105°, red125°. So it’s probably in the range of other floody lights.
The DW4 once properly configured gets a bit pricey, but I see the interest in it.
.
otherwise I would be mostly satisfied with it. On the specs it says Beam Degree: white 105°, red125°. So it’s probably in the range of other floody lights.
, you mean swap TIR of the throw led?